The Astrology of Family Dynamics (Paperback)

~ (Author) "We might look back over aeons and recognized our own personal self- development - just as we emerge from the womb, into our infancy, through..." (more)
Key Phrases: twelfth house planets, planetary array, homeostatic principle, True Node, Sub Title, Arthur Miller (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Erin Sullivan does not write in the Linda Goodman style, offering easy-to-compute formulas or clichéd astrological typecasting. What she does offer in The Astrology of Family Dynamics is a discussion on how each of us fits into the larger scheme of family, meaning humanity as well as the nuclear family. This intriguing blend of psychology and astrology addresses the family as an organic whole, taking into account the planetary positions that affect all members. Even without a tidy formula, each of us will certainly recognize our family in Sullivan's section on the elements, in which she characterizes families by Earth (reliability, practicality, self-reliance), Fire (spontaneity, gambling, competitiveness), Air (eccentricity, lots of space between family members, politeness), and Water (emotional, guilty, chaotic, humorous). Those who are students of astrology will find this especially important reading. Dabblers who like their astrology "lite" may find this a bit dense and theoretical. --Gail Hudson

Product Description

Erin Sullivan's latest book is a breakthrough both in astrology and psychology. The Astrology of Family Dynamics makes for gripping reading and shows us that astrology is the only system that demonstrates the complexities of the family as an organic whole, the family's place in the collective, and the role an individual plays in carrying on the ancestral line. Sullivan writes with compassion and accuracy, weaving together various methods of analyzing and working with individuals and their families. She discusses the cardinal, fixed, and mutable signs as they affect families, shows how elements work as a family dynamic, tracks core themes in families using planetary positions and aspects, and explains the 4th, 8th, and 12th houses as our ancestral base. Appendices. Bibliography. Index.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: RedWheel / Weiser (January 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578631793
• ISBN-13: 978-1578631797
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #390,091 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Read, July 29, 2001

By	"galensworld" (Leesburg, FL USA) - See all my reviews

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.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent. More than the title suggests, June 9, 2002

By	Tim Burness (Brighton, England) - See all my reviews

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.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing approach to my family tree, February 2, 2002

By	"firerizing" (Charlotte, NC) - See all my reviews

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?"