Customer Reviews

The Astrologer's Handbook (HarperResource Book)

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Popular astrology, as most people think of it, deals exclusively with sun signs -- the astrological sign in which the sun was located at your date of birth. But the moon and each of the planets were also in a sign when you were born -- and each might be in a different sign. Serious astrology takes into consideration your moon sign and the signs in which each planet was located at your birth time, as well as your sun sign. This collection of the positions of the "lights" (sun and moon) and planets in the zodiac of signs makes up your personal horoscope. Also important are the angles (called "aspects") which the lights and planets make with respect to each other. All of these factors -- plus the astrological "houses" -- are explained both simply and clearly in this excellent introduction to serious astrology. If you want to go beyond "newspaper astrology" this is the best book to start with.

Sakoian's classic is still a useful book in my Astrology library...this book has aspects to the Nodes as well as to the Descendant and the Ic! Published in 1989, perhaps this info has not been improved upon...in fact, most aspect books don't bother with these angles specifically. They use "oppositions" only....adequate, but just! Great for beginners,this is the Only Astrology book I loan friends when they want to know more!

As a teacher of psychic crafts at Santa Fe Community College and a professional psychic and astrologer of twenty years, I have used this reference book consistently and recommend it to my students and clients all the time. In fact, it is the only book on my shelf that is without a cover because the original fell off...I used the book so much. Which reminds me: I must get a new copy!

I agree with the other reviewers I read. I first bought this book in 1973, the year it was first published, and it has been consistently accurate in the general forecast for the past 26 years (the slow moving planet influences on generational and world systems). I have found the demeanor in the writing to reflect a certain wisdom and respect for both the reader and the information presented.

This was the book which actually introduced me to astrology, and it remains by far the best I have seen after all these years, both in that category, as well as a general book on the topic for the whole spectrum of those acquainted with the field from beginners to scholars. It is a serious, easy to read, no-nonsense primer, which at the same time acquaints the novice with the actual philiosophy behind the subject in the form of concise delineations, and that is what is really important. More than that, it is also devoid of the mumbo-jumbo which many use to try and "spice up" and mystify an otherwise very real art, and which has ended up in discrediting it and making it a laughing stock. I will say no further, suggesting to the reader that it should be read directly instead to form an opinion about it, rather than reading its reviews.

This book is the corner stone of astrology. It is easily understood by serious students of astology. It gets five stars not because it is the best written book on the subject, but because it is a must have for your astrology library.

The Astrologer's Handbook is among the best astrological textbooks available. I have the first edition, published in the mid-'70's, and have found it an invaluable tool for chart interpretation. Sakoian and Acker's descriptions of various planetary positions and aspects are extremely accurate. This is far more than a mere "cookbook" featuring pat interpretations based on outworn ideas. The authors explore each aspect and position in depth and give insights into the psychological drives that they entail. Their knowledge of psychology and clear, unbiased writing lifts this text far above most others in the field. Few astrological texts of comparable quality exist; only Robert Pelletier's Planet in Aspect equals (or perhaps exceeds) it.

I like this book quite a bit. It has the standard introductory to casting a chart, but it has two particular things in it that I have not found in any other book I have ever read.

First, it describes each house cusp in each sign. Normally books just describe Ascendant and Midhaven, but this includes the other 10 houses.

Second, when describing the aspects, it doesn't do the standard Good Aspect - Bad Aspect - Conjunction. It does all five major aspects: Conjunction, Sextile, Square, Trine, and Opposed. Separate interpreations for each aspect for each planetary combination.

Those are two excellent things that no other book I've ever ran across has.

The only down side is that the interpretations are a bit new-agey, so you have to sort the wheat from the chaff while using it.

The book is neatly written,it explain step by step "How to Caste your own Horoscope", and interpret it. Further the book explain the importance of not only Sun,but moon,the houses and the importance of aspects in study of horoscope.This book is unique because it considers the horoscope not only from Sun sign,but in totality.Acker & Frances have intelligently used their previous experience as writers to explain in clear,concise way "the systems approach" of casting and analysis of horoscope.Book is free from any ambiguity.The book is recommended for beginners as well as advanced lovers of Western Astrology.After reading this book you will be hungry for the next book by the writers.
Dr.Parihar(Vedic Medical Astrologer)

This is a must have for the serious astrologer. It is, so far, the only book I have been able to find to give step-by-step instructions for creating your own chart, the thing I was most interested in. Sure it is easier to pay someone to chart for you, but where is the fun?