Interesting read, thank you! I agree that, among many things, astrology is a tool but like any tool its use is dependent on the user: a hammer can build or destroy.
Where I disagree is when you don’t separate astrology from the astrologer. “Capitalism has gotten its claws into astrology and commodified sun signs to a degree (no pun intended) that has never been seen before.” It’s true that we’ve not seen this before and it has a significant impact on how astrologers operate & the quality of astrology that is churned out, and the reasons are multifaceted & stretch back millenia…but astrology ITSELF is not doing this - the users are, & the users are influenced by capitalism (even the anti-capitalists). It’s like blaming a clock for how fast time goes by. The clock isn’t time itself, it’s a symbol of time.
What I also find interesting is that your Substack ‘about’ page says nothing about you, or about your history with astrology, or why you’re called The Financial Witch etc & when I click the link to view the Anti-Capitalist Astrology course you’re selling there is also no explanation about who you are, your years / months of experience, who your teachers were, & the ‘read more’ button at the bottom of that page just circles me back to the ‘buy now’ button. This to me, someone who knows nothing about you, comes across as the very thing you’re trying to point out - the commodification of astrology / new age / spirituality by people who are bound by capitalism. Even the anti-capitalist astrologers are working capitalism! 💸 It’s also something I’ve noticed with younger generation astrologers - capitalism weaved with astrology has resulted in people thinking these things don’t matter, & also given liberty to exaggerate credentials for something that actually requires time. We can’t buy time.
I’m curious about who you are & was happy to see the title / subject matter roll by my notes feed. Looking forward to reading more from you & learning your background / who you are.
Hi Dru, you can learn about me on my website. I did not create this platform to center myself as the face of it because frankly, people get weird when you are vocally anti-capitalist and as a mother I have no interest in putting myself out there in that way. My work is about my message and the research I do. Thanks for reading.
Thanks. I was looking for a link to your website but couldn’t find one. Where do I find that?
What do you mean by, “I did not create this platform to center myself as the face of it because frankly, people get weird when you are vocally anti-capitalist and as a mother I have no interest in putting myself out there in that way.” From what I’ve read so far, that’s exactly what your Substack is. Don’t get me wrong, I’m here for the capitalist take down, and I’m well aware of how being public facing can bring unwanted attention, but I’m now even more confused and I’d love to understand.
You also didn’t address anything else in my comment about separating astrology from astrologers / tool from user. I’m really curious on your thoughts. Correct me if I’m wrong - I assume that when the comments are open it’s for dialogue about what you’ve shared. I also understand that time is a factor, so happy to wait 😊
Thanks for the link, Sam. I feel I have walked into a hornet's nest without realising it: I was initially excited to have found another astrologer genuinely unpacking these issues through the lens of astrology. Your website bio states your trauma and life experience (which are all valid in understanding who you are) but nothing about your astrological training and experience, yet astrology is central to the services you offer. I was initially interested in you based on the topic matter of this post, but the further I look the more disappointing this is on a cultural and professional level - this is the new normal. I wish you well and hope you can help people with your course. Unfortunately, I can't subscribe or sign up.
I’m not sure who you are or why you think you’re entitled to write novels in my comments from me while feigning good faith, but I can assure you from the bottom of my heart I do not want you to buy anything from me or subscribe to anything I ever create.
I am genuinely not trolling you, nor do I feel entitled. The note you wrote promoting your work popped up on my feed, I followed the link, and also the note where you were listing all the ‘kinds of people’ you write for, I checked a lot of those boxes. Your content sparked genuine curiosity. Is it wrong that I followed your invitation and asked questions about your credibility?
It’s disappointing, but not surprising at this point, that instead of engaging in genuine conversation on a platform that is designed for that, you’ve not addressed anything I was asking about, and instead you turn defensive and hostile. You’re on Substack!!!! It’s a place of sharing ideas and being inspired to change and grow. The fraud, the hostility, the inability to stand behind any sincere credentials is all on you. I was just asking for clarity and I got it, thank you.
Beautifully written as always!
Interesting read, thank you! I agree that, among many things, astrology is a tool but like any tool its use is dependent on the user: a hammer can build or destroy.
Where I disagree is when you don’t separate astrology from the astrologer. “Capitalism has gotten its claws into astrology and commodified sun signs to a degree (no pun intended) that has never been seen before.” It’s true that we’ve not seen this before and it has a significant impact on how astrologers operate & the quality of astrology that is churned out, and the reasons are multifaceted & stretch back millenia…but astrology ITSELF is not doing this - the users are, & the users are influenced by capitalism (even the anti-capitalists). It’s like blaming a clock for how fast time goes by. The clock isn’t time itself, it’s a symbol of time.
What I also find interesting is that your Substack ‘about’ page says nothing about you, or about your history with astrology, or why you’re called The Financial Witch etc & when I click the link to view the Anti-Capitalist Astrology course you’re selling there is also no explanation about who you are, your years / months of experience, who your teachers were, & the ‘read more’ button at the bottom of that page just circles me back to the ‘buy now’ button. This to me, someone who knows nothing about you, comes across as the very thing you’re trying to point out - the commodification of astrology / new age / spirituality by people who are bound by capitalism. Even the anti-capitalist astrologers are working capitalism! 💸 It’s also something I’ve noticed with younger generation astrologers - capitalism weaved with astrology has resulted in people thinking these things don’t matter, & also given liberty to exaggerate credentials for something that actually requires time. We can’t buy time.
I’m curious about who you are & was happy to see the title / subject matter roll by my notes feed. Looking forward to reading more from you & learning your background / who you are.
~ Dru
Hi Dru, you can learn about me on my website. I did not create this platform to center myself as the face of it because frankly, people get weird when you are vocally anti-capitalist and as a mother I have no interest in putting myself out there in that way. My work is about my message and the research I do. Thanks for reading.
Thanks. I was looking for a link to your website but couldn’t find one. Where do I find that?
What do you mean by, “I did not create this platform to center myself as the face of it because frankly, people get weird when you are vocally anti-capitalist and as a mother I have no interest in putting myself out there in that way.” From what I’ve read so far, that’s exactly what your Substack is. Don’t get me wrong, I’m here for the capitalist take down, and I’m well aware of how being public facing can bring unwanted attention, but I’m now even more confused and I’d love to understand.
You also didn’t address anything else in my comment about separating astrology from astrologers / tool from user. I’m really curious on your thoughts. Correct me if I’m wrong - I assume that when the comments are open it’s for dialogue about what you’ve shared. I also understand that time is a factor, so happy to wait 😊
Www.thefinancialwitch.com
Thanks for the link, Sam. I feel I have walked into a hornet's nest without realising it: I was initially excited to have found another astrologer genuinely unpacking these issues through the lens of astrology. Your website bio states your trauma and life experience (which are all valid in understanding who you are) but nothing about your astrological training and experience, yet astrology is central to the services you offer. I was initially interested in you based on the topic matter of this post, but the further I look the more disappointing this is on a cultural and professional level - this is the new normal. I wish you well and hope you can help people with your course. Unfortunately, I can't subscribe or sign up.
I’m not sure who you are or why you think you’re entitled to write novels in my comments from me while feigning good faith, but I can assure you from the bottom of my heart I do not want you to buy anything from me or subscribe to anything I ever create.
I am genuinely not trolling you, nor do I feel entitled. The note you wrote promoting your work popped up on my feed, I followed the link, and also the note where you were listing all the ‘kinds of people’ you write for, I checked a lot of those boxes. Your content sparked genuine curiosity. Is it wrong that I followed your invitation and asked questions about your credibility?
It’s disappointing, but not surprising at this point, that instead of engaging in genuine conversation on a platform that is designed for that, you’ve not addressed anything I was asking about, and instead you turn defensive and hostile. You’re on Substack!!!! It’s a place of sharing ideas and being inspired to change and grow. The fraud, the hostility, the inability to stand behind any sincere credentials is all on you. I was just asking for clarity and I got it, thank you.
Wow Austin, thanks so much for the kudos. I do it all for your approval, truly.