Rating: 
Summary: Don't loan this book to anyone!!!
Review: A very intelligent, practical friend of mine makes astrology part of her life. (How did she know i'd find my dream job in June?) Well, to understand astrologicial thinking better, i bought this book. Very lively writing, clear, with quality humor. The author writes many things i've heard previously only from my friend, not from other astrology books. I read bits of it over the phone to my friend, later brought it to her. Now she's having a great time reading it, and i'm still waiting to get it back....THAT's a sign of a good book!
Rating:
Summary: Read this book and have gobs of fun.
Review: Beware! Yes, be aware. A spell has been cast and tossed into the sea of eternity. There is no escape. What fun. We have a conspiracy of mystics here. I have listened to Caroline Casey's radio program. Although she is clearly creative, intelligent and entertaining, often I have found it redundant, even bording contrite - due mostly to the callers. I always had the feeling that if Caroline could emerse herself in the extended contemplation and focus that comes with writing a book, we would get a truly valuable piece of work. And so it is. Making the Gods Work for You is a living, breathing, dancing alchemy. Fun, insigtful and practical. Whether you know the language of Astrology or not, makes no difference. One thing that got a me smile out of me is how she likes to use the word fierce alot. I did not find anything fierce about it. Dynamic, yes. What was imparted throughout the book is a graceful, delicate, in-depth and respectful offering of the fullness and magic of life. She enters honestly into all the dimensions of ourselves as represented by the signs and planets and invites the reader to explore, experiment, doubt and dance with the scariest parts of ourself - from the most condemend to the most reverent - seducing us into the undeniable understanding that each contains the other. As an astrologer, I was particularly taken with the form of the book. It's inside out. My favorite arrangement. After the usual intro/preparation she begins the journey with Pluto. Wonderful. She then moves on to the rest of the outer planets and closes with the Sun. The layering effect is rich and full of surprises, taking the reader on a juicy pilgrimage, from here to here. She has really contributed a valuable service to our world. Read this book and have gobs of fun.
Rating: 
Summary: A New Way to Look at the Planets
Review: For all those who are frustrated or disappointed by the mundane, trite "meanings" of the planets, Caroline Casey's book will be refreshing. She gives the planets new personalities, which will give serious students of astrology a new way to look at the heavenly bodies. For instance, she does not portray Saturn as a dreary, gloomy taskmaster, but as a teacher who wants us to graduate to being our own bosses. Neptune is no longer explained away in one word ("subconscious"), but is shown as the part of us that wants to imagine a better world into existence. Jupiter becomes more than just a lucky, expansive planet: it is the part of us that wants to tell stories--that studies in order to teach. Of course, Miss Casey explains it better than I can with this review. Astrologers and students of astrology will not be the only ones who will find something worthwhile in her book: psychologists who are interested in the ideas of James Hillman, and anybody interested in a new way to look at life will enjoy reading "Making the Gods Work for You" and seeing how the myths of each planet apply to them.
Rating:
Summary: Smashingly different
Review: I chanced upon this book going for half-price in an Australian self-help centre. Had I not stopped to look beyond the cheesy purple cover, I would have missed one of the most intriguing and thought-provoking adventures in astrology ever.The difference between reading an academician's view in astrology and that of a layman is huge. For those who aren't ready to go straight into the depth and heaviness of Liz Greene, and want to get out of the tabloid astrology type reading, yet don't want to read candid, matter-of-fact portrayals such as Linda Goodman puts it, Caroline Casey provides a fresh, witty, reverent and yet playful spin on the planets and signs. It's the difference between reading Jung's academic works and reading his made-for-the-normal-person 'Man and His Symbols'. Treating each planet in terms of archetypes, suggesting little rituals for honouring each, and drawing on her own experiences as well as that of myth, it's not your average read. What I especially love is her playful writing style, as well as her comprehensive treatments of each planet. For instance, with the difficult Pluto, Casey redefines what it means to deal with the trials of death, rebirth and transformation: she teaches how to honour the darkness, describes the stages of descent, to release control through broad techniques of ritual and incantations, leaving it up to the reader to do as she wishes. This is not a how-to book, but is for the person who wants to see how these archetypes play out in her life, and how to honour them whilst struggling through them, and realising, as Casey says at the end, 'making the gods you.'
Rating:
Summary: Will leave you dreaming of the depths....
Review: I have listened to the three hour tape completely and am in the process of listening again. I imagine I will listen to it often. What a gift this is! Caroline has so much to say and she says it packed full of wisdom that I cannot absorb it in just one sitting. I am entranced! I will be looking for more of her work soon. I want to really grasp her thoughts on this course before I go further, but further I must go! WOW Caroline's gift for weaving her subjects together left me spellbound. The way she forms her thoughts, voice strong and sure, intellect abounds, yet magickal in her delivery with bits of humor throughout. I find myself enraptured with not only her message but with the way in which she gives it. I hope that one day I might be able to attend a seminar given by her. And, the music interjected is wonderful. I find myself singing (a bit off key but when that happens I only sing louder!) We are the Witches.. I am a reader. I love the written word and have shied away from books on tape. What a grave mistake this was - fore I have found this tape to be a joyous experience especially while trapped in my car. I look forward to bumper to bumper traffic - so I may listen more deeply, red lights do not insight anger or frustration at time wasted, but rather quiet rapture, as I listen to her speak of Gods, Peoples, Dreams and Planets. It has made astrology something that I can enjoy, a way of learning that is no longer dry and boring. She has opened my eyes and allowed me to dream more. So for now rather than just awaking from the surface - I will also dream the depths. Ashe
Rating:
Summary: Suitable for beginners but good for any level astrologer
Review: This book is a delight. Caroline Casey has a degree in semiotics and a marvelous wit, describing planetary energies through anecdotes, myths, and sacred wisdom, all with a light heart, and a reverent irreverence. Perhaps it's best to share a quote. I take this from the section on Uranus: "To grow shiitake mushrooms, one plants the spores in a stick and lets it sit for a year. Then you must strenuously pound the stick to awaken the dormant life within. For the same reason, during midlife and Uranus transits, we get pounded. Like the spores, we are comfortably snoozing when suddenly, "What the...?!" Thump! Thump! Thump! We invoke Uranus by posing the question, "If I feel agitated, restless, or on the brink of a discovery, where in my life do I want lightning to strike?...." If you've got your basics down and want to know more about the planets, or about your transits, this book is such a good choice.
Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT READ!
Review: This book is recommended for astrological novices and those with a general interest in metaphysics. Casey manages to put a fresh face on the main components of astrology (signs, houses, aspects; but the majority of the book is devoted to the planets) in present-day english and with a decent sense of humor. Casey incorporates mythology and beliefs from around the world to give her writing a well-rounded and comprehensive feel. She also gives equal time to both the benefic and malefic influences of each of the planets. Those with more than a beginner's level knowledge of astrology will probably be somewhat disappointed with this book, as its focus is on the psychological and spiritual. A well-written chapter with some chart examples would have shown readers the earthly applications of Casey's spiritual concepts, and could have made this book a much-used astrological teaching primer.
Rating: 
Summary: Beginners' astrology book written in present-day English.
Review: This book is recommended for astrological novices and those with a general interest in metaphysics. Casey manages to put a fresh face on the main components of astrology (signs, houses, aspects; but the majority of the book is devoted to the planets) in present-day english and with a decent sense of humor. Casey incorporates mythology and beliefs from around the world to give her writing a well-rounded and comprehensive feel. She also gives equal time to both the benefic and malefic influences of each of the planets. Those with more than a beginner's level knowledge of astrology will probably be somewhat disappointed with this book, as its focus is on the psychological and spiritual. A well-written chapter with some chart examples would have shown readers the earthly applications of Casey's spiritual concepts, and could have made this book a much-used astrological teaching primer.
Rating: 
Summary: Great introduction to subject matter, no follow through
Review: This is a terrible book! There, I've said it. Very bold words to say in light of all the other rave reviews. I hope I can explain myself... "Making the Gods Work for You" tries tackle more than your basic sun-sign astrology book. It covers your birth chart, which is comprised of all the planets positions relative to your birth time and location. To me this means covering three items:
1) The role and psychology associated with each of the eight other planets, the sun and the moon. 2) The types of astrological interplay. This is a neat way of saying it means something special when three planets align in a triangle, or four planets in a square, or two planets "crossing" each other, and so on.
3) How to determine your own birth chart. As you can guess the book falls down in at least one of these categories for me. The good news is the book excels at the basic explanation of the planets; associated personality types, inner strengths and struggles, etc. Very well written and a quite enjoyable read. The book provides a reference to a website where a free, basic birth chart can be obtained online. However, the book fails utterly at connecting the two. There is no explanation of the meaning behind the planets' relative positions. None. Nada.
Maybe all nine planets were aligned at my birth time. Or they form two perfect squares. Who knows what that means? Not you from reading this book. Of course you _could_ pay money on the website to get this explained... ;-)
Rating:
Summary: Great introduction to subject matter, no follow through
Review: This is a terrible book! There, I've said it. Very bold words to say in light of all the other rave reviews. I hope I can explain myself... "Making the Gods Work for You" tries tackle more than your basic sun-sign astrology book. It covers your birth chart, which is comprised of all the planets positions relative to your birth time and location. To me this means covering three items:
1) The role and psychology associated with each of the eight other planets, the sun and the moon. 2) The types of astrological interplay. This is a neat way of saying it means something special when three planets align in a triangle, or four planets in a square, or two planets "crossing" each other, and so on.
3) How to determine your own birth chart. As you can guess the book falls down in at least one of these categories for me. The good news is the book excels at the basic explanation of the planets; associated personality types, inner strengths and struggles, etc. Very well written and a quite enjoyable read. The book provides a reference to a website where a free, basic birth chart can be obtained online. However, the book fails utterly at connecting the two. There is no explanation of the meaning behind the planets' relative positions. None. Nada.
Maybe all nine planets were aligned at my birth time. Or they form two perfect squares. Who knows what that means? Not you from reading this book. Of course you _could_ pay money on the website to get this explained... ;-)
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