It's all in the stars says Gill
Disillusioned with teaching. Chichester's Gill Gage looked to the skies for inspiration and found astrology. An intrigued SUE GILSON dropped into her new High Street office to find out what the New Year had in store...
I'll admit to occasionally reading my horoscope. And I know what my Taurean traits are supposed to be (stubborn, down to earth, loyal).
But, as for a consultation with an astrologer - that was taking things a little too far, wasn't it?
My colleague declared himself far too sceptical (too scared?) to meet Chichester's answer to Mystic Meg. So off I went, hopefully with an open mind and curious to find out what 2003 had in store, to the new West Street office of Gill Gage, who is attempting to bring astrology to the city centre.
I could almost hear the reproaches of Observer Magazine columnist and astronomer Sir Patrick Moore ("You know what I think about astrologers") ringing in my ears as I greeted Gill.
But, friendly and reassuringly unMystic-Meg-like, Gill dispelled any stereotypes immediately, as she made me a coffee in her homely office. She was philosophical about the sceptics, she said, but passionate about how astrology could help people to understand themselves better.
People were always slightly frightened of what they could not scientifically prove. "With astrology, you either buy it or you don't, but I think there are an increasing number of people who are open to new ideas,” she said.
"I think society is failing us in a lot of areas. People are suffering from a life that has become too regimental. If they are not feeling happy and they are feeling frightened, they are wondering why they are here and when their pain will end.
"Astrology can help them with how long a particular period of disruption will last. It can help people to feel better about themselves."
She then took out my birth chart. This Gill described as my 'blueprint’ the essential me.
I felt quite proud of this, I have to say. I had given her the date, time and place of my birth a few days earlier and she had drawn up an incredibly detailed diagram, dotted with all kinds of intriguing symbols, of, basically, my life.
Astrologers argue that from thousands of years of empirical observation, examining the movement of the planets alongside simultaneous events on our planet, connections between such charts and the likely consequences of someone's life can be made.
The changes in our lives can be measured against the patterns that existed at the time and place of our birth.
What Gill couldn't do, she stressed, was predict the future, tell someone when they would meet the man or woman of their dreams, tell them how to win the lottery, or tell someone how they would die.
What she could do, however was tell someone how long a bad patch was likely to last, show why people were attracted to some people and not others and give a fascinating insight into a life.
After explaining about the 12 'houses' in my chart - these refer to different elements such as home, vocation, personal health and ideals, she elaborated on many aspects of my life that struck a real chord.
I can't pretend 1 fully understood the method she used for investigating my past, present and future (expressions such as 'Cancer rising’ seemed to figure a lot) but she did pinpoint collections of months and years that she felt had been difficult or productive, or whatever, for me. And these were, by and large, spot on.
I know what some people, and my sceptical colleague, would say: That these observations can be made so general that they fit almost anyone, in any situation, like a well-written horoscope. But I really did feel they were personal to me.
For example, Gill broached with me, whether I had known insecurity as a child. I had, being sent to numerous different types of school as some sort of educational experiment for my parents.
She knew the years between 26 and 30 had been special, especially regarding relationships. Well, in that time, I got married (I didn't like to ask whether a Taurean is supposed to be compatible with a Piscean), travelled around South America with my new husband, and had a baby!
She even said that November 1992 was a bit of a crisis time for me. And, in a way it was. I gave birth to my first son! Not in November as she had said, but December. But he was due in November.
She said some lovely things too about my characteristics that she had ascertained from my chart.
"The theme in your life that seems to be prevalent is that it has a tremendous artistic and creative tone to it," she said. “You are very sensitive to vibes, other people's feelings and you are a good listener."
As the session went on it became more and more fascinating and all scepticism was put on hold. Gill is a counselling astrologer and it did feel like a counselling session. But it wasn't intimidating in the least, and I only had to take out of it as much or as little as I wanted.
People from all walks of life with a multitude of conundrums sought her guidance, she said, from a mother worried about her drug-taking daughter to a 60-year-old with an exciting new career wondering whether to divorce her negative husband after a long marriage and make a fresh start.
Using their charts Gill was able to talk her clients through their concerns. The first woman was prone to giving too much of herself away, becoming emotionally exhausted, and was helped by Gill to see that maybe backing off a little would help her daughter.
And Gill was able to tell the second woman that if she was thinking about change it would be an excellent time to go ahead. Gill stressed that she never gives out advice on such matters —always leaving the decision making with the client - but tries to make a situation clearer.
Gill is passionate about her chosen career, having become dissatisfied with teaching. She taught English at Bishop Luffa in Chichester before heading off to a school in California.
"I was a school teacher but I couldn't see that it was working for children. They were like robots. The bell would go every 40 minutes and they would jump up. I found that I wanted to address the needs of the whole child rather than segments," she said.
A mini breakdown followed, with Gill finding that her doctor could not offer much help. So she took matters into her own hands with a total life change a four-year astrology diploma course .
"Before that I was functioning but I was unhappy and miserable. I had my own chart done and found it fascinating and that was the beginning. I didn't know where it would lead and it took me a year to believe it in and commit to it, but I have no regrets as it is so interesting," she explained.
Gill, who specialises in life purpose, career, health and relationship counselling, has been operating from her home since 1999, but she wanted to be more accessible, more 'high street’ hence the new office.
She obviously consulted the planets to see whether her move came at the right time for her, and hopes for success in 2003 with her new venture.
But what sort of New Year could I expect? The future looked rosy, if challenging, I can report.
Gill advised me to really look inside myself to find out whether I was really doing what I wanted to be doing with my life. By November 2003, I would be well on the way to discovering this, as well as unearthing a new creative talent.
"You will be amazed at the things you will be producing," said Gill. I can't wait.
