Star cast

An astrologer studies horoscopes and makes birth charts. He helps an individual understand himself or herself by reading his or her natal chart.

The lowdown
An astrologer studies horoscopes and makes birth charts. He helps an individual understand himself or herself by reading his or her natal chart. He advises people on issues related to personal growth, relationships, finances, career and health, figures out the auspicious time to start a business, conduct a wedding and so on. Astrology believes that each planet in the solar system reveals an aspect of human nature

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Clock Work
5am: Wake up
5.30-6.30am: Practice Yoga
9am: Consultancy begins
2pm: Lunch
3-5pm: Study charts and calculate the impact of planetary movements on various star signs. At times, take astrology classes at various colleges
6pm: Resume consultancy
8pm: Write articles for magazines

The payoff
An astrologer can earn anything starting from Rs10,000 to Rs1 lakh a month but the pay depends on where he’s working and his networking skills. He can be employed as an astrology content provider, a resident astrologer with a five-star hotel or run his own consultancy

Skills/TRAITS
. An astrologer must have the required skills to interpret an astrological chart, something that comes with practice and experience
. He has to be a good counsellor
. He should simplify the interpretations for the astrological charts and have solutions ready
. Should have the ability and knack to communicate all kinds of news to the clients without upsetting and scaring them
. Should be good at mathematics and calculations
. Should believe in higher powers and not con people
. Should be a people’s person

They can even pursue research in the field, depending on their interests

Institutes
. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, New Delhi
www.bvbdelhi.org/ ins_astro/ins_astro.html
. Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth
www.slbsrsv.ac.in/home.asp
. Future Point
astrology.futurepointindia.com/education/courses.aspx
. Indian Institute of Vedic Astrology
iivaindore.com/about-us.php

Pros and cons
. An astrologer can warn and prepare a client to overcome the worst. He helps them to gain a better control of life
. It’s best to take it up as a hobby rather than a career
. You do the hard job of breaking unpleasant news to clients
. People vest a lot of trust in you