Moderator submission address: astrology@stump.algebra.com
Moderator contact address: aam-board@stump.algebra.com
Technical problems contact address: aam-admin@stump.algebra.com

Charter:  alt.astrology.moderated is a moderated newsgroup for
the discussion of all things astrological, including theory,
traditions, innovations, questions, study, practice, and
connections to related disciplines.  There are no restrictions
regarding methods, systems, philosophies, or techniques.

Submission Rules:  This group is intended specifically as a
forum for students and practitioners of astrology.  If you are
uncertain about what is acceptable after reading this post,
please contact the moderators at <aam-board@stump.algebra.com>.

You may notice a delay in the appearance of your posts; this
is normal in moderated newsgroups.  The moderators will try to
be prompt about processing the mail, and hope to have no more
than a 24 hour delay in sending your posts to the newsgroup. 
Some posters may be robo-moderated, which means their posts will
appear more quickly on the newsgroup.  Refused postings will
be returned to posters for modification, if their overall content
falls within the acceptable category as outlined below.  This
does not include commercial solicitations, abuse, flames or
malicious provocation, or repeats of recently submitted posts.
Posts which appear on the newsgroup that have not been approved
by the moderators will be cancelled.  The moderators reserve the
right to prohibit access from posters in habitual violation
of the rules.  We define "habitual violation" to be no fewer
than three disallowed (as outlined below) posts, submitted within 
thirty days or less.  Abusive email sent to moderators will also result
in the sender's prohibition from the newsgroup, as well as possible
actions taken by his or her ISP to terminate his or her account. 

The following types of posts are not allowed:

1) Posts containing binary files, with the exception of PGP keys
   (or similar schemes).  Binaries should be posted in the
   appropriate binary group with appropriate pointers.
2) Crossposts to more than four groups, to groups unrelated to
   the topic, or to other moderated groups.
3)
a) Commercial advertisements and solicitations (more specifically,
   Spam) except identification in signature lines, or legitimate
   conference, book, publications, and educational courses
   notifications.
b) Product and service advertisements unless a fee is paid for
   such, in the sum of five United States dollars per ad, which
   will be applied to the newsgroup's yearly technical expenses.
   The option to advertise for this fee may be offered within
   an appended comment to the refused post.  Advertisers may
   then respond to their refusal notice, to receive instructions
   as to how to pay the fee, and when they may re-post their ad.
   Please note that this offer applies *only* to products and
   services of interest to the astrological community, and that our
   stipulation, and acceptance, of the fee in no way indicates that
   the moderators of this newsgroup personally will endorse your
   product or service.  This option of ads for fees is entirely
   within the domain of moderator discretion and will be offered
   according to the judgment of each or any moderator on duty.
4) Non-English language posts (without translation), posts
   formatted in HTML, posts with signature lines exceeding the
   USENet recommended five lines, or posts which the moderators
   deem to be incoherent.
5) Posts that violate copyright.  You must own the copyright, or
   have permission to use copyrighted materials that do not
   originate from USENet.  Only short excerpts from copyrighted
   materials are allowed under "fair use", with full author and
   publisher credits. 
6) Previously composed articles that have already been posted
   within the last month.  You may post pointers to articles in
   response to requests, or offer to send articles via email.
7) 
a) All personal attacks, abuse, and flames, including those based
   on astrology.  Claims of methodological, ideological, or
   systemical sovereignty, or other forms of provocation, are also
   prohibited. (Flaming is here defined as abuse, insults,
   harassment, and suggestive slurs.  Provocation is here defined
   as content primarily intended to incite aggravation, indignation,
   or outrage.  All of the preceding is subject to the judgment
   of the moderators.)   
b) Any comments pertaining to any chart placement of another poster
   in the course of a discussion without receiving prior consent
   or invitation to make such comments.
8) Posts skeptical of the general validity of astrology, which are
   more properly posted to sci.skeptic, or other newsgroups.
9) Comments pertaining to moderation policy or performance.  Questions,
   comments, or complaints regarding moderation policies or performance
   must be mailed directly to aam-board@stump.algebra.com.  Questions
   or complaints regarding the modbot and technical difficulties may
   be addressed to aam-admin@stump.algebra.com.     
   Complaints will be dealt with as promptly as schedules permit,
   usually within a few days.  Abuse of moderators, either in posts
   submitted to this newsgroup, or in email, is strictly prohibited.
   Abusive mail can and will be used as grounds for imposing bans.
   See rules 7a, and 7b, for the current overview of what is
   here considered abuse.

On-topic posts include discussions of techniques and applications
of astrology and related disciplines, including history, traditions,
and innovations.  Questions from novices are welcome, along with
requests for horoscope and chart interpretations which are
accompanied by full birth data.  However, please note that
while astrologers do often answer such posts, this constitutes
a form of pro bono (free) service and, as many posters are professional
astrologers, they may not have the time or interest to do free work
on the newsgroup.  Professional astrologers are as serious about
their work as any other set of professionals and frequently devote hours
of preparation time for a single client consultation.  It is not difficult
to understand that this amount of work (and it *is* work!) can be
burdensome and self-defeating for an astrologer in the absence of
remuneration or compensation.  Please do not expect that any response
to a request for astrological advice will be as comprehensive or
adequate for your needs, as would be a full consultation with a
professional, certified or peer-esteemed, astrologer.  Also, please
note that astrologers, like psychologists, can be very individual
and eclectic in terms of the techniques they use and favor.  The
moderators of alt.astrology.moderated may or may not be in agreement
with any statements or advice offered in response to questions on
the newsgroup, and we (the moderators) are not responsible for the
astrological opinions and advice which other posters offer on the
newsgroup, whether those opinions be offered by professional astrologers,
amateur astrologers, or beginning, intermediate, or advanced students of
astrology.

Additionally welcome are posts pertaining, and related, to the field of
astrology, such as ethics, counseling, psychology, mythology,
metaphysics, divination, prediction, history, spirituality, education, and
certification  programs.  Although this is a moderated group, moderators
will not attempt to inhibit the free flow of ideas or self expression
posted in accordance with the rules.  This forum expects, and
accepts, the civil expression of disagreements and criticisms
pertaining to the symbological interpretations, methods, theories,
and ideas encountered both here, in the posts of others, and in
materials published elsewhere.

Acting Moderators:
Michael Rideout
Scott Ransom

Stand-by:
Gail Klein

Newsgroup Administration:
Michael Rideout
Igor Chudov

Technical Counsel and Services:
Igor Chudov