Saturday, July 21, 2012

It's In The Stars!


Greetings, Gifted Reader!

During this time of monumental--and often terrifying--world events, one way to find answers is by utilizing Astrology. A lot of people think that reading a newspaper horoscope that dispenses advice to only 12 Sun Signs can provide guidance and, at times, it does. However, for truly accurate predictions, one needs to have a Natal chart erected and interpreted. And, that’s just the beginning. There are also daily transits to consider as well as progressions and other Astrological happenings that act as triggers in our charts. Obviously, planets in our solar system are not stationary and change positions throughout our lifetimes. Mundane charts can also be erected for countries to predict global occurrences. In fact, there are so many ways to read Astrological charts that it would take a dedicated blog to cover the subject.

So instead, this month we’re spotlighting Freya Aer-Sharona, an incredible Astrologer who has accurately pinpointed events in my life even though I, myself, am a degreed Astrologer! That’s right, charts can be so complicated to interpret that Astrologers need Astrologers.

Freya thinks in stars and manifests them...
Q: Freya, when did you first develop your interest in Astrology?

A: After my divorce in 1973, I started dating and met a man whose birthday was three days earlier than my Taurus ex-husband's and in the same year. They were so much alike that I asked him when he was going to make a pond on his property. This scared him as, indeed, he was thinking about it; that was the last I saw of him. Then I met a Libra man whose birthday was one day before mine and in the same year.  We were alike in so many ways that it was uncanny! These chance encounters made me curious enough about Astrology to make an appointment with an Astrologer for a reading. She explained Astrological events that had led to a breakdown I experienced in about 1970. She called the breakdown a “breakthrough”, connecting it partly to a Saturn Return (note: Saturn returns to its Natal position in our charts approximately every 29 years) and putting a positive spin on a miserable process. The Astrologer made more sense and brought me more clarity than any of the therapists I had seen for years. I have been studying Astrology ever since.

Q: Did you study formally?

A: I bought a few Astrology books at the Dorothy B. Hughes Bookstore in Seattle. Back in the 70’s and early 80’s, there weren't many good Astrology books available. Later on, I found a lot more books at Astrology Et Al Bookstore. In the early 80’s, I found a teacher, Kate, to teach me one-on-one how to calculate charts and the basics of Astrology. Because math is not my strong suit, to say the least, months went by while I struggled with it and got discouraged. In fact, when I finally bought a computer in the late 80’s and used Blue*Star Astrology software to calculate charts, I discovered that a lot of my hand-erected charts were inaccurate! Money was tight, but I managed to take a few classes over the years. I experienced difficulty applying my scattered knowledge and feeling confident with my interpretation of a chart. I think this is a common complaint among those of us who have a passionate interest in Astrology, but don't find a structured curriculum to study it in.

In the late 80’s, a friend from my Edgar Cayce study group told me about an Astrology meeting in Seattle, Dave's Astrology Get-Together.  It met once a month in the As-You-Like-It Library in the old IOOF building located in the Capital Hill district. During Dave's meeting, my sporadic, haphazard Astrology studies began to pay off. For the first couple of years of attending the meetings, I felt so boggled by all the shoptalk and “Astrologese” of the Astrologers that sometimes I had to leave early because I'd get a pounding headache! This, too, I think is typical of the early learner.

More time went by and I bought more books and took a few more classes. In 2000, I signed up for a correspondence course with a famous Astrologer, Noel Tyl. However, I discovered that I learn best in a physical class setting that allows me to exchange ideas with other students and the teacher. Thanks to his course of study, I have gained a real sense of “putting it all together”.

Freya interprets an Astrology chart
Q: Do you have a specialty as far as chart interpretation goes?

A: There are many different kinds of Astrology (natal, horary, event, mundane, medical, financial, etc.) and many techniques a person can use to interpret a Natal chart (secondary progressions, solar-arc directions, solar and lunar returns, transits, etc.), whether the chart is for a person or a nation. I have tried some of these techniques and feel some work better for me than others. I love the “a-ha! moment” when insights arise from my review of a person's Natal chart and the predictive techniques that I choose are confirmed by the person. If one can become aware of, and capitalize on, potential opportunities within a certain timeframe, that is very helpful. It's also helpful if one becomes aware of “Big Trouble Brewing”--a long-term aspect from one of the outer, slow-moving planets: Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. Being aware of the aspects to their chart can help a person make the most of a situation--be it a challenge, conflict or an opportunity.

Q: How does Astrology help you on a daily basis?

A: I usually keep track of what sign the Moon is in the sky. A Virgo Moon is a great time for digging in and getting housework or some organizational chores done. An Aries Moon is energizing and it's a great time for us to begin a new project. (I think a good introduction to Astrology would be studying the Moon. A good book for this is The Moon in Your Inner Life - Being a Lunar Type in a Solar World by Donna Cunningham.)  In addition, keeping track of Mercury-Retrograde periods (four times a year for about three weeks at a time) helps me. During Mercury Retrograde, I make extra efforts to double-check phone messages, appointments, directions, and communication in general. In fact, we're experiencing a Mercury Retrograde right now (from July 15 to August 8). Today, I spent over an hour looking for a bookstore (for yet more Astrology books!) in an area unfamiliar to me.  It seemed very confusing (Mercury Retrograde strikes again). Mercury also rules short trips.

I’ve also been experiencing challenges from transiting Uranus and Pluto aspects to my Natal Sun, Mars and Moon. This energy ramped up when transiting Mars was added to the mix and made a pattern called a T-square. Even though I knew ahead of time about this T-square from a review of my Natal chart last summer, and I was aware of which areas of my life most likely would be affected, now that the actual T-square is happening, I'm still finding the word "challenge" way too mild. Some days, I consult my ephemeris to see how much longer I can expect to feel bombarded by events that are beyond my control. Pluto is majorly transformative, so I will be learning to surrender in some respect.

Freya checks her emphemeris
Q: How have your predictions turned out?

A: Astrological predictions are not like doing a psychic reading. Logic, discipline and rules of delineation are involved, and I can track and explain how I arrive at my conclusions. The fact that a person armed with Astrological insight has free will can change a predicted outcome. Different topics and areas in life are assigned to each of the Twelve Houses. Sometimes, a prediction can be made about different topics found in a particular House. I recall one instance where I predicted my daughter's friend would get pregnant because her Fifth House was activated. One key word for the Fifth House is “creative”.  It turned out that the friend did not get pregnant as she was hoping, but creativity manifested as writings that she got published.

In late December 2011, my stepson and his girlfriend were ready to leave New Mexico and move on from a difficult situation. I saw from his girlfriend's chart that a female would play a major role in helping them move in a few months. It turned out that by Spring, a female friend in California offered them a solution, but one that did not materialize. However, they eventually answered an ad placed, indeed by a female, which led to a different opportunity for them in California and resulted in a move.

As an Astrologer, I seem to attract people who are seeking reassurance and validation. Among other things, predictions can help a person to recognize that they could do something they had not thought of before and actually feel empowered to work toward manifesting it.  Sometimes, a person may not want to hear an Astrologer's prediction.  Interestingly, I did not give Kate, my first Astrology teacher, the birth data for my second husband before I married him. I did not ask her about how a marriage would work out with my having a Scorpio-Sun daughter who was 14 at the time. That three-month marriage resulted in a painful lesson. It is better at least to go into what could be a difficult situation armed with information!

Q: What does your own Natal chart say about you?

A: With a Libra Sun conjunct Mars in the Third House of my Natal chart and both the Sun and Mars opposing my Aries Moon, and with Leo rising, I am what you would call a passionate person. I have my Libra Sun and three other planets, Venus, Neptune and Mars, in my Third House. Third House planets can lend themselves to teaching roles. Libra likes harmony. I tend to be a patient teacher, in spite of the close proximity of Mars to my Sun. Normally, Mars conjunct Sun can find a person being short-tempered and impatient. I do enjoy teaching. With Pluto on the cusp of the First House, I can be intense and some people may find that quality uncomfortable to be around. One quality I possess, thanks to Neptune, is seeing the best in people. Neptune is conjunct my Sun which I have seen as both a good thing and a bad thing. Aspects between planets in a Natal chart can be like that. I have learned that only seeing the best in people and ignoring their faults can sometimes cloud my judgment. Incidentally, the word “cloud” is a key word for Neptune. This has worked against me in personal relationships in the past. My Astrology studies allowed me to become aware of this tendency.

My chart has a little-known 165-degree aspect called a Quindecile, which I learned about while studying with Mr. Tyl. Quindeciles have an obsessive quality to them. In my case, I find it really helps me focus to meet deadlines. Such concentrated focus served me well in my work in the legal field. Yes, my Libra sense of justice steered me into the legal field where I worked for over 20 years. My Taurus boss once asked me, as I was raptly pouring over some Astrology charts during my work break, "Do you really believe in Astrology?"  Well, DUH!

Q: You're a first-rate Astrologer. Is there any way our blog readers can contact you for a professional reading?

A: I will be happy to do a session for your blog readers. Since I don't have a website yet, they could contact me through yours. In any event, I did enjoy reminiscing and sharing some stories of my Astrology learning process with you all.

Thank you, Freya! Remember readers, contact Freya through us by emailing gypsystars@me.com And, here’s a reminder that we will have new t-shirt designs for Fall at T_zing. Gypsy Stars is also on Facebook and you can post your metaphysical musings on The Urban Goddess fan page. Perhaps you know of someone who would like to be profiled here. Until our online spirits meet again…

Good luck, light and love,

Gypsy Stars