Dear Friends,

As you've heard, ISAR initiated an astrology certification program at the ISAR 2000 Conference in October 2000. In the interest of keeping the astrological community informed, we'd like to outline our vision for promoting professional standards in astrology, and explain why we feel this certification program is different and needed.

First of all, our program builds upon the work of other organizations and enhances existing education/certification programs.

We believe the ISAR Certification program will help uplift astrology from its current status as a fringe interest of dubious value and raise it to a respected profession. I know this may sound like advertising hype (and perhaps even fantasy), but please read on. I will try to be very brief, while still covering the essentials.

The Need for Certification

In a perfect world, regulations aren't needed. Our world, however, is less than perfect and we need regulations if for no other reason than protection. Virtually every profession has standards that protect both its clients and practitioners. Astrology is one of the only fields that still do not.

I can declare that my dog Fido is an astrologer. One bark means No, two barks means Yes, and more than 2 barks means he will answer you if you pay more money. Although I am being facetious, the astrologer who bases readings on Sun Signs and a few lines on your palm may not do a much better job than Fido.

The Evils of Certification

We realize that in the minds of some people, replacing the current anarchy with regulations may be even worse. Some may worry that elitist, power-hungry methods could be used to control all astrological practice (the negative consequences of any certification program if not instituted properly). The ISAR Certification Program, however, is designed to help astrology flourish, not strangle it.

What the ISAR Certification Program Is

There are already excellent certification programs. Why another one? The ISAR Certification Program is NOT another certification program! It's designed to facilitate networking between existing certification and educational programs.

The ISAR Certification Program is made up of a committee of people who evaluate existing astrological education/certification programs. The board consists of representatives of the certifying organizations and schools, and some independent individuals. At this point in time, the evaluation of schools and certification programs has just begun. NCGR's certification program and Kepler College have already been accepted.

Once a certification program is accepted by ISAR, then any person having passed an approved curriculum can also become certified by ISAR. The person would then submit the following items:

1. a copy of the certificate with a taped consultation
2. proof of attending an ISAR Ethics Seminar or comparable Ethics class
3. a written research project

For the written research project, the materials submitted can be the same ones used to become certified by any approved program. They can also be based on a project completed in an astrology course, or be a piece of independent research.

There are excellent educational and certification programs recognized throughout the world. For example, several programs in England, Europe and Australia are widely recognized for their excellence. These course curriculums and/or samples can be submitted for evaluation by the ISAR committee. If this committee finds weaknesses in the program, then there will be a discussion between the committee and the applicant for ISAR approval, to see if these weaknesses can be remedied.

Why This Program Will Be Successful

A one-size-fits-all approach to certification would stifle creativity and innovation in astrology. One organization may have a heavier emphasis on 20th century techniques like cosmobiology and harmonics, while another may require an understanding of classical methods. We need to empower the work done throughout the world by various schools and organizations, not replace that work with one controlling system. At the same time, we need to set high standards for professional astrology and ensure that a certification program really does indicate expertise in astrology.
The ISAR Certification Program is a cooperative effort that ensures high standards for astrology while supporting innovation and creativity in our field.

Who Benefits by the Program

As stated earlier, in a perfect world, we would not need certification. However, in the real world, standards of excellence and competency are important. It's not a panacea, and we can't expect it to work perfectly, but we do expect that it will make a tremendous improvement in the overall quality of our profession.

• The consumer of astrological services will, perhaps, be the greatest beneficiary. An astrologer who is certified by an ISAR approved organization or school will be one who has demonstrated knowledge and competency in advanced astrological techniques.
• Astrology schools and organizations with certification programs will benefit, because their programs will be supported as an acceptable standard by a majority of the astrological community. Students of astrology will have a clear set of required skills (as is the case in virtually every profession except astrology at the current time) and will be more motivated to attend astrological schools and take certification exams.
• Most importantly, astrology itself will benefit, since certification will separate the serious astrologer from self-proclaimed "psychics", "palm readers" and other practitioners who do not use "real" astrology in their readings.

Ethics

An important achievement in any organized profession is adoption of a code of ethics. This is especially critical in astrology, since we already deal with so much criticism from the outside world. ISAR Certification requires a very high ethical standard clarified through the ISAR Ethics Training, which is designed to educate and enlighten, not condemn.

As a small sample: Many astrologers make categorical statements that cannot be supported by research in astrology. For example, "this marriage will end in divorce" is such a statement. Any information of this nature that is stated with absolute certitude but not supported by serious research is considered unethical. Just as in natal work, ethics dictate that the astrologer describe areas of difficulty while balancing these descriptions with explanations as to how difficulties can stimulate the development of wisdom and higher functioning.

Grand fathering

At the ISAR 2000 Conference, astrologers who had 10 years experience and 3 references were grand fathered into the program. ISAR will provide an Ethics Seminar and offer grandfathering at the OPA Conference in November 2001 in Florida at which time the grandfathering phase will cease. What if you are competent, have 10 years experience, and yet do not have 3 references? You can submit evidence of your work to ISAR and this will be shared with other astrologers who will be participating. If three astrologers are willing to recommend you, then you qualify for grand fathering. Most likely these astrologers will want to interview you by telephone. By the way, the certification project is primarily a voluntary effort by those dedicated to seeing professionalism in astrology become a reality.

What is Needed to Make the Program a Success

We need the support of major astrological organizations so that the ISAR Certification Program may succeed. Again, we want to stress that ISAR is not competing with other organizations in the area of education and certification. ISAR wishes to provide a necessary common denominator that will make a broad based certification program a reality. This is a cooperative effort that needs the support of our best astrologers, schools, and organizations. We want to work together to make this project a success.

In Closing

It is the purpose of this program to raise the level of astrology for those schools, organizations, and astrologers who wish to participate. If you fit into this category, please support ISAR certification. There will still be astrologers and schools that are not certified. This is a voluntary program for those who wish to promote standards in astrology and wish to be recognized for meeting these standards.

One could argue that astrologers have been their own worst enemy by not advocating and implementing standards. We have the opportunity now to build upon the great work that has already been laid down by many schools and organizations. Together, we can bring astrology out of the dark ages and into the postmodern world. The program will succeed if we pull together. With the new millennium upon us, the time is ripe for a new united effort to promote standards among astrological practitioners. We hope you will join us.

Sincerely yours,
David Cochrane
(on behalf of the ISAR board, and approved by the ISAR board)