EAN Interview with Laura Nalbandian

Laura Nalbandian's Biography Laura is a second-generation astrologer, practicing and teaching astrology since 1986. She is one of the premier astrology teachers in Washington and teaches 4 nights a week on a variety of levels. She is the co-owner/coordinator of NORWAC (The Northwest Astrological Conference), established in 1984. Her family began Astrology Et Al Bookstore, in 1975, which she managed from 1983-91. She is the past President of the Washington State Astrological Association and a founding board member of The Kepler College of Astrological Arts and Sciences and recently elected as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees. She hosted her own talk show – Astrology Talk from 1998-99, and was a regular for 3 years on KJR Sports. Laura has appeared numerous times on many radio talk shows and has done live chats as MSN’s Astrologer on “MSN Live” and she had the honor of being chosen as the coordinator for UAC (United Astrology Conference), the world’s largest astrology conference, in 2002.

Contact Laura at 206-930-7613, laurag@astrologyetal.com, or www.astrologyetal.com/gerking/index.html.

Laura is next in a series of interviews with graduates of the JWG School of Evolutionary Astrology/Correspondence Course. EAN assistant Nina recently emailed her.

Nina: NORWAC is fast approaching, and I know the astrological community is very excited about the diversity of speakers that will be lecturing at the conference. Numerous Evolutionary Astrologers are speaking this year as well. What is your past relationship with Evolutionary Astrology, as well as your current practice in the astrological field?

Laura: I began studying with Jeffrey Green in 1983, while he was developing his Pluto & Evolutionary Astrology material. I was one of the few people he asked to read the first draft of his book, as a new student, he wanted to make sure it was understandable. Since Evolutionary Astrology is my foundation in training, it is the primary type of astrology I practice and teach.

Nina: What is your favorite aspect of the NORWAC conference? What will the attendees gain from the material shared at the conference?

Laura: My favorite aspect is seeing everything come together and seeing my friends and colleagues come together for a visit. Our attendees gain knowledge through community. NORWAC creates a very nurturing and friendly environment for students & professionals alike to come together to share and learn. There is plenty of laughter and connection.

Nina: NORWAC is specifically oriented toward helping unknown, and younger astrologers become known in the astrological community. What advice do you have for aspiring astrologers who want to begin a professional career?

Laura: Over the years, NORWAC has evolved into helping unknown and younger astrologers get their “foot in the door”. I remember back to the time when I was new and young and it was almost impossible to break into the lecture circuit, in fact I was turned down at every major conference I applied to. My mother gave me my start, and not everyone is going to be similarly blessed to have a family member that started an astrological conference.

As for advice ~ set structured working hours, dress professionally, and think professionally. As for lecturing, stay focused; don’t over prepare; keep it simple (you only have 75 minutes); pace yourself during the lecture; and whatever you do, don’t let an attendee derail your lecture (keep control). I’m a Capricorn!

Nina: What qualifications do you have for an astrologer who is interested in speaking at NORWAC? In other words, what are you looking for when selecting astrological speakers?

Laura: Recommendations are always helpful, though not required. You must submit a CV ~Curriculum Vita, and a CD or DVD of a lecture or class that you have recently given. I’m looking for knowledgeable astrologers who can deliver information in an interesting and engaging way.

Nina: I understand that you owned and worked in an astrological bookstore called “Astrology Et Al.” What was that like, and how did you first become involved in the astrological profession?

Laura: My Mother, Maggie Nalbandian, started Astrology Et Al in 1975. I was 16 years old and not all that interested in Astrology. However, I needed an after school & summer job, so I worked in the bookstore. In the early days, the shop was very quiet and I really didn’t have much to do. When we moved the shop to a busier district, Mom quit her job and worked in the bookstore full time and I continued to work part time. In 1979, in a state of confusion about what to do with my life, my mother & father fired me from the bookstore to force me to go out and figure it out. I worked for an accounting firm for a few years and with the birth of my first child in 1983, I went back to work at the shop and started studying astrology in March of 1983. You have to understand, I never intended to be an astrologer! I just wanted to study astrology so I could better understand and sell the books to our customers (good business sense!). I originally quit studying after my first class and after my second class, as well. It took Mom’s encouragement to get back into it. At some point along the way, astrology grabbed me, and I wanted to learn more and more. With Jeffrey Green and my Mom doing readings, there really wasn’t any need or room for another astrologer – not that I even thought it possible. I started doing astrology readings at psychic fairs and would sometimes do 15+ readings a day, for 2 days. It was incredible practice. Mom was always pushing this Taurus Moon along (God bless Mom!) and my astrology practice evolved when Jeffrey moved on and Mom gave me all the new clients that walked in the door (did I say God bless Mom!).

Nina: I know that you worked with Jeffery Green for many years in the Astrology Et Al Bookstore. What can you tell us about your relationship with him, and how he helped you and others along the EA path?

Laura: I first met Jeffrey in 1976, I was 17 years old and in walks this hippie wanting to do astrology readings. Mom saw something in him and welcomed him into the family business. So, I’d say that Jeffrey was like a big brother. We spent many days hanging out at the shop, talking about all kinds of things from astrology to politics. We scheduled all of Jeffrey’s clients, and there were more than I could possibly count, he’d often do 8 readings a day, back to back, with only a lunch break. As for his influence on my path, though the information was always incredible, it was really the only form of astrology I ever studied and knew. I’d have to say that his biggest influence was his constant pushing me to look inside myself, to understand astrology organically. He would always tells us (students) to go home and meditate on the homework.

Nina: You have worked with Kristin Fontana on the EA radio show. The topic of the interview is Emotional Coping Skills. What is that interview specifically related to in astrological terms?

Laura: The Moon represents the emotional nature of an individual and is directly tied to the emotional conditioning the soul has experienced over many lifetimes. Somewhere in our early childhood, there are experiences that stimulate the emotional patterns of the past. These experiences put us into emotional crisis or stress, at that early age; we develop or bring forward “Emotional Coping Skills”. At those moments, the child’s psyche decides it doesn’t like the emotional stress/crisis and finds a way of “coping” with the moment. These patterns/skills follow into adulthood, though they are rather infantile by nature. They don’t actually support the Soul’s evolution, they only serve to help us “get by”. Kristin and I discuss each of the 12 Moon signs; delving into what patterns each develops for coping, and how to transition that into more functional and healthy behavior.

Nina: What are your plans for the future in the context of your astrological career?

Laura: Good question! . . . . . Well, my goal is continue and grow my practice. I’ll keep producing NORWAC, and of course I’ll continue to teach. I love to teach, it is really very satisfying for me. I’ve been teaching for almost 20 years now and I’ve consistently taught 2-4 different classes per week. I’d like to travel and lecture more at conferences and to astrological groups. In fact I’ll be lecturing to both the Connecticut and Boston groups in April – the 19th in Connecticut and the 21st in Boston. I’ll also be lecturing at UAC 08, scheduled for mid-May and to be held in Denver. I’d also like to think I’ll write a book . . . someday . . . but not all of us are writers!

Nina: Thank you very much for giving this personal interview. It has been a pleasure and EAN wishes you successful networking!

Laura's CD/DVD Special

Laura Nalbandian’s EAC06 Lectures Half Price
Order Laura’s two lectures from EAC06:
- Dispositors & Rulerships
- The Moon: Emotional Coping Skills
for $20 USD on Dvds, $15 USD on Cds. Orders may be placed
via phone (1-877-348-5111 or 605-348-5111), email: astrokmk@aol.com or mail to: Evolutionary Astrology Network, 4702 Cliff Drive, Rapid City, SD, 57702-6816. Or, purchase online at this link: www.evolutionaryastrology.net.

23rd NORWAC Conference – May 25-28, 2007 in Seattle

EA School, Segment 2 DVDs with Kim Marie

The 2nd Segment of Kim Marie’s 2006 EA School is now available on DVD! This collection of 15 DVDs on Relationships, Sexuality, Synastry and Composites was recorded Sep. 22-28, 2006 at Sylvan Lake Resort just prior to EAC06. This segment features complete information on the sexual archetypes around the zodiac, core relationship types, essential needs dynamics, parent/child dynamics, detailed chartwork, and forecasting. Join Kim Marie and her Sagittarian style as she guides many current and practicing Evolutionary Astrologers and new students in an interactive discussion on these topics and more.

Registered EA students may take advantage of this 15-DVD set complete with chapter indexes and handouts as an addition to their EA Correspondence Course materials for only $200 USD. Now, from Sun in Aquarius till Sun in Pisces, shipping and handling to U.S students will be included in this offer! International students please add $25 for first class shipping. Orders must be placed via phone (1-877-348-5111), email (astrokmk@aol.com) or mail to Evolutionary Astrology Network, 4702 Cliff Drive, Rapid City, SD, 57702-6816. Registered EA students will not find this upgrade option on “ea.net.” Expected shipping date for all orders is week of January 22.

New EA students enrolling in the revised EA Correspondence Course are contacted upon their order for choice of Dvds with their materials – JWG or Kim Marie. Honor your path and your search for truth through Evolutionary Astrology. With Pluto approaching the Galactic Center in 2007 there is plenty of energy for life-changing growth. Enjoy the ride!

EA Radio Show - www.healthylife.net

Kristin Fontana hosts a weekly radio show on Evolutionary Astrology at 10:00am Wednesdays, pacific time. The show is also repeated on Thursday evenings at 7:00pm. Upcoming guests are:

February 21 – Rose Marcus, Eclipses in Pisces/Virgo
February 28 – Kim Marie, March Forecast
March 7 – Laura Nalbandian - Emotional Coping Skills - Moon in Leo
March 14 – Ken Robinson - Shamanic Astrology Part 2
March 21 – Maurice Fernandez - Astro Trends
March 28 – Kim Marie - April Forecast

>>More Info