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April's "Star" of the Month

A Conversation with Astrologer Steven Stuckey

By Charlotte Benson
Interview Date: 3/28/10

Charlotte Benson: Steven, thank you so much for taking your time to chat with us today at the Jyotish Star! You have so much to offer our reader, and we really appreciate you taking time out of your busy consulting schedule.

Steven Stuckey: You're welcome and thank you for giving me the opportunity to talk.

Charlotte: Steven, can you tell us what first sparked your interest in Astrology?

Steven: I had an aunt who was an Astrologer and a Rosicrucian. My parents used to make fun of her interest in Astrology and I more or less joined them in this attitude when I was in my early teens. Later, at age 19, I was introduced to Astrology by my girlfriend at the time. I didn't just embrace the idea that Astrology worked, I was more scientific about it. I started watching people in earnest and tried to initially guess their Sun signs after observing them for awhile. After having some surprising success at that I

went on to guessing Moon signs. Eventually after learning how to construct a chart about a year later I was pretty well sold on the idea that Astrology had merit.

Charlotte: Can you recommend some books for our reader? What are your favorites?

Steven: Most books I could recommend are probably already well known: Hart Defouw's "Light on Life", David Frawley's "Astrology of the Seers" and Bill Levacy's "Beneath a Vedic Sky" are all very good ones. Of course any of the classic texts, especially Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra (BPHS) and Varaha Mihira's "Brihat Jataka".

Some of my favorites are out of print but could probably be found used on Amazon: "The Wisdom of Sidereal Astrology" by Dr. Andres Takra, "Lunar Astrology" by Alexander Volguine, "The Origin of the Zodiac" by Rubpert Gleadow, and "The Astrologer's Astronomical Handbook" by Jeff Mayo.

Charlotte: Do you also teach, or are you primarily a consulting Astrologer in beautiful Ashland?

Steven: I primarily consult, but I have taught a few classes here at the old NCGR meetings and have also done some private tutoring. I may be starting some classes soon at my house that meet once a week for 2 hours on a regular basis for a discussion of all types of astro topics.

Charlotte: How long do you think it would take a new student of Jyotish to get to the point where they felt competent to give a consultation to someone else?

Steven: I think it depends on the individual - could be a year to several years. A person could work up to a full fledged consultation by giving many informal mini-readings to friends and family members at no charge. I think most of us have done that anyway and it is very good practice. A formal reading can be kept light and easy in the same way and doesn't have to be a big 'bugaboo' to the beginning student. An Astrologer always learns something new with every consultation and this becomes realized knowledge almost instantly, so giving consultations definitely picks up the learning curve.

Charlotte: Do you meditate or prepare in any special way before you give a consultation?

Steven: Yes, all the above. I give at least one hour of study time to the chart before a reading. A long long time ago, in the dark ages, before computers, when we all did charts by hand, we would wind up giving a lot of time to the chart anyway. Every planet's longitude needed to be calculated individually and drawn in the chart. A lot was leaned in this more laborious technique, because one would have time to meditate on the chart as the details were gradually added.

I usually study charts just before going to bed. I think this allows the chart to percolate deep into the subconscious mind. Being conscious of our own shortcomings as Astrologers is a positive thing to always keep in mind and this humble attitude can allow Spirit to work through us during the consultation. Often the thing that helps a client is not what the Astrologer had intended to say at all -- this can be a sign that the Divine principle is working as we step aside on the inner. We become very good listeners also in this state of mind and may then hear the one most important question that the client needs to have answered. Much of the reading can be just a window dressing to this most critical item.

Charlotte: Thank you so much Steven (Shastrakara das) for taking the time to answer these questions for us. I hope we can continue this conversation in the near future. It was a real pleasure.

Steven Stuckey Biography:

Steven Stuckey (Shastrakara das) began his study of Astrology in 1968. He started teaching classes in both western sidereal and Jyotish techniques in 1979 and was instrumental in the initial introduction of Jyotish in the United States. He currently resides in southern Oregon where he continues to teach and advise an international clientele.

Contact Information:
He may be reached by email at: [email protected]

Interview by:

Charlotte Benson, International Liaison and Jyotish Star Chief Correspondent
Diplomate: AFA, NCGR, ISAR
Board Member of American College of Vedic Astrology, Inc.
President, Arizona Society of Astrologers, Inc.
www.charlottebenson.com
602 952-1525
Phoenix, AZ USA.



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