Star lawyer

The lawyer assisting me during my divorce is a flamboyant gentleman with half-long grey hair with a blow in it. He is a star lawyer, it will later turn out. Literally. His beautiful office situated in a stately building is furnished with heavy antique furniture. It suits him. Chic, stylish yet tough.

During the interview, besides the usual things about my marriage and the children, he also asks about my work. Whether I have a permanent contract and whether I like it there. Although I am currently working as teaching assistant, I would prefer to start my own tarot practice.

I blurt it out without thinking but when I utter the word 'tarot', a big smile appears on his face. 'Interesting, interesting!' he exclaims enthusiastically. 'Do you also do astrology?'

Astrology

I am pleasantly surprised by the fact that he immediately knows what I am talking about and likes it too. On hearing the word 'tarot', people usually look at me as if I have gone mad, if they know what I am talking about at all.

'Um, no. No astrology,' I answer his question. 'Well. I know something about it, but superficially. I do more with Chinese astrology .’

Counsellor has momentarily forgotten what I came for. He starts enthusiastically talking about all he knows about the planets and that his family has been involved in this matter since ancient times. His father and grandfather knew everything about the solar system; it was instilled in him at an early age.

'Anyway, the divorce,' he resumed the conversation.

Whether Counsel consulted the stars before the hearing is not known to me, but it is certain that things will be handled neatly.

At trial eight months later, the judge decides that I get custody plus a tidy child support. Since I renounce the rental flat, my ex can continue to live here. Considering that he was renting this flat before we got into a relationship, this seems fair. Besides, I am actually also ready for a fresh start somewhere else.

I thank Counsel for his efforts. Although he has inspired me with his stories about the stars and planets and I have resolved to actually pay more attention to Western astrology, unfortunately, due to various circumstances, I still do not manage to delve more into it.

A pity in itself, because the interest is there. But two moves, my children, a new relationship and my work take up all my time and energy.

Child support

Over a year after the divorce was pronounced, my ex started messing around with alimony. Meanwhile, he has a new girlfriend and bought a house with her. All well and good, but the child support seems to be killing him.

Together with his new lover, he is at my door asking if he can pay a hundred guilders less per month from now on. His housing costs have gone up considerably compared to last year and his new lover's three children also cost "loads of money".

Either I agree, or it will be another lawsuit. No point.

So I don't have to think about it for long. Let him get rich with the hundred guilders, is the first thought that comes to my mind.

'Fine'.

The sweetheart promises to prepare a statement for me to sign. Just to be on the safe side, in case I change my mind and ex still has to retroactively transfer the overdue amount.

Whatever.

After I sign the declaration stating that I agree to a reduction in alimony of 100 guilders a month, the shit hits the fan and I feel slightly fooled. The alimony is still paid, but invariably a month late.

When I have to wait longer than two months for his monthly contribution on a couple of occasions, but an extension to his house is being built in the meantime and they also go on holiday in between, I get the impression that my kindness is being abused to some extent.

Then a lawsuit anyway.

Beep

'Ah!" exclaimed Counselor happily surprised as he let me back into his beautiful office.

'There you are again.'

In the past year, nothing has changed. Still everything is robust, stylish and authentic. Just like himself.

'How are you doing?'

'Good, I now have my own tarot practice.'

'That's fine, that's fine. And astrology?'

Slightly embarrassed, I shake my head. I feel like a schoolgirl who hasn't done her homework.

'No time for that...'

He looks at me quasi sternly.

'Too bad!'

Then he gets to the point. The statement I signed for my ex turns out not to be worth much.

A clear description of the new agreements regarding payments, rights and obligations is missing. In doing so, this new agreement should have been submitted to and ratified by the court, which did not happen.

The fact that ex now has a fat mortgage on his neck is of no concern to Counsel at all. True, his housing costs have increased, but so has his joint income. His new sweetheart works full time, receives generous child support for her own three children and the child support he has to pay to me is tax deductible for him too.

In short: he should not whine and I should not be squeamish, Counsel said.

Ex's sweetheart is in the mood; she has collected all sorts of 'evidence' that must show that I am now earning more than I did at the time of the divorce ruling. Counsel shows me several printed and fanatically shaded internet pages she sent him. She really did her best, I have to give her credit for that.

She just does,' Counsel said. 'Even if you were a millionaire, he is and remains financially co-responsible for the care and upbringing of the children. Your income is completely beyond this. This is about child support, not spousal support.'

Counsel decides not only to go for a timely payment but also to demand more child support than last time. Ex is not going to like this.

'You can have no and you can get yes,' is Raadman's conclusion. 'While we're at it...'

Horoscope

Once I get home, I grab my library card and get on my bike. If an intelligent person like Counsellor places so much value on astrology, there must be some truth in it, I think to myself.

At the library, I look for all the books that can help me calculate my very first real horoscope.

With the help of several bulky reference books, I draw my first radix. When, after a few weeks, I have mastered the interpretation of my natal chart a little, I dare to venture into a so-called ''hour corner'. A horoscope that allows you to answer a specific question.

'Am I going to win this lawsuit?'

The hour angle shows me amazing things. Jupiter, the planet of expansion and multiplication in the Ninth House (House of my lawyer), with a positive aspect with the Moon in the Second House (House of money and property). Long story short: I will improve financially, ex will have to come over and everything will be fine! For me then.

A few months later when the hour of truth has arrived, Counsel walks ahead of me into the courtroom with his characteristic flair and confidence. Following us are my ex and his lawyer.

The sweetheart has also come along, however, much to her disappointment, she has to stay in the waiting room. She is not allowed to interfere with anything. Her face speaks volumes. So does ex's, for that matter.

Star lawyer

'You know,' ex says to the judge when the judge asks him what he thinks of my lawyer's demand. ' Ms Kriek wants more money because she is angry.'

'Come, come,' the judge replied calmly, 'Your current partner has three children, I don't have to tell you what children cost, do I?'

It will be a short hearing. Almost immediately, the judge rules in my favour. The child support is increased by no less than 150 guilders; the 100 guilders reduction per month is simply added back plus another 50 guilders on top.

Everything is happening exactly as the hour angle predicted to me.

Coincidence? Perhaps.

Nevertheless, from then on I have a hobby: astrology. It doesn't take long before I can actually make this my job - alongside tarot.

All thanks to Counsellor, my star lawyer. And thanks to my stingy ex, without whom the second court case that made me more interested in western astrology would never have happened.

Is everything then anyway predestined?