resources for study ~ all levels

[isthmus nekoi]

nb: Please feel free to post reviews of any of the texts/links below. If you want to suggest a new resource, please post here http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?threadid=15206 and I will add it asap. Currently, these resources only pertain to Western astrology but you may also suggest resources for Chinese or Vedic astrology etc.
Also, bear in mind that books purchased in Amazon through Aeclectic will help finance this site! Happy reading ^_^

our Aeclectic study group index
http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?threadid=12481

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websites

http://www.odivinorum.com [features luminary reports, chart readings and resources as well as tarot goodies - the website of isthmus nekoi :)]

http://www.astro.com [make your natal chart, use free horoscopes]

http://www.stariq.com [up to date articles, searchable archive]

http://www.mountainastrologer.com [excellent magazine, online articles]

http://www.bobmarksastrologer.com [a helpful 'cookbook' beginner's site]

http://www.north-node.com/tutorial [great beginners articles to get you started. Also home to a more advanced astrology forum with some helpful people]

http://www.skywatchastrology.com [super astrology blog which gives daily and monthly horoscopes and solar return forcasts by the birthday week. Check out the mp3 forcast downloads!]

http://www.wessexastrologer.com/ [for books and subscriptions]

[ http://www.hellenisticastrology.com/articles/ url]http://astrologynewsservice.com/[/url] [A site dedicated to explaining Astrology to the Public]

http://horoscopicastrologyblog.com/

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books

chart interpretation | beginner

On The Heavenly Spheres | Helena Avelar & Luis Ribeiro

The Astrologer's Handbook | Frances Sakoian and Louis S. Acker

Chart Interpretation Handbook | Stephen Arroyo

How to Be a Great Astrologer: the Planetary Aspects Explained | James Braha

Astrology: Understanding the Birth Chart | Kevin Burk

The Practical Astrologer | Nick Campion

How to Read your Astrological Chart | Donna Cunningham
An Astrological Guide to Self-Awareness | Donna Cunningham

The Inner Sky | Steven Forrest

The A-Z Horoscope Maker and Delineator | Llewellyn George

The Art of Chart Interpretation | Tracey Marks

The Only Way to Learn Astrology 1-4 | Marion D. March & Joan McEvers

The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need | Joanna Martine Woolfolk

Astro Essentials | Maritha Pottenger

Complete Astrology | Alan Oken

Astrology for Dummies | Rae Orion

Astrology for Yourself | Douglas Bloch & Demetra George

chart interpretation | intermediate

Work Your Stars | Matthew Abergel [career]

Astrology, Karma & Transformation | Steven Arroyo [focus on Saturn and transSaturnian planets]

Astrology: a Comprehensive Guide to Classical Interpretation | Kevin Burk

The House Book | Stephanie Camilleri

Moon Signs | Donna Cunningham [excellent introduction to in depth study of the moon]
Healing Pluto Problems | Donna Cunningham

Choice Centred Astrology | Gail Fairfield

Saturn: a New Look at an Old Devil | Liz Greene
The Luminaries | Liz Greene & Howard Sasportas

Horoscope Symbols | Rob Hand

Foundations of Personality | Karen Hannaker Zondag
The Twelfth House | Karen Hannaker Zondag
The House Connection | Karen Hannaker Zondag

Temples in the Sky | Deborah Houlding [houses]

Astrological Voids | Janis Huntley

Essential Dignities | Lee Lehman

Christian Astrology | William Lilly

The 12th House | Tracy Marks
The Astrology of Self Discovery | Tracy Marks

Rulers of the Horoscope | Alan Oken [focus on dipositors]
Houses of the Horoscope - Alan Oken

The 12 Houses | Howard Sasportas

Karmic Astrology | Martin Schulman [series of 4 books including nodes, part of fortune, reincarnation and karma]

Astrology for the Soul | Jan Spiller [focus on nodes]

Retrograde Planets | Erin Sullivan
Saturn in Transit | Erin Sullivan

Aspects in Astrology | Sue Tompkins

prediction
Predictive Astrology | Bernadette Brady

Planets in Transit | Rob Hand [he writes the blurbs for astro.com]

Secondary Progressions: a Time to Remember | Nancy Anne Hastings

The Art of Predictive Astrology | Carol Rushman [good info on progressions as well as sections on marriage, career etc]

Predictive Astrology | Christine Shaw

compatibility
Synastry: The Astrology of Human Relationships | Sakoian & Acker

Relationships & Life Cycles: Astrological Patterns of Personal Experience | Stephen Arroyo

history
The Real Astrology | John Frawley [a humerous comparison of traditional and modern/psychological astrology]
The Dawn of Astrology - Nicholas Campion (Stoneage to Roman times)
The History of Western Astrology Vol II - Nicholas Campion. (Roman to Modern times)
A History of Horoscopic Astrology - James H. Holden

myth & astrology
Star Myths of the Greeks and Romans | Theony Condos

Mythic Journey | Liz Greene & Juliet Sharman Burke

Astro-mythology: Celestial Union of Astrology and Myth | Valerie Vaughan

[isthmus nekoi]

All the crazy astrological jargon starting to get confusing? Try this site's glossary: http://www.indigoray.net/Glossary.html
The site also includes a search function.

[isthmus nekoi]

If you haven't been to this excellent site already, you should check it out! It's by far the best site I know that offers free natal charts and horoscopes: http://www.astro.com

This post is for those who've already put in their data and are looking at the chart, but have no idea what all these little graphs etc are... Just open both attachments (sorry I've split them, and they're so grainy and small - file size limit) and the numbers on the chart (w/the circles around them) will correspond to the following explanations.

1) Basic information used to calculate chart.

2) The placement of each planet. For example, the native's sun is at 14 Sag 26'34". This means, at the time of the native's birth, the sun was found at 14 degrees and 26 minutes into Sagittarius. There are 30 degrees in each sign, so 14 Sag 26'34" is almost right in the middle of the sign, as you can see in the chart in the file astro2.jpg . The true node and Chiron are not planets but Astro.com lists them as well.

3) House cusps. You can see from the chart that the angular house cusps are darkened creating the ASC (ascendent), IC (imum coeli), DC (descendant) and MC (mid heaven), and the degrees are given. But *all* the house cusps are given here: for example, the 2nd house cusp is at 16 Ari. See how the thin line (moving counter clockwise to the right) ends up hitting Aries? This is the degree of the 2nd house cusp, where the 2nd house begins. As you can see, they do not list the 8th house cusp b/c it is directly opposite of the 2nd house cusp (follow the line of the 2nd house cusp up past the center of the circle, and you will find yourself hitting 16 Libra. This is the 8th house cusp). 3 and 9 are also opposites, as are 1/7 (ASC/DC) 4/10 (IC/MC), 5/11 and 6/12.

4) This breaks down the elements/polarities of the planets, and one quick glance will show you how the chart is distributed. Fire planets are red, Air are orange, Earth are green and Water are blue. As you can see, this native is very firey, w/a singleton earth. Looking at the chart vertically, you can see Cardinal signs on the left column, Fixed in the middle, and Mutable on the right.

5) Aspect chart. This chart shows you the aspects between planets (as well as the north node, Chiron, your ASC and MC). Astro.com uses very large orbs. Up to 10 degrees for oppositions/conjunctions (This means a planet at 2 degrees Sag will be marked as conjunct to one that is 12 degrees Sag - too wide for some ppl!). To see how tight or wide the orbs are, you can go to the 'extra chart selection' in Astro.com, and view your natal chart there. It will also show you whether the aspects are applying (moving tighter) or separating (moving further apart). You may also choose to widen or tighten the orbs in the extra chart section.

[Don't recognize some of the aspect symbols? Check out this site:http://www2.bitstream.net/~bunlion/bpi/Aspect.html]

6) This is a sign. Signs are coloured according to element much like the chart in 4). This number is in Capricorn, an earth sign, so it is green. You can see little divisions, these divide the 30 degrees of the sign into 5 degrees. The planets move in a counterclockwise direction, so the degrees do as well.

7) This section of the chart is the house. This number is in the 11th house (the number is probably too small to see on the file, but it is clear when the chart is sized normally) As you can see, the houses do not have to be a perfect 30 degrees like the signs. House size can change according to which system you use - there is an equal house system that you can choose in the extra chart section.

8) The little symbols represent the planets, and the numbers show you the degree the planet is at. This number is pointing to Pluto who is at 6 degrees Libra, in the 7th house.

9) These lines are aspect lines. Red lines indicate 'stressful' aspects such as oppositions or squares. Blue lines indicate 'harmonious' aspects such as trines or sextiles. The dotted lines indicate minor aspects, green for quincunxes, black for sesquiquadrates. Other minor aspects such as the semisextile, quintile etc are not shown.

[isthmus nekoi]

here is a link to the diagram:
http://www.odivinorum.com/a-diagram.html

[bibi]

I'd like to add the cool www.widgetsworld.co.uk to the collection !
Free chart interpretations, also partner compatibility and Sabian symbols reports! Yay !! You can post questions with your birth data too. The site requires you to sign up, but it's free.
:D
Bibi x

[Minderwiz]

I'm spending the Summer holidays catching up on my reading - two books that particularly have impressed me are:

Dorian Gieseler Greenbaum - 'Temperament, Astrology's Forgotten Key'. Greenbaum has done some translations for Project Hindsight but this is her first solo book. It is divided into three parts - a historical review of the ideas about temperament; an empirical study of the temperament of a group of school children with a comparison between Astrological indications and teacher assessment; a final part that looks at how we can use temperament in a modern Astrological practise - with sample charts, including those of George W Bush and Tony Blair.

For those who wish to look at character analysis without the psycho babble this is an excellent book and I've tried using Greenbaum's principles in Isthmus' threads on mystery charts, with interesting results. The only learning curve is picking up the four types of Choleric, Sanguine, Melancholic and Phlegmatic (roughly corresponding to Fire, Air, Earth and Water).

The other book is 'A History of Horoscopic Astrology' by James H. Holden. The Greenbaum book has just been published but this has been around for nearly ten years. It basically goes from the Babylonians through Greeks, Arabs and the Medieval period to the present day (or about ten years ago). It's an excellent account of how Astrology developed and how techniques and methods have changed. It really does give the background and context to our practise.

One of a whole series of intresting asides is in the review of Dr. John Dee, the Astrologer to Elizabeth I. Apparantly Dee used to sign his notes to the Queen with the monogram '007', with the top of the '7' extended over the zeroes to convey the impression that he was the Queen's eyes. It was this that gave Ian Fleming the idea of giving James Bond the designation 007. If you want to understand where Astrology came from this is the book to read.

[rainwolf]

Helpful definitions (http://en.mimi.hu/astrology/index_astrology.html)

[dadsnook2000]

This site does have extensive topics explained but it is certainly lacking in many of the technical terms and terms used in some forms of astrology beyond natal and progressed charts. For most, this would be a sufficient resource, IMO. Dave

[agedog1]

Is there a site that will do search's

Example. I want to find if transiting Saturn is making any quincunx's (I would give the time period for search) to a specific natal chart . Or is Transiting Neptune making a square (within 5 seconds) to any natal chart.

Probably isn't but was hoping there was.

[NewWorldAstrology]

http://www.newworldastrology.com

Just thought I'd add my work into the body of knowledge here. Using the Thoth Deck myself and soon launching that again. Stop by sometime and leave a note - Astrology is my main profession so I can help out with symbols you're confused about.

[Tara2007]

I'm interested in learning how to create my own chart. Is there an online course/tutorial available on any of the websites you've mentioned here or perhaps there's a good one elsewhere?

Thank you

[tinastardream]

Here are some advanced astrology books that I'd recommend.

Predictive
Identifying Planetary Triggers and Predicting Events with Astrology by Celeste Teal. My favorite author. She also has this website: http://www.moonvalleyastrologer.com/

Predictive Techniques Regarding Romance by Ana Ruiz

When Planets Promise Love by Rose Murray

Solar Returns
The New Solar Return by Merriman.

Relationships:
Astrology: A language of Life: Volume IV - Relationship Analysis by Robert P. Blaschke

Love Formulas - 2 by Nance McCullough

The Only Way to Learn About Relationships: Volume 5: Synastry Techniques. by Marion D. March and Joan McEvers. Actually I'd recommend the whole series.

Other
The Rulership Book by Rex E. Bills

These are the books I use over and over in my professional practice and research projects. Some of them are hard to find or out of print, but Amazon is probably your best bet.

I'd also recommend http://www.cafeastrology.com/
as a very good site for both beginners, intermediate and a little advance too.

[Gavriela]

For traditional astrology, and a lot of history as well as some historical resources (books on the web and parts thereof), I like http://www.skyscript.co.uk

[AJ]

wonder where so many of these helpful folks went? Is it because this section of the site is not very active?

[Minderwiz]

Well I think many of them are still around

I think it's more an issue of posting your queries or questions. You'll get a fair amount of support if you ask.

[isthmus nekoi]

Just wanted to update with a couple excellent links:

http://gryphonastrology.com/ Her blog is boss - she uses traditional methods w/a heavy focus on horary.

I'll second http://www.skyscript.co.uk/ Lots of articles, tutorials, etc. Focus on old school astro.

Oh, and Bernadette Brady's Predictive Astrology: The Eagle and the Lark is also very popular amongst students. http://books.google.ca/books?id=7seoYxdcmTkC&dq=eagle+lark+astrology&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=2exPviF0r2&sig=SHH8GtT9r8r2a9CD5dmhznPKeak&hl=en&ei=I4poSqzJCoyMMrKw5M8M&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3

I also quite like Reinhold Ebertin's The Combination of Stellar Influences (COSI) for midpoints.

[jaled]

Hi, colleagues.

Which one of the following books do you consider the best? Both seem to be excellent forr the advanced sector :)

Bernadette Brady's "Predictive Astrology" or Rob Hand's "Planets in Transit"

Nice weekend!

[pink81483]

I want to put together a natal chart, choosing each sign for each planet, and find the birth date of an individual who would have that chart. How can I do this?

[Saturness]

I'd like to make a recommendation, if possible. :)

I am a beginner and I only have a couple of books on astrology. One of them is "The Twelve Houses (http://www.amazon.com/Twelve-Houses-Howard-Sasportas/dp/1903353041)" by Howard Sasportas. It gives detailed explanations about the houses, why they usually have the attributions the have, how they relate to their ruling signs and, of course, how each planet 'behaves' in each house.

It IS a very focused on psychological Astrology, but the explanations on the Houses are very useful to any Astrology student, I think. He has a chapter about Chiron, but you can easily skip it if it does not interest you.

I am enjoying it and would like to recommend it to other beginners!

[Barleywine]

I've been working extensively with birth time rectification lately and don't see anything on rectification on any of the lists or on the other astrology forum I frequent. I already have "Rectification of the Birth Time" (AFA, 1954) by Gustav Schwickert but it's poorly printed and hard to use. I also found "The Complete Book of Chart Rectification" by Carol Tebbs on-line but don't know anything about it. I've been using the on-line Rosicrucian material on the Prenatal Epoch with some success and will probably pick up the E.H. Bailey book on the subject. I already use the standard approach of matching major life events to progressions, directions and transits, as well as (to a certain extent) "Ascendant types" and a few obvious "character flags" when I know the native well enough.

Does anyone have a comprehensive, systematic text on rectification they can recommend?

[Saturness]

I mentioned this book in another thread, but I consider it so good I think it deserves to be here too. I wholeheartedly recommend the book Graphic Astrology (http://www.amazon.com/Graphic-Astrology-Astrological-Study-Course/dp/1425482791/ref=tmm_pap_title_0) by Ellen McCaffery to all Astrology students who feel a bit overwhelmed due to the amount of information.

Why? Because it's a book that presents Astrology in a sensible and straightforward way (a rarity nowadays!). It it does not indulge for pages and pages about all psychological possibilities for each planet and every combination, and it does not exaggerate in the personality descriptions. And yet, the book is packed with information written in a very clear and non-dogmatic way... and it's good to read. It's well-written!

The book follows a modern approach (it includes the outer planets and the rulerships/dignities), but it has some information on the Traditional rulerships/dignities. It has a nice chapter on the history of Astrology as well. Also, it does not propagate some common prejudices against certain Sign/Houses/Planets. In fact, the authors tells you to have an open mind about all all parts of the chart, for each of them has a role in our life and universe.

Remember that all twelve signs of the zodiac will be in your own horoscope, so start from the beginning to see the good in each sign, and despise none. Each one of you has a head, even if your Sun does not happen to be in Aries.

So... here's my recommendation. This book is a refreshing read, and a good guide to have in your collection. As a beginner, this book has been very helpful to me, and I hope other will enjoy it too! :)

[abella]

Great list! I have a lot of these books linked from my blog post http://www.abellaarthur.com/2011/10/04/tarot-and-astrology-enhance-your-readings-with-the-wisdom-of-the-zodiac/ where I did a review on Corrine Kenner's Tarot and Astrology Book. Did you read these books yourself? Which three books would you say are most important for the new learner to read?

[lilangel09]

There are numerous blog posts here that will help a person at any level of astrology.

http://www.elsaelsa.com/

If you are a beginner, you may want to look at these in particular.

http://www.elsaelsa.com/astrology/tag/beginners/ [various posts about aspects and etc.]
http://www.elsaelsa.com/astrology/2010/11/26/how-to-learn-astrology-books-for-beginners/ [list of books recommended for beginners]
http://www.elsaelsa.com/astrology/tag/workshop/ [examples on how to read charts]

These links are more helpful in reading charts. You will need a book or a few books, because each planet-to-planet aspect, house placement, and sign placement is not listed there.

[spinningspider]

I've just finished reading Steven Forrest's classic, "The Inner Sky," and can't say enough good things about it. The writing is superb...clear, witty, and incredibly interesting. http://www.forrestastrology.com/Books/The-Inner-Sky
I can tell that ALL of Steven's books will be eventually devoured by me in the future. Also, he generously gives a recommended reading list on his site to consider: http://www.forrestastrology.com/reading-list
One by one I've been collecting these books on Amazon and other used book sites/stores, for continued study.
It's my wish to eventually apprentice with Steven, and info on that can be found here:
http://www.forrestastrology.com/stevens-apprenticeship-programs