Frank Clifford

Frank Connolly Clifford (13 April 1973 -) is a writer, columnist, teacher and a consultant in astrology and palmistry based in the UK. Named after his father Frank Clifford, and the Irish revolutionary James Connolly, Frank is the son of an Irish union Socialist who later became a well-respected personal injury solicitor. According to his book, 'Palmistry 4 Today', after an unusual early education at a Hindu Secondary School (from age 9 to 12) and being inspired by his mother to visit various astrologers and psychics, Frank began teaching himself astrology at age 16 and took up palmistry a year later. He wrote and self-published his first book (a collection of astrological data and profiles) at the age of 23.

Since then, his media work has ranged from working with Universal Studios and casting directors, to giving an astrological perspective on "Little Britain" for Channel 5 and being employed by "The Sun" to locate the whereabouts of the then-missing Saddam Hussein. He has been profiled in "The Daily Express", "The Daily Mirror", "Good Health" and "The Guardian". Frank's TV appearances have included interviews on "Open House with Gloria Hunniford" (Channel 5), "The Russell Grant Show" (Sky One), "Dating the Enemy" (ITV), plus interviews and phone-ins on numerous BBC radio stations. In April 2007, Frank was seen on "Sunshine", a behind-the-scenes documentary on the Danny Boyle film.

Dubbed the ‘palmist to the stars’ by "The Guardian", Frank has written the definitive book on the subject, "Palmistry 4 Today" (Random House, published in 5 languages). His first astrology book "British Entertainers: the Astrological Profiles" presented insights into the ‘stars of the stars’. Frank's other books include two cheeky astrology guides to love and sex for the pop astrology market, and "Palm Reading" (Hamlyn, 2004). His columns and phonelines have also appeared in "Marie Claire", "Candis" (since 1997) and the US weekly "Quick and Simple" (Hearst Corporation). He was the high-profile astrologer for the celebrity weekly "Reveal" from October 2004 to January 2007. he has contributed to the astrological magazines "Astrolore", "The Astrological Journal", "Transit", "Data Plus UK", "Vision", "Data News", and the website Astrodatabank. He also compiled the "Clifford Data Compendium" (1997, 2000) for Solar Fire, one of the world's best-selling astrology software programs.

Frank combines his ‘pop astrologer’ image with that of lecturer and consultant: he runs an astro-palmistry practice in London and has lectured in venues across the country, from the London School of Economics to Olympia, and is a regular guest lecturer on the psychology course at London Metropolitan University. Frank's first gig was reading palms at Stringfellow's nightclub for a fundraiser on Valentine's Day 1995, where organisers placed him by the dance floor under a strobe light! Almost deterred from ever reading palms again, nonetheless he made an accurate forecast to a business client, who was so impressed he began to promote Frank and his work. Frank's client base soon expanded and began to include many names from showbusiness and the media.

In 2001, he gave his first astrology talk (to the Royal Overseas League) and has since given over 250 talks on various areas of astrology and palmistry. He went on to teach both subjects at the London School of Astrology, which he now runs. Frank has also spent much time promoting, teaching for and working with the Bromley Astrological Association and the Life Patterns Society (formerly the renowned Society for the Study of Physiological Patterns). Every year he runs palmistry courses and organises a Hand Analysis conference in London, inviting some of the top palmists in the UK to lecture on various subjects.

Frank lives and works in London and, in 2006, married his long-time partner. In his spare time, he works with the jazz-soul-rock singer-songwriter Sarah Jane Morris.

Works

Editor: "Profiles of Women" by Lois Rodden, published by Data News Press, 1995 ISBN 0-9633716-3-0

Author: "British Entertainers: the Astrological Profiles" (1st Edition), published by Flare Publications, 1997 ISBN 978-0-9530261-0-4

Author: "British Entertainers: the Astrological Profiles" (2nd Edition), published by Flare Publications, 1997 ISBN 978-0-9530261-1-1

Editor/Publisher: "The Essentials of Hand Analysis", published by Flare Publications, 1999 ISBN 978-0-9530261-7-3

Editor/Publisher: "Shorthand of the Soul: the Quotable Horoscope" by David Hayward, published by Flare Publications, 1999 ISBN 978-0-9530261-2-8

Editor/Publisher: "The Sun Sign Reader" by Joan Revill, published by Flare Publications, 2000 ISBN 978-0-9530261-3-5

Editor/Publisher: "The Draconic Chart" by Pamela Crane, published by Flare Publications, 2000 ISBN 978-0-9530261-4-2

Author: "Venus: Your Key to Love" (with Anna Stuart), published by Flare Publications, 2000 ISBN 978-0-9530261-5-9

Author: "Mars: Your Burning Desires" (with Anna Stuart), published by Flare Publications, 2000 ISBN 978-0-9530261-6-7

Editor/Publisher: "Astrology in the Year Zero" by Garry Phillipson, published by Flare Publications, 2000 ISBN 978-0-9530261-9-7

Author: "Palmistry 4 Today", published by Rider/Random House, 2002 ISBN 978-0712615846

Author: "British Entertainers: the Astrological Profiles" (3rd Edition), published by Flare Publications, 2003 ISBN 978-0-903353-01-1

Author: "Palm Reading", published by Hamlyn, 2004 ISBN 978-0600609711

Editor/Publisher: "Jupiter and Mercury: An A to Z" by Paul Wright, published by Flare Publications, 2006 ISBN 978-0-903353-03-5

Editor/Publisher: "The Contemporary Astrologer's Handbook" by Sue Tompkins, published by Flare Publications, 2007 ISBN 978-0-903353-02-8

Editor/Publisher: "The Twelve Houses" by Howard Sasportas, published by Flare Publications, 2007 ISBN 978-0-903353-04-2

Sources and biographical information

* [http://www.lifepatterns.info/palmistry.htm Life Patterns Society - article on Palmistry]
* [http://education.guardian.co.uk/students/rise/story/0,,964731,00.html "The Guardian" - profile]
* [http://jobsadvice.guardian.co.uk/officehours/story/0,,2016011,00.html "The Guardian" - article on New Age Careers]
* [http://www.flareuk.com Flare Publications]
* [http://www.londonschoolofastrology.co.uk London School of Astrology]
* [http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/775803 Open House with Gloria Hunniford]