The General Principles of Astrology (Hardcover)

by Aleister Crowley (Author), Hymenaeus Beta XI (Editor), Evangeline Adams (Contributor) "A PROPER UNDERSTANDING of the planets, and indeed of the universe itself, is only to be obtained by a knowledge of the doctrine of correspondences..." (more)
Key Phrases: speculative horoscope, people with this position, display orb, Works Cited, Lord of the Ascendant, Superior Governor (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This first full-scale reconstruction of his essential text has waited 85 years to appear as he originally intended it.

Long before there was Linda Goodman, long before astrology bestsellers turned up in supermarkets, there was Aleister Crowley, the most important astrological scholar and authority of the early 20th century. Ghostwriting for Evangeline Adams, it was Crowley who wrote the vast majority of her classic textbooks, Astrology: Your Place in the Sun (1927) and Astrology: Your Place Among the Stars (1930). General Principles of Astrology finally acknowledges Crowley’s authorship.

Crowley’s goal was to abandon traditional assumptions, so he based his findings on actual charts and how they were expressed in people’s lives. In his characteristically clear and elegant prose, Crowley discusses each planet from a scientific and mythological point of view. He provides an exhaustive analysis of astrological types, drawing conclusions for over 180 astrological nativities of well-known artists, poets, musicians, philosophers, politicians, and business leaders from the 18th to the 20th century.

This new book is composed of painstakingly gathered work, primarily ghostwritten by Crowley, and published in various early twentieth-century texts. It is published here in one volume for the first time, in an undertaking endorsed by both the Adams and Crowley estates.

About the Author
Aleister Crowley (1875-1947) was a writer, poet, magician, mountaineer, and painter who devoted his life to exploring the world’s many methods of spiritual development. His life’s work was to integrate the esoteric teachings of the East and West into a comprehensive and understandable system for attaining enlightenment. He published many books including The Book of Thoth, The Thoth Tarot Deck, 777 and Other Qabalistic Writings, and The Book of the Law.

Evangeline Adams (1868?-1932) was America’s premier astrologer in the 20’s and 30’s, was responsible for the wider social acceptance of astrology in the United States, and is celebrated to this day as the mother of American astrology.

Hymenaeus Beta XI° is the Frater Superior of Crowley’s mystical order, the Order of Oriental Templars.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 640 pages
• Publisher: Weiser Books (September 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877289085
• ISBN-13: 978-0877289081
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.6 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #259,725 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Crowley's Astrology under the guise of Adams, October 12, 2002

By	rareoopdvds (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This new tome from notorious occultist Crowley was originally two books with Evangeline Adams as its author. According to the introduction by H. Beta, Crowley was in New York for sometime and met with Adams whom they were to write a book on astrology together. Due to unfortunate circumstances, Adams took the material that Crowley wrote, reworked, omitted and added her own material and eventually became an authority on the subject. The two books by Adams, "Your Place in the Sun" and "Your Place Among the Stars" (written 1927 and 1930 respectively) are essentially the works of Aleister Crowley. This edition by Samuel Weiser brings back Crowley's original writings in their original form and in one book. In a similar format as Magick Book 4, 'The General Principles of Astrology' is bound in a nice maroon hardcover cloth book with a sigil embossed on the cloth cover in metallic gold (looks like a modified Mercury symbol). Crowley's writing at many times is elusive even for the most astute occultist, however, as in Magick 4, he is making great efforts to be clear to a larger audience. The text was written in 1915 before the discovery of Pluto, so for some astrologers that may be your only set back.

In my opinion and from what I know of Crowley, the work is largely unfinished, however, what is presented is entirely a workable system. Crowley probably had the least amount of faith in astrology as a science among all the occult arts, but because he was so verse in many subjects, he is not one to let it be unexplored. Astrology seems as vast a subject as Kabbalah, as so much is written about it, that it seems that no one person can legitimately claim authority. My preference is Alan Leo's work even though much of his work is before Pluto as well. Crowley stands as a modern authority on much occult work that this was a book I could trust in giving a clear exposition on the subject.

The book is broken up similarly to the many astrology books out there on the market today. Beginning general aspects of the houses, different signs to be aware of and their meanings and a correspondence with his tarot deck. Then a discourse on the meanings of the planets, rising signs, sun signs with each of their attributes and characteristics. After a large section taken up by each planey in a sign, he ends with 100 or so famous people and their horoscopes. So in my opinion, Crowley could have easily enlarged this already big work (596 pages!). In sum, the book is well presented and will look sharp on any bookshelf, and for any serious astrologer to consider this excellent entry into the large world of the study of the astros.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best astrology book, January 4, 2007

By	Prometheus rising - See all my reviews

Astrology was forbidden and therefore neighwell forgotten till late 19th century. It was Crowley who raised astrology from obscurity. And he knows well that which reimplemented into western culture.

A beautiful book which describes -as its title pronounces- the general principles of astrology. No other astrology book I have yet seen that does that so well. All planets and signs are described very basic and yet rich in information. Relievingly absent is the psychologized approach toward astrology that saturates the content of the contemporary books.

There are almost 200 charts of well-known people which he interprets throughout the book. There is additional information where Crowley crosses astrology with other occult knowledge.

Heralded is Weiser who published this book in the fashion it deserves. Beautiful hard cover and rich in figures, tables and illustrations.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Woops! Sorry for the confusion, March 10, 2006

A Kid's Review

Oops! The review posted by Cicada Brodadaktylos Eos! entitled "A Frightening wake up call" was intended for James Wasserman's "The Slaves Shall Serve", it has absolutely nothing to do with this great work on Astrology - which does indeed merit five stars. My apologies for the confusion.