This week, we had the pleasure of speaking with Lynn Holt – a professional natal and horary astrologer. We discussed her beginnings, what is her specific approach to Astrology, and what are some of the most popular answers her customers are looking for.
When did you first know that being an astrologer was your calling and how did it come about?
It was Sun sign astrology that first got me interested in the subject – as a teenager, I used to avidly read the daily and weekly horoscopes available in newspapers and magazines. Then, much later in life, I accompanied a friend to an astrological consultation with a professional astrologer. I had no idea about the influence of other planets or rising signs! I had to know more!
So, I bought a couple of books (“Sun Sign Astrology” by Linda Goodman and Ivy Goldstein-Jacobson’s “Here and There in Astrology”) shortly followed by many, many more. With the advent of the internet in the late nineties, it became easier to follow other astrologers in the blogs and forums so that by 2010 I had become quite confident and started accepting clients.
In 2015 I gained the diploma in Advanced Astrology from Mayo School of Astrology in London which allowed me to register with the APAI the English register of Professional Astrologers, which also has an international following. In 2017 I gained a diploma in Horary Astrology from John Frawley.
What is your approach to Astrology?
My approach is a mix between modern and traditional astrology in natal work, and traditional astrology in my horary work (horary is one of the most ancient forms of astrology and pulls up a chart for the moment a question is asked and is then interpreted to obtain an answer). Horary makes up 80% of my actual work.
What are some of the most popular answers that customers are looking for?
Nowadays people rarely come to an astrological consultation “just for fun”. They seek astrological advice when they have a problem (or several problems) that they can’t understand/don’t know how to deal with or are completely lost or overwhelmed by some usually painful life event and are seeking direction or wanting to know how and when these problems will end.
What is the most important detail in maintaining a relationship of mutual trust with customers?
Not being judgemental in any way. Clients trust you enough to tell you their story which often involves very personal information and feelings. We as consultants are not traveling their path and we have to offer any advice from a very “detached” point of view taking their feelings into account and also knowing our own personal limits.
Although most professional astrologers have nowadays taken courses on ethics in the consulting practice, we are definitely not professional psychologists for the most part (some astrologers however do have psychology degrees). Clients who have manifestly shown the need for psychological help should be directed to those professionally equipped to help them.
In this field, it is often thought that word-of-mouth and personal recommendations are the most important when picking an astrologer – is this true?
Yes, this is definitely true in my case but many also advertise in the specialized magazines and that is fine too. Clients must also be very discerning in their choices.
Many professional astrologers now have diplomas from recognized schools and organizations and whilst this is not a guarantee in itself that a particular astrologer is better than one without qualifications it does mean that you have an organization to appeal to if you as a client believe you have been treated badly.
Was there anything that you felt you needed to do to deepen or develop your abilities/skills?
I knew nothing about horary astrology until around 2015 when I heard it mentioned in a forum and was curious enough to want to know more. That was when I fell in love! Horary is so specific, giving detailed answers to almost any kind of question.
That is more or less where I’m continuing to specialize at the present moment although I still do natal consultations too. Astrology is such a fascinating subject that I never get bored of investigating new techniques or following classes.
What do you love most about your profession?
It is humbling. Clients feel safe enough to tell me their most intimate secrets and this is amazing, and each consultation or question asked usually makes me realize that I’ve had similar experiences to them and that my answers help me grow too.
