Code of Ethics for Astrologers

by Resti Santiago

As with any profession, astrologers need to abide by a code of ethics.  There are do’s and don’ts ethical astrologers agree to protect the name of their beloved scientia. There might be differences in techniques  and interpretations due to personality differences and other factors. One astrologer may prefer modern or psychological astrology, and another one would prefer the older system but both of them must adhere to the same code of ethics.

Why is ethics important? 

Ethics is important so that fleeting personal opinions and personality-based pronouncements will not erode the reputation of other astrologers or astrology itself. 

Astrologers, knowing their strengths and weaknesses, should try not to project their own issues when reading their clients’ charts. One common trait of newbies (mostly males) is to use astrology as pick-up lines. Though it is understandable at first, as one tries to experiment with the knowledge, it can also get out of hand. Knowledge of other people’s inner nature can be abused to elicit reactions other than what an astrology-reading should be – to aid others to make important decisions.

By the same reason, astrologers should also refrain from being judgmental. If negative traits are discussed, ways on how to address them must also be explored with the client.

It’s simple. Astrology is one of the so-called esoteric or spiritual sciences and its practitioners must exhibit a certain degree of restraint nurtured by wisdom. Astrology was never meant to be for entertainment. Those who developed astrology were priests (of the old religions) and philosophers in the Hellenistic world.

AFA code of ethics

There is a danger that astrology can be abused for personal purposes. Most international organizations are after the protection of the profession itself when they devised their code of ethics. The American Federation of Astrologers (AFA) require their members to make it clear whether they only make interpretations based on verified astrological chart and have the client know whether systems other than astrology has been used. For example, if predictions about devastating earthquakes are done with the help of non-astrological means, the astrologer must say so.

AFA members follow these words:

“I agree not to interpolate or introduce into any astrological deduction any interpretations that are irrelevant to the science of astrology without first stating that such deductions are neither based upon the chart nor identified with the science.”

Serafin Lanot, the great Filipino astrologer, who popularized astrology in the Philippines in the 80’s, will read a person’s chart only if a birth certificate is available for him to see. When my original set of astro friends and I visited him in 1993, a few months before his death, it was only I who did not get a reading from him. I was not able to produce my birth certificate at that time. He was very strict about this, as he was a member of the AFA.

OPA ethical guidelines 

Another group, the Organization for Professional Astrology, also takes ethics in earnest they even categorized their ethical guidelines into three.

1. Responsibility for the client
2. Responsibility to the general public
3. Responsibility to other astrologers and the profession of astrology.

For more details, please check their site: http://www.opaastrology.com/about/code-of-ethics

The National Council for Geocosmic Research (NCGR), one of the most organized astrology organizations in the world, have come with more specific guidelines. One of the most important section is about the misuse of astrology.

Misuse of Astrology

a) Misuse includes gross misrepresentation of astrological factors used to make sensational and exaggerated claims in public statements.

b) Astrologers are alert to and guard against personal, financial, social, religious, or political factors that might cause them to misuse their influence. 

c) Astrologers do not participate in activities in which it appears likely that their expertise or data will be misused by others.

d) If astrologers learn of the misuse of their work, they take reasonable steps to correct or minimize the misuse or misrepresentation. 

Astrologers must also respect copyright laws.

Crediting and Citing Sources

Astrologers realize the importance of intellectual integrity. They are aware that the improper use of copyrighted material is illegal, and that plagiarism (the presentation of another’s work as one’s own) is dishonest. This one has been my pet peeve and has taken extra care to follow this. Maybe because of my Aries sign, to be original has always been my goal. Although knowledge is all around the Internet, an idea becomes yours only when you have fully understood it, applied it in your life and expressed it in your own words. In one of the FB groups I joined, where the top astrologers in the world gather, one of the rules that we had was to cite sources of astrological rules that one uses when making posts. Serious astrologers take intellectual integrity seriously.

For more details, please check their site: https://geocosmic.org/about-ncgr/code-of-ethics/

I predict that there will be more demand for astrologers in the coming decades and more students will explore astrology. But it would help everyone to be aware of ethical standards among astrologers.

Originally published in Filipino Astrologer 2018 Auspicious Timing Guide.

Painting the Zodiac Signs

By Shanti Isla

I painted these in 2016 when Venus was transiting Capricorn. I was inspired by the Llewelyn astrology calendars. I buy them every year. I used acrylic paint on 8" x 10" canvas. I am self-taught.

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Cancer

Leo

Virgo

Libra

Sagittarius

Capricorn

I only painted seven signs because at that time I was taking care of the baby of my sister. When baby was asleep, I would paint. Then my feelings changed and I wanted to paint something else.

(Editor's note: Taurus and Virgo were painted after the initial set of seven. They have been added to this post.)

Self portrait by Shanti Isla

Shanti is a Capricorn. She is organized, responsible and hardworking. Her rising sign is Aquarius. Smart, passionate and crazy in love because Leo is in her house of relationships. She was the chef and owner of Bliss Cafe, a vegetarian restaurant in Baguio City.

Venus in retrograde

By Luanne Manlapaz

Venus and Earth.
Photo from WikiCommons.

I'm stuck with being in love with you
at least for the next 31 days-
Venus is in the peak of her retrograde
and there is nothing I can do but give in,
helplessly drink what the cosmos bring,
succumb to the planets, without a clue-
I'm never strong enough not to

and the pull is so strong
that one night of being with you
will never be enough
at least not until the end
of this Venus month

and we don't even have to touch
(well, maybe hold hands
just like the last time-
the innocent gesture
of a dangerous crime)

But really, in reality,
because I rarely get to see you
maybe merely looking at you will do-

I'm intoxicated by your presence alone;
and I crave the sound of your voice
carrying your priceless thoughts
to my soul-
a need so raw;
I'm infatuated, addicted
feeling helpless and medicated

I've chanted the mantra
of mind over matter,
emptied my mind with deep breathing,
did everything by the book,
but nothing is helping
I remind myself that in a month
as always, this will be over,
no need to be afraid,
(at least until the next retrograde)
but of course, it doesn't help.

and although this bout of fever isn't new
time made the last one obscure:
I lost details to this blur of
did it or did it not happen?

breathing life to moments
I've completely forgotten

mechanics are complete
but I lost the name of the game
memories reduced to a scent
familiar only by it's name

like the shadows
of what was once adolescent hysteria-
I remember the faces
Though I lost the nostalgia

But now my brain is itching
and I can't stop this incessant scratching

so I wake up early
so I can work non-stop the whole day,
so I can sleep early
so I can wake up in the middle of night
and think of you without distraction
and write you silly poems
that you'll never read

31 days left -

and until then I have the comfort
of having the cosmos to blame

until time dilutes this deluded phase-
and I go back to feeling sane-

and she will be there
shining in a faultless distance:

Venus-
floating with cruel abandon in space,
Gracefully back in her proper place
Moving direct in her glorious path
Oblivious to her retrograde's aftermath

Dancing and twinkling on her merry way,
Drifting further and farther away

As I remain
awaiting the return of reason-
at least until the next retrograde season.

Luanne Manlapaz also writes at Filstrology.

How Saturn Made Me Take a Crash Course in Astrology

By Kaye Domingo

Having had several sessions with astrologer Resti Santiago, including some where I received warnings from him, I realized that astrologers can give you a blueprint of your fate.

But this will have an impact on you once you realize that you have  experienced these significant events mentioned in your readings. There will be a greater impact after you realize that what was predicted in your readings have actually come to pass.

From September 2015 to December 2017,  Saturn was in Sagittarius. I have a Sagittarius ascendant and sun sign. The past two years took me by surprise. It was as if I got run over by a train, especially towards mid-2017 until the end of that year. I won't go into details; I lost everything I worked for in the last 10 years – family, house, kids, money, my sanity – all in one day.

From that day on, I have taken the liberty to study the external factors of my fate. And I took this as the moment when I could start studying astrology. I have been asked by Resti to edit or proofread his work, and with all these things happening all at the same time, Resti was there to guide me through it all. 

I found myself immersed in studying astrology all day and all night for the following reasons: 1. To cope with the loneliness and trauma; 2. Not think about my problem all the time and have something else to focus on; 3. To answer the question, “What the hell happened?”

Every night, I found myself obsessed. I was studying sun signs, ascendants, planets, houses, and how the interplay of all these worked; learning what the good combinations and bad combinations are; figuring out how to work around the bad effects and how to maximize the happy effects. 

I fell down on my seat when I studied my ex’s chart. If I had knowledge of astrology when we were not married yet, I would have had my doubts confirmed then. But combining his chart with mine, it appears that what happened to me was really my fate. With our marriage chart, one could see Saturn scathing in the 5th house. So my fate was etched in the stars!

And there I saw my life, the things I did in the past coming back at me – with Saturn lecturing me like a tough auntie telling me to go where I should be and not to go where I think it will be more challenging because challenges are exhausting. From my chart, Saturn seems to be telling me: “I am here to make you sit down, slow down, think things over, work out the consequences and then I will give you your rewards. But achieving those rewards are not easy.”

Every day, every night, I kept reading books and articles and watching videos on astrology. I kept on, reading other people’s charts – until I see their faces light up, realizing that I flicked some switch of clarity. After six months or so, I can read a chart decently with enough details for another person to be satisfied. And that was the beginning.

Yes, astrology helped me cope, at the same time, astrology helped me accept my fate. I was angry most of the time since the moon-in-Virgo me had done everything possible to keep things together. But living with someone with Mars and Saturn in the 7^th house was just too crazy to endure. It was not his fault entirely; but the freedom-loving Sagittarius felt too stifled and could not express her true feelings. That was our fate, we were doomed to part.

Until now, I have difficulties coping since astrology is not the answer to my problems. It just helped me understand some questions which led me to clarify things. 

If I get stumped, I would analyze different chart types. You can learn that people are fated to meet but are also fated to part. One indication that that will happen is if there is a Mars in the house of romance on the day that they met.

The point is, if you are serious about learning astrology, study the significant events in your life. You can only know the real meanings of the planets, and their corresponding aspects and combinations, if you experience it. The fate of astrology still lives because we know it works.

Astrology and me

By Allyssa Ashley Apple Lim

My interest in astrology started when I was in elementary school. Yung mama ko kasi, pag may free time sa office, she would always read about zodiac signs and would apply it to me. Whenever we talked, she would randomly say, "that's so Sagittarius."

My curiosity deepened when I entered high school and I would find out and still remember the birthdays of each and everyone in my class (including teachers). I was really addicted in sharing my knowledge with my friends. Sometimes I would give them short description of their traits according to their zodiac signs. Some were happy and some just gave an "I don't care" look, but what I discovered about people is that they always wanted to hear something about themselves, especially if other people did so for them.

I was in grade seven that time and, yes, immature in a word. I don't know if this is coincidence but I fought with 5 Virgos in my whole junior year. Since I'm so impulsive and all, every time there would be a Virgo pal that would try to befriend my Sag ass, I would back off, thinking that we would not be compatible. This attitude of mine continued until I got into sophomore year. 

I can definitely say that I improved a little that time but I was still stuck on sun signs. That year was the most unlucky year for me because my scorpio adviser has this hatred towards me that affected my grades entirely and I felt so rebellious at that time with my aquarius bestie, who was supposed to be on my side ( btw, she's also into  the "study of the universe"). 

I did get back at my solar return chart that time and though I might not have fully known how to read the chart yet, I could see that I was quite restricted and hated by authorities. Luckily, I escaped unscathed that schoolyear and entered the next one.

That one was a different kind of hell. The teachers had a soft heart for me. That was the year when I got the information I wanted: I saw a post in tumblr that talked about certain planets in different houses. I opened the account of the owner and saw that she had a guide on how to get a birth chart. I was so intrigued that I searched throughout my house just to find my birth certificate.

As I saw my chart, my heart was pounding. People don't know how determined a Sagittarius can be when it comes to education. With the help of Google, I searched each and every planetary placement I had and I felt so fulfilled. Now my knowledge just keeps on improving, but not as much as I want to because astrology is a life-long learning adventure.

(Allyssa Ashley Apple Lim is a new member of the Astrology Friends Philippines group)