AstroShop > General

1. Do you offer personal chart readings?
   
   All Astrodienst reports are personal in that the text you get is based on your personal horoscope. The reports are computer-generated - our computers analyse your birth chart and put together a selection of pre-written text blocks according to a unique evaluation of the data. The selection is different for each report.
   Astrodienst does not offer person-to-person counselling.
   
   
2. Can I read a sample of a particular report?
   
   Yes, you can. Please, go to the samples page to see which products are available in which languages, and to read a sample report.
   
   
3. Are any of the reports you offer written by a real astrologer or are they all computerised horoscopes?
   
   Our horoscope content was written by astrologers. The complex rules and procedures how to recognise important chart patterns and how to translate this information into the composition of a report were also created by human experts of astrology and artificial intelligence. The actual work of composing a particular report is indeed done by computers, as trained by expert humans, continually supervised by humans, but in the daily work rarely assisted by human intervention.
   There is a lot of information on our website to throw more light on these issues:
   - an article by Liz Greene about computer horoscopes,
   - an article by Alois Treindl about Astro Intelligence,
   - complete sample horoscopes in many languages. In most samples, the 'Appendix' section has explanations about how the horoscopes were composed,
   - the short company history
   
   
4. In what way is Robert Hand involved with Astrodienst? Can I contact him for questions concerning your services?
   
   Robert Hand is the author* of astrological reports and online features we offer at Astrodienst. He is not involved directly in the services offered at www.astro.com.
   
   Therefore we would like to ask you to refrain from contacting Robert Hand for any questions or comments concerning products or services at Astrodienst.
   
   * Most of the astrological texts by Robert Hand were written in the 1970s for the company Astral Research. Astrodienst acquired the company in 1998, and with it the world-wide exclusive copyrights for the texts. The same applies to John Townley and Robert Pelletier.
   
   

AstroShop > Products

1. Do you take Chiron into account in your reports?
   
   In many reports, Chiron is included, often invisibly, sometimes just indirectly in that it is part of the rule set considered for the analysis. Direct references are found in Liz Greene's Yearly Horoscope Analysis and the Long-term Perspectives. Indirectly it is used in the Child's Horoscope, in Career and Vocation, and - to a limited extent - in the Psychological Horoscope.
   
   
2. Are you planning to take Lilith into account in your (free) reports?
   
   No. Our interpretations are written by renowned authors (even in the Free Horoscopes area), and reflect their astrological method of the time when they published their respective books. If they did not work with Lilith then, we see no reason why we should add it to their work afterwards. Besides, Lilith is not very commonly used in the US or English-speaking countries.
   The only exception is the German version of Transits of the Year. The German-Italian author Lianella Livaldi Laun has written the Lilith texts for this report - they are also published as a book.
   We do not offer these in the Free Horoscope section, since some of them are quite "hard to take", and we only want to make them available to people who are seriously interested. This is the case with customers who order this report, but it is not the case for those who click on a free online feature for a "lighter" view of things.
   
   
3. Why are not all reports available for all ages?
   
   The reasons for age restrictions in horoscopes are manyfold. For example, Liz Greene's Psychological Horoscope or Career and Vocation horoscope are written for adult readers. A lot of the content does not describe the still developing personality of a child appropriately. Therefore the age limit for most of her reports is 14 years. Also many other reports describe personal issues on a level which simply does not apply to a child.
   Some technical reasons exist as well, for example, a transit report for a newborn child would show a full set of conjunctions, which need several years to resolve, especially in the case of slow planets which turn retrograde. For such reports - and for the online daily horoscope - we have set the age limit to 6 years.
   We have special reports for children, or for relationships with children, and for these there is no age restriction. In any case we require a person to be born already. For ethical reasons we do not want to see our reports used for the timing of planned births.
   
   Here is a list showing the age restrictions on our reports:
   
   

   AstroIntelligence Reports	Author	Age (min)
   Psychological Horoscope	Liz Greene	14 years
   Yearly Horoscope Analysis	Liz Greene	14 years
   Long-term Perspectives	Liz Greene	10 years
   Child's Horoscope	Liz Greene	from birth
   Relationship Horoscope	Liz Greene	14 years
   Transits of the Year	Robert Hand	6 years
   Personal Horoscope Calendar	Robert Hand	6 years
   Horoscope for Two	Mona Riegger	from birth

   
   

   AstroText Reports	Author	Age (min)
   AstroText Portrait	Robert Pelletier	6 years
   AstroText Love	John Townley	14 years
   AstroText Youth	Robert Hand	from birth
   AstroText Partner	Robert Hand	14 years
   AstroText Forecast	Robert Hand	6 years

   
   

   Free (Short) Reports	Author	Age (min)
   Personal Daily Horoscope	Robert Hand	6 years
   Personal Portrait	Robert Pelletier	6 years
   Love, Flirtation and Sex	John Townley	14 years
   Children and Young People	Robert Hand	from birth
   Partner	Robert Hand	14 years
   Forecast	Robert Hand	6 years

   
   
   

Products > Special Options

1. I ordered a report in my mother tongue. Can I get the same one in a different language at a lower price?
   
   Yes, you can. We handle a change of language like any other correction which may be necessary due to customer error. This means, we only charge 25% of the regular price for such copies of reports, plus full shipping cost.
   Please, send an e-mail to order@astro.ch, and give the order numbers of the reports you have got already. The number can be found in the front page window, in small print.
   
   Is the price reduction also valid if I order the same report for the same birth data in two languages straight away?
   
   Yes, it is the same. You pay 25% of the regular price for the second copy.
   
   
2. Is it possible to choose a particular house system when ordering a report?
   
   No, it is not. Our authors used their own techniques, and this implies the choice of house systems. But you do have the possibility to print out chart drawings with different house systems:
   Free Horoscopes -> Extended Chart Selection.
   
   
3. Can I order a report without having the exact birth time?
   
   No, you can't. The calculation and interpretation of the chart includes fast moving planets or points like the Moon, Ascendant and the house positions. These factors change so quickly that an unreliable birth time can result in completely wrong interpretations. There is no option in the programme to use only factors which don't change for a whole day.
   It could be a real waste of money for you and bad for our reputation. People may think that the interpretation is wrong when in fact the interpretation was done for a wrong birth time.
   
   

Products > Psychological Horoscope

1. Why is my Psychological Type the same as someone else's?
   
   Our Horoscope Analysis is generated in two steps:
   
   1. The chart itself is evaluated using a highly sophisticated interpretation model created by Liz Greene in order to assess the crucial astrological and psychological links within the horoscope and identify the central topics at stake. The different chapters use different astrological techniques.
   
   Chapter 2 of the Psychological Horoscope Analysis is about the balance of elements in your chart. There are four elements (fire, earth, etc.) - corresponding to the four psychological types in C.G. Jung's model - which occur each in two possible pairings. Therefore, only 8 variants of this chapter exist (plus some rare exotic cases).
   
   Chapter 3 is based on the most complex part of the process, where the main "archetype" represented in the horoscope is determined. There are quite a number of these to choose from.
   
   2. In a second step, the relevant interpretation texts are compiled and printed to form a booklet of 20-30 pages, taken from over 800 pages worth of text elements. The guidelines which appear in italics in every analysis are distinguished from the individual horoscope. In Chapter 2 there are only eight types to choose from, which makes this chapter more prone to repetition than others. Repetition is quite scarce in other chapters, and on the whole, what makes our horoscopes unique is not the wording of any given passage, but the many different combinations.
   
   The fact that different people have similar psychological themes to deal with does not diminish the value of information about these themes. The analyses in question are by no means "the same", but, if at all, only congruent in certain passages, most often in chapter 2. From an astrological perspective, people do actually share traits with others. So, a horoscope interpretation which conveys such similarities simply reflects this fact.
   
   
2. In my Psychological Horoscope the part concerning the relationship between my parents is missing. How is that possible?
   
   Each Psychological Horoscope contains chapters on the mother and father. The relationship between them is only discussed if there are chart factors which specifically reflect relationship patterns between the parents. If no specific indicators are found, this part is left out.
   
   

Products > Relationship Horoscope

1. I ordered a relationship horoscope. Is it possible to get the same reading from my partner's point of view?
   
   Yes, it is. Just write a regular e-mail to order@astro.ch and ask to be sent the reverse Relationship Horoscope (TPR) for xxxxx, where xxxxx is the number shown in the front window of the report you have already.
   
   
2. Could you name the aspects used in the Relationship Horoscope on the margin?
   
   A synthesised report like Liz Greene's Relationship horoscope is not composed in such a way that each text section would be associated with a particular isolated horoscope factor. Therefore no such annotation is possible. This is different for more primitive, cookbook-style reports which do not synthesise.
   The text of the Relationship Horoscope is completely free of astrological terminology. Its purpose is not to teach astrology, but to help understanding a relationship. This is difficult enough, without attempting to teach astrology at the same time.
   Furthermore, the Relationship Horoscope is not based on the Composite alone. It uses synastry aspects between the two natal charts, and triggering effects between the composite and each natal chart, in addition to the composite.
   
   
3. What is the difference between the Relationship Horoscope and the Horoscope for Two?
   
   Primarily, the Relationship Horoscope was designed for sexual relationships, while the Horoscope for Two is more neutral and can be used for all relationships, such as those between mother and daughter, colleagues at work, twins, and so on, as well as for those between lovers.
   There is also a technical difference: The Relationship Horoscope is an interpretation based on both birth charts as well as the composite chart for the partners, while the Horoscope for Two is based on a Davison Relationship Chart, known as a Combine Chart in Europe.
   
   
4. Is the Relationship Horoscope only accurate for love relationships or can it also be applied to other kinds of partnerships?
   
   Even if our Relationship Horoscope and other partner-related horoscopes are written and worded for love relationships, they can still be applied to other kinds of close human relationships, e.g. in families, among non-couples living together or for work place human relationships.
   The reader has to transpose the text in his/her mind, to translate the love-related expressions to a more general relationship context. The principles which are active between two particular persons remain however the same.
   
   
5. I have ordered several Relationship Horoscopes with different partners, but it shows the same or similar relationship patterns for all of them, even though they have completely different star signs. How is that possible?
   
   To determine the relationship patterns in the Relationship Horoscope, Liz Greene's model uses:
   • certain parental patterns in the natal chart of the partner. The star sign (i.e. the sign in which the Sun is placed) is only one factor among many.
   • interdependencies between your chart and that of your partner. We call this 'evocation'.
   From a psychological point of view, we (unconsciously) tend to be 'repeat offenders' in relationship matters. We are masters at attracting the same themes again and again, even if in a slightly different costume. Of course, this is not a fixed 'law of nature', but it does happen quite often.
   
   In Liz Greene's model, this is related to the 'parental complexes' which refer to patterns that are shaped through our inner experience of our parents - who are the first people in our lives with whom we have an essential relationship.
   
   

Products > Forecast Horoscopes

1. Is the natal horoscope taken into account when interpreting transits and progressions in the Yearly Horoscope Analysis?
   
   The natal horoscope is strongly taken into account in the Yearly Horoscope. There are elements which are directly connected with the dominant "archetypal themes" in the Psychological Horoscope. With all transits and progressions that are discussed, the relative weight of the natal factors is considered.
   Each time a Yearly Horoscope is generated, our computer calculates a Psychological Horoscope behind the scenes as a basis for decisions which transits and progressions have to be selected.
   We do not publish the logic behind our calculations and interpretations. Therefore this is not directly visible in the Yearly Analysis. It is mentioned in the appendix however.
   
   
2. Why do not all the transits and progressions which are active turn up in the Yearly Horoscope Analysis or the Long-Term Perspectives?
   
   If all transits and progressions were included in these forecast horoscopes, they would be several hundred pages long and very confusing.
   The interpretation model of these reports makes a finely balanced selection according to the rules Liz Greene has developed with Astrodienst. The balancing and selection process is very complex and cannot be explained in detail here.
   We cannot guarantee that a particular transit or progression is covered in Liz Greene's reports. Please also note the "Technical information" at the end of the Yearly Horoscope Analysis where it says: "Not all transits or progressions which occur during a year are included in the printed report, only those selected by Liz Greene's model of interpretation." You can find this information in our full sample reports.
   
   
3. There are some paragraphs in the Long-Term Perspectives which are identical in the reports for two different people. How is that possible?
   
   If two persons have the same transit or the same planetary progression during that period, they will get a similar or even identical description for that event.
   The Long-Term Horoscope also contains sections which describe developments of particular age groups which share certain "generation aspects" in their natal charts. If the two people belong to the same age group, these sections will probably be identical in their reports.
   
   
4. Why does my printed Horoscope Calendar show different transits than the online Daily Horoscope?
   
   The lists of transits for each day are the same in the online Daily Horoscope and the printed Calendar. What can differ is the current transit selected for a particular day.

   The reason is: The software of the online Daily Horoscope calculates the transits for a whole calendar year, from January 1st until December 31st. From this list a current transit is selected for each day.
   The printed Horoscope Calendar, on the other hand, may start on any given month during the calendar year (e.g. June 1st) and last for a whole year (till May 31st). The distribution of transits is then made for this period rather than the calendar year (January-December). Therefore, it is possible that a different transit is selected in each version for the same day.

   The distribution of transits is such that the different transits are spread relatively equally throughout the year, in order to avoid repetitions. It is impossible to always select the most important transit, because it could be the same for weeks. In a way, the choice of the current transit is arbitrary, but it is no coincidence. It is a very carefully balanced system (see above).
   

   
   
5. Which orbs do you use for transits in your forecast reports?
   
   Robert Hand and Liz Greene use different orbs for their forecast reports.
   
   The Horoscope Calendar / (Extended) Daily Horoscope, Transits of the Year, and Astrotext Forecast by Robert Hand use an orb of 1° for all transits to all natal planets.
   
   Liz Greene uses a more complex system which considers different factors, such as pre-orb / post-orb, aspect type, and the planets involved. It would be too complex to list all the orbs individually. The least we can say is that her orbs are generally wider, and therefore the activity period is usually longer than it would be with a 1° orb.
   
   

Products > Charts

1. Do you still do the miniature charts in pocket size?
   
   Yes, we do. However, the pocket size charts are not listed in the online shop anymore. You can order them directly from our staff by telephone, fax or e-mail (see the contact page for details).
   
   

AstroShop > Online Services

1. Where can I find out how long my subscription is still valid? How can I renew it?
   
   Please go to My Astro, and click on the link View/Edit preferences and subscriptions. You will find the date on which your subscription ends, as well as a link which allows you to renew the subscription.
   
   

Online Services > E-Horoscopes

1. I can't find my purchased E-Horoscope. Can you resend it?
   
   Your purchased E-Horoscopes are stored in your "My Astro" profile. Please go to My Astro and click on "Purchased E-Horoscopes and subscriptions" and then on the link "show all orders".
   
   Please note that your E-Horoscopes will only be stored for 6 months after activation. Therefore, we recommend that you save the E-Horoscope on your computer or have it sent to you by e-mail so that you can access it later.
   
   
2. Why are the E-Horoscopes not less expensive than your printed hardcopy horoscopes?
   
   Our position to pricing of printed copies versus online copies is this:

   -- We love our printed and bound reports. We love to ship them to our international customers, and despite a lot of pressure towards emailing our reports, we have resisted a long time. We do actually not want all of our customers to move into the 'electronic channel' but we hope that many stick to the physically delivered reports.

   -- You pay for the content of our astrological reports, and not for the paper or ink. A lot of effort and talent has gone into design and development of our horoscopes, into developing the software, into writing the text, into translations. These efforts continue, and their cost does not depend on the form of the delivery.

   -- Creating perfect software for the online-delivery has been an effort which has cost us several person-years of work. This investment has to be recovered from sales, and hopefully will be recovered over time. Until that has happened, each E-horoscope costs us more than a printed copy would.

   -- The authors of the reports receive the same royalties, based on the numbers of reports sold. These royalties do not depend on the form of delivery. They constitue a substantial part of our operating cost. Also marketing is not less expensive for E-horoscopes than for hardcopy.

   -- While some spendings are saved by not having to print and bind the reports, more spending occurs on other levels, in post-sales support.
   With the immediate online delivery, our staff does not handle the reports before they are downloaded by our customers. We handle the orders only later, for accounting purposes, before the actual credit card charges are made. With printed reports, a lot of customer errors are caught and corrected in that handling phase (badly spelled names, birth data inconsistent with previous orders, improbable choices of languages, elimination of duplicate orders, etc etc). Now, all these 'customer errors' appear in the downloaded reports. What happens is that many customers get back to us later, to have these errors corrected.

   -- The introduction of the E-Horoscopes is very new for us. We have to make our experiences, and will then be able to make price decisions based on the actual experience. If we find that our revenue situation has improved, you can be assured that we will spend it wisely. In the past, we have found that becoming more efficient has enabled us to survive, to keep up our high standards, and our extensive free services. We hope this path continues.

   Astrodienst has been committed to quality astrology services since its first steps in 1980, and we will remain on that track. You may find cheaper reports elsewhere, but not better ones. The choice is absolutely yours.

3. Why do I need to enter my home address if I order an E-Horoscope? The e-mail address should be sufficient.
   
   We need your mail address for legal reasons:
   
   a) to prove to Swiss tax authorities that it is a service exported to outside Switzerland
   
   b) our contract with Visa and Mastercard requires that we know the customer's address.
   
   

Online Services > Extended Daily Horoscope

1. I have subscribed to the "Extended Daily Horoscope" and cannot access it. What can I do?
   
   Please go to My Astro (top menu bar) and check whether you are in a guest user profile or in the correct registered user profile. In order to be able to access the Extended Daily Horoscope, you need to be logged in to the registered user profile under which you have subscribed to this service.
   If you find yourself in a guest user profile, please click the link Log in to existing registered profile.
   If you are in a different registered profile, please click the link Leave this profile / Switch to different profile.
   Then, enter your e-mail address and astro.com password which you used to subscribe to the Extended Daily Horoscope and click on the "login" button.
   
   Try the Extended Daily Horoscope again by going to Free Horoscopes -> Personal Daily Horoscope. The Extended Daily Horoscope consists of extended navigation features inside the Free Daily Horoscope page. You access it by using the additional links there, e.g. the 'Extended Day Choice', the alternative transits of the day, or the long term influences.
   
   
2. Can I access my "Extended Daily Horoscope" from different computers?
   
   Yes, you can. All you need to do is go to My Astro (top menu bar). If you find yourself addressed as guest User, please leave the guest profile and then login to your registered profile. You can use the link Log in to an existing registered profile. Then, enter your e-mail address and astro.com password, and click on the "login" button.
   The extended access is linked with the particular registered profile under which you have ordered it.
   
   
3. I have purchased the "Extended Daily Horoscope", but haven't received it yet. When will it be sent?
   
   You have purchased a subscription to the extended online version of the daily horoscope. This gives you right to access information on our web server which only paying users can access. The subscription is NOT an item which is shipped to you.
   
   
4. How can I renew my subscription of the Extended Daily Horoscope?
   
   That's easy. Just order a new subscription in the AstroShop. It is automatically added on to the existing one.
   
   
5. How can I give a subscription of the Extended Daily Horoscope as a gift to a friend?
   
   In order to give the subscription for the Extended Daily Horoscope as a present, please proceed as follows:
   
   1. Ask the person to whom you intend to give the subscription to
   • either create a registetered user profile at www.astro.com, if he or she has no profile at all or only a guest profile. (When creating a registered profile, the data from an existing guest profile will automatically be transferred to the registered profile, so that no data will be lost.)
     The person should then give you the e-mail address which he or she used to create the registered profile.
   • or tell you the e-mail address of an already existent registered user profile.
   2. Now, log in to your own profile and order the subscription for the Extended Daily Horoscope in the AstroShop as if it was for yourself.
      Please write a message with your order that this subscription is intended as a gift for the person with the profile xyz@abc.xx (please give the e-mail address of the other person's registered profile). Finally, confirm your order as usual.
   3. Our production team will then transfer the ordered subscription from your profile to the other person's profile and activate it.
   4. The recipient of the gift will receive an e-mail which confirms the activation of the subscription.
      
   You may also want to point out our "FAQ section" to your friend where the login to a subscription is explained.
   
   
6. What's the difference between the Free Daily Horoscope and the Extended Daily Horoscope?
   
   The core reading of a particular date is the same in the free and the extended version.
   But for the Extended Daily Horoscope, you have options to get additional information:
   
   • Readings for long-term aspects
   • Readings for other aspects
   • Access to extended day choice, to get a reading for any date within 4 years (36 months back and 12 months ahead from the current date)
   • The Love Horoscope for transits of Mercury, Venus and Mars
   • The Planetary Hours for planning your day
   
   
7. Why do my love transits not show up every day? Why do they show for other data in my profile when I don't get them?
   
   There are only love readings for transits of Mercury, Venus and Mars to your natal planets and houses. If you don't have a transit by any of these planets, there are no love texts. Other people in your profile may have a transit by Mercury, Venus or Mars and therefore get a love reading for these.
   
   
8. How can I print the Planetary Hours?
   
   If you click on the blue link "Planetary Hours", you will come to a page with all the details. You can print out this page using the print function of your browser.
   
   

Online Services > PDF Drawings

1. Can I print my PDF drawings on US pager size (8.5 X 11.0 inches) instead of European A4?
   
   Please find your answer here.
   
   

AstroShop > Coupons and Gift Certificates

1. How can I redeem my coupon?
   
   
   • Order the desired item in the AstroShop by clicking on the respective "Order it" link.
   • On the following page ("Enter Item Details") you can enter your coupon number in the respective input field. Please make sure that you enter the complete coupon number correctly, including letters, numbers and/or hyphens.
   • Now click on "OK" and continue your ordering process.

     Please also take note of possible error messages which may occur during the processing. A coupon number can only be used once, and only within the given time of validity.

     If the system does not accept your coupon, please check if it has expired or been used on a previous occasion. If you are sure that neither is the case, please contact us by using the link "report a problem" at the bottom of this page.

   • After you have entered all the necessary details, click on the link "Place your order ".
     
     
2. How can I redeem my gift certificate?
   
   
   • Order the desired item in the AstroShop by clicking on the respective "Order it" link.
   • On the following page ("Enter Item Details") you can enter your gift certificate number in the respective input field. Please make sure that you enter the complete gift certificate number correctly, including letters, numbers and/or hyphens.
   • Now click on "OK" and continue your ordering process.

   Please also take note of possible error messages which may occur during the processing. A gift certificate number can only be used once, and only within the given time of validity.

   If the system does not accept your gift certificate, please check if it has expired or been used on a previous occasion. If you are sure that neither is the case, please contact us by using the link "report a problem" at the bottom of this page.

   • After you have entered all the necessary details, click on the link "Place your order".
   
   
   
3. What is the difference between a coupon and a gift certificate?
   
   Coupons are granted by Astrodienst for special occasions. They are sent to you by post or e-mail. The coupon contains a special coupon number and grants you a price reduction when you order certain items. Coupons cannot be purchased in the AstroShop, they are offered by Astrodienst.
   
   The Astrodienst Gift Certificate is issued for a particular horoscope report. The attractively designed paper Certificate is sent to you by postal mail and can be redeemed in the AstroShop. They are often used to give away as presents. If you want to give a Gift Certificate to someone, you can order it in the AstroShop.

 

AstroShop > Software

1. Do you offer the software (and interpretations) you are using on astro.com for sale?
   
   No, we don't. We have developed this software for internal use only. It works on Unix / Linux systems and has no user interface as it is used by computers, not by humans. It wouldn't be much use to a Windows or Mac user. But there is good astrology software for purchase, you may want to try "Kepler" or "Solar Fire". The best way to get an overview of available software is by subscribing to the astrology magazine "The Mountain Astrologer" which publishes advertisements of most astrological software.
   As for the interpretations: the copyright for the interpretations published in the Free Horoscopes are exclusively with Astrodienst AG. We do not sell them. However, you can purchase the horoscope reports based on these texts in the AstroShop.
   
   

AstroShop > WOW / Astrology for Lovers

1. Which operating systems are required for the World of Wisdom and Astrology for Lovers software?
   
   They can be installed on Windows 9x/ME, Windows NT/2000/XP.
   If, for some reason, a version doesn't work, please contact the author of the programmes at www.world-of-wisdom.com for support or updates.
   
   
2. Where can I find the serial number for my WOW software?
   
   You don't need a serial number for the CD-Rom version you bought at Astrodienst. A serial number is only needed with a downloaded version (which needs registration).
   If you have both versions installed on your computer, you will always be asked to give a serial number. The best procedure is to deinstall the downloaded version and install only the CD-Rom version. As long as you are asked for registration, it is a sign that the downloaded copy is still active.
   
   
3. The WOW software does not list the USA among the countries. Is this a joke?
   
   No, it is not. The WOW atlas lists the individual states of the USA, e.g. choose Arizona or Illinois or Texas in the list of states.
   
   
4. I didn't receive a manual with the WOW CD. Is there a help link in the software?
   
   Yes, there is. Please click on the right-most item in the top menu bar of WOW - it says "Help". Here you can choose several ways for getting more information. At the very bottom, there is a link to the manual.
   
   

AstroShop > Astro*Intelligence vs. AstroText

1. What is the difference between the Astro*Intelligence reports and the AstroText reports or free horoscopes?
   
   The two types of reports are constructed according to different techniques.
   Astro*Intelligence reports synthesise the information of a chart into a complex and comprehensive report. The individual planetary placings and aspects merge into a whole, and the texts cannot be pinned down to one or two particular points of the chart. Astro*Intelligence is a synthesis. Therefore, with most Astro*Intelligence reports you don't get information on the placements or aspects concerned, except with the Yearly Horoscope Analysis, the Long-term Perspectives, the Transits of the Year, and the Horoscope Calendar, which are all based on particular planets making particular aspects to your natal chart.
   The AstroText reports and the free horoscopes are based on a much simpler technique: they merely list individual planetary placings and aspects - without attempting a synthesis. The texts for different positions in your horoscope may contradict each other, but as humans we are contradictory by nature. With all AstroText reports, free short reports and AstroClick reports, you will get a mosaic of lots of different sides of your personality which you will have to put together for yourself.
   If you compare it to music, Astro*Intelligence would be a symphony while AstroText / Free Horoscopes are simple tunes. Both have their place but cannot really be compared.
   
   
2. Why do you give different transit times in Transits of the Year and AstroText Forecast?
   
   We use different techniques in computing the Transits of the Year and the Horoscope Calendar on the one hand, and the AstroText Forecast on the other.
   AstroText Forecast considers only a 1-degree orb of a transiting planet. When it goes out of orb, the transit ends, and it appears again when the planet changes direction and goes into orb again. The first two reports make a more detailed analysis of the motion pattern and consider the transit to be active from the first entry into orb up to the last exit. In the graphics, the times in orb are shown as a solid line and the times inbetween as a dotted line. A transit theme is really over only after the last exit.
   Both approaches are valid. Transits cannot be nailed down so precisely, the choice of orb is relative, depending on the method used. What is really reliable is the date when a transit is exact. The building up and calming down periods before and after can vary.
   
   

AstroShop > Change Settings

1. How can I change the shipping address?
   
   Please go to your Shopping Cart in the AstroShop by clicking on the cart symbol in the blue navigation at the top of the page.
   You can see your delivery address on the page "AstroShop: View Shopping Cart". Please use the small blue "change" link next to the title "Delivery address" to change your shipping address.
   
   
2. How can I change my credit card information?
   
   Once your desired item/s is/are in the shopping cart, please click on the button "Continue to checkout". At the bottom of the next page, you will find the information on your current payment method. To change your credit card information, please click on the "change" link right next to the title "Payment method".
   
   You have the option of using the existing credit card or - if you wish to change the card information (even if you only change the expiry date), use the option "Enter a new credit card". In the latter case, please click on "continue" and enter the new data on the following page. Confirm these by clicking on "continue" once more. Your old credit card information will be replaced.
   
   To finish your order, please click on the "Place your order" button.
   
   

AstroShop > Orders and Shipping

1. Is it possible to cancel my order?
   
   No, unfortunately, you can't cancel your order once it has been placed. Please find more information in our terms of trade.
   
   
2. Is it possible to order by postal mail?
   
   Yes, it is. You can either send in a cheque or convey your credit card information by mail. Please, see our contact page for reference.
   Please, consult our Terms of Trade for more detail.
   
   
3. How long does it take for a report to be mailed?
   
   Please, consult our Terms of Trade to find out about shipping times and other information concerning your order.
   
   
4. I haven't received my order yet. Can you send it again?
   
   It is our practice to wait for three weeks for the order to arrive at its destination. If you haven't received your order after three weeks, we will send it again.
   
   
5. I have purchased the "Extended Daily Horoscope", but haven't received it yet. When will it be sent?
   
   You have purchased a subscription to the extended online version of the daily horoscope. This gives you right to access information on our web server which only paying users can access. The subscription is NOT an item which is shipped to you.
   
   

AstroShop >Security

1. Are my data treated confidentially?
   
   Yes, absolutely. We regard all information and birth data we receive from our users and our customers as confidential and treat it as such. Read more about confidentiality.
   
   
2. Is it safe to order online?
   
   Our shop is secure. Once you get to the checkout area, all communication is encrypted. There is no risk involved in entering credit card details in encrypted http-secure mode. Only Astrodienst can read the information. And we deal with it completely confidentially. Read more about confidentiality.
   
   
3. Do I have to convey my credit card information through the internet?
   
   No, you can send it by mail or fax for a small surcharge. It is best if you order in the online shop, and when you get to the stage where you have to enter payment details, please choose the option "Special credit card info transmission" at the bottom of the list, and press "continue".
   The advantage of this method is that the shipping cost will be precisely computed by our online shop, so that you know it before ordering.
   
   

AstroShop > Payment

1. Which payment methods can I use?
   
   The easiest way to order is by credit card. Please also note our information on data security. We also accept the following payment methods: Cheque, bank transfer, invoice (only in Switzerland, Germany and Austria), as well as cash via registered letter to:
   Astrodienst AG
   Dammstr. 23
   8702 Zollikon / Zürich
   Switzerland
   
   The choice of payment methods depends on your country of residence.
   
   
2. How do I select a payment method?
   
   Please put the item you wish to order into your shopping cart by clicking on the respective "Order it" links in the AstroShop. Then enter the necessary birth data and your address. After entering your address, you can select the payment methods on the page "Payment options". Please follow the instructions carefully in order to allow quick and uncomplicated processing of your order.
   In case none of the offered payment methods should suit you, you can cancel your order at this point.
   
   
3. More information on payment methods
   
   Credit Card
   We accept the following credit cards: Eurocard/Mastercard, Visa and American Express. We can charge Visa and American Express directly in USD, and Visa and Mastercard can be charged in EUR. All other credit cards are dealt with in Swiss Francs, according to the current exchange rate. Please, remember to give the expiry date of your credit card.
   
   Should you have doubts about sending your credit card information online (despite encryption and secure mode), you can send it by fax or paper mail.
   The easiest way is to order as usual in the online shop. When you come to the point of entering your payment method, please select the option "Special credit card info transmission" at the bottom of the list and click on "continue".
   We charge a handling fee of USD/EUR 2.- / CHF 3.- for this option. Please enclose the printed order form of the online shop in your fax or letter.
   We will process the order as soon as we have received your credit card information.
   
   Cheque (Attention: advance payment!)
   For a surcharge of USD/EUR 8.-, we accept:
   • USD-cheques, issued by a US bank
   • US money orders
   • Cheques, issued by a bank of the European Monetary Union
   Please, send us the cheque by paper mail, and enclose the printed order form of the online shop.
   We will process the order as soon as we have received your cheque.
   
   Bank transfer (Attention: advance payment!)
   We accept bank transfer as a pre-payment method. Please, note that this option is not necessary for customers from Switzerland, Austria and Germany, since they can pay by invoice (see below).
   Additional handling expenses are charged with USD/EUR 2.-. Please transfer the amount shown in the online shop to one of the following accounts:
   
   For all payments in Euro currency:
   Postbank Frankfurt/Main, Germany, account 03005 82-600; BLZ 500 100 60.
   IBAN DE71 5001 0060 0300 5826 00 BIC/SWIFT PBNKDEFF
   For bank payments in US$:
   Zürcher Kantonalbank, Meilen, Switzerland; account 1327-0015.989; International bank number IBAN CH48 0070 0132 7000 1598 9, SWIFT/BIC ZKBKCHZZ80A
   
   Please, note that all bank fees are charged at your expense, so that the complete amount is transferred to our account.
   We will process the order as soon as we have received your transfer.
   
   Invoice
   In Switzerland, Germany and Austria, you can pay by invoice, provided you have a permanent address. The invoice is payable within 30 days of reception.
   Orders which are not sent to a permanent address require pre-payment of the total sum of the invoice.
   The invoice total is the net price without any rebates.
   
   Cash (Attention: advance payment!)
   If none of the above payment methods suits you, you can also send the total of your order in cash via registered mail to:
   Astrodienst AG
   Dammstr. 23
   8702 Zollikon / Zürich
   Switzerland
   
   Please make sure that you follow the ordering process through to the end and send the complete amount, including shipping charges. Please also enclose a print-out of your order in your letter.
   We recommend you to send only notes, no coins. We do not take any responsibility for lost letters. If you send the correct amount, we don't charge any extra handling fees.
   Your order will be processed as soon as we have received the money.
   
   Credit
   You may also open a credit account at Astrodienst, from which we book all your orders. This saves you worrying about invoices and payment.
   
   

AstroShop > Payment > Currencies

1. Although the prices in the AstroShop are given in three different currencies, I am not allowed to pay in the currency I prefer. What's the reason?
   
   The currency is determined by the system, depending on the country of residence. It is impossible to change this.
   
   

   About Astrodienst's pricing policy

   Astrodienst AG is located in Switzerland and sells products and services all over the world. For many years, the euro and the US dollar were of similar value in relation to the Swiss franc, and we treated the two currencies as equivalent. The recent dollar crisis, however, forced us to change our pricing policy in spring 2008.

   Now, only orders from North and South American countries (USA, Canada, Brazil, etc.) can be placed in US dollars. Countries in Europe (except Switzerland and Liechtenstein), Africa, Asia and Australia pay in euros.

   Some countries, like e.g. Australia, have profited from the fall of the dollar for a long time. In those countries, our products have actually become cheaper over the years. This difference is now balanced out by the conversion to euros.

   Our dollar prices were increased on March 1st, 2008. We are aware that this increase does not compensate the complete exchange loss. But since our customers in the US dollar region effectively don't have more money at their disposal, we currently consider a larger increase impossible.

   Thank you for your understanding.