Three classes of people who do astrolgy.

[mikestar13]

To my perhaps overly-schematic mind, the three classes:

1. Astrologist -- some one who "believes in" astrology and lives by it to whatever degree according to their understanding.

2. Astrologer -- some one who "gets" the nuts and bolts of casting and interpreting horoscopes. Most of us fall into this category, in degrees ranging from rank beginner to beyond damned good.

3. Astrologian -- a term I coined, by analogy with "theologian". Someone who is interpreting astrology itself, delving its deeper meanings and discovering new things, and new understandings of old things. Some of you fit this category (I do not). Jim E. is a grand master, Fagan and Bradley were High Priests.

[SteveS]

Since I have spent the last 30 years of my life studying the gentleman's work mentioned in class 3--throw me in Class 3 & 1.

[mikestar13]

Since I have spent the last 30 years of my life studying the gentleman's work mentioned in class 3--throw me in Class 3 & 1.

Steve, judging by your posts, you are comfortably high in class 3. Maybe I'm being uncharacteristically modest not including myself in class 3. The classes are inclusive--I can't conceive of an astrologian who thinks astrology doesn't work (well maybe a tropicalist who is ready to see the light of the stars). No one could achieve this rank without at least a passable ability to cast and interpret a chart, though he/she needn't be world class at it. It is just barely possible that someone who disbelieves in astrology might be able to cast and mechanically interpret a chart, but why do so?. An honest person who does not believe just won't do astrology, and a charlatan who wants to separate people from their money/people of the desired gender from their pants would find it easier to fake the techniques (beyond the names of signs and planets) rather than learn them.

[SteveS]

I hear you Mike--well spoken words.