Personal Commentary

I’d like to take this opportunity to wish all clients and readers of this monthly column a happy, healthy and insightful 2010 new year.  As many readers know, I outline my predictions for the New Year in the January outlook newsletter.  This year, the January 2010 outlook will be described in this column and a separate manuscript will outline my predictions for 2010.  You may easily access the 2010 predictions by visiting my website at: www.Dgoldsteinphd.com and click on “Chart Spotlight (News)” in the southeast corner of the galaxy on the front page of my website.   These predictions will remain in this location for the entire year so you may access and refer to them at your convenience.  

Thank you for sending your many comments throughout the year in regard to this column and the website.  Due to the large volume of mail received on an on-going basis, unfortunately I am unable to respond to each and every email (although I do my best to reply).   Please do not feel slighted if you do not receive a response.  You may contact me a second time by email for emphasis, if you believe your letter is particularly important and requires a response. 

The main purpose of this monthly column is to keep clients and interested readers abreast of salient astrological events as they progress and change each month.   Some of you would prefer that I add more detailed astrological explanation.  While others prefer that I reduce the amount of astrological jargon.  Others would like the column to be written in such a manner that they could ascertain how these monthly planetary changes apply to their personal astrological charts.  Who to please?  I try to straddle both perspectives, offering some astrological explanation and clear practical interpretation & application of the astrological principles.  

These monthly explanations are not meant to specifically apply to individual charts, in and of themselves.  They offer a broad view of the direction and energetic patterns that the transiting planets take and how the planets influence the United States and the world at large on a broader, generalized scale.  However, if you are a student of Vedic astrology, then you will be able to overlay the transiting planets in their precise positions on your personal Vedic astrological chart, determine if they have any relevance for you and think about how they may influence your life.

Astrological analysis is very complex when done with precision and applying thorough analytical methods. Transiting planets are but one of several layers that must be considered when examining an individual’s chart.  To put this into proper context: first, the entire natal chart must be deeply analyzed and understood; second, the current mahadasha/bhukti effects must be explained; third, the influence on the varga charts for the many life domains should be analyzed for effect & timing; and finally the transit effects are then taken into account. 

For this reason, you will never find a brief 12 sun sign type of prediction on my website or in this column.  This kind of simplistic, juvenile approach leads people to the erroneous conclusion that astrology is a simple, meaningless party trick and it is the main reason astrology lost respect as an academic and professional discipline over the centuries.  I have no tolerance for dumbing-down knowledge in any field, and that is exactly what that mass-appeal, popular approach does, whether it’s found in the newspapers or on the internet.  If I had my way, I’d outlaw it (ignorance)!

There are two key elements that I strive for personally when offering professional astrological interpretation: (1) Intellectual rigor, thoroughness, depth, serious attention and absolute precision applied to each and every astrological chart analysis.  (2) Proven accuracy with pragmatic usefulness of the information.   Both of these elements must be developed daily over many years of study, attention and effort, and there is no short cut to achieve this.  Diligence and hard work are required, period.  In my opinion, an individual should choose his astrologer with the same seriousness that a person would choose a surgeon or attorney.

Finally, if you are one of the many readers who have signed up for automatic delivery of this monthly column, complete privacy of your information is assured.  Your name will never be sold or shared with anyone or any other business.   This column is offered as a public service and your privacy is always respected and maintained.