Business Astrology

Business Astrology

Business astrology has often been included within the umbrella of financial astrology. Though both relate to business, the two are very different. Whereas financial astrology focuses on the study of movement of the financial markets, business astrology focuses on the day-to-day workings of an individual company and its leaders. Business astrology also reviews which occupations are best suited for certain individuals and assists a company in putting together a plan. However, these two types of astrology have only recently separated.

Business astrology differs from financial astrology in that it is used for such purposes as choosing the best timing to start a new venture, to market a new product, and to reorganize the structure of a company, as well for reviewing the part the employees play in the efficient workings of a company. Financial astrology deals with the much larger cycles of planetary movements and their effects on the markets, while business astrology takes a more microscopic view of an individual entity, an individual company, and its infrastructure (called organizational charts). Business astrology also provides an analysis of the first trade chart, which is calculated for the time the first trade of the company is made. The first trade chart designates volume sales and stock sales activity, while an organizational or corporate chart views the infrastructure, the situation of the employees, the public’s view of the company, and so on. These are all different entities and they dance between the boundaries of both disciplines.

In an article for the International Society of Business Astrologers web site, Michael Munkasey writes:

Business astrology is unique within the schools because it has two distinct and separate parts: consultation about business problems or questions; and also, market forecasting. Often when a person refers to their practice as “business astrology” they mean either one of these parts or the other. In truth, the parts really have little connection with each other.

Consultation about business problems or questions involves having an understanding not only of various natal astrological techniques (chart reading, transits, progressions, Medieval ideas, etc.), but also of business practices. It does little good to consult with a business person who has profit in mind, when the astrologer does not understand the nature of the business. Often, questions which arise in this area involve sound business practice: should I take out a loan at this time from this bank; should I fire or hire an employee; should I move to this building; etc. Confronted with every day business questions like these the astrologer is relegated to discussions of timing. Yes, this is a good time for your business to expand (or contract); no, Tuesday is not a good day for approaching the bank about a loan; etc. Astrology can give wonderful insight into the timing of such events, but without some in-depth knowledge of contemporary business practices an astrologer can not be an effective operational consultant.

Market forecasting is totally separate as a business problem from operational consulting. Market forecasting involves the use of astrological techniques to select stocks (equities), indices, futures, etc., in a satisfactory manner. Market forecasting as a discipline is much more difficult than business consulting. Also, the ideas of traditional (including Vedic, Greek, etc.) astrology do not apply as clearly to this practice. It is folly to think, as an accomplished professional natal astrologer, that you can immediately apply the techniques of natal astrology to selecting stocks or forecasting in the market. Astrology can be of considerable use here, but not with just using the traditional techniques. Additional insight is needed, and new ways of looking at standard techniques have to be learned. (From Munkasey, Courtesy of the International Society of Business Astrologers [www.businessastrologers.com].)

Both business and financial astrology are fairly new studies, having emerged during the twentieth century. The studies started around 1938 with the publication of Louise McWhirter’s groundbreaking book, Astrology and Stock Market Forecasting. This book discussed the trends of the markets and is usually placed under the category of financial astrology, which is, again, a study of the markets and their cycles. Continuing with this trend, in 1959, Lt. Commander David Williams wrote Astro-Economics and, in 1976, Thomas Rieder wrote Astrological Warnings and the Stock Market.

However, in 1979 Jack Gillen wrote The Key to Speculation on the New York Stock Exchange, which was one of the first books to address the distinction between general financial trends and the individualism of companies. Gillen’s book may well be referred to as a hybrid book that created one of the first bridges between the larger macroscopic umbrella of financial astrology and the more defined and microscopic view of companies based on their signs and placements. Granted, the Gillen book was more of a cursive study of the sun signs of the various companies, but that simple distinction offered another view of how astrology can be used in the financial world. The book that began to focus on individual companies, which is more the realm of what is called business astrology today.