Finally a book about astrology that doesn't turn the topic into pablum. None of those misguided proclamations like, "Sagittarius, honey, you will NEVER get along with a Taurus!"
I have a large library of astrology books, and this one is a welcome addition. It has that rare blend of in-depth information that will interest people who have studied astrology for years, but it is written in such a readable, accessible way that even novices will enjoy it. Tierney provides material that will benefit professional astrologers when they interpret charts, while it will also give lay readers lots of insight into what makes them tick.
The first section on sun signs goes much deeper than your usual sun sign descriptions in popular books, which often skim the surface. Tierney gives a rich description of each sign's abstract
essence, its archetypal aspects. As Tierney says, "Signs are as profound in their meaning as our self-awareness allows, yet they're also as superficial as our own ignorance permits." I had some real "ah-ha" moments reading this section; it truly helped me gain a fresh perspective on some of my unconscious tendencies.
The book's second section, which addresses how signs interact with one another, shed even more light on my inner self, especially some of the conflicts that rage within me when I'm making decisions (the mundane and important ones). Instead of just using this section to compare two people with different signs, you can also read it to learn how your sun sign relates with your moon, how it relates with your ascendant, and how your moon and ascendant interact. In this way, Tierney provides us with yet another tool to understand our psyche's workings---why we sometimes feel in sync with our actions and at other times like there's a tug of war going on within us. But for readers who aren't into introspection, this section is just as illuminating in terms of doing chart comparisons.
In the last sections of the book, Tierney enables us to dig even deeper by discussing the influence of planets in signs, as well as how signs on house cusps color our attitudes. So the insignts go on!
I love the author's way with words -- his wit and humor -- but most of all his clear explanations of "things astrological" that I've been confused about for years. I also like the way you can use this book on different levels; after I applied the information to my own chart I began using it to better understand my family and close friends.
This is one book that's going to be on my Christmas "give list" for sure. Without reservation (or inner conflict) I highly recommend it!