How to become an astrologer?

I found this ah, interesting list of criteria and had some thoughts about it. I'm not sure what level I am at. I seem to be all over the map.

Let's rehash this in more detail:

Hobbyist astrologer

• You read your horoscope every week
• You know your own and your family member’s Sun signs
• You can discuss astrology at a dinner party
• You know enough to be dangerous (haha)

Well, yes, I claim all of that.

Student astrologer – (All of the above plus)

• You have attended an astrology lecture
• You own five astrology books including an ephemeris
• You subscribe to The Mountain Astrologer
• You have taken at least one astrology lesson
• You are considering attending a conference
• You own Astro Gold

Here's where I run into issues: I have the books qualification. I do not subscribe to Mountain Astrologer, but I do buy specific issues when they have stuff in them that I understand/relate to. (Some months I have no effing idea.) Astrology lessons? I've done them online, does that count? I have technically attended an astrology lecture at ye olde hippiecon...and uh, gave a few...but have never, ever heard of Astro Gold. NO idea what it is. And had I not had a few lovely years where I had free accomodations to go to the hippiecon (alas, no longer), I wouldn't have that cred.

And yet I also have some qualifications farther down the list:

Amateur astrologer – (All of the above plus)

• • You can read the glyphs in a chart
  • You know the signs, planets, houses and aspects
  • You own ten astrology books including a Table of Houses
  • You have at least one planet specific book
  • You are a member of your local astrology group
  • You have taken a formal astrology education course
  • You can interpret charts for family and friends
  • You can debate houses systems
  • You have attended an astrology conference
  • You own Solar Fire V8
  • You know at least four forecasting techniques
  • You are invited to speak locally

Glyphs: yes, but shouldn't anyone over being a noob to astrology be able to? Own ten books and have planet ones: yes. Member of local astrology group: since I don't have a car, the answer to that is no. Ditto the formal astrology course and astrology conference stuff for similar reasons. I could debate house systems, but mostly just plan to stick with the default. Can interpret for family and friends, yes. Invited to speak locally-well yes, that technically did happen back when I had the ability for a few years to go to ye olde hippiecon. Four forecasting techniques? I'm not sure. I've studied, but I don't consider myself to be terribly great at any of 'em so far. I don't really know what Solar Fire is either. I assume it's some super-expensive astrology software that I can't afford.

You may notice that some things I've handled and some I have not. I tend to think that the ones that you can learn with books/Internet are just easier to do for the rank newbie on their own than the ones that involved. Which I can say from experience since that's how I've learned-- I can't get anyone to teach me IRL. And let's face it: can the poorer folks who live far out from cities really join their local astrology group and afford conferences? No, so they get ruled out by default on that.

And as for the last one I'm going to cover....

Professional astrologer – (All of the above plus)

•  
  • You can construct a chart from scratch (without a computer)
  • You can calculate forecasts from scratch (without a computer)
  • You have an extensive astrology library with duplicate editions
  • You subscribe to all the trade periodicals
  • You are a member of the international astrology associations
  • You accept payments for your work
  • Your income surpasses $12000USD per year from astrology
  • You are invited to speak internationally
  • You have appeared on TV or radio
  • You write a column/blog
  • You own your astrology website
  • You have published an astrology book

Now, most of these I don't do at all--I am not a professional and don't plan on doing so, so they're not relevant. But these days, any dang fool can write a blog/website, and you don't have to be a pro to do them. (Hello, exhibit A speaking.)

 So...I tend to think this needs to be reframed a bit. It needs to have a gradation from "what one can learn themselves alone" to "learning from other people," not to mention a gradation as to how much public participation you're doing, what you can afford, what orgs are available for you to join, etc.