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A Time For Some Reflection

1 by Tom
Recently Mark felt it necessary to lock a thread as the discussion was, in his opinion, getting off mark and potentially out of control. I looked over the thread and decided to keep it locked, which is a shame because james put a lot of thought and effort into it and others were enjoying it.

That's where the problem is. It only takes one person to disrupt a topic. At that point moderators have to make a judgment whether to keep order by locking the thread and/or deleting posts, which in turn ruins things for the people who were benefiting from the topic and enjoying it.

For better or for worse moderators cannot delete accounts. Only Deb can do that. Deb is apparently ill and has not been able to follow things and determine, with the moderators' input, whether to simply warn or drop an account. Dropping an account has rarely been done, but it was effective and it kept order.

That being said it might be time to reflect on what is and is not appropriate in the Traditional Forum. Just to be clear, and maybe this will be impolite, I'm not asking for suggestions, nor do I intend to argue with anyone about what follows. This is the way the Forum is to be conducted.

1) The purpose of the Traditional Forum is to create a place for traditional astrologers and students to discuss traditional astrology without interference from those who do not approve of traditional astrology. That can be found anywhere. In other words, instructing us on why we are wrong or outdated or old fashioned or whatever has no place here. Those posts, when spotted, will be deleted without explanation or warning. And I"m not going to discuss this in private messages either.

2) Criticism of traditional authors or concepts based on traditional understanding is fine and to be expected. Not everyone likes Morinus, or maybe Ptolemy. As long as the disagreements are kept within our boundaries they will continue. Claiming Ptolemy is wrong and Morinus is right on this or that issue is perfectly acceptable,. Claiming Ptolemy is wrong because Dane Rudhyar said so, and therefore we all need to switch to person centered astrology, is not allowed. Mentioning Dane Rudhyar, or any other modern author or idea in some kind of traditional context is fine.

There is an excellent Forum for general astrology discussions where all of these things can take place as the moderator(s) sees fit. Any member can visit any Forum. If, for example, a topic begins in the Traditional Forum and starts to drift away from the tradition, and someone wishes to pursue the topic, but it belongs elsewhere, please feel free to post in the Traditional Forum that the topic will be explored in depth in whatever Forum is appropriate. Our purpose is not to stifle discussion, but rather to keep the Traditional Forum, well, traditional.*

3) Stay on topic. If the topic is the use of general significators, the thread is no place to bring up profections, unless it pertains to the use of general significators and furthers the topic. It is common for a little side discussion to go on here and there. That's OK, too, but if the side discussion gets too involved then it belongs on another topic, just start a thread on that topic elsewhere.

4) Mystery charts: These have been popular in the past. Anyone can put up a mystery chart and establish whatever rules he or she wishes for his or her thread. While competition is natural, cheating is pointless. There is no money at stake and no one's reputation has ever been established in the firmament of great astrologers based on what has been done with a mystery chart. Keep it in context. Make sure you understand the posters intention, and allow others to voice their opinions. The poster sets the limits.

5) Respect for others. We all get a little feisty now and then because we're all human. But continued bad manners will result in having posts deleted and/or threads locked. The worst effect disrespect has is on beginner's who are a little intimidated by the number of knowledgeable people around here. Disrespect chases them off the board and that is not healthy. It's poor manners for one thing and it hurts astrology for another. This is a place to share knowledge. There is a huge difference between sharing knowledge and one-upmanship.

Also keep in mind that a reader cannot see facial expressions or hear tone of voice. It is easy to give off the wrong impression in writing. What, to the author, seems like a simple statement can be perceived as a challenge or personal attack. Readers and writers need to keep it in mind that we might be reading something into a remark that isn't intended or that our words might be taken the wrong way from time to time.

One final note: I will never understand why anyone would want to do astrology without having fun with it. We can and have for the 10 or so years I've been here, have lively, informative, and intelligent conversations AND enjoy ourselves in the process. This is not a somber topic. Taking it seriously is healthy, but astrology is mercurial not saturnine. Enjoy it.

*I do not have the ability to move entire threads. I don't know if it can be done. Therefore, if you think you want to move the discussion elsewhere, it is usually best to do it quickly lest half the discussion be in one Forum and the other half someplace else.

3 by Mark
One final note: I will never understand why anyone would want to do astrology without having fun with it. We can and have for the 10 or so years I've been here, have lively, informative, and intelligent conversations AND enjoy ourselves in the process. This is not a somber topic. Taking it seriously is healthy, but astrology is mercurial not saturnine. Enjoy it
Amen to that! A good new year resolution for all Skyripters!

Mark
As thou conversest with the heavens, so instruct and inform thy minde according to the image of Divinity William Lilly
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