Astrology Books for the Modern Astrologer

Here is my list of the top books that are essential in to one’s modern astrological library. The books I have chosen are for those interested mainly in psychological astrology.

Astrology for Lover’s by Liz Greene, was originally published in 1980. The author is a trained psychotherapist and astrologer, and interprets the signs at a much deeper level. In addition, she  manages to keep a very sharp wit through-out the book. If you want the truth about all 12 signs and want to learn about every single personality trait, this is essential reading. Each sign and element is covered in wonderfully explicit detail, and it contains added astrological myths relating to each zodiac sign. The shadow side is also explored, and it's absolutely delicious for learning about the nitty-gritty of astrology. You will understand which signs are clingy, jealous, mean, stubborn, bad tempered, hypocritical, sexist and so forth, and the root causes for their insecurity. Furthermore, you will constantly refer to this book, to deepen your understanding of astrology, loved ones, family and acquaintances

Ruling Planets, by Christopher Renstrom, was published in 2002. It is a wonderful, colourful, illustrated book on all twelve signs and their ruling planets. The author writes in a personable manner to the reader, and his astrology is very on point. The book is filled with artwork, and photos of celebrities, mythical images of the gods. Your Sun sign’s ruling planet and its sign are discussed in Part 3, followed by interpretations of the relationships between the different signs. A brief interpretation for the child of Neptune (Sun in Pisces) is below.

"What you show the world is an infinitesimal part of who you really are. When people say you look like you're off in some dream world, they don't know the half of it. You're not just walking around in a dream world. You're walking around in a dream universe. Your inner life is so rich and alluring it's no wonder you'd rather be there than here. And if others could see what you see- chances are they’d dive in and join you."

The Development of the Personality is part of a 4 volume seminar, which was given by Liz Greene and Howard Sasportas, and it was first published in 1987. We begin the book with The Stages of childhood, and the inherent temperament of the child. You will gain some ideas about the relationship between child and parent and the ways that archetypal patterns can play out  in our first relationships. The Parental Marriage in the Horoscope is another fascinating lecture, and case examples are worked through to help the reader, understand the material presented. The chapter cleverly illustrates the different ways in which an individual may polarise with the parental significators of the same sex, and in doing so, tries very hard to be the opposite of all those qualities. This is sometimes the case when there are feelings of resentment and hatred towards a parent. Liz Greene also explained how the elements can be split in the chart and each one relates to a different parent. For example, cold, detached, and intellectual air signs, alongside emotional, sensitive, water signs. Signifying how the child perceives such a split in his parents. The book is a nice primer for psychological astrology and explores the relationships we first form with others that may lead to problems in later life when forming close bonds with partners.

Dynamics of the Unconscious, was published in 1988. There is a chapter on Astrology and Psychology of Aggression, Depression, The Quest for the Sublime, and Alchemical Symbolism in the horoscope. For Depression, the signigficators are planets in Capricorn, powerful Saturn aspects, Pluto aspects, planets in Scorpio and the 8th house. These were shown to be the most prominent signatures for those people who fall into quite morbid states of depression. The author talks about the positive factors of depression which is so rarely discussed in most cook-book astrology books. Furthermore, the type of frustration involved n depression, often forces an individual to cultivate self-sufficiency, and to overcome feelings of powerlessness

The Luminaries was first published in 1992, and discusses both the Sun and Moon in the astrological chart, along with the phases on the Moon and its related myths. A discussion on the Lunation cycle is also included. The Sun signifies our sense of purpose and the point to our lives. The chapter of the Sun, touches upon the struggle to break free from the past and the quest to realize our own individuality. The Sun can reveal the type of vocation a person may need to pursue to feel more  fulfilled in life and less empty.  

     The Inner Planets was first published in 1993, and has chapters on Mercury, Mars and Venus. You can read more about the myths connected to each sign, the real meaning of Venus and the goddess Aphrodite. The womaniser of mythology, Mars. And  finding constructive channels for unhealthy aggression.

     Aspects in Astrology by Sue Tompkins, was first published in 1989. The book is one of the best of its kind, with 3-4 pages dedicated to each aspect. It was one of the first books that I bought and it got me quite addicted to the unfolding mysteries of astrology. The author cleverly introduces all the planets, so that the reader has a good basic understanding of the following interpretations for each aspect and how each planet affects and interacts with another planet. My copy is really worn, and this speaks volumes about the usefulness of this book. I can’t praise the author enough for her insightful and accurate analysis of all the astrological aspects. The book is easy to read, set in cook-book format, but is psychological in nature, with some interesting case studies. For example, the chart of Astronomer and rationalist Patrick Moore has a tight T-square involving Mercury, Jupiter and Neptune, on the one hand he is very learned, but can come across as vague and absent minded.  He describes astrology as “fairy-tale” nonsense. Sue Tompkins book is well worth a read, and its highly recommend by many modern astrologers.

Saturn a New Look at an Old Devil, by Liz Greene, was first published in 1976. Today, it still remains in a class of it’s for own. The book has been heavily referenced by later authors and so remains a classic in its field. It discusses the usual associations with Saturn, such as delays, limitations, and frustrating experiences, but she helps the reader understand how this type of “negative” experience can be used as an opportunity for growth. Not in the Jupiter sense, but in the real world, and to gradually learn its lessons of self-sufficiency and mastery in a chosen sphere of life. The author offers no fast route to making a friend of Saturn, but to try and extracts its gold. Saturn’s astrological aspects and synastry contacts are also included for breadth and depth in understanding, the devil on our shoulder. 

The Art of Stealing Fire, Uranus in the Horoscope, is another seminar by Liz Green, which helps the student of astrology, grasp the meaning of Uranus in the horoscope. The book was first published in 1996, by the Centre for Psychological Astrology Press. It’s especially interesting to read in light of the recent wiki-leaks scandal involving Julian Assange. He is our modern day Prometheus, and has Sun square Uranus in his natal chart. The myth of Prometheus is discussed, before interpreting the meaning of Uranus. The importance of using accuracy in the astrological language is also discussed, and the author wants modern day astrologers to do-away with the word “individuality” when discussing Uranus. Liz Greene also highlights the book Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelly. D.R Frankenstein is viewed as a Uranian figure and the creator of the book had Sun conjunct Uranus. Social, vision, rebellion, science and astrology are all explained in relation to Uranus. The house placements of Uranus are only briefly discussed, but there is a wonderful chapter The transits of Saturn and Uranus included in the book. If you are not fully getting Uranus, this book will definitely help. It is one of my favourite books in my collection; it’s both clever and incisive and gets to the root psychology of the planet.  

The Astrological Neptune and the Quest for Redemption, by Liz Greene. This book was first published in 1996, under the Uranus (Astrology) Neptune conjunction in Capricorn. It is an in-depth exploration of the symbolic meaning of Neptune in the personal horoscope and also the broader implications on the collective. The mythology of Neptune is discussed and she succinctly explains the element of water better than any other astrologer. Both the political and glamorous aspects of Neptune are covered with personal life accounts. Notable examples of Neptune can be found in Diana Princess of Wales, natal chart, and we also see Neptune across two charts in the romantic longings of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. We scale the beautiful heights of the imagination, art, music and plunge into the darker aspects of the planet through suffering, longings, victimisation, and the loss of the ego. Detailed explanations of each house placement of Neptune and synastry contacts are covered in the last section, and formulated into a cook-book section.  

Pluto, The Evolutionary Journey of the Soul, by Jeff green was first published in 1985. Pluto had just begun its transit through its own sign (Scorpio) and there was a wide Saturn-Pluto conjunction. The author believes that Pluto describes our evolutionary path in life and that its opposite sign and house represent where the individual needs to grow. Jeff Green is probably one author I have struggled with. His style of writing throughout the book is heavily laden with karmic signatures, evolutionary growth, past life trauma’s and so forth. It might be more difficult to digest than soem of the other books. I find it useful to take notes from the book to get to the essential meaning of each Pluto placement. Various parts of the book are extremely accurate. Other parts are may be a little over-elaborate. The house signs, placements and aspects are all delineated and useful for interpreting Pluto. However, Pluto lost its status in astronomers’ eyes in 2006; it was around the time of Saddam’s execution, not that the two have anything in common. In the dictator's chart, Pluto is in Cancer in exact opposition to Jupiter and forms a T-square to Venus in Aries. Active, ambitious, with powerful beliefs and tense relationships with others. In astrology, Pluto represents all forms of power, control, wealth and transformation.