If you are considering consulting an astrologer, then you do not perhaps, know this. Oftentimes people opt for astrological counselling influenced by others. Little do they know what they are actually looking for and whether the astrologer they’re meeting is reliable or not. Today, when most of our actions are influenced either by targeted advertisements or by hearsay, it is of utmost importance to be cautious about the consequences, especially about something as crucial as meeting an astrologer. Here are seven things that one should keep in mind, before planning an appointment with a fortune teller:
* Astrological Method:
To choose the astrological method is the first step in looking for a suitable astrologer. Different astrological methods have different significance. If you are looking to consult an astrologer for your home related queries, then a Vastu expert is the perfect choice. In case you are aware of your birth chart accuracy and other details, then a horoscope reader can guide you. If you do not have accurate information about your date of birth and other details, then a palmist can help you better. So first, you must decide whether you are looking for palmistry, numerology, Vastu or horoscope reading.
Educational background:
Do you ever blindly visit a doctor without a professional degree or relevant expertise? Then why visit an astrologer to get your life treated when the person has no professional validation for his knowledge. The educational background of an astrologer is as important as that of any other professional. You cannot rely on someone with no knowledge of Vedic Astrology to legitimise their prediction. In India there are various prominent universities like Gurukul Kangri, Haridwar and BHU in Varanasi that offer professional courses and qualification degrees in astrology.
*Spirituality:
Spirituality and religiosity is as important as the educational background of the person, as it plays a great role in his or her ability to have intuitions to make predictions. An astrologer who has belief in the supreme power and meditates, is a pure soul and is thus, able to give accurate predictions and solutions. A personal astrologer's ritualistic practices and intuition acquired by years of sadhna can never be attained by a machine or AI- driven applications.
*Credibility:
Yes, astrology is a service and not a business, but it is inclined more towards being a social service rather than a commercial service. Being heavily dependent on word of mouth, credibility of an astrologer is inseparable from astrology. However, in today’s age, most people end up being fooled by astrologers with superficial experiences. You must always make a background check and be aware of the experiences of the astrologer’s clientele before trusting him or her.
*Privacy Aspect:
Just the way your CA knows all about your money and your doctor knows all about your health, your astrologer is aware of every intimate aspect of your life – both personal and professional. Of course, you wouldn’t wish to share it with someone who cannot maintain and respect client privacy. Online astrology applications require you to fill in a lot of personal details that are misused for the sake of business – be it online applications or the self-made astrologers behind the screen. It is the user who is conned with inaccurate information and personal data theft.
*Accessibility & Availability:
An astrologer is someone whom you sometimes approach in emergencies and need an immediate connection with. It is only in difficult situations in life when you think of dialling your astrologer. What if he never responds? Imagine being stuck in the eventualities of life and really needing astrological and personal guidance and your astrologer not being there for your help. Well, that’s like one of the worst situations. The accessibility and availability of your astrologer guide is a major factor in choosing one. This is one of the most dubious characteristics of online astrology and it is very painful to not be able to connect with the astrologer who was consulted in the past.
*Commercial aspect:
The practice of duping clients in the name of a remedy is a general practice. There are two streams of astrology – predictive and remedial. Remedial astrology is where the fraud begins. Most astrologers manipulate vulnerable clients by threatening them about a bleak future that can only be remedied by shelling out money for certain remedial rituals. At times clients are lured by ‘free consultation’ or ‘zero consultation fee’ offers and end up spending thousands and thousands of rupees for precious gemstones, various yantras like Shree Yantra, Laxmi Yantra, Kuber Yantra etc. and expensive Pooja ceremonies thereafter, to undo the Pitra dosha, Kaal Sarp dosh, Manglik dosh etc. etc. and such other afflictions.
Most importantly, before consulting an astrologer one must understand that astrology cannot change fate, but can only forecast it. A supreme remedy to terminate the ill effects of your "karma" done in any incarnation is “Charity”. To help the deserving and right people and institutions is the key to receiving material and spiritual blessings as per Vedic scripture. Charity and philanthropy are always good for everyone.
The writer is a Delhi-based celebrity astrologer and palmist and can be reached at info@astropraveen.com