Age considerations when reading the birth-chart.

When reading someone's birth-chart it is important to take into consideration the age of the person one is doing the reading for. For people aged between 0 - 7 years, one will presumably be reading the chart for the parent, therefore most of the reading should be in terms of the child's potential; keeping in mind that one should encourage the parent to respect and foster the unique development of the child. That is the role of the parent as a guardian and facilitator of the child's learning. One would also consider the birth-charts of the parents in relation to the child, as the primary care-givers have such a major influence on the young.

Reading for children in person one must be careful not to foster a sense of imbalance or negativity. Children and young people are very impressionable and therefore a more matter of fact approach is appropriate, based on current concerns and issues, rather than looking too much into the future. Much of the emphasis of the reading will undoubtedly revolve around the consideration of positive alternatives or solutions to perceived problems.

People aged between 20 - 27 are still in the learning phase and hence a large part of the reading would be in terms of their potential, as revealed by their birth-chart. A proportion of the reading should concentrate on the enunciation of the learning process of self and the necessity to distinguish between ones own direct experience and that which is vicarious. Questioning the sources of ones own ideas to develop a clearer perspective can be a useful process at this stage of life.

People aged between 27 - 30 need a balance between consideration of what they have learned, what they are integrating and the next stage of life to come. (After 30). This can be a very productive time when a lot is happening for the individual and thus a broad but in depth exploration of the nativity and what lies ahead is appropriate.

People aged over 30 are moving into the doing phase. They more or less know who they are and seek guidance for where they are going and how they can work with energy to make things happen. Hence there is a larger emphasis in the reading on personal time-cycles.

People aged over 60 are in the mature years. They are more involved with the understanding of what has being, familial issues and the larger concerns of life. Of course, as at any stage of life, there is also an interest in personal affairs. Readings for older people will often involve a summing up of what they have achieved in life. Consideration would also be placed on the persons active or potential role as knowledge or wisdom holders; that is the need of society as a whole for their contribution and the sharing of such life experience.

With age comes perspective. With perspective the reactions to and experience of energy changes. Thus a transit of planet A to Natal planet B for Sue early in life might be experienced as a family event. The same transit for Bob, as a young adult might be experienced as a major decision time and for an older person such as Catherine it could be a time of increased activity.

During a reading I find that there is a sharing of energy with the client. If younger, it is like I become younger and look at the chart from a younger person's eyes. If the client is older than me it is like I become older and receive the perspective of an older person. There may be a difference in terms of age or background between myself and the client, but the universal energy that informs their psyche is primary and accessible when the appropriate skills are utilised. Thus differences are bridged by the communion with the universal energy that the client responds to.

One of the things I love in providing service to a client is that the reading is for them not me. Thus as the client gets excited and charged by what is revealed and shared, I gain a replenishment of energy. I am not overly drained but can maintain a consistent and professional approach throughout the entire consultation.

All readings should be "client directed". This means that the astrologer is not interpreting the chart for the client, with the client being a passive listener. Rather, the reading is directed by the client. For example, when I do a reading, if the client is new to astrology, I will start off by introducing the client to the language and philosophy of astrology. We can then explore together the relevance of the Sun and Moon and a few other factors in the chart. Thus they will acquire an idea of what can be done with astrology and what it is about. Having broken the ice, I then ask the client where they would like to go with the reading, or if there is any area of life they are interested in exploring in some depth. I always encourage client response, participation and feedback at all points of the reading to ensure that the reading is focusing on their needs and that we are connecting.

As human experience changes so does the way astrology works. One must therefore aspire to gain a sense of the client's current understanding and role in this unfoldment of the collective human psyche. I will read a chart for a client today differently to the same clients chart in six months or a year's time because humanity and the client are continually arriving at new points in their understanding and manifestation of energy. Each reading will be relevant to the now and the essence of where that client is at and each reading will also reflect the current issues and working out of energy that the client is going through.

Copyright. Stephen Winder.