INTRODUCTION: Which astrological report is right for you?

There’s a treasure trove of astrological insights out there that can answer many of life’s questions.  You just may not know where or how to find it.  If you’ve never seen any kind of astrological report but are looking for answers, then you’re in the right place because this guide will help you zero in on what’s available and even offers a preview of several report samples in the appendix.

The most important thing to realize is that there are several types of reports which all differ in one way or another.  Each provides a wealth of information but it will be focused in a certain way that may not be what you’re looking for. If a report doesn’t deliver you may give up, think astrology is worthless, or suffer through a substantial amount of trial and error before finding it, which can get frustrating to say nothing of expensive.  The purpose of this guide is to make sure that doesn’t happen by letting you know what’s out there so you know what to expect and find what you need the first time.

One potential problem these reports share with other consumer products is correct labeling.  Often they have intriguing titles which include ticklers like karma, secret, destiny, soul mate, and so forth which draw you in but lack clarity which keeps you from knowing exactly what the report is based upon and thus what it will provide.  In those cases even this guide won’t help you much unless the vendor’s description matches information you find here.  You can always ask, but automated sites aren’t usually set up to provide a response.  Thus, you’re better off knowing exactly what type of report you’re getting, even if its title is dry and uninteresting.  It’s the content and information that matter.  As you’ve probably learned in the grocery store, sometimes generic or store brands are the best deal.

Rest assured that I love computerized reports.  Most are outstanding and written by professional astrologers with years of experience. I use them for myself, friends and family plus they’re the source of nearly half my income as an astrologer.  My goal is to make your experience a good one which requires that you understand what they cover as well as what they don’t.  I want to help you become a more informed consumer which has the side benefit of enabling you to hopefully converse intelligently with an astrologer at some point in your life.  If you’ve never had that pleasure, I hope that someday you will.  We’re probably not nearly as weird as you think.

There’s one basic weakness inherent to most computerized reports that I want to warn you about which is the natural result of what professionals refer to as “cookbook astrology.” This is when each astrological influence is interpreted as a stand alone entity without considering mitigating factors from others which results in what appear to be blatant contradictions.  Unfortunately, it’s nearly impossible for a computer to do anything else due to the plethora of possibilities.  Each person is a complex mixture of temperament and personality traits which will all be reflected somewhere in their horoscope but will seldom be active all at the same time.  Surely you’ve experienced love, hate, joy, sorrow, courage and fear but not necessarily all at the same moment.  (Then again, maybe you have, in which case I recommend an immediate compatibility report for you and the individual involved.)  And speaking of compatibility, it’s unlikely there’s anyone on this planet with whom you agree every moment of every day.  Bear that in mind if you encounter what appear to be contradictions in compatibility reports as well.

As I take you through several of the report options available you’re also going to learn some key points about astrology.  In many cases it’s impossible to explain what a chart or report is all about without including some Astrology 101.  To help those of you like me who don’t necessarily assimilate a new word the first time around, astrological terms italicized in the text can be found in the Terms and Definitions section near the back.  By the time you finish this guide and become even marginally familiar with those terms you’ll be ready to talk astrologese with the best of them.

I must confess I sincerely hope that someday you’ll treat yourself to a reading from a professional astrologer. I’ve even included how to find one toward the end of this book. I admit that I’m prejudiced, but a computerized report is comparable to the dollar menu at McDonald’s while a professional reading can be a gourmet feast of haute cuisine prepared by your own personal chef. 

Bon appétit.