Hi Friends,
I want to bring attention to something that's more philosophical in nature. We may have different perspectives on this and that's okay. I'd like to open up a discussion on the topic so that you can share your views on it with others in this field.
The question is about what you think/feel is the most ethical thing to do when working with people (giving readings, helping people heal etc.) in the capacity of astrologers. Do you feel/think it is our responsibility to give the person that we're addressing the full truth as is perceived? What is the ethical thing to do when we see something negative in the chart? What would be morally correct? What do you think would be the karmic repercussions of saying the negative things or withholding such perceptions?
As an example, if someone's chart has negative things like Jaimini's Kemadruma Yoga, which makes the life one of not getting anywhere because they might be running in circles being unproductive, I think that we shouldn't just give that piece of information raw. Instead of blurting something like that, which is pretty detrimental, we can provide them with guidance to work on their patterns so that they might have a chance in evolving past what is suggested in their chart. The reason is because the act of telling someone that they have this negative aspect might harm the psyche in the way that the person may hear that and play out the part without trying to heal it. I'm using Jaimini as an example because those techniques deal with the concrete of how things are.
Think about the self-fulfilling prophecy concept that's learned in psychology. Once the vulnerable psyche becomes aware of a negative thing, the person will probably be more prone to playing it out. The belief sets the stage for the drama to be enacted. A story/fable that comes to mind is one that I heard many moons ago as a child of someone who was trying to avoid death. In their avoidance, what actually happens is the inevitable meeting and coming face to face with death. Obviously, no one can truly avoid death since that is one thing that is set in stone. Once we are born, we are all running on borrowed time and we do have an expiration from the body that we inhabit. As we age, we become increasingly aware of the fact that death might be around the corner.
I believe that astrology has probably been done like this (focused on the detriments instead of focusing on the positives) by some in the dark ages when the knowledge of being a part of how destiny manifests and the keys to enlightenment were lost or forgotten. What I mean by that is that we can use astrology as a method for helping people realign to healthier patterns that will make life work out better and therefore, they can be more productive and fulfilled as a result. Perhaps some people are looking for the more negative fulfillment on a soul level so being unproductive and unfulfilled is exactly what the soul needs for evolution to take place even if not in this lifetime. I think that's a possibility.
How do you see our roles as astrologers? Are we to predict doom and gloom? Are we to help in the healing of individuals, and the world at large? Are we in the business of self-realization and on the path towards enlightenment? Even the word enlightenment suggests that we are to uncover the darkness to let in the light that we are and to be that light. Isn't enlightenment about becoming less burdened and more light on our path?
Anyway, I'd like to hear other views on this and share in a healthy philosophical discussion. Thanks everyone for being willing to authentically share your perspectives. Your contribution makes a difference. Your contribution helps educate and bring light to these topics.
Suzanne, I think a knowledgeable and intuitive astrologer such as yourself would discern from the chart if the client is in a healthy Avashtas to receive what you are advising them.I agree that predicting death is not productive for the astrologer or the client to make the best of a situation.Astrology is not a regulated industry so I think experience would guide the reading ethically.this is just my honest perspective on it.
@aisky I wasn't asking for advice starting this conversation, it was my attempt to start bringing light to deeper thought on these subjects especially for newcomers. I agree that experience is key because with experience comes our humility for this sacred science. The more we know, the more we know that we know nothing. 😉
One helping rule of thumb, that reduces the impact of the problem you are pointing out, is to let the question that your client has asked guide you.
If the bad indication is part of the answer to the question posed by the client, then yes, it´s generelly correct to tell the person, since they took the active and conscious decision to ask. Otherwise, generally, keep it for yourself. I think we should always avoid to make predictions that have not been asked for.
Not a complete solution of your dilemma, but it certainly reduces the problem.
Staffan
My approach is always empathetic. That is - I understand that even for the luckiest of people life brings challenges and suffering. Astrology helps us put things in perspective, see our path as part of the divine order of the universe, recognize our skills and unique blessings and challenges - so this is how I try to use the astrology consultation with the clients as well.
- give insight into what I think is going great in their life, what their strengths are, what their focus areas will naturally be, what their evolutionary path is
- diplomatically touch on some potentially challenging areas, without too much doom and gloom for sure. But I think it helps when a person is struggling with something major, to also hear from the astrologer that it is in fact only natural that this will be a tough area for them. They feel seen, they don't feel like "they're doing something wrong", they feel less lost.
- I always tell them that the purpose is for me to be of help, so if something doesn't resonate with them, if something feels harmful rather than helpful, they can absolutely ignore it.
- generally the more we tap into our intuition and approach things individually - the better.
I actually had a client who was almost disappointed that my reading was too positive - because he wasn't where he wanted to be in life, and while I was quite honest about the challenging areas, I kept telling him his chart is actually really nice. Well, what can I do, I see a great Raj Yoga, I see pretty solid LAs and nothing too scary - I can't force myself to be negative just to make him feel better in the moment about some of his failures 🙂 so you see it can go both ways, some may complain the reading is too negative, some - too positive. But as long as we feel we've done our best, we had good intentions, then I think there's nothing more we can do.
@nkan Hi Nadya, I love your well thought out response. I agree with your sentiment shared.
There's so much that we see in the chart, but also so much that we don't see because we're looking at a whole lifetime and trying to cherry pick something pertinent to this moment in time (for the most part). Of course, it depends on what type of reading we're doing also.
Karma can also be playing into the whole thing - meaning that they might need to hear something that's incorrect in order to get them to spark the curiosity by feeling in their bones that what they just heard was not true; or by feeling it was true then they're feeling validated. That reading in itself can serve its purpose by doing what was needed in the moment. But if their discernment isn't adequately developed, then hearing some negative prediction or statement may actually cause harm. That's the biggest issue that I see happening.
When people in need of guidance go seek help and see someone who portrays to be a professional they are putting their faith in someone that may not be able to give the best counsel because perhaps they have issues that they're still trying to work out themselves - they may not have the best intentions, may not have reverence for this work, who knows what the motivation is for doing the reading? But the person asking for guidance is in a vulnerable state and we should all have deep understanding of this.
The interesting thing about intention is that we may feel we have the best intentions at the time, but if we haven't worked out or at least attempting to work out our own inner issues, that often clouds things - makes us perceive things askew and give faulty counsel. That's why spending lots of time in contemplation/meditation helps clear the windows that we're looking through. We should aim to avoid projecting onto anyone things that we are still trying to figure out.
@suzanstars yeah, I fully agree with these points.
As far as possible, we should try to leave our ego, insecurities and judgemental attitudes at the door when consulting people through Astrology - try to be as objective as possible, though this will never be fully possible for any human.
I reckon staying away from toxins should also help, but that's just an assumption of mine. E.g. I believe that if we abstain from consuming animal products, alcohol, drugs, anything addictive + if we meditate, we can help strengthen our intuition.
A reading is a service. With a service you need to establish the scope of the reading meaning what are the questions the client have for you. Will this take me 1 hour or two hours or whatever. That way both the scope and expectation are established. Life is full of ups and downs. You can have bad Dasas and good Dasas. You might gain a lot in a good Dasa and lost everything in a bad Dasa or you can have several bad Dasas and one good Dasa and you made it. if you have a good chart you might be able to keep some of the things you earned in a good Dasa. Some charts are better than others for sure. The more problem charts people have, the more karma to burn in this life time. But as people we have to continue to live our lives, good or bad. I have met some very poor people with very little yet they are happy people and accept their place in this world. Then i have met some wealthy people who are totally miserable and of course many in between. The Avasthas will indicate that.
If I were doing readings and i am not (not for pay), I always look for something good to tell the clients. But I would be very careful not to advise anyone anything that i don't have the expertise or the experience. Psychological problems are deep and required training to open up the layers. I certainly do not have that kind of experience to give advise to people. It is important to know your limit as an astrologer. It is also important to listen to your clients and putting aside your own judgement to be able to give the effective answers. It is like gathering facts. You get all the facts then you can give your clients good answers. In a certain way, predictive readings are more straight forward. Yes or no answer, concrete answers. I am not saying it is easier. It is just more concrete
I would want to make the reading productive meaning that i will tell the clients the bad things that they are asking about, but at the same time if I see good things, i would want to share that with them. We all have that in our charts. So that the reading is not all about bad, negative things. It is all in how you deliver the bad news, if you know what i mean. It is important to know your limit as an astrologer, be honest with your clients and definitely trust your intuition....
tuyet