Predictions in Astrology

In a reading last year, a client asked when her husband would get a new job. Since I could not see any transits or progressions that would change the status, I looked for his next Mars return, as this often indicates a job opportunity, and told my client that it was only five months away. She insisted that this was too long and that he would get a job sooner. I responded that no one can look into the future with unfailing accuracy and that her husband might well get a job before that date.

Astrology can be a reliable tool for seeing into the future, but there are still many limitations and though astrologers can accurately see "when", they can often only take an educated guess at "what".

However, even when we can see turning points clearly, clients may be unhappy with the news that they must wait a year - or more - for a planet to move into the exact position to change circumstances an move events forward.

We tend to anticipate life changes as if we could already see over the horizon, yet we look forward to a more immediate turnover of events, than astrology tells us will actually happen.

When looking at my own chart, I could see (by progression), a turning point two years in the future, and for me, that change seemed impossibly far into the future.

Suddenly I could empathize with the woman who couldn't wait five months until her husband got a new job. How much more difficult then, for an abused woman or a starving artist to hear that freedom or success is still years in the future!

So what can we say to friends, clients and ourselves to carry us through this duration of time?

These are some suggestions:

1. Make the change anyway as it may be that the "event" you are waiting for is not the one indicated by the astrological timetable. Thus for the woman who is waiting for her husband to find a new job, I suggested that he might find temporary positions or that he could find a job, but the Mars return would indicated a promotion or advacement.

2. Life is a process, not a destination. Evolution of any sort does not happen in a vacuum and many of the obstacles to cherished goals are part of the process of reaching those objectives. It is these very challenges that build character and it is sometimes only at the most difficult moments that the greatest potential is realized. All successful people have challenges, and it is often through these difficulties that we learn to see the world with a compassionate heart.

3. Sometimes the seeds of dissatisfaction need to be sown early, so that major life changes can have the firm foundation of completion and rebuilding so that such transformations can take firm roots.

4. When making significant life changes, it helps to be prepared. Getting the necessary education can better direct the future when opportunities become available.

5. Sometimes, present circumstances need to break down before you can move forward. Counseling may help to end love relationships that are not working,and then the process of forgiving will enable you to move forward quickly and cleanly when cosmic circumstances are aligned.

6. If you are planning to move location, use the time to get rid of what is no longer needed, dispose of junk, unwanted papers and unfinished projects.

7. If you cannot move forward, then consider using the waiting period to do all the things you said you would do "when you have time". Spend time with friends and neighbors, visit childhood pals, clean out the garage and make scrapbooks.

8. Enjoy the present moment. A new job, lifestyle or change of location creates a long to-do list with little time for leisure. You may have to let go of friends, so treasure you time with them and cherish the circumstances currently in your life.

9. Frustration and unhappiness with present circumstances can lead to a spiritual epiphany that shows the way to better choices. Seeing ourselves as spiritual beings leads to a wealth of options that are not available when all we want is endorsement from others.

10. When all else fails, do what the rest of us do: whine and moan until friends and loved ones are sick of listening.

PS. My client's husband found a permanent new job within days of the predicted change and has been happily employed since then.