Astrology Books 101: What are the top 10 beginner astrology books?

August 31, 2:43 AMHolistic Science & Spirit ExaminerTima Vlasto

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Top 10 Astrology Books

Rather than leave the interpretation of your astrology chart in the hands of someone else (professional or amateur), wouldn't it be better if you could understand and interpret your own cosmic design?

Though reading computerized reports and astrology cookbooks are helpful, they are only one person's personal interpretation of the cosmic energies. Getting some basic knowledge of the planets, houses and aspects for yourself will not only help you understand the cookbooks and reports, but will also equip you with a basic ability to discern if your Astrologer's interpretations are on target or not.

Just like a little knowledge of classical music, jazz or wine can help you weed out the good from the bad. A little knowledge about astrology will make you a connoisseur of planetary info in no time.

For absolute beginners:

1. Secrets from a Stargazer's Notebook: Making Astrology Work for You

By Debbi Kempton Smith
“The Irreverent Classic,” Debbi Kempton-Smith's Secrets From a Stargazer's Notebook is the brilliant, witty, outrageous, groundbreaking, wildly popular book that forever changes the way people look at astrology. Surf the easy look-it-up tables (1930-2030) for all the planets plus Chiron and the X-O planets.”

2. Parkers' Astrology

By Julia Parker and Derek Parker
“The first half offers rich color graphics and compelling narratives about the 12 sun signs, various chart reading techniques, and how astrology influences sexuality, health, business, and family. The second half delves into the nitty-gritty work of astrology and is downscaled to three-color visuals. It includes a hefty 150- page section on "The Planets at Work" and a 75-page section on astrological tables.”

3. The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need

By Joanna Martine Woolfolk
“Thoroughly covered here are sun signs, moon signs, planets, and the significance of the 12 zodiacal houses, as well as the most recent discoveries in astronomy and 21st-century projections. The author gives an easy, logical way to integrate the interpretations of the sun signs, moon signs, planets, and houses in any given chart, something not easily done or often seen in general astrology books.”

For beginners:

4. The Astrologer's Handbook

By Frances Sakoian, Louis S. Acker
“Precise, comprehensive, and richly detailed, The Astrologer's Handbook moves far beyond the common 11 sun signs to the important planetary aspects -- trines, squares, oppositions, conjunctions, and sextiles -- discussing their impact on the human personality and exploring their subtle but firm influence on all our lives. Although undertaken originally to meet the demands of professional astrologers, The Astrologer's Handbook is, happily, a book that serves every reader. The authors, two respected innovators in the field, explain carefully all of the central concepts and provide easy-to-follow instructions for doing a complete interpretation -- both general and specific -- of any natal chart. For those who wish to actually cast their own charts, step-by-step directions are provided.”

5. Alan Oken's Complete Astrology: The Classic Guide to Modern Astrology

By Alan Oken
"Our job is to lovingly and consciously cooperate with the forces at work on this globe at this time. Astrology provides a way to link the individual with a conscious attunement to the planetary forces that are part of and affect the whole." More than fifteen years ago, Alan Oken pioneered the development of New Age astrology with the publication of three books collected in this comprehensive edition.”

6. Chart Interpretation Handbook: Guidelines for Understanding the Essentials of the Birth Chart

By Stephen Arroyo
“Thousands of readers worldwide have found personal meaning in Arroyo's bestselling books. Here, he shows how to develop reliable, in-depth interpretations for any birth chart.”

7. The Inner Sky: How to Make Wiser Choices for a More Fulfilling Life

By Steven Forrest
“Assuming intelligence, motivation and ignorance of the subject on the reader's part, the book introduces all the astrological basics--signs, planets, houses, aspects--and pulls them together in a strategy for synthesis. We receive frequent praise from astrology teachers working with this book.”

8. The Ultimate Astrologer: A Simple Guide to Calculating and Interpreting Birth Charts for Effective Application in Daily Life

By Nicholas Campion
“The Ultimate Astrologer will teach you to become your own astrologer and work out horoscopes for your family, friends, and colleagues. However, the fascinating information in this book extends way beyond the study of birth charts; it includes both Eastern and Western systems of astrology, as well as the application of astrology to: The answering of specific questions (horary astrology); the selection of auspicious moments to begin new enterprises; health, healing, love, and relationships; and gardening, agriculture, business, and finance.”

9. The Twelve Houses

By Howard Sasportas
“In The Twelve Houses, acclaimed astrologer Howard Sasportas explores in detail the experiences and situations associated with each of the houses, describing not only their tangible associations but also the more subtle meanings of each of the different spheres of life. A pioneering volume and a favorite among students and professionals alike, this is the recognized as the definitive work on the subject.”

10. Moon Signs: The Key to Your Inner Life

By Donna Cunningham
“When this book was originally published, Sun Sign astrology held sway over popular astrology and MOON SIGNS offered a much needed corrective. The author's very readable, entertaining advice is still valuable for novices and veterans alike, and helps readers understand how the moon can help us understand our emotional weather, changing moods, inner life and our sometimes dark side of the soul.”

See also: Astrology September 2009 horoscopes: Predictions for all 12 zodiac signs

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If you need a free print out of your astrology chart go to: Astrodienst

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons Book illustration in the book Basilius Valentinus, Azoth, Paris 1659.

Resources:

Astrology Center of America

Astrology Tips and Tricks of the Trade