User:Theodore7

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Contents 1 Personal Introduction & Wikipedia Reflections as a New User 2 Astrology: Experience, Practice, and Professionalism 3 Personal Life 4 Astrology, Continued

[edit] Personal Introduction & Wikipedia Reflections as a New User

After using Wikipedia in my research for books and articles, I decided to join up in autumn 2005. I am a professional writer, journalist, editor, and have a background as a professional judicial astrologer. With 25 years experience, I teach and write on the subject, and also forecast weather using meteorological astrology for clients and companies who are wise enough to take forecasting space weather and its effects on the Earth seriously.

A lover of astronomy; I am not engaged in the negative conventionist views that astrology is a pseudo-science and find this view demeaning and false since many of those who claim this seem to be unaware that great people such as Plato, Ptolemy ,Copernicus Brahe Kepler, Newton, and other notable "astronomers" were, in fact astrologers, who greatly contributed to the knowledge of the world and the cosmos. One of my favorite people, Benjamin Franklin, who I admired greatly as a boy, wrote on, and practiced astrology.

Moreover, I share consternation - about the "astrology" of some who indeed practice astrology in a pseudo-manner - with some open-minded conventional scientists who know very well that such figures listed above (Copernicus, Kepler, Newton) and many other serious scientists - very well known and world-famous, were in fact, astrologers.

I try to do my best to strengthen the knowledge of judicial astrology - true, scientific, and classical astrology - with those who are smart enough not to place astrology into a one single monolethic school of thought. Within astrology, there are many practices, and schools of thought, as all the applied sciences, and, as well, there are those who practice a very watered-down version of this science, as with all the sciences - and this is what the "practice" of sun-sign astrology truly has been since its emergence in early 20th century America. Sun-sign astrology is like announcing from the first grade that you are ready to graduate college.

As an expert on the history of astrology, I am also Nostradamus scholar. Michel Nostradamus is one of the best known judicial astrologers and is famous for his book of world prophecies, and his medical courage fighting the plagues of 16th century France. I have studied the history of astrology & astronomy traveling to sites around the world researching the copious materials on astrology astronomy, theology and the [Earth sciences].

As a journalist, I've written thousands of articles on a wide variety of subjects, and trained reporters to cover subjects such as crime, the sciences, the arts, engineering, government, politics, history, literature, climatology, cosmology, and many other subjects related to general assignment and investigative journalism. I am keen to point-of-view writing, since print reporters are trained very carefully to be as objective as is possible with all subjects for publication. This is especially true when lives depend on writing balanced, clear, and accurate reports.

I'm just learning about the Wikipedia community and after a rough start running into some rather nasty individuals, I am still glad to have made a few friends here already who share my passion for factual information, good writing and editing that seeks to enlighten the mind, rather than restrict knowledge for the sake of serving personal biases and points of view some individuals appear to struggle with themselves while "editing" Wikipedia materials on subjects they "have a problem with." I find this amusing, and somewhat confusing; considering that most writers who work on subjects do so from personal or professional interest, rather than from a cynical point of view trying to "rewrite" history.

I'm always wary of this kind of "writing"; as a newspaper reporter I've had to be very careful when reporting about events, people, subjects, and situations for a daily newspaper. Being careful in pushing one's personal views into the article; especially when working under tight deadlines is a science and an art.

A good journalist & writer learns to be cautious, and skeptical; yet open-minded enough to be balanced. One has always to be careful in how this is done since we cannot always see the "whole picture" until we have learned as many facts as possible, and this can only be done with an open mind. I've seen many so-called "open-minded" writers come and go because they failed to be objective in the sense of distorting subjects based on their own personal views that are usually character defects within themselves.

An excellent writer and editor, in my perspective, must have a strong thirst for knowledge and be positively interested in people, places, and many subjects. These are always the best writers and editors because through this wide interest in the world they build up considerable experience and knowledge that is evident in their own writing and work. I hope to share my on Wikipedia, and work through consensus - when all the players have the experience, knowledge, and ability - to work as a team on a common positive goal top expand knowledge.

I prefer open knowledge, and expansion. I've learned to trust the reader. This is essential, because people searching for knowledge are mostly doing so to expand their minds, and not out of only pure self-interest. Only the best cheaters are cynics because they view things from a narrow point-of-view - such as trying to pass a test only for the passing grade; rather than actually learning something and assimilating that into their knowledge base.

I dislike working with cynics, rude, or assumptive people; especially some academic writers. This is based on my own extensive experiences as a journalist, and is not a bias not based on experience. I find some academic writers very staid, and restrictive - which is not the goal of a true university environment, where the first subject taught in the original university was astrology, and its mathematics. Yet, conventional academics, in my own personal & professional view, continue to behave and to write as if they have the "final word" on subjects - especially those they do not practice. I find the current and past practice of "academics" serving as critics, and cynics, unappealing and not the true work of an open academic mind.

I think one of the major problems I've experienced with some academic writers is that they haven't learned the difference between theory and practice. My studies in rhetoric and semantics have allowed me to spot some rather nefarious attempts to "re-write history" to suit some kind of evil plan to rule the world. What is most disturbing about this - as funny and "conspiracy theory-like" as it sounds - there are yo-yos out there who are so scared of people actually thinking for themselves that they've devoted entire careers to being like some narrow-minded arch-nemesis in an Ayn Rand novel. What a waste of life in my opinion.

This continues to be a common problem with many academic writers, and historians. Practical application of knowledge is very difficult for them and they become cynics - seeing everything in the light of "self-interest" - as a result. When a academic becomes a critic/cynic - they have ceased being teachers who are supposed to instruct and enlighten the mind, and have turned into pseudo-politicians and false priests; playing with truths and histories of the world to suit their own sensibilities. Even Nostradamus wrote about them; check it out sometime. I avoid them like the plague. It is much more fun being open-minded and sharing knowledge than to Monday Morning Quarterback about how everyone else is wrong as they do.

I find some modern academic writers irritating and waste of my time considering how hard it is to write, practice astrology and perform complex mathematics while having to run a client practice, and deal with real people with real issues that require your honest, intelligent and practical help in solving, or resolving.

Time is always much better spent helping people, and an open mind is more condusive to creativity than a cynic's cruel attitude, cracks, and negative behavior. I also wonder why they have such interests in the "pseudo-sciences" as they claim; because why not just ignore it if it is one? yet, they sure spend lots and lots of time doing their best to debunk things. Whatever they "debunk" - I study seriously - because I know that they are scared of something - and I found out that it was open knowledge. Who would be scared of knowledge?

[edit] Astrology: Experience, Practice, and Professionalism

As a teacher of astrology, I do have an instructor's view of the science, but enjoy teaching students the principles of this applied science. As a judicial astrologer, I have very strong views, based on knowledge and experience, and am not ashamed to express them when required. Versed in astronomy, I have had to put some materialist conventional astronomers in their place concerning their attempts to demean scientific astrology in their confusion of applied astrology with "sun-sign astrology" - which are not the same thing. I prefer not to take a weak stance on the astrological sciences, and am more than capable of defending against attack from "interested parties."

My own astrology teachers were fair, but tough. They knew their science and I had to work hard to achieve success by observation, and continual observations. I started with the weather. For me, being skeptical was to be able to stand from an objective point of view, while testing if astrology was a science by forecasting near-term and long-range weather. By observing, and recording the weather, and using a planetary ephemeris to make forecasts - I proved to myself that astrology is a applied science. There is no doubt in my mind.

Professionalism is essential to astrological practice. Students of astrology are not professionals until they've gained practice and experience and has mastered astrology enough to have clients. Just because a student can run astrological software and print out a horoscope chart - does not mean they are an astrologer. Experience and practice leads to professionalism. The science of astrology takes many years to begin to master and to become effective a student must remove character defects and assumptions from themselves. Why? Because these cloud the mind, and make it impossible to forecast through the astronomical lights.

I began astrological study at the age of 10 years old. I had several astrology instructors in my teen years, and into my early 20s. I did not consult one client as a professional astrologer until after the age of 33 years old. By that time, I had 23 years of direct observation, intensive astrological study, and practice under my belt. Though I could have began consulting earlier, I was advised by several instructors that it was wiser to wait until after my first Saturn Return; which comes between the ages of 28-30 - before starting a professional astrological practice. This indeed was very good advice, because in that time I spent refining my techniques, and by working by hand, it made working with computer technology easier. Moreover, I have corrected mistakes in astrological programming because of extensive calculations done by hand.

I've also had had to correct serious errors by astrologers when their former clients came to me with charts cast by inexperienced students using astrological software. In the rush to practice, many students make mistakes, and this is not wise when dealing with real people who depend on the professionalism of the astrologer to help solve, or to resolve serious issues.

What made me different is that I was forced to work by hand. I also was taught by my old instructors to read widely, and to construct and cast horoscopes by hand. I made observations of the skies at night and pre-dawn mornings in the cold for years. Using information from the texts and methods of judicial astrologers, especially the works of the Magi and Magus, I became a better mathematician and learned the mathematics of astrologers - that of algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus - in checking the movements of the planets relative to the Earth, and its regions before making forecasts ahead in time.

I chose Judicial Astrology to focus on because it included all the branches of astrological practice and thought and with this study I would learn the astrology of the Arabs, Babylonian, Hebrews, Hindu, Celtic, Chinese, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Hebrew, Persian, and many cultures.

I read, studied and was influenced by the astrological works of Enoch, Abraham, Ibn Yunus, al-Biruni Abu Ma'shar, Alchabitius, Al Battani , Abraham bar Hiyya Ha-Nasi , Abraham ibn Ezra Al-Khwarizmi, Alfred Witte , Messahala, Eratosthenes, Hipparchus, Hippocrates, Plato, Ptolemy, Manilius, Porphyry, Campanus, Placidus, Cardan, Paracelsus, Michael Scot, Brahe, Regiomontanus Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo, William Lily, Nicholas Culpeper , Newton, Nostradamus, John Napier, Alan Leo, Max Heindel, Vivian Robson, Paul Choisnard, John Addey, Dane Rudhyar, Marc Edmund Jones, Margaret Hone, Bernadette Brady, Noel Jan Tyl, Robert Zoller, and others.

I teach students the rudiments of astro-meteorology - forecasting the weather. This is because it accomplishes these things a professional astrologer needs in later practice -

1.) The correct use of a ephemeris, and learning how to use it daily helps to build confidence, and to mark the minute changes in planetary motion.

2.) Using an ephemeris to chart the positions, changes in direction of the Sun, Moon, and planets, especially north and south declinations, longitude, and the apogee and perigee cycles of the Moon. This sharpens the mind, and increases the concentration of the budding astrologer.

3.) Weather forecasting constantly re-affirms one's knowledge of astrology as an applied science. By this, one knows that astrology is a science and the prediction of weather events proves this without any doubt.

4.) In the use of an ephemeris to forecast the weather - one's head is no further from the heavens than one's feet are from the ground. You can see the influences through "cause" and "effect." This brings astrology in the practical world of "mundus" - and guards against the willy-nilly-type "astrologers" who are charletans and fakes.

Proper weather forecasting makes for a good astrologer. Weather shows accuracy of forecasting, but also shows the student that anything is possible under the stars. A good astrologer is not one who counts "hits" as in a game. But, one who is sharp of mind, not easily fooled, and who checks, re-checks, and then re-checks their own re-checks - of all their astrological work. One who avoids wooly and wishful thinking. A sharp, and tough mind. A clean character. No drinking. No drugs. Never foretell a client's death. Refuse to do so when asked. Objectivity and a good heart. Get to the point and expose frauds who say they are "astrologers" but cannot even identify the constellations of the skies, nor the planets on sight. Keep a personal "Fear of God" to keep straight morally, and remain true to the principles of the science and practice. This makes for a professional astrologer who never fails their clients or themselves. The mark of a true astrologer is duty, seriousness, and discretion to their clients.

[edit] Personal Life

My personal tastes are general and varied. I have two big German Shepherd dogs, and we like to play football, and wrestle around. I play a dozen sports and stay active. I grew up in a big family. Had to attend private school in the days and take home-schooling, and tutoring at night. I love listening to classic rock, and jazz. I enjoy the subjects of history, architecture, the Arts & Sciences, and good journalism. My childhood idols were Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. I enjoy science fiction, and dig Star Trek, Next Generation. Writing, editing, and sharing knowledge with others who are talented, and skilled in their preferred subjects are also my favorite things to do. I love learning from others - which is why I became a writer in the first place. Who best to learn from than the experts?

I am a open-minded person, nor am I full of myself. My mind is not for rent, much like the Rush titled song, "Tom Sawyer" - I am my own man. Sometimes people confuse strength of knowledge, and experience through writing with arrogance. Anyone who knows me personally knows this is not true. Strength, in my mind, is not to be equated with arrogance. It exists on its own. I enjoy being around people who are intelligent, knowledable, and skilled at what they do. Fun is being able to be yourself without some yo-yo deciding they don't like you because you are "different." So what? Different people are the spice of life on this earth, and I hate to have the same dinner every night; or wear the same clothing every day. Bring it on. Variety is the spice of life. I do dislike people who assume everything, lack in knowledge, but pretend that because they lack it, so does everyone else. Assumptions means one is wrong. Only gossips, and the weak of mind assume. I also highly dislike any atmosphere of political-correctness; which assumes that we all wear the same shoe-size, so to speak. What crap! If one disagrees with a person, that is okay, as long as it leads to someone learning something new; adding to their knowledge-base, and perhaps while at it - making a new friend where both benefit from the experience of knowing one another. Life is worth living for that alone.

[edit] Astrology, Continued

I learned astrology at the age of 10 by learning how to forecast the weather using astrological principles - especially in long-term forecasting. After nearly 30 years of astrological practice; it has become second-hand.

This is key for anyone who challenges the veracity of astrology. Remember that those in the past have accurately and consistently forecast the weather. This was the most important application of astrology in classical times. Judicial astrologers were astute observers, and by using astrological principles; many of their forecasts were remarkably accurate.

I am a astrologer who goes outside and views the stars and planets - the transits - by sight. I can forecast accurately, and have made many forecasts that have come true. I worked hard to achieve this ability and it was not easy. It was hard, and sometimes, I wanted to give up because it was too cold, or I was sleepy. But, I had read that this was one of the first things that happened to those studying astrology and the ones that failed usually fell asleep. The good ones stayed awake, and sharp of mind. So, I stuck to it - despite the initial discomfort. As for predictions, I don't go out of my way to advertise, because I consider it normal when forecasting using astrology. Many others have done so in the past, and continue to do the same thing in the 21st century. I practice discretion in my client work. Clients keep me busy, and I am returning to teaching astrology in 2006 and as always - starting with forecasting the weather. This proves that astrology is an applied science and should always be used by skeptics to test their own questions on the validity of astrology.

I will add to this page as I learn to use more of the Wikipedia resources and glad to meet other writers and editors who share my passion for open-knowledge and non-biased views of the world in the world of Wikipedia!