About

I'm James. I discovered astrology by chance some years ago while researching economic and historical cycles and what possibly lay ahead of the world in the 2020s. On a whim I watched a video by an astrologer describing a similar future to what my research had largely indicated. Out of curiosity, I began to explore this new viewpoint I had discovered. I eventually looked up my own birth chart, and as I began to learn more about how to interpret it I realized how much astrology described us as individuals — our psychology, our strengths, our challenges. Using astrology, I began to dig deep into my own upbringing and the tremendous impact it had on my own psychological proclivities. This sparked a period of deep introspection and personal growth as I faced the inner challenges I had previously been unaware of. This process of personal growth renewed in me a long-held desire to assist others, and so began JD Astrology.

While astrology is generally considered an esoteric — or woo woo — practice, my background couldn't be more different. I grew up in a conservative Christian home that emphasized a theological and somewhat rigid approach to faith rather than feel-good spirituality. Critical thinking and logic were skills drilled into me as a child, and as a result I always gravitated towards more logical interests — Lego and other constructive toys as a child; economics, finance, and history as a young man and adult; and computer science as my eventual field of study at university. This lifelong logical orientation has certainly shaped how I think and process, and it carries directly into how I practice astrology.

The foundation of my thought process always starts by asking "why." As I assess something, I try to understand the individual building blocks or root cause of a system, then work through how those blocks or causes combine to form the more complex structure. This has always allowed me to spot inconsistencies and flaws with ease, while also seeing how details fit into a broader framework. I take this same systems approach to astrology — which I first applied to my studies and later to my actual practice.

I am predominantly a self-taught astrologer, and my approach to learning followed the same pattern as my thought process — starting with the basics. At the beginning, I spent the majority of my time learning how all the underlying components of a chart integrate with each other, using the logical framework of Hellenistic astrology as my base. This guided both my early interpretations and technique. Over time, I began to incorporate techniques and concepts from other astrological disciplines, specifically the Modern Western psychological and Vedic traditions. This eclectic approach was not random however, instead it allowed me to stay curious about other astrological traditions without abandoning my own system, by asking two questions: Does this make sense in the context of what I know and practice, and does it work? This has kept my knowledge and practice from becoming scattered, instead allowing for the more detail-oriented approach I take now, rooted in a solid understanding of how the basics support the system.

To supplement my self-studies, I took a course and received mentoring from the astrologer Susan Hopkinson, a practitioner of over 20 years. Her guidance honed and added to my knowledge and practice, particularly in adding a family and childhood focus to the psychological areas I had already begun to pursue. One final impact on my own practice was a focus on readings very early in my learning, less than 6 months after discovering astrology. This early practice truly built upon my theoretical knowledge by allowing me to see how charts functioned in reality — how the theoretical components really work in practice, how they show the lived experience of an individual.

Each reading will follow a similar rubric, centered on answering 2 major questions: Who are you and why do you operate that way? What can you do about it? The first thing I look to address in any reading is helping you understand what your chart says about you. We accomplish this first by taking a broad but methodical overview of each of the major placements in the chart, and then mapping out the connections and major patterns between them. Through this, we can get an in-depth understanding of not just who you are, but the core motivations — whether conscious or unconscious — that underpin your actions and drives in life. We look at your family and upbringing, as they show the early structure that shaped your psychology and subconscious patterns. By investigating these early influences, we can begin to understand the why behind how you operate. Unless you have particular questions or life areas you want to cover, I tend to focus on general life direction, recurring life themes, and major challenges — both internal and external. From the lens of what we cover, we can then begin to discuss what can be done to mitigate, alter, or solve the difficulties within the chart and your life. This does not mean a reading will solve your life problems, but it can act as a map to help you move forward — whether towards a purpose, personal growth, or some other goal you may have. If the reading you have chosen is a forecast or synastry reading, we orient away from looking at the depth of you, and instead towards the time period or relationship in question, using the same general methodology to know, understand, and solve.

My philosophy towards astrology guides the way in which I handle readings, and as a result there are a few things you can expect in every session. First, every chart is deeply personal, which means privacy is the backbone of any client session. Your chart is your own and I will maintain strict confidentiality regarding our sessions. Unless given your consent, I will never discuss your chart with anyone else, publicly display it, share your birth time, discuss the details of our sessions, or anything else you have shared with me in private (including all correspondence). Second, astrology is a mirror of reality. In order to view the full scope of what astrology can illuminate, a truly honest approach is essential. To achieve this, I will approach each reading as honestly as I am able — I will not shy away from difficult subjects, nor will I fixate on the positive at the expense of the full chart. That said, I understand we are not beings purely of cold logic, but rather individuals with hearts and emotions. I aim to present and discuss challenging topics with as much care and softness as I can without diminishing reality. Third, astrology is exceptionally complex. With this in mind, I try my best to enter each reading with as much understanding as possible, and I will study your chart in-depth prior to meeting. Time allowing, I aim to cover as much detail as possible in each session, but always with the goal of relating it back to the broader scope of your chart. Lastly, astrology is not a replacement for therapy or any other kind of professional service. Most astrologers, myself included, are not certified therapists, psychologists, or doctors and should never be treated as such. Astrology can be used as a guide in tandem with professional services, or highlight the need for them. Astrology on its own cannot solve the challenges in your life, but it can clarify them or provide direction. If you are in need of professional help outside the scope of our sessions, please seek out the professional support that you require.