"Contrary to popular opinion, astrology is not hocus-pocus." According to Wally Welch, co-owner of Curry & I Antiques in Agua Caliente, astrology has an empirical background, and is a science based on thousands of years of reference and research. It is, in fact, the oldest science, he explained.

At 28, Welch has been involved in the study of stars and planets for about ten years. He recently received an offer from TV station KQED, the educational station, to host a weekly show on astrology. Science, Welch says, as well as other areas of study, is beginning to take a good and serious look at astrology.

"Even beyond Plato, astrologers have been comparing the tendencies of men born during the same months, on the same days and at the same times," Welch said.

What resulted was a correlation between tendencies toward certain behavior and the astrological signs, as well as a correlation between tendencies of behavior and the specific locations of the planets at the time of birth. He explained.

"A horoscope is nothing more than a precise mathematical calculation of where the planets were at the time of a person's birth. In interpreting a chart, the logs are consulted which consist of records kept for thousands of years. For instance, records were kept regarding an influence such as Mars in Gemini and how it affected the lives of those born under its influence. With these records, astrologers interpret its influence on the individual with this aspect in his chart."

Perhaps, Welch notes, some of the skepticism towards astrology comes from the belief in reincarnation that is basic to the study. "Yet reincarnation is a beautiful and very Christian belief. If man believes in an immortal soul, and believes that God puts man on earth to better himself, there is nothing strange about reincarnation," he said.  Welch explained that he felt God would not limit man to one lifetime to better himself, but would reincarnate man with the chance to keep bettering himself in those areas in which he was lax during previous lifetimes.

"In the metaphysical sense, a horoscope is the map of an individual's previous lifetime. It gives indications of where an individual has faltered and gained. A chart can point to natural abilities and limitations; an indication of 'self meeting self' or what is called 'karma' ö whatsoever you sow, you reap," Welch observed.

He noted that much disbelief in reincarnation stemmed from misunderstanding. Many persons first related reincarnation to the idea that they were once a dog or a rabbit, which has absolutely nothing to do with reincarnation. That is the theory if transmigration, Welch asserted.

Welch added that at one time he was a skeptic of astrology, but the more he studied it, the more he understood it. He believes it is a valid science because he says, "it works. I know it does. The several thousand charts I have worked on in the past years has certainly indicated this. People who seriously have their charts read are amazed at the personal insights astrology gives them."

"The majority of people assume that astrology is fortune telling. It certainly is not!" Welch declared. "It is more of a psychological portrait of man because it deals with his mental, physical and spiritual forces. I know, I work with it. People are quick to condemn and judge the subject of astrology and yet, invariably, they cannot argue intelligently about it because they have never studied it," Welch said.

The astrologer is quick to differentiate between the commercial, newspaper type horoscopes found at the newsstands, and those based on the individual time, date, place information given to an astrologer. The newsstand horoscopes are general because they are only based on sun signs. They are amusing, but aren't to be taken seriously, he said. (Steady, Olga!)

Welch is also a psychic, and studied mediumship for six years. He decided to quit that field because he was in a position of predicting the future for others, and didn't like it. "Here I'm just reading the map for people, helping them understand what their abilities are, and what their goals should be in this life," he said.

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