I once had someone ask, “How do I know that if I send you the money first, you will send the reading and not just take my money?” (I record all my readings instead of doing phone consultations.) To which I replied, “The same way I know that if I send you the reading first, you will send me payment for it afterwards.” The penny dropped; she hadn’t thought of the chance an astrologer takes by doing work before getting paid. I also pointed out that she is protected by the fact that I’m the one with a reputation to protect; I couldn’t pull that trick more than once without it showing up all over the internet, whereas most clients can “stand up” an astrologer with relative impunity.

I worked cleaning houses for people for awhile but even that paid better than being an artist. Do you think the idea of Patrons of the Arts (including astrology) will ever come back in vogue?

I once heard someone say that jobs no one wants to do (cleaning toilets) should pay more than the ones practically everyone wants to do (rock star, professional athlete) – but weirdly, it never seems to work out that way. Except in the case of astrologers, who get to do groovy work but generally have a tricky time earning a living from it.

That’s 5 k more for the Janitors than the Astrologers.

Oh well, better than scrubbing toilets right? Not that it’s a contest.