Frequently Asked Questions

What is your astrological background?

I started learning astrology as a teenager. Later, I received an undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Texas, in large part because of my astrological interests. In 2000, I decided to get a Master's degree in astrology and enrolled at Kepler College (of Astrological Arts and Sciences, at the time). There are a handful of us in the nation who currently hold post-graduate academic degrees in astrology, largely thanks to Kepler College. At Kepler, I was fortunate enough to study with some of the most talented practitioners and historians of astrology of our time and dove deeply and passionately, into astrology's technical and historical roots. I emerged from my studies with a particular interest in astrology's Babylonian origins and its linguistic structure. I have also been trained and certified in astrological ethics and counseling methods.

What kinds of astrology have you worked with?

All Kinds. I started out as a psychological astrologer and then studied the traditional methods – Hellenistic, Arabic, Renaissance. I like to collect and submit techniques to evidence-based testing, keeping the ones that work and throwing out those that don’t. I find that the strengths of modern approaches do not tend to compete with the strengths of the traditional methods. They are different tools for different purposes. I use the best tool that’s called for in a given situation. It just depends on what a client needs.

What is LINCOS and how does it differ from other types of astrology?

LINCOS an evidence-based language system. This is not how astrology has typically evolved over the millennia. Traditionally, and still currently (with the exception of a few astrologers doing more empirical work) astrology has developed primarily through theoretical teachings passed down from teacher to student over time. Many of the interpretative methods astrologers are using are not reliably communicating the information they need. The language itself needed to be re-examined with a more critical approach. I worked backwards from the charts themselves using a phenomenological and syntactical approach in order to understand the structure of the language. Over the years, we also examined many of the traditional concepts and found the majority to be rather useful. But they needed to be better defined. I reverse-engineer the functionality of the symbols by examining how they are communicating real world events. It's taken years to perfect the language because there are many traditional concepts to examine and to test. So, the LINCOS system differs from traditional and modern astrology mainly in its approach to interpretation. I have kept many of the traditional techniques, but I've redefined how to interpret and apply many of them. I have also streamlined the timing techniques we use to make our work more reliable and practical.

Is this astrology predictive?

All astrology can be predictive because every chart is meant to be a roadmap for a life's journey. Once you have a roadmap, you have the potential to navigate it in time and space and to see what lies ahead, just as with any map. And as long as that journey is still ongoing, we can look ahead and say something about it beforehand ("pre-diction").

Having said that, "there are" and "should be" limits on what astrology can predict. There are limits imposed by the nature of the language itself. And there should also be other types of limits imposed by astrologers themselves, in accordance with ethical and philosophical considerations.

Astrologers need to also be mindful about not interfering with a client's right to choose the specific shape of their own lives. While clients must understand that astrology cannot allow them to abdicate from their responsibility to do so. A good astrologer is a guide to one's roadmap. But the client is always the driver.

Do you use traditional or modern methods?

Techniques are like software tools: you use the ones that best fits a need. If you need to write a letter, you might use a document editor. But if you need to make a call, you might use a phone app. Modern astrological methods are better for internal dynamics, while traditional astrological techniques provide better tools for describing external changes. The LINCOS approach analyzes both.

Do you teach astrology?

We are currently in the process of adding new streaming courses. But live seminars and workshops can also be arranged. Contact Maria J. Mateus directly if you're interested in her work.

Are you scheduling client consultations?

I'm currently on leave from my practice in order to focus on some writing and teaching projects. But we can refer you to consulting astrologers that have trained with the LINCOS method.