What brought you to astrology?
I was always interested in horoscopes in high school. I love to learn and take classes and was looking over the community education class offerings for fall way back in 1995. There was one on astrology! In my naiveté, I had no idea how an entire 8-week class could be given on the topic but I was fascinated so I signed up. My mind was blown as soon as I found out there was more to it than your sun sign and I truly never looked back.
Why do you practice astrology? What makes it juicy for you?
I never tire of peering (respectfully!) into the inner workings of others. I am a psychologist and counselor at heart so I love that it feels like all the answers are there and just waiting to be unlocked with deep and mindful attention. I don’t truly believe they are all there or that it replaces getting to know someone, but that’s what keeps me coming back. I also ind it increase my empathy and compassion for others by understanding, as much as I can, what they might be going through on the inside.
What is your specialty, or focus?
Psychological astrology, with elements of karmic/evolutionary astrology. More interesting to me than the ‘what’ is the ‘why’ of the happenings across a human life, especially in the psyche. I think our stories and attitudes about what happens in our lives, shape our lives, as well as our choices. To me, that is more informative and insightful than the biographical facts of a life alone.
Is there a planet, sign, or aspect you’ve been exploring lately that represents an archetype or energy that feels important to you right now?
The Saturn-Pluto conjunction in 2020 (including the ly-by of Jupiter) has certainly been on many people’s minds and I’m no exception. I’m not a mundane astrologer but many of us are encountering this in a sensitive area of our chart (ahem–Ascendant) so I’ve been interested in thinking about what that holds for people on an individual level as well as what the larger, experiential context it will present for us on the sociological level.
What is your picture of astrology in the future?
I think astrology is such a long tradition and the versatility we humans have in answering the nature of the timeless questions ensures it is not going anywhere. It is exciting to see the ways technology is making astrology more accessible, and at the same time, disheartening to see all the ways astrology is more easily watered down
into obscure one-line horoscopes. However, while the delivery mediums may change, this dynamic is not. I think the astrological “ luff” will continue to lead some people to study the real deal, as it did me and many others.
If you discovered a new planet, or asteroid, what would you name it and why?
I think that would entirely depend on the events and zeitgeist in the time of its discovery, related and unrelated! All we can do is observe the synchronicities and contemplate their meaning. I would try to name it something that was synchronistically meaningful.
Amy Herring is a professional astrologer in the Seattle area and has been an astrologer since the mid-90s. Although favorite authors such as Stephen Arroyo, Erin Sullivan, Liz Greene, and Steven Forrest initiated her self-study, Amy formalized her training through Steven Forrest’s Astrological Apprenticeship program, graduating at the Master’s level. She also holds a BA in Psychology from Central Washington University. Amy has written two books, numerous articles, given many presentations and podcast interviews, but as a self-professed introvert, her primary love is client work and research.