He has devoted his life to providing insight and advice to others, guiding them on a path of self-exploration and fulfilment.

Now astrologer Michael Conneely is sharing his knowledge.

For he has taken up the role of resident astrologer at the recently opened Happiness Centre in Ilkley.

Michael, 60, is a man who is immersed in his subject. His enthusiasm and insight is instantly infectious to anyone looking to find a new direction in life.

As part of his new role, he will be teaching his craft through a series of lectures and group events as well as organising a number of individual and group activities to help those in need.

Clients will be given personal chart readings, predictions and advice and can learn about the path ahead of them through a mixture of ancient astrology and tarot.

Michael said: “I am very excited to be here in Ilkley and am really looking forward to meeting new clients. The Happiness Centre is a wonderful place to work – it has a fantastic energy and atmosphere and creates a safe place for enrichment, healing and growth.”

Michael has a string of qualifications both academic (he was as an Oxford graduate) and astrological.

He studied psychodynamic astrology (which explores the nature of our personality and life tasks) and combines this with his knowledge of Vedic astrology – the astrology of Hinduism, which declares why we are here in this lifetime and the meaning of circumstances we will encounter.

He said: “As far as I’m aware no one else in the UK combines these two qualifications. A reading with me can show up in clear detail what a person’s best talents are and how to deal with their main challenges in life.

“I can offer clients a clear statement of why they are here and what main fates they were born to deal with.

“Through astrology, you can really get to know yourself and learn how to get the most out of your life and relationships. It can offer clear guidance as to your best career path and can throw huge light on the issues to be worked with in your relationships, be it parent-child relationships or loving partnerships.”

As part of his work, Michael will offer clients an interpretation into their natal chart – or chart reading and can also offer relationship charts.

He will give individual clients a prediction of the year ahead and the challenges it could hold as well as relationship astrology.

And if personal experience is anything to go by, Michael’s insights are spot on.

I was asked to supply Michael with an exact time, date and place of birth. In return he gave me a written insight into my character as well as informing me of a number of personal challenges which lie ahead.

The charts were intensely detailed – and mostly accurate in terms of personality. Among his interpretations were references to an inquisitive eye – an essential part of journalism, persistence, creativity and a ‘stubborn streak’.

The year ahead, he said was a time for great change, which would have to be met with caution – balancing personal life with work.

Interestingly, the astrological reading correlated directly with a tarot card reading done by Michael at the end of our meeting.

He said: “The natal chart is the chart for the positions of the planets at the moment you were born. As such, they are a map of your destiny. In order to read the map, I draw on the teachings of astrological schools from both West and East stretching back at least 3,300 years.

“The status and position of the planets in your chart reveal the sort of parenting you will have, the nature of your love life, your career, wealth and money and the qualities of your mind and emotions.

“Basically, Western astrology is used to understand your psyche – Vedic astrology charts the worldly, mental, emotional and spiritual circumstances which will feature in this life – the journey of you soul.”

As part of his work at the Happiness Centre, Michael will be conducting a series of lectures on the third Monday of every month, and organising a teaching group during which he will tutor students to read their astrological natal chart. He will also run a spiritual pathway group as well as various other events.

Run by local businesswoman Kimm Fearnley, the Happiness Centre is situated round the back of the Vegetarian Café on Leeds Road in the town.

There are numerous classes and sessions going on at the Happiness Centre over the forthcoming months, including free meditation classes from Monday to Friday at 9am and additionally on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6.30pm.

Kimm said: “Michael is quite amazing and we are very excited to have him here. Over the next few weeks we have all sorts of classes lined up including Qi Gong, chakra balancing, shiatsu, aromatherapy, hypnotherapy, EFT and life coaching. Michael is a very interesting man and I hope people will come along to meet him.”

Michael can be contacted on michael@starwheel. co.uk or on website www.starwheel.co.uk. Alternatively you can telephone him on 07799 296821.