By: Charles Kassotis

You know the old adage, 'If it sounds too good to be true, it is'? Astrology is probably one of the most prevalent practices where this saying holds true. You can run into scam artists in many areas of life, including health, herbals, and jewelry. But astrology, with its nebulous interpretation of celestial body juxtaposition that is largely subjective, remains an elusive art that unfortunately can be manipulated for preying upon unsuspecting victims. Astrology has to do with plotting meaning from the spatial arrangement of planets, the sun and the moon, and certain alignments that feature key designs of cosmic proportions. Those who study celestial bodies and try to interpret their movement and positions as having a bearing on human life are known as astrologers or astrologists.

While it may be difficult if not impossible to earn an accredited college degree for this skill at most major universities and colleges, many people pick up a few tips on the Internet, read a few books on the topic, or learn from those who have been in the business for a long time. They may use charts, telescopic readings, and constellation study to offer interpretations of their meaning and how these apply to people's lives.

The next step that many practitioners take is to advise their clients on lifestyle changes to make in order to escape calamity or enhance the potential for success. Many famous rulers and wealthy people, along with celebrities, have sought the advice of astrologers. Some of these persons include Queen Elizabeth I (in the 1590's), Princess Diana (in the 1990's), and a host of other household-recognized names. Though some of these people purport to be religious, they secretly meet with an astrologer, which is forbidden by many Christian denominations as a form of witchcraft, to inquire about future prospects.

As with any part of life about which the general public understands little, those who study astrology typically fall into two groups. The first comprises those who earnestly seek to disclose the secrets of the universe by reading the heavenly bodies and understanding their unique relationships to each other, and then transferring the insight gleaned from those observations to human-interest events on earth. The second group of so-called astrologers includes charlatans who are trying to make money from the simple-minded and those eager to throw money at practitioners who pretend to understand the cosmos and proceed to tell clients what they want to hear-for a hefty fee, of course.

"Buyer Beware!" is a useful slogan as far as soliciting the services of a stargazer. Some questions to ask before requesting assistance include where or how the person learned the craft, how long he or she's been practicing, which specific techniques and tools are used, and the degree of accuracy promised. Also ask specific questions about your life that a bona fide stargazer should be able to answer in a meaningful way.