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Rating: 
Summary: Natal Astrology, Classically Interpreted
Review: First, I want to say that I love this book. I checked it out from the library a few days ago and could not put it down until I finished it! However, I do feel the need to warn beginning students of astrology that this book may be overwhelming. This is not a good "first" book. There is so much detailed information here that a complete beginner may feel bogged down. In my opinion it's a book for somebody who already has a basic understanding of signs, planets, houses, and aspects. One of the things I like most about this book is the author's treatment of the outer planets. He doesn't abandon the ancient rulers of Scorpio, Aquarius, or Pisces in favor of the new rulers, but he doesn't throw out the new rulers either. The author's explanation of essential dignities and retrograde motion (in relation to astrology) are the best and most meaningful I've seen. This book is very different than anything I've seen on natal astrology because of it's classical approach. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Natal Astrology, Classically Interpreted
Review: First, I want to say that I love this book. I checked it out from the library a few days ago and could not put it down until I finished it! However, I do feel the need to warn beginning students of astrology that this book may be overwhelming. This is not a good "first" book. There is so much detailed information here that a complete beginner may feel bogged down. In my opinion it's a book for somebody who already has a basic understanding of signs, planets, houses, and aspects. One of the things I like most about this book is the author's treatment of the outer planets. He doesn't abandon the ancient rulers of Scorpio, Aquarius, or Pisces in favor of the new rulers, but he doesn't throw out the new rulers either. The author's explanation of essential dignities and retrograde motion (in relation to astrology) are the best and most meaningful I've seen. This book is very different than anything I've seen on natal astrology because of it's classical approach. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: comprehensive introductory book on astrology
Review: Kevin Burk is one of the students of Dr. J. L. Lehman. He holds a Level IV NCGR (National Council for Geocosmic Research) certification in astrological counseling. This book is an introductory book on astrology, which combines both modern and classical methods. Those who want to learn classical astrology, but are reluctant to read the old "Christian Astrology" written by William Lily, would be pleased to find such a nice book. After explaning basic meanings of planets and signs, the author picks up the "Essential diginities" in the following chapter, where he describes the meaning of Rulership, Exaltation, Triplicity, Term, Face, Detriment, Fall, and Pregrine. Then he interpretes the combination of planets in signs based on the essential dignities. This is one of the most important differences from textbooks of modern astrology. In the beginning of the chapter that explain aspects, the author writes: "aspects were counted by sign, not by degree" in ancient astrology. But now we have to look at two factors when examining the aspects, that is, the sign relationship and the harmonic relationship. Such a consideration can be important when we interpret the out-of-sign aspects (for example, Mars at Cancer 1' and Moon at PIsces 29'). Another point to consider is whether an aspect is applying, partile, or separating. Partile aspects are the most important, and appling ones are the next most important, while separating are the least important, the author says. One of the most interesting explanation in the book is about "mutual reception." When the complementary pairs of planets are in mutual reception, such as Sun/Moon and Saturn, Venus and Mars, and Mercury and Jupiter, the effect of mutual reception are said to be conceived like "mutual deception." Another impressive interpretation is provided for "retrograde." According to the author, direct planets mean "growth," which is straightforward and encompasses lessons that are designed to be learned during the lifetime to integrate and comprehend. Instead, retrograde planets mean "evolution," which is unusual, difficult to comprhend, and encompasses soul lessons that require more than one lifetime to integrate and complete. Furtheremore, the author provides explanation of the differences in house systems. That is, equal house systems, quadrant systems (campanus, regiomontanus, porphyry, alcabitius), time systems (placidus, koch), and space systems (meridian). Thus, this can be a truly comprehensive introductory book on astrology!
Rating:
Summary: a must have
Review: This is basic literature for EVERY astrologer. Even experienced astrologers will find this book most valuable. If you just start to learn astrology, start with this book and STUDY it. In it you will find a most complete overview of classical astrological concepts and techniques. No difficult explanations, but just readable and simple interpretations. Everything is just to the point, not overwhelming. For sure a must have.
Rating:
Summary: This book rocks!
Review: This is the best book on astrology I have every read. It helps the begining astrologer to piece together the difficult aspects of a natal chart. He really does such a good job of making the hard things easy. I really was excited reading this book and went through it rather fast. He also gave great advice a long the way with how to learn astrology and how to use it on a daily basis and refers to learning astrology like learning a new languge.
Rating:
Summary: Thorough...Very, very thorough--
Review: While this book is definitely for beginners mostly, it is very precise and thorough and gives the reader a very good, very well written overview of traditional/modern astrological methods. Incredibly recommended for the beginner/novice and even for those well versed in astrology--a quick, fun read well worth the time. This guy is a talented astrologer; you can just tell he knows what he is talking about.
Rating:
Summary: Thorough...Very, very thorough--
Review: While this book is definitely for beginners mostly, it is very precise and thorough and gives the reader a very good, very well written overview of traditional/modern astrological methods. Incredibly recommended for the beginner/novice and even for those well versed in astrology--a quick, fun read well worth the time. This guy is a talented astrologer; you can just tell he knows what he is talking about.
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