This is an admin update to let everyone know the changes in how I’ll be conducting my consultations, some fee revisions, and how I’ll be moving on from here.
I think I’ve reached yet another milestone that requires me to revise my fees and make a few important revisions to ensure I can continue to function properly.
Here’s The Gist Of It:
There’s nothing reflective or philosophical here. My blog has ten years’ worth of my thoughts and philosophies – please read them at your leisure, especially when you’re considering getting a reading from me.
Now, let’s get down to business.
Q&As Will Now Be A Paid Segment
Q&A will now be a paid segment and add-on that you must opt for when getting a reading. Whether it’s a Single-Chart reading or a Two-Chart Bundle, there will be a $200 additional top-up.
Below summarises the expected costs of the consultations, which are already mentioned in the Consultation Request Form:
- Single Chart Reading – $488 (+$200 for Q&A add-on)
- Two-Chart Bundle – $788 (+$200 for Q&A add-on)
You can opt for the Q&A upfront or choose the base option first and then top up $250 later.
For simplicity, you will receive up to seven formal email replies from me for your questions, assuming one email exchange per day. Each email allows you to ask up to eight questions regardless of whether you choose the single or two-chart bundle.
I’m charging for the Q&As for a simple reason: It’s about managing and influencing behaviour. The Q&A is the most taxing part of the consultation because I have to think of what to say and how to say it while sadly adjusting for the intellectual abilities of some. Again, I need people to take the Q&A seriously and not treat it like verbal diarrhoea and no self-reflection. Starting to charge a fee for it, hopefully, gets people to take it more seriously. If not, there’s no need to opt for the Q&A, and you can go for the more economical option or just receive a report and get a commentary.
Now, I know what everyone’s thinking. Does this new format benefit only me? The answer is “no.” The plus for clients is that if I do choose to take on your Q&A, I am now morally obliged to answer your questions, no matter how stupid they sound. That said, the option for me to refund the $200 and deny the Q&A is still there.
The Report Will Be Even More Thorough; Hellenistic/Western Astrology Will Be Added
I’m not the type that rolls out schemes which only benefit me. I’m not that kind of person.
Now that the Q&A segment is a chargeable segment, it’s only fair that I make the reports much more comprehensive now that it is not included. The aim is to ensure that the Q&A is not even needed. Your help is needed to ensure your questions are well-phrased and have some context.
As I’ve always said, the more effort you put into your questions – the better the consultation. If you are devoid of the ability to do some simple self-reflection – not only will the consultation not benefit you, but you don’t need an astrologer to tell you that your life probably sucks and is in shambles for being so insufferably ignorant.
I am starting to charge for Q&As as my nuclear option to ensure people take the process seriously and not ask me undignified questions like, “How do I get rich?”, “How do I improve my health?” or “How do I improve my marriage?” Firstly, if you wish to ask me such questions for the sake of it, then sure, I will charge you for my time. Secondly, there are better ways to phrase such questions.
Also, certain questions need not be asked. Common sense will do.
As I’ve always said, the more effort you put into your questions – the better the consultation.
For clients with genuine, complex situations where the consultation requires a Q&A no matter what, I apologise that the overall fees are now higher because of the extra time and effort I must put in. Rest assured, I’ll make sure your money is well spent and that the yearly $688 is worth it.
One big plus is that I would be adding Western astrology into my commentary. It has uses and insights that Chinese astrology cannot provide, and it would be a huge benefit to clients.
Gen Z & Younger Generation Privileges
If you belong to Gen Z or younger, please note that certain privileges are extended.
I’m making it so because I do not wish to price out the younger generation, especially when they stand to benefit from consultations the most.
They are the future and, by far, the least problematic group of clients because they are still impressionable and are very open to what I have to say without taking things personally. On the flip side, some people from the older generations who messed up their lives seem to be stuck in an ego stasis where the pain of accepting that they’ve messed up their lives is greater than the pain of putting in the effort to change.
Why I Decided To Do This
Everyone knows by now that I believe in the axiom of balance.
There is no point in me trying to earn money if I’m not happy; there is no point in me trying to earn more if I don’t even have time to spend with my family. I don’t know the price elasticity of my services, but as a service provider, the ideal scenario is that I service fewer clients but earn more. That’s a scenario I will take any day because my time and energy are limited.
The influx of requests has reached a point where I can no longer manage the volume. This, coupled with the significant media exposure I’ve been fortunate to receive in 2024, has resulted in an overwhelming surge of clients that I’m not prepared to accommodate—especially the low-quality clients who decided to rush in without doing their homework or spending some time doing a bit of self-reflection.
I won’t delve into the specifics of what I mean by “clients that I am not ready to deal with.” By now, everyone should be familiar with my stance.
Fatherhood has undeniably changed my perspective of life. I no longer feel compelled to write impassioned posts explaining why I find Category 4 chart-holders intolerable and why I choose not to engage with them. I’ve expressed this sentiment in a recent post, and it remains unchanged and always will. I’ve heard and seen enough to accept and understand that people are born the way they are – most of whom are absolutely hopeless.
We all have paths to follow and karmic debts to settle. I need people to understand that I balance the realist side of me and the idealistic side of me. Astrology is impartial and does not care about your optimism or pessimism. If something is meant to be, it will be.
If individuals choose to sabotage their own lives and lack the self-awareness and humility to recognize that they are the source of their own suffering, it’s not my concern. Whether or not they seek a reading will not alter that reality.
I am revising the way I operate and indirectly increasing my fees for straightforward reasons:
- The fees I charge have always been a filtering mechanism for my clients. Additionally, I need to account for inflation and GST.
- More crucially, I must prioritize my time for my family.
My approach to business has always been consistent, and it will remain so. I need to manage my time and energy with utmost care to perform my work effectively. If I fail to do so, everyone suffers. Neglecting my well-being leads to mistakes, loss of temper, and eventual burnout. The natural progression of my career should be intuitive: As I gain more experience in what I do, and when demand for my services goes up, my fees and expectations of clients go up, too.
I have made it unequivocally clear that I am not the practitioner suited for everyone. If you fall into the category of individuals lacking even the basic self-awareness that one might find in an amoeba, I strongly urge you to refrain from seeking my services. I do not have the time nor the inclination to engage with such individuals.
My Re-Launched Patreon Page
As you may or may not know, I’ve re-launched my Patreon page. You can visit it here: masterSeanChan’s Patreon Page
I’ve decided to offer exclusive, paid content to some of my followers as a better way of engaging my readers and to incentivize myself to write more, explore astrology more deeply, and free up some of my time from consultations – which no doubt are the most draining part of my job.
The more traction and support my Patreon page gets, the more time and incentive I have to churn out better, more exclusive content. This blog will still be active for sure – it is my diary, after all.
The Eventual Commercialisation Of What I Do
Don’t worry. When I say “commercialisation of what I do,” I don’t refer to selling items or hogwash. It also doesn’t mean I take the spiritual and humanitarian aspects less lightly.
“Commercialising” what I do just means the lines will be drawn more clearly. I’ve been trying to do this for the past half a year or so – I’ve set up a company and got a new business number.
The lines between my work and personal life haven’t been drawn that clearly in the past because I didn’t see a need to, and I enjoyed the melding of both worlds. I’ve decided to draw them more clearly for my mental and physical well-being, given that my time and energy are even more limited now, especially when I have children.
I’m still figuring out what “drawing the line more clearly” entails and will tinker around with it. But whatever it is, expect some changes.
– Sean
