Hazel Dixon-Cooper has been a professional astrologer for more than twenty-five years, and is the author of the internationally bestselling Rotten Day astrology book series. She writes the daily horoscopes for Cosmopolitan.com, Cosmo Mobile for your cell phone, and a weekly horoscope for Cosmo Radio: Sirius channel 111 and XM channel 162. She is a research member of the American Federation of Astrologers and teaches astrology workshops. Additional information can be found on her website.
KD: I am honored to be a stop on your blog tour this month, especially since – as I’m sure you’ve heard echoed again and again since its debut – Born on a Rotten Day has enjoyed a long standing residence on my bedside table. Work on a Rotten Day is your latest book. Tell me, what sort of gruesome details can readers expect to uncover about their workplace?
HDC: Thank you, Kat, for being part of the tour, and for the kind words.
In Work on a Rotten Day readers will learn how to deal with the more gruesome aspects of their jobs. They'll discover how to better handle the boss, avoid conflict with coworkers, protect themselves from backstabbers, and stay motivated even in a job they dislike.
KD: Considering the state of the American and global economy and the ever fluctuating unemployment rate, do you feel that this new book speaks to those who are unemployed and on the job hunt as well as those who are currently employed?
HDC: Absolutely. I offer advice throughout the book on how to stay motivated in any situation. Further, I specifically included a section, "Ace an Interview" which shows readers how to be aware of and control their own shoot-yourself-in-the-foot behaviors, as well as career advice about what jobs might appeal to his or her Sun sign.
KD: Will this book be formatted in the manner of your previous books? What sort of chapter subheadings can we expect for each sign?
HDC: Work On A Rotten Day is my first hardcover. It has a pop-out chart of the zodiac with brief descriptions of each sign and colorful artwork throughout. There are many sub-headings. Some are: Learn to Kick Your Own Ass, From Fed up to Fired Up, Know What You're Dealing With (boss), and Coping with a (sign) Coworker.
KD: You are sort of the all-around astrology gal. Can you talk briefly about your astrology work outside of the Rotten Day series? Is there any part of your job that you favor more than others?
HDC: I write the daily horoscopes for Cosmopolitan.com and a weekly horsocope for Cosmo Radio, Sirius/XM. My favorite part of my job is corresponding with my fans around the world. I've met so many wonderful people.
KD: What was the least enjoyable aspect of compiling the manuscript for Work?
HDC: It was all enjoyable, but it takes a lot of effort to write a book. Organization, research, meeting deadlines, and with the Rotten Day series, sticking to the astrology of the topic. In this book it's how the Sun signs behave on the job. I think the most difficult was finding job-related quotes from well known people. I use famous quotes in all of my books and I had to dig a little harder for work-specific ones.
KD: Is a person’s sun sign the hands down most important determinant of leading characteristics? Or are there other astrological factors? How do you handle people born on the cusp between signs?
HDC: The Sun sign is only the beginning. The Moon sign, Ascendant (rising sign), Mars, and Venus form the basics. The natal chart is a snapshot of where the planets were at the moment of birth. It's as multi-layered and diverse as is each human being.
A true cusp is only about a 36-hour window, not the three or four days as commonly believed. Although you are the sign you're born under, you may have a few or many traits of the cusp-sign, depending on other factors in your chart. I tell people who are born on a cusp to read both signs in either an astrology book or their horoscopes.
KD: Okay, now for a few rounds of quick response questions. In your opinion, what sign makes for the best astrologer?
HDC: Any sign can be a good astrologer with study, practice, and a geniune interest in people.
KD: On average, how long does it take for you to properly pinpoint a person’s sign?
HDC: If I'm trying to guess his or her sign, two minutes to never!
KD: If you were stranded on a desert island with only one other person, what would you like his or her sign to be?
HDC: Ouch! I refuse to answer on the grounds it will look as if I'm playing favorites. :-)
KD: Which sign makes for the best one night stand?
HDC: Gemini
KD: I’m also fascinated by the fact that you answer every letter you receive from readers and fans.
HDC: I feel that if people take the time to write to say they enjoy my books, I should acknowledge that, even with a simple thank you.
KD: Do you have a most memorable fan letter?
HDC: My most memorable fan letter was from a guy in England who took exception to his sign's description in my first book, "Born on a Rotten Day." He was a Libra and blasted me in the email. I wrote back and said that he was acting exactly as I'd described in the book, and reminded him it was intended to make us laugh at ourselves. He was shocked that I'd responded and ended up laughing about it. I made a friend.
KD: What’s next on your agenda? More books perhaps? Care to offer a sneak peek?
HDC: My immediate goal is to start consulting again. Although I offer free, brief answers to fans who write with questions, I've had so many people ask for in-depth charts that I decided it was time.
I do have a book idea rattling around but I'm still in thinking mode so can't offer a sneak peek. However, speaking of sneak peeks, your readers can go to my website and get a peek at Work On A Rotten Day.
KD: Thank you so much for your time. I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy of your latest book!
HDC: Thank you for having me here today, Kat. I enjoyed it so much!
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3 comments:
Oh how exciting! I am so glad you got to interview someone whose books have had such an impact on my life! I am way excited for the book to be released so I can start preparing for my next job interview ( and so all my friends who I have gotten hooked on the book will have new ways to complain about their co-workers). Thank you Kat for the enlightening dialouge and thank you Hazel Dixon-Cooper for helping me to get to know myslef and others in a humerous matter.
Rachel Tomchik- redmomchik@gmail.com
This looks like a great book. I've been eyeing it through a couple of the other tour stops, too. This interview has convinced me I really need this book (not that I didn't want it - but I'm a little backed up on books I've read versus books I've bought!).
I do have a general question: what's your advice if I don't know my time of birth. Seems like an easy thing to remedy, I know. But it's not on the copy of my birth certificate and last time I asked my mother she wouldn't tell me. And my siblings don't know. If I were to get an actual chart done, where would the limitations be if I can't get than information? (Or any suggestions I might not thought of for getting my time of birth?)
Rachel - Thank you for the kind words. Work on a Rotten Day is available now. You can find it at Amazon, B&N.com, or the bookstore. Enjoy reading about those crazy coworkers!
Dot - Great question. Many people do not know their birth time. You can obtain a copy of your birth certificate from the public records office in the town you were born. Many can be ordered online. The time is important because it drops the planets/signs into the proper houses of the natal chart, just as the combination clicks the tumblers into place to open a lock. However, you can learn quite a bit about yourself just with the birth date.
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