Customer Reviews

The Astrology of Family Dynamics

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Erin Sullivan is one of the finest astrologers of our time. This particular book goes into the depths of discovering the "how's and why's" families are what they are. Without judgment, and with clear information that gives you the tools to examine your own family dynamics, from a astrological standpoint, it's for the intermediate to advanced level of astrology student, but would be an enjoyable read for anybody. I love this book, and refer to it often.

As an adopted child, I had always wondered how astrologically my adopted parents fit into my life or me into theirs. This book explains the relationships between familys, even when they aren't blood familys. I erected an astrological family tree for my biological family as well as my adopted family. It was so interesting to see how I played a role in both families and how we all worked together astrologically.
I recommend this book for anyone who has ever said to themselves "How did I ever survive my childhood with us all being so different?"

More high quality psychological astrology with profound depth and insight from Erin Sullivan. Here the emphasis is on how an individual might begin to explore his or her origins, and relationship to family and the collective. "Family" in this context is by no means restricted to an immediate nuclear family.

As with other books by Sullivan, there is insightful treatment of many features of the birth chart that has more general applications other than the specialized subject matter in the book.
There are sections on family systems, the purpose of a family, family trees, repeating astrological patterns in the charts of families, roles such as scapegoats and blacksheep. The chapter on water houses is excellent (speaking as someone with these strong in my own chart). Transits to individual and family charts are also covered.

Sullivan finishes with several case histories that make for fascinating reading. These include a story of autism and another case where a woman carries the whole of her ancestral line as she attempts to reconnect with her roots and ancestors. I found some of this a bit heavy going at times as there is so much depth and detail on many levels, but felt rewarded by the end.

I love Erin Sullivan's new book because it begins by bringing a Norman Rockwell picture of the family to mind and asking you if you don't find this really horrifying, it is so different from your family! This is one of the points of this great new look at an age-old problem. Families today are as different as individuals. The astrology in this book does not look to shame or blame. The object is to see what is and see what could be if perspective could change. I like this positive approach because my family is far from a Rockwell idyll and frankly I'm tired of grousing around about it. Sullivan uses classic interpretation techniques but applies them to groups of charts that cluster on the branches of the family tree. She also has some innovative ways of interpreting family dynamics that I feel are interesting though not conclusive. I have had approximately the same amount of practical experience as Sullivan reading astrology charts (27 years in my case) and I do not feel her "conclusions" are conclusive! They are certainly worth further exploration, however. I would consider this a seminal work. So, why not grab your Family Tree, shake down some of the those branches and see what all you little monkeys were about in incarnating together over a long period of time. Sullivan is particularly good with the Ancestors, by the way. I think you will enjoy her approach to genealogy and heritage and find it empowering. Give this good book a try. But advanced astrologers only.

This book arrived in excellent time, like new. The seller included a nice personal note.
The title of this book describes the subject of the book well. It is a credit to Solar Fire's Jigsaw research program. The author has done her research, and thoroughly explains her results. This book is not for the astrology beginner, but for those who are at least intermediate students (we are always learning). For those who have studied Human Behavior, and are astrologers, this book is a great adjunct to our studies!!