Whobeda's Guide to Basic Astrology

Choosing a Career

If you find yourself in a job that you don't like, yet aren't sure why, it doesn't hurt to look at it from an astrological viewpoint. Sometimes you hate going to work, but know exactly why, in which case it's easier to fix. But sometimes you just can't figure out what makes it so frustrating or unsatisfying much less what you’d really like to do. Sometimes you accept a job simply because you need one without regard to whether or not you'll find any enjoyment in it. This is all well and good to pay your bills, but some individuals, especially those who have their Moon in the 6th or 10th house, will be very unhappy in an unsatisfying job. Personally, I think there are precious few individuals who can honestly say they love their job. Astrologers frequently do career readings which can help you identify a profession you can enjoy.

[NOTE:--While this section is intended to help you figure out what career choice is best for you, it's also useful if you're a supervisor or manager looking for an employee. The closer you match a person's inborn traits with the job description the happier you'll both be. It's also useful for seeing how your manager or supervisor sees you. No matter how hard you work or how flawless your work is, if you're viewed as "high maintenance" it can work against you. I've been a supervisor and manager for over a decade in my day job and I've found that a mediocre employee who gets along with everyone is preferable to someone who's a perfectionist but criticizes and complains constantly. While asking for birth information is illegal due to its implications in job discrimination, if you direct your interview questions such that they reveal the traits described below, you can get enough information to extrapolate their Sign or Ascendant and thus determine if a person is a good fit. This, of course, depends on whether or not they're telling the truth and not just saying what you want to hear because they're desperate for a job.]

Astrological Indicators and Career Choice

Numerous astrological factors come into play regarding what career choice is best for an individual. While the Sun Sign is a major driver, other key chart influences such as the natal Ascendant and Moon Sign are also significant players. Three house cusp positions that enter the picture as well are the 2nd House of possessions and finances, the 6th House of work, and the 10th House of career, status, and reputation. The 10th House cusp is known as the MC, which stands for medium coeli and is also known as the Midheaven. This represents the part of the sky that was directly overhead when you were born and figuratively represents whatever "heights" you can reach in your life. When you do the math on how many different combinations are possible with just those factors alone, you can see there are no easy answers. In fact, there is at least one entire book on the subject of astrology and career choices that I'm aware of and I'm sure there are others.

Some people stay in the same line of work their entire life and are perfectly happy while others evolve through several careers in their lifetime. Some people get bored and enjoy the stimulation of learning and doing something different while others value the security of experience. Some people plod along in a nothing job their entire life and find their joy and satisfaction elsewhere while others are more than miserable if they don't feel as if they're contributing something of meaning every day. One thing that's worth considering is that in medieval times the 6th House (which in modern times includes your work, health and pets) comprised indentured servants and slaves. If that's how you feel about your job, then you need to start looking for a career.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

It's very common to not have a clue what you want to do for a living when you graduate from high school. It's not terribly uncommon in college, either, which is often a problem because when the going gets rough, if you're not strongly motivated by what's at the end of the road it's all too easy to drop out. Everyone knows at least one person who knew from the time they learned to use an adult toilet that they wanted to be a doctor when they grew up, or maybe a plumber for that matter. Many of us, on the other hand, evolve through numerous choices, usually without experiencing any of them.

I've found that in many cases if there was something you wanted to do when you were a child, but drifted away from it over time, oftentimes it bears a second look later if you're lacking a sense of direction. First of all, determine why you gave up on it. If you let it go because you investigated the job description and decided that really didn't sound very appealing, then you're in good shape. On the other hand, maybe you thought you weren't smart enough, didn't have the means to go to school, or were distracted by some other factor, such as ridicule by someone whose opinion you valued. If any of those ring a bell, then it's time to discount that original rationale and take a second look. If you allow a dream to die, part of you dies with it. If you really want to do something, regardless of your age, at least find out what it would take before you throw it away. Your inner compass is probably trying to tell you something so listen!

It's more troublesome if you don't have a foggy clue what you want to do. If you're in a serious quandary regarding what you want to be when you "grow up," your best bet is to consult an astrologer who can take a look at your specific natal chart and synthesize all the elements involved so they can give you a comprehensive answer. We offer this service, so if you're interested, feel free to contact Whobeda. I will look at all those things noted above and see what the stars and planets seem to say about the matter.

Just as an example of how strongly a natal chart can reflect career, in one of the classes I took from the International Academy of Astrology we spent the better part of a semester studying charts without knowing who they belonged to. Rare was the instance in which we didn't have a fairly tight handle on what that person did for a living. In fact, after looking at one chart following class, I decided it belonged to Ernest Hemingway and was correct. What are the odds of looking at a natal chart with no dates or other identifying information other than if the person is male or female and being able to tell who it is? Celebrities in particular typically have indicators all over the place. The essence of who you are is imprinted on your natal chart and what better way to determine your life's work (or works) than to look at that?