ABOUT BLUE MOON ASTROLOGY
and Elaine Kalantarian
One spring, several years ago now, I caught an acute case of the astrology bug cured only by voraciously reading my way through stacks of astrology books. At first I read solely for my own pure enjoyment, but little by little, as I began to share bits with interested friends and family, reading for pleasure morphed into serious study, eventually leading me down the path to a whole new and wonderful line of work. After dedicating four years to independent study of the art and practice of astrology, I officially hung out my shingle in 2009 at the Cancer New "Blue" Moon and Lunar Eclipse which formed powerful aspects to my natal chart: conjuncting my Cancer Moon and trining my Scorpio Sun and Mars.
My interest in becoming a professional astrologer stems from wanting something more soulful to contribute in life — a vocation that enables me to work with people in a richer and more meaningful way. Astrology is a powerful means by which we can understand ourselves better and thus make more fitting and fulfilling choices in life and I thoroughly enjoy applying this ancient art to inspire and empower.
I view astrology as a symbolic language that describes archetypal processes, the planets representing distinct and specific energies that shape — but do not determine — our inner dynamic. I resonate most strongly with the astrological school of psychological astrology that is rooted in the understanding that the best kind of astrological consultation consists of illuminating one's personal dynamic processes rather than delineating set personality descriptions or traits. Pigeonholing, branding, typecasting or even attempting to describe a complex human being, in my opinion, is both an excercise in hubris and futility but even more so ultimately disempowering and extremely limiting. I believe that freewill and inborn tendencies are both strongly at play in our lives, and the transformative power of the human spirit should never be underestimated, and always respected. I approach the discipline with a reverence for its ancient roots and wisdom, while incorporating innovations made in the last century by astrologers such as Dane Rudhyar, Alan Leo, Marc Edmund Jones, Isabel Hickey, Stephen Arroyo, Liz Greene, Howard Sasportas, Alice O. Howell, and many others.
Astrology is a complex art that takes years to understand, and when practiced competently provides a powerful tool for increased self-awareness as well as understanding the cycles of life: past, present and future. As astrologer Ray Merriman aptly writes: "Astrology is a forecasting tool. It outlines the likely conditions ahead, not the inevitable outcome, as a prediction would. True astrologers understand that the outcome of anything must involve choice, and choice is an aspect of free will. Astrology, and the Astrologer, is thus a 'choice revealer' not a 'choice maker.'"
Prior to becoming an astrologer, I taught preschool through the primary elementary grades for 11 years, at which point I left teaching to pursue a career in writing and editing. Since 1996, I have worked as a freelance writer, graphic designer, and website developer. I currently work from my home in the "wild woods" of Northern California that I share with my husband and 11-year-old daughter.
I am a member of the professional astrological association, National Council for Geocosmic Research (NCGR) and I practice in accordance with their Code of Ethics. NCGR's preamble statement is an excellent summation of solid professional and ethical astrological practice:
Astrologers are dedicated to the development and enhancement of the human condition through an understanding of celestial phenomena as applied to human concerns. Astrologers are committed to honesty, fairness and respect for others. Guided by the objective application of astrological technique as well as a commitment to the improvement of the human condition, astrologers seek to increase understanding and compassion world-wide. They remain acutely aware of the need to understand themselves in order to understand and help others. Astrologers are aware of the immense contribution astrology can make to human knowledge and wisdom, and accordingly encourage inquiry and an open exchange of ideas both outside and within their profession. And above all, astrologers respect the potential power they hold to affect the lives of others, and accordingly strive for the highest levels of competence and diligence.
On a collective level, I see astrology functioning to help humankind find its "way back" — to remember who we are and regain a crucial, humble reverence for the wonder and beauty of the natural world — this web of life of which we are but a small part. Astrology can help us "source" the innate human need to honor and work with natural cycles, so beautifully illuminated in this ancient art's sacred geometry and poetic language.
My greater intention as a practicing astrologer, in addition to supporting and empowering individuals through private consultation, is to share astrology's deep wisdom in order to help us heal the rift that has persisted far too long between Mother Earth and her human children. Our fates are intertwined on this beautiful blue-green planet and we must reverse the "modern condition" — a joyless, devastating split from source — this "Nature Deficit Disorder" — and re-forge a vital connection to Mother Earth and Father Sky.
As far as my own natal chart goes, aside from a Scorpio Sun trine Cancer Moon, my Ascendant falls in earthy Taurus, and the Midheaven (career-vocation) in Aquarius, the sign that rules astrology. My main "chart challenge" is a t-square (tense, dynamic chart pattern) in angular houses involving Sun-Mars-Juno-Uranus-Chiron that has given me many lessons around the higher use of the will and the importance of finding my own unique path. It's a very impish aspect too, no doubt found in the charts of many naughty children and mischievous sprites.
The icon at the top of the page is the glyph for Transpluto-Isis. Astrologer Lynn Koiner writes: "The life lesson associated with Transpluto is learning wholeness and integration in your relationships with others. The concept of wholeness and integration is doing something, fighting for something, because it is correct for the whole, not any specific individual or the self."