HER clients include vicars and ex-monks as well as nurses, teachers and heads of industry. But Judith Earnshaw is not a religious adviser, she is an astrologer who advertises as a careers consultant - and she is also a lady with a mission...to demystify the art of reading the stars.

The uncanny thing about going to see Judith is knowing she holds all the cards. She had my past and future literally mapped out in front of her without even meeting me. But for her that is half the fun.

"I paint a picture in my head of what I think someone is like and then wait and see if they match. I'm usually right," the 57-year-old explained as she ushered me in the door of her home in Lakeside, Oxford.

Although Judith is used to stereotyped ideas of a Mystic Meg-like figure in a long gown, she is keen to debunk them.

She said: "It makes me so angry when someone says astrology is a load of rubbish without even look- ing into it. People often assume I must be weird or crazy but astrology has been practised for thousands of years and anyone can do it. The only mystery is why it is so accurate, but then no one has got all the answers." But what of my astrology session itself? Am I destined for great things or should I invest in some concrete wellies now? She showed me my birth chart, calculated by studying my birth date, place and time. It was constructed after referring to a detailed book full of tables and graphs. Apparently, conflicting signs suggested that I, a Pisces, had or would be torn and pulled. Things looked bleak, but Judith saw light at the end of the tunnel.

She rightly pointed out where the problem areas in my life and career had occurred but assured me the hard times were over and that I had the potential to do well.

Fame is on the cards as long as I grasp every opportunity with both hands and follow my creative urges. So maybe I'm the next Jackie Collins, Van Gogh or Rupert Murdoch. Extremely unlikely, but it's fun to dream.

She also offered some stark words of wisdom. That's the censored version anyway. The rest is between me and the stars.

Perhaps half the fun is knowing that someone will be concentrating on you for a whole hour. It is a form of mental pampering and is definitely worth checking out. Facts on Judith

She trained at the Facility of Astrological Institution

She charges £10 for a birth chart and £28 for a consultation

She runs an open line on Thursdays on 01865 513406 between 8pm-10pm

Judith was a founding member of the Oxford Astrology Group, which runs lectures and workshops

She also runs the Oxford School of Massage Don't forget the moon - Fiona Tarrant reviews Moon Magic by Lori Reid DO you want to know why you prefer to make love at certain times? Or when you're most

likely to have a row - or pick the perfect time to start a diet?

The answers are all in the moon. The moon has been woven into myths and folklore traditions of every civilisation and now astrologist Lori Reid has put together a complete analysis so that you can work out how the moon affects you.

Called Moon Magic, the book (published by Carlton Books Ltd at £14.99 on Saturday) is a fascinating insight into the way the moon affects our behaviour. As the moon passes through its different phases, it sets off a rhythmic 'beat', washing energy over us all, like a tide. Whether you like it or not, your energy levels will wax and wane just like the phases of the moon. Moon Magic tells you how to find your lunar phase, and all about each star sign's relationship to the moon.

Did you know, for instance, that during the waxing phase of the moon, a Gemini should make contact with a brother or sister, Leos should make love and Cancer signs should move house?

During the waning of the moon, Virgos shouldn't be over-critical and Capricorns should avoid all work and no play.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.