How to Be a Great Astrologer: The Planetary Aspects Explained [Paperback]

James Braha (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1992

How to be a Great Astrologer is a highly specialized analysis of planetary aspects and is the product of very deep, intense research. It is far more comprehensive and accurate than others like it.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is Braha's best book to date. The aspect interpretations that make up the bulk of the book are alone worth the cover price. No less valuable are Braha's introductory words, in which he provides a thoughtful explanation of how astrology works, and a chapter on planetary aspect theory, which addresses issues like research-oriented astrology and the house system controversy. This is an intelligent, well-reasoned approach to the cosmic craft, one that will help all students of the subject get a clearer grasp of the issues involved." -- Dell Horoscope.

About the Author

James Braha

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Hermetician Pr (October 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0935895027
• ISBN-13: 978-0935895025
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #369,751 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure, Essential, Archetypical, November 17, 2003

By 

OAKSHAMAN "oakshaman" (Algoma, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: How to Be a Great Astrologer: The Planetary Aspects Explained (Paperback)

The title almost made me bypass this book. That would have been unfortunate, for this is the best reference on the meaning of planetary aspects and lunar nodes that I have found. Chart interpretation involving these features bears about as much relationship to simple "sun sign" astrology, as basic arithmetic bears to calculus.

Aspects are the angular relationships between planets in a birth chart. Too many references barely give you more information on them than simply stating if they are "favorable" or "unfavorable." Braha gives you extremely detailed and perceptive explanations of all the significant aspects (conjunctions, squares, trines, oppositions, sextiles) for all possible combinations of the inner planets. The outer planets are not covered because their effects occur over such long spans of time as to be generational and tending to impact society as a whole rather than individuals. He writes authoritatively in a Vedic style that comes across as pure, essential, and archetypical.

The lunar nodes are the points where the orbit of the moon intersects the plane of the ecliptic in a chart. They are probably the single most important feature in a Western birth chart. The north node indicates a person's future, while the south reveals the past (previous incarnations.) Or put another way, the south is what we have already mastered in previous lives, while the north indicates what we are here to achieve. Interpretation for both sign and house location are given

My only truly accurate standard for evaluating this book's interpretations was to compare it against my own chart and life. The results were uncannily accurate and went far beyond vague general suggestions. Having studied astrology professionally I am mightily impressed by Mr. Braha's work. He is truly the sort of great astrologer that he dedicates this book to. Perhaps this is because he practices both eastern and western traditions, and because he comes from a culture where the profession of astrologer is regarded as a very serious profession indeed.

Oh yes, the full-page illustrations of Gustav Dore' are far more than just filler, for they fit the mood of the text exactly. There are several that I would like to tract down for framing.

If you are a serious student of astrology this book will become your most valuable reference for fleshing out your interpretation of a chart.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most accurate book on planetary aspects I read, March 23, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Be a Great Astrologer: The Planetary Aspects Explained (Paperback)

Though I am french speaking, I am using this book every times a make an interpretation. I consider it give the best clue for understanding the influence of planetary aspect on the characteristic of human being. Robert GADA-BARENCO GENEVA SWITZERLAND

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Reference for Astrology Students, September 29, 2000

By 

"ludovica" (Chicago, IL.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Be a Great Astrologer: The Planetary Aspects Explained (Paperback)

Braha's book is a treasured one in my collection. He gives a very informative description of the major aspects (conjunction, sextile, trine, square, and opposition). His book also has a small section on the moon's nodes. According to his bio, Braha's background is in Vedic astrology, and you get a flavor of that in this book for Western astrologers.