Astrologers are in a strange business —
and so are therapists, doctors, and nannies. By nature,
we're caretakers, healers, and helpers, not moguls. In
another age, we'd have been retained by the king or by wealthy
patrons and wouldn't have needed to charge for our services.
But the modern day astrologer has got overhead to meet and
no wealthy patron footing the bills. I would love to spend
my days reading astrology gratis for anyone who wanted it,
but I've got to write hefty monthly checks for my electric
bill and for my (scarily high, ever more Everest-ian) health
insurance premiums.
So, I charge for my astrology services. It
took a long time for me to make peace with the business side
- the Capricornian side - of my gig as a freelance spiritual
guide and caretaker. Wasn't it somehow immoral to take
money from people who were suffering, or in need? Was I cruel
and uncaring for demanding payment in advance, or for becoming
annoyed when people didn't pay what they owed me, or when
they expected me to answer questions for free?
When I began practicing astrology professionally,
I had no previous experience being in business for myself.
Aside from the occasional paid singing, housecleaning, or
typing job that passed crisp cash across my palm, my working
years had been spent in sterile office jobs where my biweekly
paychecks were deposited directly into my bank account. I
went into business with almost no experience negotiating prices,
payment schedules, or terms of service.
Between my inexperience with business and my
existential guilt about being paid for helping people, my
first few years in professional practice were a disaster.
I felt like a little girl, playing store; uncomfortable taking
people's money, and too insecure to charge enough for my work
or to draft reasonable terms of service. Subsequently, I spent
half my time upset with my clients - and all my time broke!
It was a less than ideal environment for doing sensitive,
caring work.
Eventually, through trial and error, I devised
a system of handling my financial interactions with clients
that delineated clear boundaries and expectations. With my
heart in my throat each time, I gradually raised my consultation
rates until they were in keeping with what my colleagues were
charging and my experience merited. And the onset of the Internet
age simplified the process even more; thanks to Pay Pal, I'm
even back to receiving payments by discreet automatic deposits
directly into my bank account!
Looking back, I see this process as a Capricornian
rite of passage. (Appropriately, I began my professional
practice just after my Saturn return.) In learning to charge
a decent wage for my work, I learned to value my training
and efforts. In setting boundaries around payment and scheduling
matters, I eliminated those considerations as a potential
barrier between my clients and me. Now, I never feel anxious
or resentful about payments that haven't been received, or
clients who don't show up. Having paid homage to the Capricornian
side of my business, I'm able to relax and be completely available
to my clients on a nurturing, Cancerian level.
In a perfect world, money wouldn't be necessary,
and neither would limits or boundaries. The whole village
would look after the children, and nannies would be joyfully
unnecessary. No one would have relationship problems, personal
growth crises, or career questions, and astrologers would
be likewise extraneous. We'd all be one big, loving Cancerian
family. But it ain't a perfect world. Our doors have locks,
our ATM machines have secret codes, and parents have to make
a living, even if some would be happier at home with the kids.
Luckily, Capricorn stands off to one side in dignified pinstripes,
poised and at the ready to install locks, reset passwords,
and interview nannies to find the most qualified candidate.
There is an old adage that "good fences
make good neighbors." Like neighbors whose picket
fence strikes a happy compromise between privacy and sociability,
we all feel safer and more relaxed when we know where the
boundaries are. Capricorn is a master surveyor, with a
keen eye for fairness and a strong back for building a good
fence. At this Full Moon in his sign, consider where you might
benefit from enlisting his services. Are unchecked emotions
and flimsy boundaries interfering with your ability to form
good relationships with others? Are you giving too much energy
to caretaking, leaving you feeling exhausted and resentful?
And remember, good fences benefit both sets of neighbors:
Are you disrespecting other people's boundaries by smothering
them with more nurturing than they need or want?
To function as truly caring and nurturing people,
we need to respect limits - both our own, and those of the
people we hope to care for. So at this Full Moon, hand
over the business of setting boundaries and building fences
to the Capricorn side of your nature. And within his wise
and sturdy limits you'll find yourself energized, free to
devote yourself fully to the Cancerian business of taking
care.
