Astrology's big renaissance

- THE ASTROLOGERS -

Anita Chakraburtty is a Medieval Astrologer and member of the Association of Professional Astrologers International.

She explained how astrologers can gain insight into almost anything, from individual people to entire countries, volcanic eruptions, companies and earthquakes through reading astrological charts.

As well as a myriad of experience in other fields, Chakraburtty has a four-year diploma in Medieval Astrology, plus seven years training in shamanic techniques with a Cherokee Chief called Medicine Crow.

She said: “I have had more people coming to see me since the outbreak of the pandemic with big increases in all age groups, young people and middle-aged people alike.

“More men have started coming to see me too than previously, as it used to be a female dominant cohort, but I have definitely seen more men showing an interest these days.”

Some of the most frequent questions Chakraburtty’s clients ask are to do with job uncertainty, redundancies, whether they should retrain, and in what.

She said: “I think more people have become interested in astrology because the lockdown gave them more time, since if you’re not doing a two hour commute every day, like a lot of Londoners did, then you’re working from home and saving that time.

“Just being locked down and feeling like, wow, what is happening in the world? That made everyone question life and the Universe and how we connect with the external and esoteric world.

“Because our foundations were challenged, people have perhaps become willing to broaden the scope of knowledge and widen their boundaries to encompass concepts that might have been dismissed in the past.

"I think with uncertainty comes more curiosity about what the future might hold."

Alongside this surge in enthusiasm for astrology, Chakraburtty noted the continued scepticism the craft still faces.

She raised the point that most people readily accept that the Moon can move an ocean, but are reluctant to consider how the Moon affects us too, given that we are 75% water.

Chakraburtty added: “One of the biggest shifts for me has been seeing people without much of a foundation in esoteric matters mention things like, ‘Mercury is in retrograde this month’ or ‘it’s a full Moon so that’s why I didn’t sleep very well’.

“I have heard more people saying things like that this year than I have in my entire life, and people that I would never have thought would know about the Moon or Mercury.

“I think this kind of thing also signifies the big increase in interest in astrology from last year continuing on into this year, which is great."

Inbaal Honigman is a Mystic and Astrologer who uses tarot, astrology, palmistry, clairvoyance, and other methods of divination in her readings.

She offers a range of services, including rainbow readings, elemental readings, psychic coaching and mentoring.

Honigman has also observed more people being open to the idea of mystical assistance than when she first started out in the field.

She said: “Most of my work is done by Zoom now and many of my clients are in Europe as well as the US, Canada and Australia.

“Decisions at a crossroads are the biggest reasons that people come to see me - stay or leave a difficult marriage, take up that job offer abroad, buy a house, life is constructed of many crossroads, and I can help navigate.

“I see people of all ages - I have some very elderly clients, some young regulars who grew up with me when their mums would bring them along 20 years ago, and now they have kids of their own.

“When life is uncertain and unstable, I certainly see a lot more people seeking advice, although it is swings and roundabouts.

“When life was certain, you know for five minutes in the early noughties, and everyone had loads of money I was just as busy because a reading was a luxury service, and everyone was treating themselves to those things.

“Now, in these chaotic times, my readings are a necessity, not a luxury.

“When you can't get a straight answer from your political leaders or even from your own family, that's where I come in.”