Why I Became An Astrologer
Susan Miller
My interest in astrology began because of my childhood illness, I had a rare condition that affected one of my legs, and I wanted to know if I'd ever walk again. My mother studied astrology, but didn't do readings. I begged my mom to teach me, she said I'd have to study astrology for twelve years with her and never tell anyone until she told me that I was ready. My mother told me that I would be a writer when I grow up, and basically predicted that I would work online. She said, "when you get older there will be a new form of communication —so new we don't know the name of yet—it will change the way you work, and be the channel in which you make your ultimate contribution to the world." I'll never forget her saying that.
Astrology Zone got started when Time Warner invited me to write for their website, PathFinder.com—they weren't with AOL yet. This was around July 1995. There were no regulations online, people weren't even sure if the internet would work. But Time Warner wanted something for women every day, I was writing about 17,000 words, now I write almost 45,000. My first horoscopes were posted December 1995, so this month is the 20th anniversary of my site.
Rebecca Gordon
I grew up in NYC where stars are rarely visible, though I became completely obsessed with what was unseen in the night sky, for my 6th birthday I asked my parents for books about planets and the stars. This book arrived and was the seed of an ever-growing astrology library and my life-long study, passion and career.
I obsessively drew pictures of the galaxies from age 6-12 and when I was able to read, this book became more like a religious text that went everywhere with me. As a family, we began to travel to Africa, South America and Europe as my father is an anthropologist and everywhere we went, I just had to stare at stars in the backyard after dinner almost every night. For me, this was worship.
By the age of 14, my interests had grown into more esoteric subjects as I began to explore the I-ching and Tarot while venturing into the works of Carl Jung. One day, I was babysitting at my neighbor's house who happened to be an astrologer. I was immediately drawn into this field that seemed to encompass the planets, and yet drew a clear connection to the workings of our lives here on earth. The home owner, Marjean and I had many long talks and she became my astrology mentor throughout high school and we studied every week together. Later she married my father and I got a daily, and even heavier dose of astrology thereafter.
When I moved back to NYC, I voraciously continued my studies and mentored with Susan Miller amongst others. At the age of 25, I opened a year round school for astrology 'My Path Astrology School' that is now online as well as in-person. Today I am still in awe of the stars and planets, I continue to learn, teach and see clients. Astrology is my muse and will always be. In May 2016 I will be publishing a book with Simon & Schuster called 'Your Body and the Stars' with Stephanie Marango, MD, RYT.
Chani Nicholas
I was about 10 years old when an astrologer looked at my chart for the first time. She fascinated me. With one glance at my chart she was able to zero in on a quality I possessed which separated me from my surroundings. I was proud of this character trait. It was something that helped me navigate and survive the sometimes harshness of the world. I felt like someone had seen me.
The second time an astrologer looked at my chart I was 12 years old. She also looked at the charts of my whole family. I was spellbound at her ability to pinpoint the differences between us, the gifts we all had and the difficulties we faced. Seeing each of my loved ones through the lens of astrology helped me to appreciate each person that much more. I felt like I could see each person in my family more clearly.
That second astrologer had written a book that I went home and devoured immediately. Since then, I've never stopped reading, studying and observing astrology and how it impacts us individually and collectively.
Five years ago, I felt compelled to begin writing about astrology as I wanted to read about it. I am interesting in using everything at my disposal as a tool for individual and collective liberation, healing and justice. As a white, queer, non-trans feminist, astrology is a tool that I have to use to address social inequities and systemic oppression as a means for spiritual, emotional and psychological healing. To me spiritual well-being and social justice are not separate, they are interdependent. To apply a social justice lens to this ancient art can allow us the chance to truly see and to be seen. To be accurately seen by another, or by a system such as astrology, can be healing and transformative and that is what I am after.
Danielle Beinstein
I came out of the astrology closet just over 2 years ago when I began co-facilitating a monthly New Moon Circle in LA. I had been studying, privately, for over 15 years, charting family, friends, acquaintances and co-workers while I pursued a traditional career in media. But something kept tugging at me. And finally, at 33, I surrendered to my calling.
I've been drawn to storytelling my entire life: theater, literature, film, television. I'm endlessly fascinated by the human condition, the curious accumulation of traits and tendencies that make up who we are, that come to define us. It's what drew me to astrology in the first place.
I see astrology as a psychological tool, a way of understanding the very energy we are made up of. Why are we instantly drawn to some and repelled by others? Why do we find ourselves repeatedly befriending those born in the same week or month? Why do we react the way we do, communicate the way we do? It's all there in one's natal chart.
Astrology is so often misunderstood, maligned and labeled absurd. And I understand why. But I've read hundreds of charts and each reading only deepens my belief.
Sitting with clients, counseling them and witnessing the relief on their face as they come to greater peace with themselves is pure magic. It's why I do what I do. And it's how I know I'm exactly where I'm meant to be. Because there's no place I'd rather be.