Astrological standards and discipline leading to professional governmental licensing and professional respect may very well be necessary to further the important information that astrology provides for the benefit of humanity. Several fine astrology organizations are working on variations of these topics and I hope to add new insights in this article.

Astrological standards and discipline leading to professional governmental licensing and professional respect may very well be necessary to further the important information that astrology provides for the benefit of humanity. Several fine astrology organizations are working on variations of these topics and I hope to add new insights in this article.

As astrologers many of us have been trying to figure out a way to get past trying to prove astrology works, get past having to prove astrology to astronomers, get past being involved in all the debunking of astrology's debunkers so that we can practice our profession legitimately. These seem to be stumbling blocks for astrologers and we need to have astrology become a respected, society condoned profession before we can make headway with anything else. I propose in this article one of the ways around the insanity in order to have astrology sanctioned by our society so we may function legitimately and be listened to legitimately. This proposal would also put a stop to the frauds that claim to be astrologers who are damaging the reputation of real astrologers by defrauding the public. Maybe its time for uniform standards and professional licensing.

Proven methods for achieving professional licensing in the USA by looking at other professions.

This writer is not only an astrologer, but is also a Licensed Residential Real Estate Appraiser. It was necessary for me to learn and adhere to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). It was necessary for me to take 90 hours of appraisal courses and intern with a licensed appraiser for two years in order to sit for the state exam to be licensed. It is necessary for me to take continuing education courses yearly to keep up with the latest in this profession to continue to earn the privilege to be a licensed professional. Without passing the state exam and becoming licensed, I could not hold myself out to be an appraiser and therefore could not defraud the public with lack of adequate knowledge in this profession. I went even further and took more voluntary, intense courses and passed more exams to receive three certifications: Master Residential Appraiser (MRA), Certified Real Estate Appraiser (CREA), and Certified Property Inspector (CSI) from three different appraisal organizations, which I am a member, to hold myself out as a committed professional.

The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) was written and implemented by and for real estate appraisers through an appraiser entity by the name of the Appraisal Foundation. The appraisers did not want anyone but appraisers, themselves, governing their own profession, so they worked hard to write USPAP. It took years to accomplish, but appraisers took it upon themselves to govern themselves with high professional standards to prevent con-artists from ripping off unsuspecting homeowners and lenders in the name of Real Estate Appraisal. Think of all the fraudulent so-called astrologers who have robbed millions of dollars from unsuspecting human beings, discouraging them from ever relying on astrology again. Money and faith stolen from people who wanted to believe in the worth of astrology and thought they were paying a real astrologer. Human beings are astrology's most precious resource and they are being ripped off falsely in the name of astrology.

Legitimate appraisers had their freedom without standards and licensing in the 1980s, but they did not want to be constantly put in the same category with the frauds. Back when there was no licensing or standards for appraisers, no one could tell who was a fraudulent appraiser and who was not. A lot of fraud was carried out in the real estate appraisal field. There was very little trust or respect regarding this profession. (Sound familiar?) Fly by nights could claim they were appraisers to make a quick buck. The public and financial institutions lost a lot of money. Something had to be done. As an astrologer, I don't like being put in the same category with the frauds and con-artists, and also don't like the fact that I have no way of exposing these frauds. The frauds that do not erect an astrology chart nor interpret it, those who don't have the knowledge or respect for the complex art and science of astrology, yet hold themselves out to the public as an astrologer for financial gain.

Since licensing was enacted appraisers still have many different appraisal organizations and educational institutions. Appraisers can choose which organizations they wish to belong to, which designations they wish to earn, and which specializations they wish to pursue. But even more important, Appraisers still have the Appraisal Foundation, a not-for-profit educational organization, dedicated to the advancement of professional real estate valuation. It was established by appraisers in the United State in 1987 and consisted of nine leading professional appraisal organizations in the United States and Canada. Since its inception, the Appraisal Foundation has worked to foster professionalism in appraising. They initially worked as volunteers and received funding from the dues of the members of the appraisal organizations which made up the Appraisal Foundation until they could fund themselves. The Appraisal foundation is now "Authorized by Congress as a Source of Appraisal Standards and Appraiser Qualifications." They proved to the lawmakers that they were appraisers with the responsibility and professionalism to be able to regulate their own profession. Every state real estate regulatory agency now sponsors the Appraisal Foundation. Most appraisal organizations sponsor the Appraisal Foundation. The Appraisal Foundation serves as the parent organization for two independent boards, the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) which establishes the qualification criteria for state licensing of appraisers, and also the Appraisal Standards Board (ASB) which sets forth the rules for developing an appraisal and reporting its results. The Appraisals Standards Board also promotes the use, understanding and enforcement of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP)

The Appraisal Foundation, which is run by appraisers, is the appraisers internal governing board who reviews standards, new procedures, and pays close attention to governmental issues that affect real estate appraising. They issue official statements to governmental entities regarding the appraisal field. They issue official statements to the general public to inform and protect them regarding the Appraisal field. Representatives speak at legislative hearings both state and national to further the appraisal causes. The Appraisal Foundation stands up for the appraisal field against attacks with society sanctioned authority. When the Appraisal Standards Board needs to make changes to it's standards and qualifications they are required to have an open forum where appraisers from all over can give there input and opinions, and these opinions are taken into consideration in the final analysis before any changes are implemented.

This is how astrologers, too, can govern themselves in a way that we can earn professional respect and yet be in control of our profession like never before. Astrology is taking such a long time to reach an organized, professional level commensurate with other professional disciplines. Perhaps trying to prove that astrology works is a stumbling block and gets in the way of first obtaining licensing and first proving to those in authority that we can regulate ourselves for the protection of the public. Especially with the opposition that astrology has met with, in part due to lack of technical, relevant documentation provided by astrologers that make sense in the everyday business world which lawmakers can relate to. Perhaps we haven't been going about it in the right way.

Being granted licensure while self governed by and for astrologers is a viable reality if we learn from other hard fought and won professions like the appraisal field. We need a united, organized front among astrologers even with all of the diversity of astrological methods and theories. All astrologers uniting for self government by astrologers who, only they, know their specialized field of study. There are thousands of astrologers, students of astrology, and supporters of astrology. Many who are "in the closet" as far as their hidden affiliation with astrology. What a strong voice we all could make to approach government entities with formalized and implemented standards of professionalism and proposed licensing laws. Western astrologers, Hindu, Verdic, etc. all coming together as an astrological community to develop strategies to empower the astrological profession.

It would take hard work and dedication because astrology is a very complex art and science in more ways than one, and we would want to make sure not to hinder the innovation, creativity and diversity of the astrological process. It's just a matter of rolling up our sleeves, putting our heads together, and making it a joint effort. It's important enough, and viable enough, to take this approach upon ourselves. We as astrologers should regulate the astrology profession sooner rather than later, because different municipalities have been dabbling at trying to ineptly doing it for us. When we are not united as a community of professionals we can not adequately promote and defend ourselves.

For example the first step could be to form an Astrological Standards & Qualifications Board made up of several astrology organizations, educational institutions and research groups to have a well represented entity. Funded by a portion of the dues of members of the various involved astrology organizations and institutions and through donations, and the work of volunteers until they can create their own funding. Then the first year or two could be utilized to request input from all interested astrologers on the variety of issues that would be published by the Astrological Standards & Qualifications Board. The astrologers' input would be important in making decisions by the Board. Astrologers working hand in hand to develop strategies which can be effective and worth while for the future of astrology. Then a pilot standards, qualifications, and licensing paper could be published for a review by all astrologers to make constructive criticism and give more input. Then more refining and reviewing by astrologers, until a formalized final copy could be published.

This Standards of Professional Astrological Practice (SPAP) could be the finished product as a document approved by astrologers for astrologers. With an addendum of proposed state licensing qualifications. This document could be what is brought to the legislature to request enactment of laws in regard to licensing professional astrologers! This document could be a professional, technical work of art which, if done right, would be respected by law makers for the detailed work it involved (as was The Appraisal Foundation's final product with USPAP.). After they read the document from beginning to end, which is what lawmakers I know do when something is put in their committee, they may find an understanding and respect for the complexities of the science of real astrology and may even be in awe of the dedication of professional Astrologers. The SPAP could speak volumes for astrologers. Presently the lawmakers have a warped, uneducated view of astrology. We need to educate them in a formal manner.

After reading SPAP they may no longer see our profession as magicians, spiritualists, card readers, palm readers, psychics, fortunetellers, mystics, tea leaf readers or other divination methodology. These disciplines each have there own concepts, their own place in the world, and their own beauty and power. Many of them have worked along side of Astrology as they are part of the cosmic plan. But Astrology is far more complex than all of those classifications and should never have been lumped in with them in the first place. For example, a psychic can also be an Astrologer who can use his or her psychic abilities, in part, to help interpret a horoscope chart. But an Astrologer does not need to be a psychic, or use other divination, in order to interpret the effects of the solar system on human beings using the practical applications of an accurately erected Astrology chart. There is a difference between divination and pure Astrology. SPAP and licensing is a way to prove it without trying to prove how Astrology works or what it's mechanism is. Leave that for another technical, unified project years after the licensing is enacted when people are more likely to be receptive to information from society condoned, licensed Astrologers. The licensing process will also avoid confrontation with Astronomers, by-passing them to become legitimate. We do not need the support of hardened Astronomers (and not all of them are hardened), or prove anything to scientists who are mean spirited, in order to become licensed by the government. We can use our society's laws to our advantage instead of to our detriment. Take the offensive, not the defensive.

We as astrologers should organize this effort on a Federal level instead of a few small groups trying to do a little at each State level. What is so bad about hiring one attorney and becoming our own lobbyists to help work our bill through the legislature? How important is Astrology to mankind? If a profession involved in nothing more than mundane real estate can think its profession is important enough, certainly astrologers can feel the magnanimous, universal knowledge our profession has been entrusted with is important enough.

If the SPAP was written in the right way, the law makers would be hard pressed to deny giving professional licensing to astrologers who abide by the Standards of Professional Astrological Practice and who follow the proposed licensing qualifications. They may even be in favor of it when we make the argument that there are many con-artists pretending to be astrologers out there defrauding the public who are now unregulated, and we propose to regulate the astrology profession responsibly using the Standards of Professional Astrological Practice and the state licensing qualifications to stop unethical phonies from defrauding the public. This would be a very important and valued argument to lawmakers. It is my belief that they would be impressed and respect our concern for protecting the public.

The SPAP could be the technical document which could be submitted after years of professional development to achieve protection for the public in regard to astrology. The lawmaker's job and concern is to protect the public. With the SPAP we can present Astrology in a format and language that those in authority can understand and relate to. Not written in language involving spiritualism and occultism, but written representing Astrology as a complex body of natural laws, tools and techniques which can be stated in a highly structured and impressive manner. While at the same time writing it to allow for the empowerment of diversity and innovation in astrological methods and theories. Sometimes we as astrologers forget how precise and organized the basic tools and techniques of astrology really are.

We can request the same type of licensing fees (around $250 every two years), fingerprinting and background checks that many other professions, like the real estate professions, adhere to who are responsible for protecting the public trust. No more, no less. I have yet to understand why those simple things would bother a professional astrologer.

The profession of astrology is not so much a matter of First Amendment Rights and Freedom of Speech (although that has been one of our protections until licensing). The profession of astrology is really a matter of protecting the public from fraud. The laws of our country are basically established for the protection of the innocent. A home owner is innocent when it comes to knowing the value of his home. The homeowner relies on the expertise of a licensed appraiser to make the correct value conclusion. An appraiser is industry-self regulated to make sure that the value he gives the homeowner has been based on recognized appraisal standards and principals that are consistent in the appraisal profession in arriving at his value conclusion. It's not his right to have freedom of speech to give any arbitrary value off the top of his head and then the homeowner loses thousands of dollars, because the appraiser did not follow standard procedures in the industry to reach that conclusion and the value was based on no facts at all. Like "so-called" astrologers who do not even erect a chart to interpret, but who claim millions of dollars will be won or a terrible event will happen just off the top of their heads, while they call it astrological information. They should be using recognized astrological standards and principals that are consistent in the astrology profession. As ISAR puts it "a clear set of required skills".

USPAP for appraisers is similar to what Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) is to Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). Both professions are now highly respected, though it was not always the case. They worked hard for that respect and we can too. These professions provide much needed professional services to the public. Astrology also provides much needed professional services to the public, but the public needs to be protected by having licensing and professional standards in place like other legitimate, technical professionals who take responsibility for their actions.

At the beginning of USPAP it states, "The intent of these standards is to promote and maintain a high level of public trust in the professional appraisal practice." The first chapter starts with the Ethics Rules, the second chapter has the Competency Rules and it further gets into the chapters regarding commonly accepted procedures and methods of the appraisal process, developing the appraisal, as well as reporting the appraisal. Written so as not to restrict the creative appraisal process. Standards of Professional Astrological Practice could specify the basic investigative tools and techniques used to develop, interpret and report the horoscope which are standard in the astrology profession for each astrology method.

An appraisal report is defined in USPAP as an opinion of real estate value rendered by a qualified appraiser. An astrology report could be defined in SPAP as an opinion of planetary influences rendered by a qualified Astrologer. It would still be an "opinion" which leaves open a wide area of personalization in an Astrologer's unique interpretations of their client's horoscope.

I suggest that all interested individuals and organizations order a copy of the 2000 USPAP from the Appraisal Foundation for a fee of $25.00 in order to see what this article is referring to. You may call the Appraisal Foundation to order a copy at (202) 624-3050 or their website address is: www.appraisalfoundation.org

Any qualified, dedicated astrologer knows that the value of astrology is very real. We need to have astrology in the arena of the real world. We need to step up to the bat like other legitimate, useful professionals have done. What are we hiding from? Are we as astrologers so "special" that we don't have to play by the rules of our society, and thereby are being shunned by our society as a "fringe interest of dubious value", always on the defensive? Or are we so insecure that we don't believe we can stand up to the test of performing as a licensed professional in the real world? I believe astrology can stand up to the test, and I believe we need to go through the licensing process in order for positive events to take place in the astrology profession. It would be a giant step forward. We could finally see astrology emerge with authority and dignity.

If Astrologers were sanctioned by society through professional licensing and standards, giving us a legitimate opportunity to educate the public on a large scale, not only would we have the opportunity to have a larger client base to benefit the masses, but other professionals who become educated and begin to support astrology could legitimately utilize astrologers as consultants, i.e. medical professionals, psychiatric professionals, stockbrokers, business managers, etc. Can you envision reaching the point where the concrete value of astrology is established and astrologers would be covered under their client's health insurance. Does anyone remember when insurance companies would not cover chiropractors because they were thought of as "kooks"? Those professionals organized themselves and proved their worth through positive, practical application of their profession in the real world. They did not hide, become defensive and feel sorry for themselves. It took time and it took money but they believed what they were doing had value, and they accomplished their goals.

The possibilities for licensed astrologers are endless. Astrologer controlled standards and licensing would not stifle astrology, it would actually broaden, expand, and validate it like never before in the history of Astrology.

(c) 2000 Ruth A. Potulin All Rights Reserved

Ruth Potulin has been involved in the study and research of Astrology for over 30 years. Her new website is under construction and will be on-line sometime this year as: Astrology-SolarSystem.com which will emphasize scientific based astrology with thought provoking articles on the research and theories of open-minded scientists who believe that there is something real at the base of Astrology and who are sticking their necks out in the promotion and research of astrology with growing support from knowledgeable astrologers. She will continue to write about the need for professional astrological licensing and the need for scientific proof of astrology. Please email her with your ideas and comments at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .