Book Reviews

The Astrology of Awakening: Eclipse of the Ego
Eric Meyers, M.A.
Astrology Sight Publishing (May 2012)
$19.95 ISBN 978-0974776668

This is a time of paradigm shift. We are moving from only identifying in separation consciousness to integrating with our interconnectedness. We are shifting from organizing life around ego in the direction of spiritual realization. Instead of domination, we are learning to live in accordance with nature and each other. Our fundamental approach to life is being reexamined, all of our assumptions and paradigms. How can astrology participate in this giant leap of evolution? The Astrology of Awakening puts forth sensible reforms and adaptations consistent with the collective awakening taking root across the planet.

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At the Crossroads: An Astrologer Looks at these Turbulent Times
by Jessica Murray
MotherSky Press (Jul 2012)
$24.95 paperback ISBN 978-0-9814875-1-9

Many spiritual traditions single out as critical the epoch we are living in right now. The ancient prophets of India and Mesoamerica no less than our own contemporary scientists have identified these times as a tipping point.

In this extraordinary collection of essays, Jessica Murray uses the symbolism of Western astrology to throw this daunting world moment into perspective. At the Crossroads pulls no punches in its discussion of the global realities that make our era so intense, elucidating the role we play as individuals. As she uncovers the deeper meaning of world-altering events, Murray shows how even the most daunting of them can be used to inspire the unique genius in every one of us.

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Healing the Soul: Pluto, Uranus and the Lunar Nodes
by Mark Jones
Raven Dreams Press (Nov 2011)
$24.95 paperback ISBN 978-0984047406

In Healing the Soul, psychosynthesis therapist and counseling astrologer Mark Jones from Bristol, UK delivers his definitive introduction to his version of evolutionary astrology. Orignally schooled in the Jeffrey Wolf Green tradition, Mark Jones has taken the technique and developed it further, after 10 years of intensive client work in a therapeutic setting. In this book, Jones offers detailed case studies that illustrate the concepts he shares in the first part of the book.

With a focus on using astrology for healing, Jones outlines the meaning of the Pluto placements in the birthchart. He explains previously perplexing signatures like "Skipped Steps" in an easy-to-understand format, with chart examples and graphics. He also devotes and entire chapter to Uranus, featuring Mark's unique approach to Uranus in the birth chart.

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Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eye &
Strengthen the Soul
by Shakti Navran
Llewellyn (Sept 2008)
$16.95 paperback ISBN 978 0 7387 1443 1

Review by Mary Simpson

Have you ever fallen in love with a ring or necklace? Perhaps there's a reason! Gems and crystals have metaphysical and healing qualities that can support you physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This innovative guide will help you choose a piece of jewelry ideal for your unique life path. (Amazon)

JEWELRY & GEMS FOR SELF-DISCOVERY provides a different focus on jewelry, discussing 'soul jewelry' and using the author's thirty plus years of experience in both jewelry design and astrology to fine purpose. This discussion of the metaphysical properties of over sixty precious stones makes for an outstanding guide perfect for new age libraries. (Diane C. Donovan, California Bookwatch)

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The Soul’s Journey I: Astrology, Reincarnation and Karma
by Tom Jacobs
CreateSpace Publications
$19.95 paperback ISBN 978 –1- 4515-2899-2

Review by Margaret Gray MSW D. Psych. Astrology
Originally published in the ISAR Journal

The Soul's Journey I is one of the clearest, most concise and soulful publications on astrology as a tool to the soul’s journey that I have ever had the privilege to read. Tom skillfully combines astrological knowledge with channeled information from ascended masters and discarnate spirits, producing a book that offers insightful practical tools to assist both astrologers and non-astrologers during this time of immense change.

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Elements & Evolution
Eric Meyers.
Astrology Sight Publishing (July 22, 2010)
$19.95 paper (312p) ISBN 0974776645

Many books seek out new branches on the tree of astrology. Eric Meyers works the roots. Elements & Evolution marks a major step forward in examining the core symbolism of astrology. Eric proposes a simple but powerful reframing of our understanding of the elements, attaches it to evolutionary astrology, and opens a door of awareness that will enrich anyone's comprehension of the subject. The superb writing, originality and utility of the ideas, and Eric's mastery of astrology's language are invaluable gifts for the spirit and the mind. ----Jeff Jawer

This groundbreaking, innovative book explores how the 4 elements structure and catalyze spiritual evolution from a number of angles. It explores Cyclical Evolution (the great cycle through the zodiac), and Progressive Evolution (the development of consciousness), and offers commentary on the evolutionary purpose of every facet of astrology.

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Saturn in Transit: Boundaries of Mind, Body, and Soul
Erin Sullivan.
Red Wheel/Weiser; 2nd edition (October 1, 2000)
$21.95 paper (337p) ISBN 1578631815

Erin Sullivan gives a thorough account of the astrology, mythology and psychology of Saturn's role as the source of divine discontent and longing for the ideal, out of which is born our greatest work. She draws on her Classical Myth background, the work of CJ Jung, and Joseph Campbell's monomyth and reveals Saturn's useful and developmental influence in our lives. Saturn assists the modern hero and heroine, during its transit around the zodiac, by destroying the old and outmoded within, and throwing us periodically into chaos, which invariably generates a creative transformation of purpose in our lives. Sullivan's contribution is an elegant guide to working with Saturn energy in your life.

A Love Alchemist's Notebook: Magical Secrets for Drawing Your True Love into Your Life
Jessica Shepherd. Llewellyn, $17.95 paper (312p) ISBN 9780738719641
Astrologist-blogger Shepherd (of Astrology.com’s Venus and Beyond: Love on the Outer Planets) offers a welcome oasis for those who feel stranded by lower-your-expectations dating guides. Rather than focus on pitfalls, Shepherd prescribes a “cosmic love adventure” utilizing the principle of “magnetic desire,” along with a bit of magic and meditation, to conjure up one’s sought-after mate. Channeling the goddess of love, Shepherd provides a range of analysis and advice, including the ways that Venus influences your astrological sign, how to develop a magical tool kit, and what’s important about moon-watching. Each chapter is rich with less-than-common exercises, meditations, affirmations, love spells and rituals, along with helpful quick tips.

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Dancing on the Brink of the World - A Star Waltz in the Keys of Canvas, Music, and Myth Contributors: Sven Eberlein (Author), Chemystry Set - Music, Steven Forrest - Astrological Interludes, Evelyn Terranova (Illustrator).
Tuber Creations Publishing; 1st edition (December 19, 2008)
$25.00 paper (128p) ISBN 097945980X

This multi-media package is an astrological mix of art, fiction, astrology writing, and music synthesized as a walk through each of the twelve zodiac signs. The book includes short stories by Sven Eberlein, star gate paintings by astrologer Evelyn Terranova, cosmic evolutionary astrology by Steven Forrest, and alchemical songs composed and recorded by Chemystry Set.

The Astrology of Family Dynamics
by Erin Sullivan
400 pages/diagrams/charts

The only astrology book that explains the complexities of the family as an organic whole, and how it shapes the self, the community and its larger whole. Depth analysis of family patterns, parents, children, ultimately how it shapes our world-view and adult life. There are many case studies along with specific aspects of family "types", family transitions and changes. How we "import" new family members to enliven it, and how if it is familiar, it is familial! We form our "groups" and "tribes" in accord with our family lineage and position.

Judith Hill is an award-winning author and talented astrologer from Portland, OR. Her work in medical astrology is foundational and continues to inspire students of astrology around the world. Judith's lifetime of astrological research has provided the foundation for books with a wide breadth of knowledge, and each book includes material suitable for beginners as well as advanced astrologers.

Uranus: The Constant of Change
by Eric Meyers, M.A.
2008: Astrology Sight Publishing
www.AstrologySight.com

Uranus: The Constant of Change is an astrology book written for a general audience. It addresses the revolutionary planet at personal, social and transpersonal levels. Included are sections on Uranus in aspect to planets and in signs, Uranian individuals, Uranian events and cycles with the other planets. There is extended discussion about current Uranian activity: The Uranus/Saturn opposition and the applying Uranus/Pluto square. The transpersonal chapters address the spiritual implications of Uranus like no other astrology book has done. Seen as the metaphysical structure that envelops us and the "intelligence of nature," the Uranian matrix is the behind-the-scenes coordinator of our spiritual growth. How we align with the matrix, develop non-attachment, partner with reality (Saturn), and much more is thoroughly discussed. This book offers an authentic, non-denominational spiritual understanding of the universe and our place in it.

"Eric Meyers presents a complete mandala of the astrological Uranus: a tool for inner exploration, a guide for predictive trends, or a starting point in historical research. The breadth of scope, and depth of understanding, leads to one of the most comprehensive works devoted to any one astrological symbol. This book provides a wealth of material and insight." --Bill Streett, from the Foreward

Astrology and the Evolution of Consciousness
Volume One: Astrology Fundamentals, the Moon, the Sun. and the Evolutionary Levels of Consciousness
ISBN 978-0-615-29654-8
In Astrology and the Evolution of Consciousness-Volume 1, Maurice Fernandez creates a work for the beginning astrology student that introduces concepts of spiritual development into the larger framework of understanding the astrological archetypes. Many astrology texts save such information for later, perhaps leaving the discerning student confused by the one-dimensionality and apparent determinism of the information presented. Astrology and the Evolution of Consciousness-Volume 1 seeks to inspire new students (and seasoned astrologers too) with the spiritual framework inherently woven in to the very practical archetypal astrological concepts.

The Yoga of Astrology
By mapping the evolution of consciousness Maurice introduces readers to yogic concepts in his explanation of 3 levels of spiritual development that can be interwoven with an understanding of fundamental astrology concepts. This gives readers a way of discovering the place along the journey which they may find either themselves, or their clients. And from there a path to growth is discovered.

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Soul-Sick Nation
by Jessica Murray
MotherSky Press 2008

Reviewed by Bill Streett of Astro-Noetics.com

Prior to the advent of modern psychology, the physician of the soul was confined to the narrowly defined position it is today. Certainly, shamans, with their ability to retrieve information from the spirit world, were healers that tended to the ills of the soul. Alchemists in the lineage of Paracelsus tended to the soul in ways similar to a contemporary holistic healer. With "Soul-Sick Nation," author Jessica Murray uses astrology as a rightful tool for any physician of the soul, and her patient, in this case, is the nation of the United States.

As a clinician, Murray's current diagnosis of the United States, as one may have suspected, suggests that the nation is ill, and like the sick kid in a classroom full of susceptible classmates, America is largely to blame for infecting other nations, and the world, with soul disease. With penetrating insight, Murray zeroes in on America's most disturbing symptoms: infantilization of its adult community; commodification of any and all resources; an addictive and excessive materialism; a lack of mature leadership; an archaic form of nationalism; a corrupted media.

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North Node Astrology
by Elizabeth Spring
Archeon Press 2009

Professional astrologer and Jungian psychotherapist, Elizabeth Spring, weaves personal stories with the astrological wisdom of the North and South Nodes. There are detailed explanations of how to find and understand your own karmic Nodes as well as the life-changing transits that impact your life direction, soul purpose, career and relationships. Elizabeth’s heart-felt chapter on the "Astrology of Menopause" has been re-published around the world, and the humorous chapter "Cocktails and Karma" explores the bridging between astrologers, ministers, and therapists. The “ Family Karmic Inheritance” inspires a compassionate view on family relationships. Endorsed by Jungian author Jim Hollis, and evolutionary astrologer, Steven Forrest, this book is a reference book as well as a collection of articles that shed light on unconscious motivation. An inspiring guide for transmuting the grace and grit of life into the gold of healing and personal success.

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Simply Sacred: A Guide to Everyday Relationship Magic
by Fern Feto Spring and Jennifer Zurick
www.cleansistersbooks.com

"I love this elegant little book! It is the kind of work you can read in a morning and put it on your bookshelf with a smile on your face. But then you will find yourself re-reading it again and again over the years. Fern Feto Spring and Jennifer Zurick are the real deal, 100%. They have lived the path about which they write. Their writing is flowing and easy on the mind and the heart, but behind their informality is the authority of deep experience. The ‘old ways’ have taken deep, self-confident root again in North America. You need no more proof of that than a few hours with SIMPLY SACRED.”

- Steven Forrest, author of The Inner Sky and Yesterday’s Sky