posted September 05, 2002 08:32 AM            

Linda was my first experience with astrology, and I have been hooked ever since!

posted September 06, 2002 10:56 PM              

Funny you should mention Sybil Leek. I actually learned to do charts from her book, "How To Become Your Own Astrologer." Sybil was a wonderful Pisces. I ran her chart recently. Wow!

All,

I was born February 20, 1948 and raised a Roman Catholic. For some reason, which I still can't figure out, I became interested in astrology at about the age of 13, buying those little sun sign books you now find in grocery stores. No one in my extended Italian family was involved in astrology, although there was a little Italian witchcraft going on.

I really began to learn astrology in earnest around 19-20 years old when I picked up Linda Goodman's book, "Sun Signs." What an amazing woman Linda is. I still remember and use her different little "sayings" for the signs today. My boyfriend (now husband) and I camped across the country and while he went trout fishing, I would read and re-read Linda!

When I decided to cast charts (by hand in those days), I used Sybil's book which I mentioned above. I bought all the requisite books (Table of Houses, Time Changes, etc.) and with paper and pencil (no computers back then), started doing charts. I took classes along the way with some excellent astrologers and have learned much.

I put astrology on the shelf in my late 20's...gone but not forgotten. It has only been over the last 5 or so years thatn I've started to do charts again (this time with computers!). I started corresponding with an astrotwin (born the same day, month, year...four hours apart), and he is interested in astrology as well. This jump started me again. I seem to have a knack for seeing the "life drama" in natal charts.

To me, astrology is just a roadmap given to us when we are born. It is God, the Universe, our Higher Selves, however you want to experience it, talking to us. We can use it or not. I once heard a story about a famous Guru who was asked if he thought people should use astrology. He answered, if you are in India and want to go to New Delhi, if you know the way, you just go. If you don't, you'd be silly not to use a road map to help you get there. To me, astrology is a road map. It helps us navigate the roads and by-ways of our lives.

I like that :-) And I adore Linda Goodman's work. She has done more to get people interested in astrology than most! I still recommend her books to anyone who wants to learn about astrology.

posted September 18, 2002 01:43 PM              

I am a Capricorn, and wasn't so proud of it until I read Linda's Love Signs. Everything I read about Cappy's was pretty cold, only interested in succeeding, status, money and material things, etc. Everytime I would read a daily horoscope in a newspaper or magazine, I would become jealous of the other signs! Mine was always related to work and money, and everyone elses had some really cool stuff going on. Then I found Love Signs!!! Wow! Finally! Someone who depicts a Capricorn as another fellow human being, with alot more going on than money and work, which I don't have by the way. Hence, I fell in love with being a Capricorn, am proud to be one, actually, fell in love with Linda and took a more serious interest in astrology. I have read Star Signs and Sun Signs also. And another favorite book that has stood the test of time for me is Parkers Astrology by Derek and Julia Parker. I bought it about 10 years ago when I sent off for my very own Natal Chart and report and found it to be accurate but a little repetitive and computerized and I needed a resource to dig deeper into my chart, make it more personal, and Parker's opened the door wider, and really just makes me want to know more. So I understand about planets, signs, houses, and aspects especially in my own chart, but I want to know about everyone else that is important in my life. I want to know what makes them tick! I want to learn about transits and progressions, something I just haven't been able to figure out on my own (for once) and also Synastry and maybe even Harmonics.
My definition of astrology is pretty simple: Astrology is the study of the effects of planetary forces upon man. A method for man to learn about who he is, where he came from and where he is going. Once you learn this, you can make better choices for yourself and for your personal evolvement. It reveals a persons character and tendencies and I believe a person can rule his stars somewhat by exerting his will, once he is forearmed with the knowledge of these tendencies in his character and trends in the stars.

I'd like to thank you Randall and everyone else involved in starting this course!!!! Like i said before, I don't have alot of money to spend on books, or correspondence courses and free information on the web is very limited to stuff I already know. This is revolutionary!! And you guys are angels for giving and sharing your advanced knowledge so freely!!!!

Sincerely,

Dee

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We don't see things as they are.......we see things as we are.

posted September 18, 2002 02:23 PM            

I first discovered astrology in 1979 when I was working in America (I'm English for those that don't know that). I met a woman through colleages and the very first thing she said to me was “You’re a Virgo”. Now this totally amazed me (as I am), so I asked her how she knew. Well her reasons bore absolutely no logic, but were still amazing. She said “You’re wearing exactly the same necklace that I have just given to all of my Virgo friends”. So like I say, amazing but not logical. The necklace was a small bottle filled with very small gold pieces, on a gold chain. Not a particularly common/popular necklace at that time. Anyway, she was very “into” astrology and gave me a copy of “Sun Sign’s” by Linda Goodman as a gift. She also asked one of her friends to look at my chart, which she did, and she then gave me a tape recording of her interpretation. Sadly this tape went missing over the years and I no longer have it. I do remember her saying that I had been confined in a previous life – either in a nunnery or a prison I later understood that she was probably referring to the fact that I have 4 planets in my 12th house. Although I haven't studied Past Life Astrology – so I'm assuming that's what she was meaning.

I enjoyed reading “Sun Signs” and found it to be amazingly accurate, and then bought Loves Signs, Relationship signs etc but I really didn’t start to look much deeper into astrology until 4 years ago. At that time, I was trying to end a 12 year relationship because I was desperately unhappy, my ex had been both verbally and physically abusive towards me but we won't go into all of that

This started me on a “quest” to understand myself – how could I have been so stupid etc etc. Astrology seemed the natural way for me to find out the answers that I felt I needed. I can't really explain why I looked straight away to astrology and nowhere else for answers, other than my continued interest in it for over 20 years.

Through astrology, I’ve learnt a lot about myself. Anyway, I then progressed to looking at other people’s charts. This made me realise how different people really are from what they project. I realised that I never really fully knew/understood the man I’d lived with for 12 years and through astrology I now see people in a totally different light. Which can only be for the good of all concerned

So all of the above reasons led me to study astrology.

posted September 19, 2002 03:28 PM              

I don't know very much about astrology really. I have always read my horoscope in whatever paper/now various websites. I have found it fascinating how just the time/day you were born defines your entire personality.

Most people I know have that cursory interest in it but they don't hold much stock in it. I like having an idea of what the planets are going to be doing to my day, it's good to be prepared!

I am interested in finding out as much as I can, how to read charts how to make them make sense, how to interact more effectively with those around me based on their zodiac.

posted September 21, 2002 08:09 PM              

I was born on the 18th Dec 1968 (4:45 am )in Melbourne, Australia and feel blessed to have a Saggi sun and rising.

My hubby and I met when we were both 14 years old and had both of our kids before my 21st birthday !

Our daughter is 14 and our son is 13 and they are sensation kids who I adore to bits.
The heavens gave us a Cappy girl (Virgo moon~ Aries rising ) and a Lion son (Taurus moon ~ cancer rising ).

Hubby was only a second year apprentice when I was pregnant, so needless to say, we had absolutely nothing in material terms, and I honestly mean nothing !

We moved in with my father-in-law and lived in my hubby's bedroom for 6 months, then rented houses for years until our place came up with the housing commission.
We lived there for three years and then hubby started his own business and we saved our arses off till we had a deposit for our own place.

We now have a gorgeous red cedar house on two acres, with a dog, two ducks and lots of lazy chooks. We live opposite a pony club, so the veiw out of our lounge window is trees and bush........it's awesome. No traffic caus it's a no through road, just pure peace and quiet! We have converted about an acre into garden beds, which I wish you could all see, they are just so pretty.
We have possums, a wombat, the occasional kangaroo and rosellas, black cockies, kookaburras,and frogs all roaming around our neck of the woods. See what I mean, it was worth the wait !

I went to a mind, body and spirit festival about 5 or so years ago and tried to have my Astrology done. I knew nothing about any of this and as I didn't know my time of birth, the guy asked me if I wanted my Numerology chart instead,which I got. Well this was my "eye opener" and ever since I am constantly searching to find out more and more. I now am a book junkie and according to my husband I have enough books to open my own bookshop.

So, needless to say, I've gone overboard in the "introduction department" but hopefully you all enjoyed my little world. The "funny farm", I call it !

p.s. ~I write better than I speak, so I do tend to get carried away.

See you all soon

poops

P.S. ~ Everyone thinks I'm crazy for beleiving in the strange things that I do.......Oh well....such is life !

posted September 25, 2002 04:30 AM              

My interest in astrology started whn I was about 12. I com from a very small conservative town so the reading material in the local library was very limited. They had sun signs and love signs though and these were my saving grace. Linda taught me more than anyone else and she inspired me to continue searching and learning. Anyway, I realized quite early that there is more than just the sun sign but became frustrated as I had no teachers or a lot of books available. So came the end of my school career ( thank goodness! I was misunderstood and accused of all sorts of things because of my beliefs). I went to university and met my now husband. Studied for 2 years then had to give up because of financial restraints. We started travelling around the country staying in a new town for about a year or so before moving on. This expecrience gave me a whole new perspective on life. After working in several different industries, I started at a bookshop 4 years ago. With all the reading material I could wish for and surrounded by wonderful, open-minded people I seriously approached astrology. I bought my first computer programme and found a teacher. Well here I am now, several programmes, teachers and courses later. I aspire to practice astrology full time but it is still not that widely accepted in my country and the economy is quite bad at the moment but I will perservere!

Thanks to everyone for making this such a wonderful, warm and informative environment.

posted September 29, 2002 12:31 PM              

Oh yeah and I'm a much smarter and happier girl then ever before! Miracles do happen!

posted October 07, 2002 12:01 PM              

I knew about astrology but did not start studying it untill I was 19. I began study through a friend. She told me to read Sun Signs, she said it would change my way of thinking about the way people behave.

My friend also said that I attract conflict.. And that I am stronger than she ever could hope to be. Because....
I live with husband-Libra, daughter-Aries, and son-Scorpio, I think? Nov.22, I haven't done his chart yet.

I learned tarot/card reading at a young age(12) And wondered if I could combine the two- Hence my interest in Astrology.

My existing knowledge is limited, I have some books on the subject and have been studying for a while. At this point I can only say that this course is a blessing for me. Because I need to learn more.

I would descibe astrology as the science that helps us to understand "why people behave the way they do"
My opinion is that It can help us to see what our attributes are, so that we may use them and so we may make said attributes stronger.
As well as the fact that it can help us see our faults, so that we may be able to use that information to our advantage also.

EX: If a person has a communication attribute- If said person is given the knowledge that the attribute exists they can nurture it, make it stronger, and better their life in doing so.

I guess what I mean is if you have an attribute or fault, You need to know they exist in order to perfect them. If you have communication, but you do not know how to communicate with people, I feel that you would be at a disadvantage through out life-
but if you learn to communicate, you will be at a greater advantage than say, a person who has learned to communicate, but does not have communication as an attribute.

When asked why I want to study or learn astrology I respond with " I do it to better my knowledge of others and myself."