It Began So Innocently
Like so many others, I read Linda Goodman’s book on Sun Sign astrology when I was a kid.
I read it over and over and got to the point that I could even guess a person’s Sun sign…sometimes. I was puzzled as to why it didn’t work all the time. I also didn’t seem to have a lot of the traits she said my Sun Sign had either. But it worked often enough that I remained interested in astrology, never dreaming I would end up being as involved as I am today. Isn’t it funny how we never see it coming?
In Pursuit
In my early 30’s, I found myself searching bookstores and libraries, spending whole days there reading astrology books in general, and Moon sign descriptions in particular, trying to figure out what mine was. I narrowed it down to two signs, Pisces and Libra. I asked my husband and a close friend of many years which one they thought was correct. Both my husband and my friend chose Pisces without hesitation.
The Meeting
Shortly thereafter, I met a woman and we became friends, astrology being what bonded us almost instantly. It turned out that she was an astrologer, and she introduced me to the Ephemeris and cast my birth chart for me (thank you, Carol!). Lo and behold, my Moon sign was indeed Pisces. Amazed, I plunged headlong into studying astrology, reading practically anything I could get my hands on.
Getting to Know You
One of the first books I read after I had my actual chart, was by Stephen Arroyo, Astrology, Psychology, and the Four Elements. His book explained and offered solutions to a problem in my marriage that my husband and I had not been able to resolve even after trying marriage therapy twice! I was so impressed, I HAD to know more.
I read many more astrology books, all of them of the psychological, philosophical type, which I found very fascinating at the time, since I had been a psychology major in college. I decided I would use astrology when I became a therapist, in fact, I had begun to wonder how any psychologist was able to practice without it. (At the risk of shocking my traditional astrology colleagues, I admit to still having a secret, guilty love for Jungian psychology).
Others Get Involved
My first astrology teacher (that wasn’t a book), was Arthyr Chadbourne, whom I met at a monthly Astrology meeting. He was the first person to tell me that psychological astrology wasn’t really astrology. I had no idea what he was talking about and we had many spirited debates about it. A very creative astrologer and very patient teacher, I had the fortune of learning his Sunset Method, which taught how the ancient Babylonians viewed the night sky; but I stuck with my modern astrology books.
We Break Up
Soon, however, I noticed that people were just not that interested in the psychological motives for their actions, nor were they that interested in “what it all meant.” I was flabbergasted. I thought everyone was deeply interested in themselves! But no, they wanted to know things like whether or not the guy they were dating really loved them, and if they would marry him. Or things like were they ever going to be famous (an actress asked me this question and she was pretty peeved that I couldn’t answer it).
I was so disillusioned, I gave up astrology altogether (I thought). People were not interested in hearing that astrology could only tell them what “energies” they would be dealing with, or that understanding their psychological motives were more important than knowing what would actually happen in their lives. I’m guessing that if they really wanted to know that sort of thing, they would have seen a real psychologist. :-)
Reunited and Better Than Ever
About two months was about as long as I go could before I was irresistibly drawn back to astrology. I was browsing in a metaphysical bookstore when a book seemed to jump out at me, titled The Real Astrology by John Frawley. I’ve never met John in person, but he has been one of my most valued teachers. His books were a revelation to me and I finally understood what Arthyr had been talking about! I studied his books and took an email course from one of his best students, Branka Stamenkovic. Horary astrology was exactly what I needed to be able to answer the questions that my clients were asking me! Well, after finding Horary, I was a total goner, even MORE deeply hooked on astrology,
More to Learn and Loving It
Having long been interested in Ayurvedic medicine, yoga, meditation, and Eastern philosophy, it was inevitable that I would become interested in Vedic astrology. Still, I noticed that while it was head and shoulders above modern astrology in its ability to give concrete, accurate answers, it wasn’t consistent. It got closer when I found Systems Vedic astrology, but the angel of astrology must have been looking out for me once again, because another astrologer recommended that I learn Vedic astrology from Ernst Wilhelm.
Ernst is truly a remarkable scholar, astrologer and teacher. His research and techniques have completely restored my trust in natal astrology, and while I still have a great deal more to learn from him, I now feel I can be of real service to people. He teaches Vedic techniques but uses the Tropical Zodiac, and in testing it out for myself, I agree that it works much better than the Sidereal zodiac. For those of you interested in the technical explanation of this method, (or to learn Vedic astrology from Ernst), a link to his site is on my resources page.
Together Forever
While I have no doubt that astrology has more surprises and delights in store for me (I suspect my love affair with astrology is for life), no longer do I worry that I won’t be able to use astrology to give real, useful, and practical answers to people.
Sharing the Love
I look forward meeting you and sharing with you everything that astrology has to offer!
Karen White
Astrologer
Please feel free to call, (714) 754-6443, or email me with any questions.
