Astrology is a fascinating field for self-study, whether as a professional astrologer or simply a hobby. It can be difficult to mine your way through the many astrology books out there, so here are some key texts by leading astrology writers to give the reader a well-rounded knowledge.
Alan Oken’s Complete Astrology – Alan Oken (Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, 1988)
This book is actually three books in one, which makes its 640 pages easier to tackle. Oken’s compassionate style is accessible and yet also plumbs the depths of astrology, perfect for those who want to take their understanding a step further. It also gives you the tools to cast your own chart like a professional.
Planets in Transit: Life Cycles for Living – Robert Hand (Whitford Press, new edition 2002)
This modern classic, the original written 20 years ago, discusses the outcomes and possible effects of transiting planets on the individual, looking at both small and large life cycles.
Synthesis and Counseling in Astrology: The Professional Manual – Noel Tyl (Llewellyn Publications, 1998)
At over 800 pages, the size of this book can be daunting, but it is an excellent reference tool. This one is more for the professional astrologer, but many of its concepts will also be fascinating to the layperson. Two of the strongest sections deal with the blending of the sun and moon energies in a person’s chart, and with using dominant aspects in a chart to create a picture of the client. The book includes sections on interpreting the patterns in birth charts; synthesis of one’s findings; and how to counsel clients, as well as 122 actual horoscopes. Tyl's application of psychological concepts to astrology is quite unique.
Predictive Astrology: The Eagle and the Lark – Bernadette Brady (Samuel Weiser, 1999)
This simply written, clear and concise book is a perfect introduction to the theory and techniques of predictive astrology. The ‘eagle’ is the use of techniques such as transits and progressions, and the ‘lark’ is the intuition that the astrologer employs. Both are combined to give insight into the future, and perspective to the current life circumstances of the client.
Astrology, Psychology, and the Four Elements - Stephen Arroyo (CRCS Publications, 1984)
A thorough understanding of the elements is key in astrology. In his compelling, no-jargon style, Arroyo reveals the underlying logic of the signs, houses and aspects as they relate to the four elements. Not to be used as a ‘cookbook’ of astrology, this is a foundation for the practitioner to go out and use the tools in his own chart interpretations.
Pluto: The Evolutionary Journey of the Soul (Vol I) – Jeff Green
The ‘piece de resistance’ of books on this small but powerful planet, discusses Pluto as it manifests through the different houses and aspects. The action of this planet is related to the soul’s journey, and by using sample charts Green describes how to use the Plutonian energy in the most appropriate way according to one’s horoscope. This is an extremely insightful, fascinating and original book, whether you want more insight into your own chart or are interpreting for others.
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