Astrology and Fortune Telling Q: What is astrology anyway? Isn't it like some kind of fortune telling? A: Real astrology is a time-honored tool which combines cycle analysis and a precise system of symbols to provide insights into the potentials of individuals and organizations. Because of its symbolic basis, astrology offers unique benefits in understanding psychological processes, emotional dynamics, and the spiritual foundations of human behavior. With its foundation in the study of cyclic repetitions, astrology also provides a basis for forecasting trends and tendencies. But that doesn't mean that real astrology should be considered fortune telling, no more than TV weather forecasts should be considered fortune telling. After careful observation and systematic analysis, a competent astrologer may discuss probable future trends revealed through horoscopes. If you are an astrological client, be cautious if your astrologer starts to make "doom and gloom" statements. Ethical western astrology is not fatalistic. All individuals have free will, and your "fortune" is determined by your attitudes and by the choices you make and the actions you take in responding to long-range cycles and to the trends of the times. Tim Bost's Background Q: What are your qualifications as an astrologer? A: I began astrological studies in 1968. Since then I've gained a working knowledge of virtually all the major modern and historical astrological methods used in Europe and America. My research ahs been enhanced by special studies of financial astrology with Carol S. Mull of Indianapolis and of classical horary astrology with the late Olivia Barclay of Kent, England. I hold the highest levels of professional certification from the National Council for Geocosmic Research, the American Federation of Astrologers, and the International Society for Astrological Research. My educational background includes a Bachelor's degree from Lenoir-Rhyne College and studies at Union Theological Seminary, the Energetic Life Balancing Institute, and the Liberal Catholic Institute of Studies. I've had considerable experience as a consultant to businesses, non-profit groups, educational institutions, and professional practices. I have been active in the Theosophical Society in America and the International Meditation Society, and am an ordained clergyman in the Liberal Catholic Church. I maintain active professional membership in all of the major professional organizations for astrologers. My astrological writings have been published in a variety of magazines and in the Llewellyn anthology, How to Measure and Manage the Astrology of Crisis. Second Opinions Q: Another astrologer has already done my chart. Is it okay for me to consult with you, too? A: Of course. You are free to work with as many astrologers as you like, although it is a matter of courtesy to let each of them know that you are consulting another professional in the field. Since each astrologer interprets a horoscope a little bit differently, I encourage my clients to consult others for a "second opinion" if they wish. However, I ask all my new clients to go through a basic natal horoscope session with me, even if other astrologers have already done their natal charts. That way I'm sure that you and I are dealing with accurate information and have established a comfortable working relationship as we begin to discuss the more advanced dimensions of your horoscope. Criticisms of Astrology Q: Don't religion and science reject astrology? A: Much opposition to astrology, on either scientific or religious grounds, comes from misunderstanding what real astrology is all about in the modern world. Astrology, a symbolic system for understanding human potentials and behavior in harmony with the natural cycles of the cosmos, should not be confused with astronomy, the systematic observation and study of objects in outer space. But important astronomers throughout history, including Newton and Kepler, have also regularly used astrology. As Ralph Waldo Emerson put it, "Astrology is astronomy brought to earth and applied to the affairs of men." Religious opposition to astrology often displays a lack of knowledge of the Judeo-Christian tradition's astrological roots. For example, the annual observances of Passover and Easter are "moveable feasts" that occur on different calendar dates each year, simply because their timing is based on astrological solar/lunar cycles. Religious belief, however, is ultimately a personal decision and a very private matter. Many devoutly religious people (including priests, ministers, and rabbis) have found astrology be quite compatible with their spiritual growth. As an ordained clergyman myself, I consider astrology to be an integral part of my ministry in serving others, as well as a practical vehicle for aligning my personal choices and activities with the natural cycles that so beautifully reveal the benefic workings of the Divine Plan. Sun-Sign Astrology Q: I've noticed that in your writing you don't deal too much with the signs of the zodiac, like Libra and Aries and Aquarius. Why is that? A: While the Sun-Signs are important, they don't give us the whole picture when it comes to understanding real astrology. Reading about your birthday Sun-Sign can be a lot of fun, and it gives people who are newly interested in astrology a simplified, entertaining approach that ultimately encourages many people to dig more deeply into astrology. But real astrology is very different from the Sun-Sign column you read in the newspaper. A complete analysis of your natal horoscope involves the coordination, synthesis and interpretation of dozens of different factors. Sun Signs are included, but they are just one piece of the puzzle. That's why your personal astrological consultation gives you a much more comprehensive, in-depth look at the dynamic cosmic patterns making you a unique individual. The Benefits of Astrological Consultations Q: Exactly what can I expect to gain from consulting with you as my astrologer? A: People come to see me as an astrologer for two basic reasons: they either want help in solving problems or they want to explore ways of expanding their potential. In both cases, astrology can be a powerful aid. As your astrologer, I'll help you take a fresh look at yourself and at the situation you're confronting. You'll get valuable insights into who you are and what your strengths and weaknesses may be. You'll learn about your personality traits, your talents, and your ability to relate to others. Although you will get a great deal of information during the time we spend together, I try to make my sessions with clients more than just "readings" of astrological charts. I welcome your questions, comments, and ideas at any time during our sessions. You will get the most benefit from your astrological consultations if you approach them as opportunities for dialogue. In most cases I'll be able to discuss alternatives and offer advice as we examine your horoscope together. Ultimately, however, your horoscope is like a mirror – it reveals your challenges and potentials, but leaves the responsibility for attitudes and actions up to you. The power to change your life always rests with you, and not in the planets or in their symbolic representation in your horoscope. What to Expect in a Consultation Q: When I become your client for personal astrological concerns, what will my first consultation be like? A: Your first session as my astrological client will be a general one. During this initial session, I will give you your natal horoscope – a chart which provides a symbolic representation of the planetary positions at the exact time and place of your birth. During an extended private interview I will personally explain your natal chart to you, giving you an overview of what it reveals about your potential as a human being and about how you can fulfill that potential. Since our sessions together are entirely for your personal benefit, I encourage you to take notes; you may also want to make a tape recording of our session. Plan for a two-way conversation – I'll do plenty of talking, but I invite you to ask specific questions. Our first session will be about 90 minutes long. There is no obligation to continue our working relationship after your initial session, but you and I will have a chance to discuss your personal goals and the possible areas we can cover in additional consultations. Privacy Issues Q: Will our consultations be kept confidential? A: Absolutely. The information you share with an astrologer is privileged communication, just like your conversations with your doctor, clergyman, or attorney. Because of my professional and ethical commitment to you as a client, I will not reveal to others anything we have discussed in our private sessions unless I have your permission to do so. However, I do reserve the right to use material from our sessions in my professional presentations and publications – while carefully preserving your anonymity. You, of course, are free to share what you have learned from our sessions with anyone you like. Our sessions together are designed to provide the greatest possible benefit for you, and I encourage you to use the results of our time together in creative and productive ways. Making Consultations Affordable Q: I'm really confident that astrology can help me, but I'm honestly not sure that I can afford it. Aren't your services expensive? A: My clients consistently tell me that the money they invest in astrological services is a very small amount when it is compared to the actual value of the information and insights they receive during our sessions together. To get an idea of the real benefits involved, you might want to review some the testimonials that my clients have shared with me after our consultations. You should also be aware that the prices for my astrological services reflect the behind-the-scenes computation, study, and analytical work that I do on your chart as well as the actual time we spend together in a consultation. Complete listings of the astrological services I offer and my current fees for those services are available on the Practical Spiritual Astrology, Person-Centered Financial Astrology, and Coaching for Astro-Traders pages of this website. If you need to make special payment arrangements for my astrological services, please talk with me about it in advance. Beginning the Consultation Process Q: How can I get started as your astrological client? A: I meet with astrological clients by appointment only. We can begin working together as soon as you contact me, either mail, by phone, via email, or in person. In each case I will need to know the date, location, and exact time of day of your birth, as recorded on a birth certificate or other official document. I will also need your name, address, email address, and day and evening phone numbers. As soon as I have your birth data in hand, we will schedule your appointment. Most appointments are during regular business hours in my office in Sarasota, Florida, but I can occasionally make evening and weekend times available upon request. I also regularly travel to a variety of locations throughout the country, so some out-of-town appointments are also possible. If you have an urgent need or are unable to come to my office, we can also do our session by telephone. Relationship Challenges Q: I'm having problems in my marriage. Can astrology help me? A: Yes. You and your spouse may also want to consult a marriage counselor for assistance with your difficulties, but astrology can be a big help in understanding your individual differences and in suggesting ways you can cooperate with each other more effectively. If the two of you get astrological help together, you're certain to learn new things about each other. The process of exploring personal relationships through astrology is called synastry. Synastry is helpful not only in understanding marriages and intimate relationships; it brings many benefits to business partnerships, and parent/child relationships, too. It's the foundation of special consultations that I provide as a part of my services in Practical Spiritual Astrology and Person-Centered Financial Astrology. Astrology in the World of Business Q: What about business and the markets? Surely the leaders and decision-makers in the financial world don't take astrology seriously! A: On the contrary, astrology is becoming more and more widely accepted and appreciated in the realm of business and investments. Of course business people are just like any other human beings – some of them have strong prejudices that keep them from considering the advantages that astrology offers, and some are reluctant to consider new ways of doing things. Because of prejudice and misconceptions, there are also some business and financial leaders who use astrology regularly, but who are hesitant to admit publicly that they do so. As a whole, astrology's role in business is expanding. I think two things are responsible for this trend. First of all, business in today's world is truly global. No matter where their home offices are located, modern companies have frequent contact with firms and individuals throughout the world whose cultures have long openly used astrology as an important decision-making tool, not only in business matters, but in many other life concerns as well. Secondly, more and more of today's business leaders, traders and entrepreneurs have been discovering that astrology really works. They only have to experience the enhanced results from an astrologically-timed marketing campaign, develop improved strategies for taking care of difficult customers or employees, or take home the extra profits from a successful trade, to start to understand just what a powerful tool real astrology can be! Astrology and Global Politics Q: I remember that there was quite a flap several years ago when the news media learned that astrology was being used to help President Reagan schedule his travel and personal appearances. I haven't heard much about astrology being used by world leaders since then. What's the story on this? A: Astrology is still very much in use by many world leaders, but it isn't publicly acknowledged very often. Modern politics being what they are, most heads of state and government officials are very sensitive to public opinion, and the public is still sadly misinformed about the true nature of real astrology. In less complicated times, of course, astrology often had a place of honor in the inner circles of government. The leaders of the ancient world considered astrology to be an essential tool for governing wisely and managing the affairs of state properly. There were also other prominent figures in U.S. history who used astrology – Benjamin Franklin was a skilled astrologer himself, and Theodore Roosevelt kept a copy of his natal horoscope mounted on a chess table in the Oval Office so that he could keep an eye on the impact of the transiting planets. Getting Started in Astro-Trading Q: I'd like to try my hand at equities trading using astrological methods, but I'm not really sure where to begin. How do I make sure I'm taking the right steps with my trading? A: The most systematic way to begin astro-trading is to start with the Basic Stock Market Astrology Home Study Course. It provides lots of detailed instruction, not just on market astrology, but also on the basics of trading and effective money management. Once you've completed the home study course, you may want to consider becoming a participant in my individualized Coaching Program for Astro-Traders. When you participate in this program, I'll work with you to get past your fears and misconceptions, and to help you connect your new-found knowledge with real-world results in the markets. Using Stop-Loss Orders for Capital Preservation Q: What do you think of trailing stops for investments in the stock market? What's the best way to use stops? (Original question submitted by Max Lenc of Colorado) A: The stop-loss order, or simply the "stop" for short, is certainly the most critical tool in the successful trader's arsenal. Your question is especially important for several reasons. First of all, stops are an essential component of effective money management when you are trading. Secondly, your experience with using stops and your basic attitude about accepting losses as a trader are often the key ingredients in developing the kind of winning psychology that is essential for profitable trading. Third, there are no immutable rules for setting and using stops. They essentially must be reinvented by every new trader, and creating stops is ultimately more of an art form than a science. In our own experience, learning to set and use stops appropriately has been one of the greatest challenges to becoming effective traders, and one of the most rewarding ones as well! There are many approaches to creating stops, but the basic notion is always the same: a stop sets a pre-determined level at which a stock will be sold, avoiding the possibility of further losses. In the case of a long position, the stop is placed beneath the current trading price. When a short position is involved, the reverse holds true, with the stop placed at a price above the current trading price. Trailing stops are used in coordination with the changing prices of a trending stock. As the price increases in a long position, the trailing stop does likewise, with the opposite being true in a short position. The trailing stop can be set at a specific dollar level below the current trading price (say at $2 below the previous day's close), or it can be calculated at a fixed percentage rate relative to the changes in the trading price of the stock. Trailing stops are especially appropriate when a stock is moving up fast, but when a stock starts to trade sideways or dips slightly below its recent trading range, a trailing stop can sometimes take you out of a trade when you would perhaps rather stay in for a longer haul, since the prevailing trend may not really have reversed. Other approaches to setting stops employ different parameters. You can derive stop-loss levels from Fibonacci retracements or from Bollinger bands. At times we have found that an easy way to work with stops is simply to take a look at the stock's recent trading history on a technical chart – for example, you might choose to set a stop that is at a price just below the low of the previous week's trading. With the Financial Cycles Model Portfolio we adjust our stops weekly – you'll find information about how we are changing them in the "Current Positions" section of each week's newsletter. Be sure to check this section weekly so you can keep your stops current in your own trading account. Because we are astro-traders, we are particularly interested in stop-setting techniques that are connected to the cosmos. One of the best approaches that we've found is to base our stops on planetary price lines – you'll typically find these mentioned in the description of next week's "Stocks To Watch." No matter which technique we employ for setting our stops, however, there is one firm stop-loss rule that we believe should always be followed: never enter a trade without having a stop in place! Investing in an Astro-Trading Portfolio Q: How much money do I need to have to begin astro-trading? A: The Financial Cycles Model Portfolio starts each trading year with $100,000, but you can use more or less than that amount to start your own trading program. Starting without a sufficient amount of capital to put at risk can make it very difficult to manage an ongoing trading plan effectively, especially when you face a string of losses. The tendency is to feel like the astro-trading system isn't working for some reason, and then to get out of the market, ultimately missing out on opportunities for bigger profits. When you begin your astro-trading program, it's important to use only money that you can comfortably put at risk, and to decide how much of an initial investment matches your personal goals and levels of risk tolerance. Losing Money in the Stock Market Q: I've noticed in the track record for the Financial Cycles Model Portfolio that a lot your trades in the stock market wind up losing money. Shouldn't an astrology-based system do better than that? Isn't there some way to avoid losing money in the stock market altogether? A: The only way to avoid losing money completely is to stay out of the stock market completely. Our approach to astro-trading, like any real-world trading system that makes money, includes some losses. In fact, we regularly plan to take losses – and to keep those losses small – to make sure that we're in the market when opportunities for big profits arise. Planetary Factors and Broad Market Trends Q: I've seen research that says that the markets are up on an average 66% of the time. And the strong days in the month are the last trading day of the month and the first 4 days of the month, in which the market are up on an average on 75%. But in FinancialCyclesWeekly you mentioned planetary combinations that you say work to bring the Dow up 67%, 61%, 57%, and 59% of the time. Since some of these are smaller percentages of increase than the overall averages, shouldn't we expect these planetary influences to lower the market instead of bringing it up? (Original question submitted by Bjørn Hedberg of Norway) A: The answer to this question lies in the different time frames employed by various market analysis and forecasting methodologies. While it may be accurate to note that the market is up 66% of the time when seen from a long-range perspective, our concern as short-term swing traders is whether or not the market will go up in the immediate future, when we have a specific trade in play. Just knowing a long-term average trend is not enough for our purposes; we want to know whether or not the specific equities we are trading will be supported by a rising tide in the broader market during the duration of our trade. An examination of the long-term market trends will readily reveal that the general upward bias over an extended period of time includes many deviations from that norm, with some extended shorter-term periods of unrelenting bearish downtrends and some periods of frenzied buying that punctuate the long-term mean direction with more energetic rallies and peaks. That's one of the reasons we look at astrological factors in the first place as we do our market analysis. The planetary cycles and astrological dynamics present an ever-changing kaleidoscope, but the individual factors at work can be measured and then used as tools in forecasting – with some fairly specific implications about the strength and duration of their influence. When we add them to the mix in our market analysis, we do so with a background understanding of the overall direction and long-term temperament of the market as a whole. In other words, the astrological factors that impact the markets have a cumulative effect, with their weight and influence added to the overall expectations of long-range market trends. The market has a general positive bias, but very powerful combinations of planetary factors can combine in certain ways that might lead us to expect a short-term downward move in the market action. On the other hand, if we get a group of planetary factors that all suggest an imminent upward market move, their influences can still be felt, even though they may not individually have enough strength to dominate the overall market trend. They each provide an incremental amplification of the prevailing market tendencies, giving us a higher level of confidence in forecasting a positive market run in the short term. An Astro-Trading Fund Q: You seem to have had pretty good success with astro-trading. Do you have any kind of fund that's open to other investors? Is there some way that I can turn over my money to you so that you can invest it for me? A: No. At present I don't actively manage other people's money. Instead I provide a variety of tools and resources so that you can learn to become an effective astro-trader yourself. Planetary Cycles Q: I'm interested in figuring out the synodic cycle of planetary pairs – in other words, the cycle of relationship between various pairs of planets. My goal is to see if there are any correspondences with business cycles and stock market cycles. Is there any easy way to figure out what these cycles are? A: Just take the individual orbital periods of the two planets in question and subtract the smaller from the larger. Then divide the resulting remainder into the product you get by multiplying the two orbital periods together. For example, the orbital period of Saturn is about 30 years, and the orbital period of Jupiter is about 12 years. So the Jupiter/Saturn synodic cycle is about 20 years: (30*12)/(30-12) or 360/18 = 20. Uranus has an orbital period of roughly 84 years, so to find the Jupiter/Uranus synodic cycle we would take (84*12)/(84-12) or 1008/72 = 14 years. Starting Points for Planetary Cycles Q: I have been studying Financial Astrology for several years now and have come a long way on my own. However, there is one thing that I have not been able to find an answer to. How does one tell where the major cycles begin? I am talking about the Saturn cycle of 30 years, and the Jupiter cycle of 11.87 years. If I could tell where they begin then I could also figure out when and where they end. It must be simple, but the answer has eluded my best efforts in study. I know there is an ingress cycle from house to house, and also a synodial cycle with planetary conjunctions, but there has got to be a way to tell when these larger cycles begin. (Original question submitted by Mike Case). A: By their very nature, planetary cycles are perpetually repeating, and thus have no beginning or end. We measure them like any other cycle: in the classic example of a sine wave as a cycle, we can measure from crest to crest, or from trough to trough. We simply find a point at which the cycle begins to repeat. With planets we can certainly reckon on the basis of ingresses or synodic contacts, as you suggest. In Financial Astrology we can also superimpose the planetary cycles on the action of the markets; we can take, for example, a significant high or low in a market, note the position of a particular planet at that time, and then find the previous occasion when the planet was at that position. This gives us a complete planetary cycle with an intrinsically arbitrary beginning point, but it is nevertheless a frame of reference which we can usefully apply to our market analysis, with or without other modifying factors. Transits to Eclipses Q: I've been looking at the market impact of transits to eclipse points, but I don't know what kind of orb to allow. What do you suggest? A: If you're looking at the impact of an eclipse itself, then an orb of about 3 to 3.5 degrees seems to work best. But when I work with transits to an eclipse point before or after the actual date of the eclipse, then I use a much tighter orb – about 1 to 1.5 degrees. Matching Stock Picks to Personal Horoscopes Q: I've heard that I can make more money in the stock market if I just trade stocks that are compatible with my natal horoscope. Is this true? A: In many cases, the answer is yes. I have personally found that it is more important to avoid trading stocks that have major clashes with your natal chart, or ones whose First Trade charts trigger some of the psychological booby traps featured in your own natal horoscope. This notion of compatibility is certainly a valid one, but it should be approached cautiously nevertheless. If you find a stock with a First Trade horoscope that is compatible with your own chart, sometime the tendency is to "get married" to the stock and hold it indefinitely, regardless of what the market is doing. That may make for a great relationship, but it's not necessarily the best way to make money. Just be clear about what your goals are if you want to avoid being blind-sided. Still Have a Question? Ask Tim Bost directly! Click here to email your question. |