Customer Reviews

The General Principles of Astrology

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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.

An excellent book, though more for the intermediate and advanced astrological student than the beginner. The reason for this is because many of the explanations for basic Astrological information offered here are of a more classical nature than most of the modern "New Age" oriented books. Also of great interest is the collection of natal charts of notable individuals from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. This is because the best way to learn how to read a chart comes from studying charts, and what better way to do that than analyzing the natal map of a famous person whose deeds before the public have revealed much of their personality. The refreshing aspect here is that one will get to see the charts of individuals like Sir Issac Newton, Mozart, and Shelley rather than the likes of Madonna or Britney Spears.

For this reader, a further plus regarding the book is that its author, Aleister Crowley, is revealed not only as the ghost writer for the famous American Astrologer Evangeline Adams, but also for the truly important thinker he was rather than the distorted and dark charlatan he is often portrayed as by those who are ignorant of his serious scholarly work.

All in all I would rate this as an excellent addition to the library of anyone interested in Spirituality, Metaphysics, or the Occult as well as for those who are passionate about Astrology.

Review by abramelin21@yahoo.com

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.

First, like all Crowley books, this one starts on about chapter 20. Crowley never addressed beginner issues and initial details. He never was writing to beginners. This book is no exception. Instead he jumps straight to interpretation of some elements of a chart, omits others, and so forth. The book is quite different from many more recently written on the subject, however, and provides a great deal of food for thought.

This book will not teach you how to draw up a birth chart. It will not teach you much about aspects. Crowley assumes you know astrology before turning to his work. Instead he offers a some meaty of theory and some impressive insights into some (narrow) areas of interpretation.

The part of the book I liked the most was the discussion of rising signs. To Crowley, the rising sign was the defining sign of the chart, much more than the sun sign. He spends more time discussing rising signs than most other books do discussing sun signs, and his insight is profound in this area.

One area I would have liked to see a great deal more discussion is in the area of aspects and angles. Crowley seems to have clearly seen these as important. However, we get at best a cursory discussion of aspects, and nothing on angles aside from the ascendant.

This is definitely a book though that will remain in my library.

The body of the book is almost extent, and quite agreable to read, as it's written in Crowley's concise but fluid prose. Also, the paratext offers some letters and articles about either astrology, or about the relationship if Crowley and Adams. Finally, the hardcover along with the nice jacket, the numberous charts and the many footnotes makes reading the book a pleasure.

I have written "almost extent", because Crowley never completed the section that speak of each planet in each zodiac. However I don't believe that this small lack is if big importance, as the section could have been entirely removed while the book remaining great.

The book painstakingly covers the planets and the signs, however, it is in no way a complete text book like Parker's. The material is dated like we would expect from a book published in 1927, and contains the usual offenses. Crowley praises racists like Howard Spencer.

I do not mean to be needlessly critical, but I did not find Crowley's method of communication engaging. A lot of the book is unnecessarily technical--explaining very little, but using many examples. An average page of writing contains perhaps a paragraph that is actually useful information. This is an early book, and his understanding of many of the signs tends to be extremely shallow and negative. He is also lopsided in his praise for some placements while seemingly despising others.
The book is written in with a religious fervor that is fanatical and off the topic. Crowley occasionally goes off in tangents in which he writes in an almost crazed religious euphoria. He is extremely fatalistic and overvalues public accomplishment creating a type of astrologically based caste system.

The nice thing about this book is that his presentation of astrology is very seriously, and it is written in a professional manner. His writing is intelligent and the reflection of someone who is extremely well read. Had astrologers modeled his presentation, we can assume, the profession would be looked upon with greater respect than it is currently viewed. If you want a book that is going to give you a lot of information that can quickly be applied, I would recommend one of the books by Bill Tierney or Steven Forrest. If you want to improve your astrological erudition, than this book is appropriate.

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.

If you are interested in astrology this is the book 4 you. No need to say more, just buy it.

This is pretty typical astrology content related to the subject matter from what I've seen in years shopping in larger bookstores' new age section. But is raised up a notch because it is by Aleister Crowley, notorious occultist and literary genius. The birth signs are covered after a few introductory short chapters. Then there is the planets in the solar system. If you can afford to shell out the 80 bucks for this one it is worth it to have such a nice, excellent book by someone as famous as Crowley. I am a Thelemite and have Brother status in the O.T.O. and each time I read anything by Crowley I am proud to have been even a tiny fraction of a part of this mysterious prophet and his amazing literary genius. If you are going to be a Thelemite, it is important to get past the juvenile "do anything to shock people" that permeates so many would be occultits. Do what thou wilt, love under will!