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 Neela Sakaria: Thanks for joining us. Please tell us a little about your background and what inspired you to write YOU'RE EVERY SIGN.
Phyllis Firak-Mitz: The reason I wrote this book is because although some people seemed to know about astrology, it didn't seem like everybody knew how to use the sign that they were. In other words, a lot of people understood that they had such-and-such traits, but instead of looking at it like it was a gift and a support to their destiny, a lot of people felt like it was something they had to do -- almost like a ball and chain kind of, in some way. My point is that every single trait you're given - the great ones AND the challenging ones, are there to specifically help you satisfy the destiny you've come here to have.
Neela: What kind of research went into each description for each sign?
PFM: A lot of life research. I've been doing charts and have been an astrologer professionally since 1980 and I've seen thousands of people. I've watched what works in people and what does not. I also have a Masters in counseling, which I've also incorporated into this book. And I have a lot of life experience from listening to thousands of people.
Neela: One of my initial reactions to your book is that no matter which sign you are discussing, you keep a very positive spin on each of the traits, even when you're discussing a possibly negative characteristic. I like the way you describe these more negative traits as things that each sign is working on or "learning."
PFM: It is exactly true that in a way, the biggest challenge of every sign is really the best teacher for that sign to learn how to overcome that trait. In doing so, they can bring out the best of their abilities. For example, lets talk about the sign Taurus. One of the great challenges of Taurus is that they suddenly feel they are going to lack something - not enough money, love, or somehow they are not going to get what they need. Actually the high form of this sign is understanding that they have plenty. During those times that they feel lack, that's their kind of "school is in session" moment. At that point they can use the key to the sign which is gratitude, and look to see what they do have. In doing that they can tap into their resourcefulness and get going on creating the abundance that's really their birthright.
Neela: That's really interesting. Your positive spin is different from what we often read in terms of astrology books and advice.
PFM: I think for this new century, astrology is really going to be emerging as a good, clear, concise, self-knowledge tool. It has always been that but it hasn't been promoted as that. That's the whole point of my book - you don't need a masters degree, you don't need to take a test, you don't need to see a therapist. Your sign will tell you a lot about who you are and how you can make the most of what you've got.
Neela: What would you say to people who are skeptical about astrology?
PFM: I would simply say please check it out. The more people learn about astrology, the more people see the accuracy of it. I have to tell you - I have a huge practice and a nine month waiting list, and whenever men come to see me, they sit there with their arms and legs crossed. I'll ask them why they're there and they'll say their wife or fiancee sent them. They really don't want to be there because they don't know what's going to happen. But if I start to talk a little bit, they are stunned. Within half an hour, they begin to see there's a lot to this. The people who are really skeptical are the people who haven't taken any time to learn about it. Once you step into it, you've got to admit there's a lot to it.
Neela: At the end of each chapter, you mention key things to keep in mind when dating people of various signs. What is your take on relationships/friendships between certain signs, or is it just a matter of understanding that sign and then working through the challenges?
PFM: It's kind of both. Here's the thing - and this is the point of my book - we are every sign. When we are born, the sky is completely unique, and will not repeat again for 275,000 years. So we are a complete unique combination of astrological energy. Because of that uniqueness, every person of every sign is going to have a unique compatibility. So I always encourage people of steering clear of saying, earth signs are compatible so they should seek eachother and stick together. I tend to find that people are attracted to the signs they have in their chart. The other side of that is when people say they don't like people of a certain sign and so they will avoid them. To that I say, it's a good policy to spend time with people we enjoy, but I don't think it's a good idea to avoid people of signs we don't get along with. Because people of those signs might have qualities in them that we have inside of ourselves, that we just have not come to terms with. So by learning to accept people of signs that normally push our buttons, we might be learning to accept those very same qualities in ourselves.
Neela: When you meet someone new, do you ask them what their sign is? Is it something you can guess?
PFM: Sometimes I can see it right away. I try to not do that because I want to see who that person is in their own unique expression. Maybe after I've known them for a while, I can say these are their dominant signs. But I like to see people as their spirits, not as their signs. I think the challenge of astrology for those of us who practice it, is to not limit our view of ourselves or others, via the sign. Rather to see the sign as something that is a part of us but not the whole picture.
Neela: Do you have anything else you'd like to share?
PFM: I think that my main message of this book is that we are every sign of the zodiac. We have all of the qualities, characteristics, and lessons that go with those signs. Some people ask me what the sun sign is. Let's look at life as if it's a university. The sign that the sun falls in, is the major. That's the quality of expression that we are learning to become and excel at. Some people are very much like their sun sign right away, and other people feel like they want those traits but can't do it yet. I recently worked with a Leo who wanted the expression of a Leo but was very shy and tongue-tied. My feeling there is that he is that sign because he is learning that kind of heart-felt expression. When we are in college, we take other courses as well as those in our major. So those are the other signs that are inherent in us. We should never say we are just one sign because we then look to be all the traits of that sign. None of us are all of the traits of one sign. Somehow in our own way we are learning the mission of that sign.
Neela: What kind of feedback have you gotten from the book?
PFM: I've gotten very good feedback, and surprising feedback. Surprising because while as an astrologer I've known that everybody is every sign, I'm learning that most people did not know that. People are relieved to find out that those so-called negative traits are actually teaching tools. They don't have to stamp out those negative traits but rather can use them to strengthen their positive traits.
Neela: Thank you for your time. I think our readers will really enjoy this interview!
YOU'RE EVERY SIGN:
Using Astrology's Keys to Create Success, Love and Happiness
Publisher: Health Communications, Inc.
ISBN: 1558749632
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