My profession isn’t an easy one. Oh, I know, people assume being an astrologer is a snap. They think I just flip on the computer, open my astro program and pull amazing predictions out of the air. Uh uh. Doesn’t work like that.

I have to spend time, sometimes hours, with a natal chart. I have to figure out where a new client is at in their lives, what planetary cycles have occurred, which transits are coming up, and most importantly why they’re coming to see me at this particular time. I can usually figure it out, that’s why I prefer they not tell me why they want an appointment. I’d rather approach the chart without any preconceived notions, look at it with a clear mind.

It’s not psychic power. If they want a psychic, I’d send them to The Mystic Eye to see my colleague Zora. She’s actually a very good psychic, but trust me, I can deal in more detail and not to sound egotistical, but I can also give my clients a plan for the future.

I have some terrific clients. I really do. And most of them are lovely people that I like very much. But then there are the others . . .

The Stone Face Client – this guy won’t move a facial muscle or respond at all. He’ll sit like a statute and not even give a nod of acknowledgement, as if he expects a performance. No no no . . . doesn’t work like that. This is a give and take situation. Even when you say, “Let’s talk about what happened when you were ten.” Still no response. Because I can see it in their chart that something traumatic happened at that point in their life. So then of course, I pretty much have to tell them what happened when they were ten. It’s like chipping away at a mountain of rock. Exhausting!

The Redundant Client – she’ll come back in six months or a year with the very same problem, as if it’s just happened and I know then she didn’t listen to a thing I said at our last appointment. She has not moved on and has not taken my advice, even when I try to change her perspective and point the same thing out in a different way.

The Freebie Client – these are the ones who call on the phone and launch into their latest drama. Because they showed up once for an appointment, they expect free advice for the next ten years.

Now, I’m perfectly happy to repeat what I’ve told them at their last session, but I’m not about to get into anything else unless they want to make an appointment. I mean I’m kind and understanding, but I’m not running a charity.

The Misdirection Client – they arrive with loads of business and career questions, but I know they’re really struggling with a romantic dilemma. When I introduce that subject they bounce back to chatting about their careers, and continue talking as if I hadn’t asked a question. It’s like pulling hen’s teeth.

The No-Show Client – they’ve made an appointment but they’re terrified. They’ll call half an hour before they’re due to arrive (after I’ve done all the work I might add) and cancel with some excuse. What I really love is when they call again, make an appointment and still get cold feet and cancel. I mean, why? I’m not going to bite. There’s nothing to be afraid of.

And that doesn’t take into account my clients who inveigle me into investigations and crime solving. Believe me, I’ve gotten into a lot of trouble trying to help people.

I don’t mean to complain. I really don’t. I love what I do and my clients are, for the most part, terrific people. But you’ll get a taste of some of the things I have to deal with in the Zodiac Mysteries. And just wait till you find out what happens in my next adventure ~ All Signs Point to Murder. I hope I make it through alive. If I do, I’ll never complain about a client again. I swear!

Still, I wouldn’t change my profession for the world!

You can read more about Julia in All Signs Point to Murder, the second book in the “Zodiac” mystery series.

The stars predict a wedding-day disaster, but San Francisco astrologer Julia Bonatti never expected murder.

Julia Bonatti is alarmed by the astrological signs looming over Geneva Leary’s wedding day, but nobody asked Julia’s opinion and being a bridesmaid means supporting the bride no matter what. Even with the foreboding Moon-Mars-Pluto lineup in the heavens, no one’s prepared for the catastrophes that strike: a no-show sister, a passed-out wedding planner, and a lethal shooting in the dead of night.

With anger and grief threatening to tear the Leary family apart, Julia is determined to understand how such a terrible tragedy could have occurred. As she digs deeper into the family’s secrets, her astrological insights lead her to some rather unexpected conclusions.

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About the author
Connie di Marco is the author of the Zodiac Mysteries from Midnight Ink featuring San Francisco astrologer, Julia Bonatti, who never thought murder would be part of her practice. All Signs Point to Murder is the second in the series, released August 8, 2017.

Writing as Connie Archer, she’s the national bestselling author of the Soup Lover’s mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime. You can find her excerpts and recipes in both The Cozy Cookbook and The Mystery Writers of America Cookbook. She is a member of International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime.

Connect with Connie at conniedimarco.com, or on Facebook, Twitter and Amazon.

All comments are welcomed.