In the Beginning

Endorsements for “Between Astrologers and Clients”

“Between Astrologers and Clients”
What a great read! As I experienced parts of this material being presented at the various ProSig/OPA Conferences and through the Newsletters, I realized I was experiencing profound insights into one of the most vital components of being a successful consulting astrologer. I am very pleased to see it now in book form.

As I delved into the pages, felt I was privy to all the years of experience and growth of one of the most respected astrologers and consultants in our field. It should be in every astrologer’s library and referenced often. Chris McRae (Astrologer and author of “Understanding Interceptions”, The Geodetic Equivalent Method of Prediction”)

… BTW, I started reading Between Astrologers and Clients yesterday - it's very good - congratulations!.... I just received the copy of your book. I intended to just quickly browse through it, but it is so interesting that I ended up reading several sections straight through. I'm looking forward to reading the whole thing. Really, it looks like you've written something very, very valuable. Congratulations…. David Cochrane (owner of Cosmic Patterns, founder of The Avalon School of Astrology, author of “Astrolocality Magic”, “Astrology for the 21st Century”, “New Foundations for Astrology” , “Harmonic Astrology: Close Up and Personal”)

“…. Thanks for that and for your perseverance in completing "Between Astrologers & Clients," a book certain to be helpful to many. Vicki Warner (Astrologer)

Dear Bob,
….Right now, I'm writing you about another matter. I've been reading parts of your book, "Between Astrologer and Clients," and am very impressed. It's clear, thoughtful, and fills a much needed gap in the field. Kudos to you for writing a much needed book. Yes, I'd be glad to write something for future promotion. I'm wondering if you'd be willing to allow me to print a copy of your chapter on Ethics for "An Anthology on Astrological Ethics" that I'm developing for a Kepler College course. I also plan to provide the book to the general astrological community. So far, I have articles from Dennis Harness, Ray Grasse, Donna Cunningham, myself, Richard Tarnas, and David Arner. Your chapter on "Ethical Considerations" would be a most welcome addition to this collection. Glenn Perry (Astrologer)

The whole premise of the book is that the relationship between astrologer and client is a transformational tool. So what is unique about this relationship? How does this relationship help us to understand the profession of astrology? How do we aid each other in personal growth? Basic astrological symbolism describes the universe. This underlying pattern is used as a backdrop to show how astrologers and clients interact. The psychological and behavioral landscape of this relationship emerges from one law. We introduce the twelve fundamental issues that emerge from this one unifying principle.

The Twelve Issues

1) Boundaries - describes the magic of how the work with clients is strengthened or weakened by the use of boundaries. Guidelines and explanations are given for promoting safety, nurturing and self reliance in the work. Correct definition sets the foundation for powerful work.

2) Money - shows how this energy affects practical issues. Money clarifies commitment. We work toward making it a non-issue.

3) Communication - demonstrates the role that listening, pacing, and understanding plays in connecting with clients. We develop strategies for achieving harmony through the process of conveying information. We discuss the importance of report and consensus.

4) Dependency - gives methods for addressing unfulfilled needs in either astrologer or client. Dependency recognized and handled correctly strengthens the relationship. Misunderstood or handled poorly, this ingredient can undermine the work.

5) The Value of the Work - explains why it is important for astrologers to correctly value astrology as well as their own work. Clients learn to value the work from the way astrologers approach it.

6) Prediction - takes up the question of how we look at the future. We look at the role astrologers play in shaping client's future, as well as the client's expectations.

7) The Practical Issue of Time - suggests ways of using the limits of time to make the work more powerful. Time, correctly spent gives strength and clarity to dialogue.

8) Confidentiality - addresses the clients right to privacy as well as the responsibility this places on the astrologer. Psychological and emotional restraints this privacy creates greatly enhances the work. The rules and procedures of confidentiality are necessary in order to insure purity of each session.

9) Ethical Considerations - reveals how our differences in experience create difficulties. We discuss what ethical behavior is and why it is necessary for the astrologer.

10) Control - addresses the use of personal power as a defining limit in astrological relationships. We see why it is important for clients to feel in control of their lives and why astrologers generally need control of the content of the sessions.

11) The Human Issue - shows how your personal chart influences your work with clients. Transcending the "rules" of governing our work allows us to transform consulting into an art form.

12) Hidden agendas - shows how unconscious or withheld information can misdirect a session. We explore ways energy trapped in the unconscious mind can be refocused for personal growth.

Concluding Thoughts

We take up some sum mating points in our work with clients. We look at the role the astrologer plays in the lives of clients. We compare different therapeutic models. Further, we examine the guiding principle of motivation in the life of the astrologer.

Endorsements for Between Astrologers and Clients

"I just received the copy of your book. I intended to just quickly browse through it, but it is so interesting that I ended up reading several sections straight through. I'm looking forward to reading the whole thing. Really, it looks like you've written something very, very valuable. Congratulations."
- David Cochrane, Astrologer, President of ISAR, C.E.O. of Cosmic Patterns.

"Dear Bob, ….. I've been reading parts of your book, Between Astrologers and Clients, and am very impressed. It's clear, thoughtful, and fills a much needed gap in the field. Kudos to you for writing a much needed book…I'm wondering if you'd be willing to allow me to print a copy of your chapter on Ethics for "An Anthology on Astrological Ethics" that I'm developing for a Kepler College course. I also plan to provide the book to the general astrological community."
- Dr. Glenn Perry, Astrologer and teacher at Kepler College in Seattle.

"…I got your book, read it, and loved it. I think you did a great job dealing with a very necessary subject for anyone thinking about developing a professional astrological practice. You can quote me on that :-))."
- Ray Merrimen, Astrologer, Financial Adviser to ISAR

"One of the great finds for me at the UAC congress was an astrology book that I found so good, that I have already started discussions with the author to have it translated in my language (Dutch). It is a book I can recommend to all advanced CHTA students (and other astrology students of course:-), namely those contemplating an astrology practice in the future, or for those who are already counseling others with astrology: Bob Mulligan: Between Astrologers & Clients."
- Joyce Hoen, Astrologer

About the Author

Bob Mulligan lives in Naples, Florida and travels the world working and lecturing in the field of astrology. He maintains local practices in several other cities, including Louisville, San Diego, and New York City. For personal renewal, Bob also spends time in India each year. Following Avatar Meher Baba since 1970, Bob was given astrology as a path of self discovery. This tool, used to help others, has also become his personal path to higher consciousness. Bob completed a Masters degree in philosophy and started professional practice as an astrologer in 1974. He was elected president of The Organization for Professional Astrology (OPA) in 1998. He has authored an astrological chart interpretation program called INDRA, and operates a four year correspondence school, "The Mastery of Astrology", training others in various aspects of astrology.