GETTING STARTED
Learning astrology the right way includes understanding the theory of chart calculation as well as what those funny looking squiggles mean.
Basic Astrology Reference Tools | Time Change Guides | An Ephemeris | Table of Houses | Encyclopedias | Beginning Astrology Books | Your First Textbooks | Intermediate Books | Chart Interpretations |Transits | Aspects | Elements |Building an Astrological Library |Advanced Techniques |
Basic Astrology Reference Tools
Computers are wonderful but you must own these books to cast a chart by hand.
1.Time Change Guides
These are important because until recently daylight savings time was not standardized as many municipalities refused to adopt it, and the change dates often varied from year to year. During the energy crisis the nation was on DST all year. The time zones in the US were changed at one point, too. Even with a computer program it is wise to double check, especially with births before 1960. Without accurate appraisal of time changes one may calculate an incorrect chart.
The American Atlas : U.S. Longitudes & Latitudes Time Changes and Time Zones
(1996)Thomas Shank (compiler)The International Atlas : World Longitudes and Latitudes, Time Changes and Time Zones (1996)
Thomas Shank (compiler)The following were compiled by Doris Chase Doane, my favorites, and much less expensive, but getting dated. On the other hand you probably are familiar with the past ten years time changes which have become rather standardized.
Time Changes in Canada and Mexico (1980)
Time Changes in the World (1982)
2.An Ephemeris
An ephemeris gives you the daily positions of the planets. Most provide you with additional data such as lunar phases, eclipse data, the exact times planets enter the signs (known as ingresses), and timing of major aspects.
Choices!! Some give positions for Midnight, some from Noon. I find Midnight positions easier to work with and recommend this type of ephemeris to beginners.Some include declinations, full aspectarians, latitude, and much more.
There are even Sidereal and Heliocentric Ephemeriades!! Beginners will want a standard Tropical Ephemeris.
The very BEST is Raphael’s Ephemeris which lists everything astronomical including occultations and other phenomena. The disadvantage is you must buy each year individually and back issues may be impossible to find. Looking up a birth in 1930 may not be feasible.
So, you may wish to invest in a hundred year Ephemeris which gives you the most years for your money. However, these sacrifice niceties such as declinations, phenomena tables, and aspectarians. If these aren’t important to you, and they aren't for most beginners, then a basic Ephemeris for Tropical positions is Neil Michelsen’s famous
American Ephemeris for the 20th Century : 1900 to 2000 at Midnight/5th RevisedAnother choice is:
World Ephemeris for the 20th Century : Midnight Edition
My third choice is a Noon Ephemeris, some teachers do use this method:World Ephemeris for the 20th Century : 1900 T0 2000 at Noon
Prepare for the future !! The American Ephemeris for the 21st Century 2000-2050 at Midnight
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3.A Table of Houses
A table of houses is your reference for rising degrees and house cusps which change according to latitude of birth. More Choices!!! There are different types of house systems. Beginners in traditional schools usually employ Placidus Houses. Koch houses are another popular system. In my opinion Koch Houses are very similar to Placidus, and many astrologers speak highly of them. It is good to have both available, but not necessary.
(Hint: Never argue House Systems with an astrologer)
The Michelsen Book of Tables: Placidus and Koch Tables of Houses
If this is out of stock try to purchase AFA Tables of Houses : Placidus System
Tables of Houses Koch by Astro Numeric Systems
Pricey alternative!! The Koch Book of Tables; Koch Tables of Houses, Time Tables, Interpolation Tables - Neil Michelsen
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4. Astrology Encyclopedia
Lewis, JamesNot an absolute must, but this is a handy guide to have on your shelf as a reference for lucid definitions of terms used in all branches of astrology. The book includes biographies of famous astrologers, history of astrology, and can aid your understanding of astrological terminology.
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Learning Astrology
Beginner reference books with all the basics
1. Fun & Easy
Painless introductions to astrologyNOW BACK IN PRINT! Kempton-Smith, Debbie
Secrets from a Stargazer's Notebook
ROFL!!!! I Rolled On the Floor Laughing when I first read this book, and it is back on the shelves again in an updated version!!! Hurray! She compares houses to slices of pizza, calls Venus the planet of sleazy sex and eternal love, and manages to say profound things while remaining light and humorous. Many practical uses for astrology without needing to know all the rules. I love it!!! Find it!!!! Read it!!!!
Astrology for the Light Side of the Brain: A User-Friendly Guide
Rogers-Gallagher, Kim
My second favorite of this genre also keeps on the light side, has good basic astrology rules for you and is a bit more thorough in examining the “astrologese” from a classroom standpoint. A nice set of analogies, but not as much fun as Debbie’s book. Great section on Chiron; she says notice how the symbol for Chiron looks like a handicapped sign in the parking lot.
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2.Your First Textbooks
Modern Textbook of Astrology Hone, Margaret
Not available, except in Great Britain, but look for this through a used book dealer. Maybe I am prejudiced because this was my first astrology book, but this is the most thorough, understandable, and orderly practical guide to erecting a chart, the mechanics behind the calculations, and developing interpretations through a keyword system, that I have ever seen.
I found this book about 8 years ago and it has become my favorite since Hickey approaches astrology from a metaphysical viewpoint. Her deeply spiritual, reverential outlook towards the science inspires and teaches. Everything you need is NOT here as far as chart mechanics, but learn to interpret a chart from this wonderful book and you will be filled with the wonder of astrology.
Astrologers Handbook- Sakoian, Frances & Acker, Louis
Good, thorough, and complete beginners textbook. Everything is here in one book from signs, aspects, elements, to calculating a chart. Highly recommended.
The Only Way to Learn Astrology: Basic Principles
The Only Way to Learn Astrology: Math & Interpretation Techniques March, Marion and McEvers, JoanA truly well loved series of books. Buy what you need to round out your astrological education. These two will get you started well.
Students Textbook of Astrology
by Vivian Robson
One of my old stand-bys from my mother’s collection, it may seem dated in terminology to some people (although I find the writing quite clear and concise) but Robson is still widely read and and used as a reference. An enormous amount of information is packed in this book. Buy this after you have read some other basic books and you will appreciate it more. By the way Vivian Robson was a “he” not a “she”.
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Intermediate Books: Refining Your Interpretations
1.Chart Interpretations
The Only Way to Learn Astrology: Horoscope Analysis March & McEvers
Another in the series THE ONLY WAY TO LEARN ASTROLOGYHow can you understand how a person really operates? How do you judge which aspect carries the most weight? Marks does a great job. She often refers to her own chart in her books, and much of her wisdom is derived from her own intense explorations into her own psyche.
Marks, Tracy
After you have all the pieces of a chart analyzed, how do you put them together into a whole? We tear the chart down into little bits of pieces then we must put it back together again. Marks gets HIGH marks from me. See also her book on Aspects.Arroyo tends to tape his lectures to turn into books, and his books reflect his easy way of speaking. He darts off into unexpected side remarks and often leaves the subject, but this is one of his charms. You will never be bored by his books and learn many handy shortcuts. His book on Elements is listed here too.
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2.Transits
Rob Hand
A “cookbook” of instant recipes to interpret any planet in aspect to any other planet, but possibly the best of its kind.
Predictive Astrology - Sakoian, Frances & Acker, Louis OUT OF PRINT
A very good, in depth study of transits that discusses cutting planets, scout planets, retrograde transits, and much more. “Cookbook” of aspects is not as good as Hand but the explanation of steps in transit analysis is superb.
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Planets in Aspect: Understanding Your Inner Dynamics Pelletier, Robert
A “cookbook” of natal planet aspects that is well written and makes a good reference for the beginning student. Very concise.
James BrahaSubtitle is “the planetary aspects explained” and that is what this book does. Braha is SO sweet and “delicious”. And his aspect definitions in this “cookbook” are sublimely descriptive and appetizing. The interpretations of the Nodes in sign and houses are some of the best I’ve ever seen probably because he draws on his background as a Hindu astrologer where Nodes are better respected than in Western astrology. This book is less detailed than Planetary Aspects by Pelletier above More of James Braha's works listed underVedic
Planetary Aspects: From Conflict to Cooperation
by Tracy Marks
More than just a cookbook, this one discusses how to handle and use “hard” aspects in ways that are empowering and positive. Might not be appropriate for the newbie, but excellent reading for more advanced students. Other books by Marks listed under Chart Interpretations
4.Elements
Astrology, Psychology, and the Four Elements: An Energy Approach to Astrology and Its Use in the Counseling Arts Arroyo, Stephen
A well done book with the atmosphere of sitting right there in a seminar with Arroyo. Other Arroyo books? Try Chart Interpretations section or on the advanced booklist his book on Synastry.
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