Lynn Steer My passion for astrology goes back as far as I can remember (my Uranus is on the astrologer's axis in the twelfth house just above my ascendant) and although I have studied various tools and systems for self-growth, astrology is an endless source of fascination for me.

I started drawing up birth charts around my first Saturn opposition (14-15) with the aid of a small fat paperback within which I had the charts of family, friends and boyfriends. Unfortunately, a friend lent it to a girl who had just became a born-again Christian, who saw fit to destroy the book as 'it was devil's work'! When I confronted her, she wasn't in the least bit capable of thinking through who had created the planets in our solar system, never mind the universe, and argued that only earth counted because Jesus had been born here! She dismissed astrological references in the bible, including the 3 magi-astrologers and the Star of Bethlehem (believed by some to have been a recurring Jupiter/Saturn conjunction) and didn't believe that further astrological references had been omitted from the bible a couple of centuries after Christ died. This was the first but by no means last time that I encountered the ignorance and fear that persists around our sacred art.

Around the time of my Saturn return (28-29), I decided to leave my job in sound engineering to work from home following my heart's desire, so I gained my intermediate certificate with the Faculty of Astrological Studies, but couldn't fund the Diploma course. I joined a local astrology class with Clive Page, whom I'm sure many of you at the Scottish Astrological Association will remember, and another two girls who became firm friends. Term after term, others would join and leave, but mainly it was just we four, and while Clive was great at teaching techniques and the mathematical side of astrology, I think it is fair to say that we added quite a bit of the intuitive, esoteric and healing side of it. The class was attacked in a letter to the Evening News, entitled 'Evil Influence'. It read:

'I write on behalf of 6 of my numerous great-grandchildren who live in the Oxgangs area, where I note with concern that astrology classes are to be started. The News adds to this careless exploitation of the credulous, the fearful and the superstitious by employing an astrologer who uses a long-discredited pseudo-science as a money-maker. The new astrology classes are obviously targeted at the more vulnerable members of the community. Every astrological forecast should be accompanied by a health warning. I will continue to do all in my power to prevent my offspring becoming victims of this evil influence.'

My much-edited reply was:

'I would like to take this opportunity to answer in defence of the Oxgangs astrology class and astrology itself denigrated by Mr Boxall (aside- the name says it all!)... Firstly, let me assure Mr Boxall that our teacher charges a minimum fee (aside- 50p for 2 hours AND creche facilities!) to pass on the information which he has accumulated in 16 years of studying the subject. There is no 'exploitation', only willing students trying, like millions before them, to understand life's processes. The many energies of the cosmic environment affect everything within it, and astrology is man's oldest and most consistent attempt to understand life on earth in relation to the heavens. Astrology is no 'long-discredited pseudo-science', there is evidence of it in every different civilisation throughout history, the only changes being that of styles of interpretation. The 'evil influence' lies not in astrology, but in man's abuse and trivialisation of it, which breeds narrow minds against it. And just as Mr Boxall intends to do all in his power to prevent his offspring becoming 'victims' of astrology, I will do all I can as a student of both the Oxgangs class and the Faculty of Astrological Studies to help others understand the underlying meaning of their life in the greater scheme of things.'

As astrologers, it is our duty to explain astrology in clear, understandable terms, the easiest thing people can relate to is the action of the Moon on bodies of water: remind them that our own bodies consist of about 95% water, and that our own energy systems are vastly affected by the energies in the greater energy system we live in. Of course, astrology is more than we can understand with our logic, and that serves the necessary function of keeping us in awe of the mystery of Life.

A couple of years ago, I had a brief meeting with an Indian Astrologer, who insisted that I appear as a speaker with him three days later at the Mela Indian Festival, which was where I met two of the S.A.A committee members, Robert Stokes and Cathy Meeks. They invited me to the meetings, and I've been attending ever since. I've particularly enjoyed inter-acting with old and new members alike after the meetings, whether upstairs in the Theosophical Society, or round the corner in the 'Wally Dug' pub! And my first astrological conference last year in Wales was fantastic! I loved sitting in lecture theatres attending workshops by the likes of Sue Tompkins and Robert Hand, names I've read on the book-covers for many years, being amongst hundreds of like-minded people, and most of all I enjoyed the Zodiac Ball. I laughed so much that night, my jaw ached the next day! Another highlight for me was braving the 'open mike' to read the following poem, titled 'Life In A Body'. I wrote this to accompany a self-portrait drawn during a personal growth workshop where I'm dressed in a long cloak covered in astrological symbols holding aloft a candle with Plutonic imagery on one side and Solar images on the other, reflecting the paradox of life on earth.

LIFE IN A BODY

Life's journey in a body
Surely the strangest of all trips
Fog toxins and foreign poisons
Pass unseen through eyes ears and lips

Outer gas burns inner passages
Where the skin of the well-worn cross
Kisses the face of the unknown sky
Screaming the pain of one who is lost.

To where goes the wax and the wick
As the body of your candle burns?
To what does your heart strain and leap?
Do you know what makes your dance strong?

And what keeps the candle hand steady? -
Of what is the incessant glow?
Flames unaffected by the winds of change -
How far does their radiance go?

Your light was passed on from another
On and on through unbroken lines
Light up your home wisely, my friend
Your dwelling in body-soul-mind.

World glamour can't be tamed or fought
Nor can you opt to pass it by
It is melted by your Heart-Fire
Sent from the centre of your eye

So walk on Soft Skin Warrior
Breathing softly your Heartsong
Know when to light other candle flames
Pass the fire on safely and pass on.

It is so revealing to look at the astrological transits of poetry or other writings if you have dated them. I did this with my old diaries and book of poetry, some of the symbolism is hair-raising, even titles, for example when Uranus transited my natal Saturn in 1995, I wrote 'Mind-Stalking, Valley-Walking' , and when Neptune transited my Saturn 3 years later, a piece called 'Persisting Dreams'! Maybe this could be a feature of the S.A.A website?

I'm really looking forward to this year's conference in York, particularly the Liz Greene workshop. I'd like to thank Margaret Cahill of the Wessex Astrologer for allowing me to sell my cards on her stall beside 'The Mountain Astrologer', my favourite publication on the planet, whose inside cover colour 'Artists Showcase' will feature my interpretation of 'Libra'! Transits to and from Jupiter have also shone upon me seeing my artwork in exhibitions in 2 local galleries, coming runner-up in a competition in the 'Artists & Illustrator' magazine, and having my article on Depression and Creativity (stellium in Capricorn in the 5th house!) published in 'Artesian' magazine. Not bad for someone who only decided to try drawing as a means of self-expression a few years ago! To read about this and to see some of my other drawings, check out my page at Artesian

To buy any of the 30 different cards, email me or come along to one of the Scottish Astrological meetings.

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