Gryphon Astrology Blog

Horary Question:

Should I become an astrologer, or would I be better off returning to school for religious studies? In March of this past year, I withdrew from my (academically oriented) master’s program in religious studies, as it was uninspiring and feeling like a bad fit for me. I have been studying astrology on my own for the past few years and am wondering if I should pursue this more professionally (after further studies). However, I have also been considering returning to school to do religious studies from a different approach, perhaps by earning an master’s of divinity degree.

I am wondering which would be ultimately more fulfilling to me, personally and financially. I have some concern about my ability to handle returning to school since I have some ongoing health issues, but the program I’m looking at does appeal enough to consider it. I want to focus on spirituality and help others with my efforts; I’m also not looking to get rich, but do need to make some money from whatever I choose. I’m wondering if you might have insights into which path would work out better for me.

—L.

Nina Gryphon:

Dear L.,

Yours is an interesting question, and I certainly would never anticipate seeing this exact dilemma! Most people I know make a very distinct division between religion and astrology, seeing the two of them as mutually exclusive. I believe this is unfortunate, as I personally believe that astrology is really just a practical application of the principles in religion, but I understand this is a highly heterodox view.

I cast a horoscope for your question, a method known as horary astrology, wearing the horoscope for the time of the question contains the answer. Readers can learn more about this ancient method in “Horary Astrology: What Is It?,” an article I wrote. The horoscope for your horary question is below:

Since you are deciding between two courses of action, we have to identify what planets will symbolize each path. Both astrology and religion are ruled by the ninth house, as they are both forms of higher knowledge. So we cannot give each of them a different house. The planet traditionally ruling astrology is Mercury, while Jupiter is the planet assigned to religion. So first, we will look at the conditions of each of these planets, and see which one is more auspicious.

Both planets are Peregrine, meaning that they are not in essential dignity or debility. This means that neither is particularly strong or weak. Bonatti said that Peregrine planets are neither good nor evil, but they tend toward evil, because they have no direction, and are easily swayed. Thus far, neither looks particularly appealing. Jupiter is in the 11th house, the house of its joy, so it seems that this is a career that is more comfortable for you in some way. However, Jupiter is also about to square a rather malefic Saturn in its detriment. Saturn rules the second house of money, so it may be that your religious career runs into funding difficulties.

Now, this is not astrologically motivated, but I would have to warn you that as an astrologer, it is unlikely you will make as much money as you need. The vast majority of people who make a lot of money as astrologers in the West are usually not astrologers at all, or particularly competent ones. They are the ones putting out the annual almanacs, daily horoscopes, and whatnot, and have entire gigantic franchises with their names on them. Most of us have day jobs that sustain us.

When I look at the 10th house, which shows money from your knowledge, I see a very mixed picture. On the one hand, that house is ruled by Venus in Libra, which approaches the powerful 10th house angle. This is a positive testimony for your finances, but just inside that 10th house we have two highly malefic planets, the Sun and Mars positioned very weakly. This combination of factors tells me that whichever path you choose, you’ll have to go through a long period of want, and only makes decent money much later.

The important thing is that you do not have to choose, and you can always incorporate astrological techniques into any counseling career. It sounds as though you could do very well as a licensed therapist, using your spiritual and astrological understanding to help your clients. The key is to understand that you’re not really making an either/or decision here, but rather unique to find out how best to integrate your interests into a career that will also be financially rewarding.

— Readers who wish to get a free or paid horary reading from Nina Gryphon may contact her via the astrology readings page.

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