Answering Astrology Questions with Kelly Surtees, Austin Coppock, and Chris Brennan

Astrologers Kelly Surtees and Austin Coppock join Chris Brennan in the studio in Denver to answer some questions about astrology from listeners of The Astrology Podcast.
This was the last of the in-studio recordings that we did in Denver towards the end of Austin and Kelly’s trip here in late November.
The astrology questions we answered were sent in through Twitter, as well as our private Facebook group, which is available to patrons of The Astrology Podcast.
Thanks everyone who sent in questions!
This episode is available in both audio and video versions:
theastrologypodcast.com/2019/1...
🪐2020 Electional Astrology Report:
www.chrisbrennanastrologer.com...
🪐The Astrology Podcast 2020 Calendar Posters
theastrologypodcast.com/2020po...
🪐 KellysAstrology.com
🪐 AustinCoppock.com
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#TheAstrologyPodcast
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:11 The role of transits in ancient astrology
00:02:22 How they use transits in practice
00:14:48 Their role as older astrologers
00:16:06 Being a role model in the community
00:22:16 Mentorship
00:22:51 What they want to see more of in the community
00:23:36 Their take on the future of astrology
00:27:40 The next generation of astrologers
00:28:50 Decline in local astrology groups
00:33:36 Tips for starting a local astrology group
00:36:17 How to maintain boundaries when friends ask about their charts
00:46:24 Do they have a family and friends rate?
00:54:34 Readings for spouses/partners.
01:00:52 "Cross-pollinating" in astrology
01:09:20 How Austin uses Vedic in his practice
01:21:20 How often they look at their charts.
01:29:11 Questions to ask before your first astrology reading
01:34:17 Malefic contrary to sect in the sign of its rulership or exaltation
01:41:00 What to expect during nodal returns
01:44:40 How to communicate difficult aspects to a client
02:03:43 Placements they would steal from each other's charts

[@TheAstrologyPodcast]

🪐2020 Electional Astrology Report: www.chrisbrennanastrologer.com/2020elections/ 🪐2020 Astrology Calendar Posters theastrologypodcast.com/2020posters/

[@edwinahorn9587]

I love listening to the 3 of you together! This should be a regular thing.

[@aashland]

Timestamps of questions: 1:03 What was the role of transits in ancient astrology? How do each of you use transit in your practice in contrast to other predictive techniques? 14:48 What do you think your role is as a group of astrologers who are now a tier older than the youngest generation of professional astrologers? What is the role of mentorship and role modeling in the community and what are your favorite ways to enact that? What would you like to see more of? 23:36 What are your hopes and fears for the coming years regarding astrology? Are there certain discussions that need to happen within the community? Are there any upcoming configurations that bode positively/negatively for the rise of astrology? 33:36 Tips for starting a local astrology group. 36:17 How do you maintain boundaries when friends, coworkers, etc. ask you about their charts or themselves when they learn you are an astrologer? 46:24 Do you have a family and friends rate? 54:34 How do astrologers handle readings for their spouses and significant others and where do you stand on the ethics of that? I'm sure astrologers don't want a counseling relationship with their partner. 1:00:52 Kelly talked about the importance of astrologers "cross-pollinating" in her keynote at NORWAC. What do you cross-pollinate your astrology with or are there other folks cross-pollinating in ways you would like to see more of? 1:09:20 How has Austin has incorporated his Vedic studies with his Western approach and the utility of looking at someone's chart from both approaches? 1:21:08 Do you have other astrologers read your charts for you? How often do you look at your own chart? What are some good questions to ask when having your first astrology reading? 1:34:17 If you have the malefic contrary to sect in the sign of of its rulership or exaltation, does it have more power to cause trouble or is it less troublesome because of its dignity? Is it more subjectively positive for a native to have strongly positioned malefics or weakly positioned malefics? For example, would angular Saturn in Capricorn a night chart be better or worse for the native than an angular Saturn in Aries in a night chart? 1:41:00 I have a nodal return coming up. I'm having a hard time finding info about it. I'd love to know what to expect during a nodal return. 1:44:40 How do you communicate really difficult aspects to a client? 2:03:43 If you could steal placements from each other's charts, which ones would you take on and why?

[@annamassi7546]

Thank you😊

[@alexwood7556]

Thanks for this!

[@akindertone]

Yes, thank you

[@yp5422]

Thank you so much!

[@Xhayl]

I love listening to you guys! You have such great energy together

[@kurtfausset3102]

Congrats to all three of you on another fabulous year of work. You've really raised the bar in terms of level and quality of conversation around astrology on the internet. I look forward to continuing to support your work in the years to come.

[@krisfiskle]

Grand trio , cheers to the new year

[@starsalignment9024]

What a treat for 2020, I love it when you three do videos together. This is going to be my Newyears day treat to myself to watch this. Happy new year to you all 🤗

[@pat557]

3 astrologers just riffing; this is the best! Probably better that they are friends and can feel free to let it fly. So good.

[@AstrologywithHeather]

I loved this conversation! I’m an older millennial astrologer who practices online and have recently laid down roots in a place where I’ll be staying for quite some time. Recently, I met a more mature local astrologer who’s very embedded in the community and we’ve decided to start a local astrology meetup together this spring for the exact reasons you mentioned in this video. If anyone reading this has any tips, please do share! ❤️😊

[@felicehappy]

Astrology with Heather so funny to see you on here Heather! I follow your channel and love it!

[@anne-christinemarcou4481]

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU!! GREAT TO HEAR & SEE YOU AGAIN!!

[@nickir990]

My American Ephemeris arrived in the mail today because it was suggested by you'all on one of your episodes. The learning continues...Thank you!!

[@geenadavis4993]

Chris’ sun sign is in Scorpio in my 12th whole sign house and his Rising sign in Aquarius is conjunct my Saturn in the 3rd house. I find it fascinating that 9/10 times someone significant comes into my life as a mentor, strong masculine/male role model, teacher, guide etc... they are Scorpios or Scorpio Rising. They help me to bring out more of myself to share with the world in a beneficial positive way and that’s usually through some powerful transformative subject for me. I think it’s cool to see the 12th house activated by Chris’ sign with the mental teachings and self effort I’ve applied to my astrological/archetypal studies in my 3rd house with my Saturn being activated. Chris makes learning this have a kind of staying power and I know when I’m an older astrologer like you 3, I know there will be references back to my early years and giving credit to Brennan. Also as Chris starts to take this podcast and teaching more seriously, I feel safer kind of releasing into that and taking my studies more seriously too. Him aligning with his largest purpose in that way, I.e. interviewing other astrologers, posting on a schedule, charging more, and being very purposeful and consistent is definitely shining a light on my abilities as well. I really look forward to meeting everyone on the astrology podcast one day and taking a course. Maybe I’ll end up talking on the podcast one day when I start pulling my own sources together and get a book out there. Right now, I feel so scattered. I want to compile my story and my own divinations in this process and share but I feel very afraid of failure and humiliation and I also feel a lot of fear around sharing what I feel are secrets and my life’s journey, and then not being believed. I don’t know if that sounds familiar to anyone reading this. I started to develop a lot more confidence and self compassion when I heard Chris begin to talk about how we take our own experiences for granted and think our stories aren’t special. Anyways, i am trying very hard to earn enough money to attend an astrology conference by myself this year which would be a dream of mine reached. I have no human beings in the flesh to discuss this with and can start to feel so alienated. I’ve only recently in the last 6 months or so started really owning my beliefs and sharing my passion and not abandoning my lifestyle when I feel I might offend or annoy people or face opposition. That was a bit of a ramble. I meant to just share about the 12th & 3rd house lol!

[@thezodiacus]

This was 100% Clever, Professional, and mix opinions but always gently disagree or agreed. It deserves 1 hour of applause! Sometimes I wonder if I would keep such correct posture whenever I disagree Lol! But I'm learning... GREAT QUESTIONS for every astrologer beginning or in the middle!

[@gaiaandreacompagni5393]

Just now got to finish this episode! Yay!

[@lfayeweatherly3493]

This was a real treat. Thanks and Happy New Year!

[@gorjanaelenairi]

Awesome last question 💜

[@fortheloveofthewhippetnijm8125]

Here are some of the questions we answered in this episode: From Rob @oldschoolastro via Twitter What was the role of transits in ancient astrology? And how do each of you employ transits in your current practise, in contrast to other predictive techniques? From Cat @occultproblems via Twitter What do you think your role is as a group of astrologers who are now a tier older than the youngest generation of professional astrologers? Like, what is the role of mentorship and role modeling in the community, and what are your favorite ways to enact that? What would you like to see more of? From @theblogwitch via Twitter What are y’all’s hopes/fears for the coming year(s) re: astrology? are there certain discussions or conversations you can see needing to happen within the community as a whole? are there any upcoming configurations that bode positively/negatively for the rise of astrology? From Martina Segovia on the Astrology Podcast Patreon Facebook group I’m looking to start a local IRL astrology group; any tips to help it be successful? From @adinahertzel via Twitter 36:30 How do you maintain and honor your boundaries/the privacy of others when friends (or acquaintances/coworkers/whomever) ask you about their charts or about themselves when they learn you’re an astrologer? From @mercuryprashant via Twitter Do you charge your regular fees from relatives also? Is your approach different from as compared to unknown clients?? From @joey_puopolo via Twitter I’m curious how astrologers handle doing readings for their spouses/significant others, and where everyone stands on the ethics of that, etc. I’m sure astrologers don’t want a counseling relationship, but at the same time, still want their spouse to be aware of certain placements. From @fortunatefire via Twitter Kelly talked about the importance of astrologers “cross-pollinating” in her keynote at norwac. What do you cross-pollinate your astrology with? Or, are there other folks cross-pollinating their astrology in ways that you’d like to see more of? From @alyssapashya via Twitter This is a whole pandora’s box you may want to leave closed, but i want to hear more about how Austin has incorporated his jyotish studies into his western approach and the utility of looking at someone’s chart in both zodiacs and what can be gained from that /how to reconcile From @napatean via Twitter Do you have other astrologers read your charts for you? How often do you look at your own chart? What are some good questions to ask when having your first reading? From @grace_rolek via Twitter If you have the malefic contrary to sect in the sign of its rulership or exaltation, would you interpret that as having more power to cause trouble or would you say that it’s less troublesome because of its dignity? From @bryonyclimb via Twitter Is it more subjectively positive for a native to have strongly positioned malefics or weakly positioned malefics? Ex. Would angular Saturn in Cap in a night chart be better or worse for the native than an angular Saturn in Aries in a night chart? From @Rene_Marcellus on Twitter 1:41:15 I have a nodal return coming up. I’m having a hard time finding info about it. I’d love to know what one should expect during a nodal return. From Erin Bee on the Patreon Facebook group How do you communicate really extremely nasty aspects to a client?

[@chrysalis-sanctuary]

I’m about 30 minutes in where you’re discussing astrology groups. I just started a new meetup group in Denver called Westside Astrology and Spiritual Philosophy. What a coincidence! I’m also 56 which is the median age you noted.

[@jem2250]

I would like to see the elimination of all the books that are based on the alphabet sign signature assigned to house meaning be culled from circulation. It creates so much confusion when book learning for those who cannot afford classes. It permeates the books written in the 80's for example.

[@galah771]

I can understand Austin's "Venus envy" (pun intended?), but his kinda dark Venus in 8th seems to serve him as it enables him to give a counterbalance to positivity very easily and be frank about the darkness (eg the meatgrinder last year etc - which only freaked people out... a lot!). Chris made a very important point about astrology reading symbolism and not being a crystal ball - newbies can so easily assume and expect that more can be known definitively from a chart than is the case. Great show, would love if you all did occasional episodes like this more often, even if not in person. Thanks for all the wonderful in person shows, definitely very fun to watch and informative.

[@Cmrntylr]

I’ll read friends and/or potentially romantic interests charts just in terms of personality, but I view charts as being multi-layered where some techniques are more geared differently. I’ll just look at how a charts interact as tests of interpretation and a method of getting to know someone. If I had a podcast or something I’d probably casually read a chart to guide a dialogue but not read it thoroughly. However, if I was a professional astrologer with astrological knowledge like you 3 I’d end up actually looking or thinking of it differently without thinking about it. In my case, I’d prefer that going over a chart method because I’ve been told repeatedly I’m difficult to understand for different reasons and that is in my natal where I can be all “gotta be realistic”. I’m EXTREMELY detached plus other things. I wouldn’t necessarily like someone using predictive methods in most cases, but I’m not the type who’d want to know either which way. Somewhat related, but awkward explanation. Im not into games with even historically being mild. I recall someone saying since I didn’t play Diablo 2 much that playing Diablo 3 would be shocking due to the gaming community; they bend to the loudest complaints adapting their games to make them easier which was something that came to mind related so this episode about maybe having to say something negative. Initial it’s a thought I have with planets in detriment and some “ugh..” parts in my natal where I joke I chose “hardcore mode”. Like, Venus in domicile 1st or 2nd depending on house system then conjunct mars in detriment with Pluto conjunct. Then, sun in domicile, Mercury retrograde conjunct by 2 degree with Saturn conjunct out of sign. 😂 virgo ascendant with rahu like 2 degrees away with a cup shaped chart with Ketu in the 7th with Jupiter exalted but in a trine house to Ketu. I gave myself some awkward challenges. Anyhoo.. with the AI episode, I did wonder if you took a game like fallout or elder scrolls from Bethesda and had a character creation system that used astrology where you make their chart, it may be a fun way to either teach (simply) the base mechanics of astrology. Pick an ascendant as appearance, set mars for type of weapons. Venus for charism, Jupiter for luck. Everyone ignores speech so everyone would have a Mercury in detriment. Find a person who mods games and have fun with it. For me, when I started reading my natal chart it was a sort of odd “well, like it or not that’s exactly how I’d want it to be…” The idea that we pick our charts isn’t really a Jedi mind trick, or perspective; I’ve just always had that vibe with it. With malefic’s, it does make me think of gaming where no one thinks it’s cool to complete a game on very easy while it’s quite an accomplishment to do so on the highest difficulty on hardcore mode. Perception shift without any shifting. These are fun episodes.

[@nicole-gw1ok]

im so happy that she said she like gemini moon and a mercury sun conjunction because i have both of those

[@melissamoore521]

about that $40 bucks... Chris, you, and your good friends, Kelly, and Austin, have enriched my life WAAAAAY more!

[@melissamoore521]

and as with the Venus and Jupiter envy amongst friends, I find you all absolutely perfect!

[@HigherSelfTarot]

❤️❤️❤️

[@beautyandskincareenthusiast]

Hi Chris what is the name of the yearly personal transit book you mentioned a few videos back?

[@aashland]

This is the book: honeycomb.co/

[@makingwaffles]

Did Austin say what house system he uses?

[@gildacao8717]

How do you differ being an astrologer to being a coach?-- Other than the knowledge of the astrological method.

[@jennifersovia1461]

I think you have to stay in integrity when reading someone's chart. You can't withhold information because you think they might not be ready to hear it. Most people asking for a reading don't have as much knowledge as a seasoned astrologer and so they don't know what to ask which is why they have sought out counsel. If they knew how to do it on their own they would. Perhaps preface that there is highs and lows, and ask if they want to know the good, the bad, and the potentially ugly.

[@annieuk4164]

I was born in South Africa but immigrated to UK, I have no idea what time I was born, no family member alive can remember. Any way I can figure it out?

[@alignwithsource]

Annie Fourie ... there is a process called ‘rectification’ that a skilled astrologer can do to ‘find’ your birth time.

[@annieuk4164]

@@alignwithsource thanks

[@herbzrgreen]

🙏🔥💚

[@Xenooni]

ahah makes me regret sending you that inquiry for a trade Chris.

[@jessicashipp7513]

I am so grateful for all the effort you put into all these episodes and your guys’ dedication to help others learn astrology thank you 🥹🫶🏻

[@user-js4sb4qq2h]

It's true Austin the generational differences are immense and I'm seeing it in a number of ways both with older astrologers in or beyond their sixties both in readings and in group settings. I've experienced readings and lectures by older astrologers with huge limiting beliefs about what women can and cannot accomplish with themselves, their lives, their careers, or even their work in astrology because of their own limited projections. ( For example, one female astrologer who is 65 thought that some of the Me too movements women's comments about their experiences of sexual harassment and abuse were simply a bad date(!) which from their generation of the 1960s would have been considered a bad date while our generation, Gen Xers, would consider filing charges...). I've also experienced trying to contact elder Meet up astrology groups here in Los Angeles (that boast professional practices of 30 years or more but don't include names or biographies or meet up group presenters nor class content...), One finally returned a message almost 2 and a 1/2 years later... and uses a head shot from 25 years ago... A few groups are extremely spread out as is the nature and dilemma of Los Angeles with little public information and promotion. When attending one group the presenter didn't even identify himself nor the content of his presentation for the evening which was a jumble of random near facts about astrology... As you mention I'm at the point of founding my own group near home because both I'm not finding close pro groups, nor nearby, and the high quality of online platforms, podcasts, and webinars have made a sharp contrast between what has been presented in vintage or dying groups and what the next generation is creating. Agreed too Kelley that I don't shell out my chart to random strangers! ( It feels like the equivalent of sharing your personal family story, the history of your vagina, and your finances all-in-one fell swoop and would be way too boundary breaking...! 😅🤣 Ironically 2 of the local groups here expect you to bring your own chart and share it with the group!!!! Eeeekkk!!! 😬🧐😳🤯

[@thehiddenhermit9014]

This episode was clearly sponsored by "we were talking about this the other night".

[@zoethefrenchgirl2996]

God Austin is so hot im sorry ! This discussion is amazing. Leo ☀ Pisces 🌙 Virgo 📈