Customer Reviews

Astrology, Psychology, and the Four Elements: An Energy Approach to Astrology and Its Use in the Counceling Arts

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The book "Astrology, Psychology and the Four Elements" by Stephen Arroyo is an interesting viewpoint of astrology that emphasizes an individual's psychological make-up from an astrological perspective. Published in 1975, Mr. Arroyo divided the book into two parts. The first part he entitled "Astrology & Psychology", which contains eight chapters. The second part he entitled "The Four Elements: An Energy Approach to Interpreting Birth Charts", which also contains eight chapters (numbered from nine to sixteen). What differentiates this book from other typical astrology books is that it is not merely a look-up table for trying to interpret a person's birth chart. In the first part, Mr. Arroyo compares the works of various psychologists (such C. G. Jung, Sigmund Freud and O. Hobart Mowrer), physicians (such as Alexander Ruperti), philosophers (such as L. L. White, Hans Stossel, Irving F. Laucks and Pascal), biologists (such as Père Tielhard de Chardin) and writers (such as Goethe) with various astrologers (such as Dane Rudhyar, David Hamblin and Marc E. Jones), mythological experts (such as Joseph Campbell) and people claiming clairvoyant abilities (such as Edgar Cayce). From these (and many others whom I have not named), Mr. Arroyo creates a synthesis to describe a more humanistic and holistic approach to both psychology and astrology, and encourages psychological counselors interested in astrology to utilize tools from astrology to assist in understand their patients. He also lays the foundation for viewing the zodiacal signs with regard to the seasons of the year in which they fall with their corresponding psychological meanings.

In the second part, Mr. Arroyo describes various astrological components, such as the signs of the zodiac (from a more elemental perspective), the planets (from an "energy regulator" perspective) and the houses. He emphasizes that a simple mechanistic approach of chart interpretation often falls short when the impact of the elements themselves are not fully taken into account, as well as not taking into account how particular individuals may make decisions that overcome what might otherwise may be misinterpreted as "difficult" aspects, when they might actually be good. His descriptions of the elements were well thought out, as were his discussions of elemental imbalances. In the final two chapters, he touches briefly on chart comparisons between people and the houses.

Overall, I found "Astrology, Psychology and the Four Elements" to be a very interesting read. I rate the book with 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning some basics about astrology.

Arroyo brings out the underlying logic and symmetry of astrology--demonstrating how the meaning of signs, houses and aspects are derived from the symbolism of the four elements. It's very persuasive--and grounded in a firm sense of humanism. If you are embarking on a serious study of astrology, or would like to get beyond a paint-by-numbers style of chart-reading, I strongly recommend this book.

Arroyo's book is excellent. It gives a wonderful introduction of the astrology-psychology relationship. His research is very well grounded and documented. His style is clear and "down-to-earth". This a book every humanistic and begginer astrologer should read in order to have an overview of the new astrology tendencies.
Highly reccomended!

This is a very good book to start with, if you want to UNDERSTAND astrology deeply. The first part of the book might be irrelevant (this book is base on Arroyo's M.A seminar, and so the first part dedicated to academic-style justification of astrology as a respectable psychological tool) if you aren't interest into "proving" astrology. I do not want you to get the impression that this part is not good, I mention that fact as an advice that you can feel free to start with the second part.

The second part deals thoroughly with the four elements, a knowledge that to my opinion, is a must to understand astrology and for developing a clear, systematic vision of more advance interpretation. It makes so different when one's interpretations are based upon the elements, as the signs and the planetary aspects become more understandable and less consider as "doctrine" knowledge. A must to begin with!

In this book, Arroyo takes all the complexities of modern astrological symbolism and boils them down to basics. His writing style is clear and uncluttered with jargon. This is not a "cookbook" to be referred to again and again for the author's interpretation. This book teaches the fundamental priciples of signs, planets, houses, and aspects from which the student can proceed to make her own interpretations. A real gem.

If you haven't studied the four elements this is a great place to start. Arroyo gives detailed descriptions of them, plus descriptions of people who, using their five personal planets, have "too much" or "not enough" of each element. Facinating!

Stephen writes for the growth oriented astrologer. Not a book for beginners, yet one you will use contiually as a reference as you develop your skills in understanding major aspects. Indepth analysis of important aspects between two or more charts for those interested in synastry. I've had this book on my shelf for twenty years & still find it insightful.

I've read Arroyo's "Chart Interpretation Handbook", so I picked this one up while looking for information on the elements. Unfortunately, I didn't get much from this book. I was very disappointed to find the charts and the house explanations almost reprinted word-for-word from "Chart Interpretation." While I appreciate the information on the elements, I didn't really learn anything. I was also disappointed that the subject of archetypes was not clearly tied to the planets, signs and houses. The author does bring a lot together in this book, but it is very general, more of a grouping of what's been stated by others, than an actual point of reference. Perhaps as my astrological studies continue this book will become more meaningful to me. I've since found much more relevant information on the four elements elsewhere.

This book is not as good as I'd hoped, but I had better clarify as to why I feel this way. I should have read it when I was still a novice astrologer. It is the definitive bridge between beginning and intermediate astrology: those of us who have gotten our planetary and elemental attributions down have begun to see the bigger picture, which is that astrology and psychology are linked whether one cares to admit it or not. I think I was hoping for more because of how I've been viewing astrology for some time. However to see just the title of this book is sort of already saying what we want to hear, what has been swimming in circles in the mind. And this is why you should read this book as soon as astrology captures your heart and not a moment later. You can feel content to hold up your head even when people at the dinner table are spewing madly about what a crock of crap astrology is. I'd like to hear more about what happens when astrologers are in the big chair in the couseling office.

A definitely good introductory book for anyone considering a serious study of astrology. It grounds the reader by both validating astrology as a form of universal understanding and providing a comprehensive and simple four element explination. This will make understanding the subsequent elements and points in astrological interpretation much easier. It has a "general to specific" approach which aids in making accurate interpretations. This is not a book for the lightly interested or if you prefer the "magazine column" sort of astrology.