Archives.

 Good morning.

5th December 2007. Have a go.

A recent email reminded me of the fact that quite a large number of people  obtain a free chart from me and then go on to attempt to decipher it. Nothing wrong with this, in fact I would encourage anyone to have a go. But there is a caveat here, one that isn't very obvious. 

There are heaps of books claiming to show you how to interpret your chart, but just how useful and accurate are they? The answer is that they are not. Any analysis and interpretation of a birth chart needs to be done according to a well-defined scheme, one that makes use of the Keyword system first proposed by the late Margaret Hone. In addition, chart emphasis, aspect patterns, chart shaping and other factors need to be considered and integrated into the analysis along with the more usual planetary placings and aspectation. Quite a lot of information!

The 'interpretation books that fill the bookshelves and appear to make promises that anyone can interpret Astrological charts simply by referring to the book in question are completely wrong. You are given long lists of ready made interpretations for planets in Sign, planets in Houses, and aspects to planets but I have to tell you that trying to weld this together into a meaning whole is nigh on impossible, and may even lead to misunderstandings and wrong assumptions. If we add to this the lack of inclusion of the other vital chart factors previously mentioned, the result is certain to fall way short of reality. 

For example. Your Sun in its Sign is given a glowing reference with maybe one or two minor problems. It would be easy to assume that this, and this alone, is in itself all you need to know. But it isn't. What about the House position of this planet and the aspects? These will considerably modify the original interpretation and may even negate it altogether. From another perspective, why would you want to look at a single planet? What you should be doing is gathering all the relevant factors for a particular area of interest, such as finances or relationships. Looking at planets in isolation will get you nowhere. In order to do this one needs to know about natural and temporary rulerships. Does the book even look at this important topic? Probably not. 

The main purpose of books like this is to generate money and to enhance the reputation of the writer - who is quite often a Sun Sign Cowboy with little or no knowledge of the subject. The results are guaranteed to fall way short of professional analysis and interpretation. Better to learn the subject by consulting genuine Astrology books, such as Teach Yourself Astrology by Jeff Mayo, or The Modern Textbook of Astrology by Margaret Hone. It is a long yet rewarding process offering a complete system, whereas the instant interpretation books are only likely to cause misunderstandings and the omission of important information. 

30th December 2007. Is there no end to this?

Once again King of the Sun Sign Cowboys Jonathan Cainer is bleating on about comet Holmes, as if it mattered. Having changed his mind on several occasions about the so-called effects of this body he continues to give out contradictory messages. A few days ago he was adamant that the comet was responsible for the death of Benazir Bhuto and was a symbol of ill omen. Now he says:

But we have had a comet in the cosmos this Christmas. That changes everything. For the better. Soon, we'll all see the positive proof!

Well, Jonathan, which is it to be? A sign of ill omen or one of your numerous 'auspicious' signs? In any case, aren't you missing the point? Any professional Astrologer knows that comets are not part of the Astrological scheme - we don't use them. When, oh when, is this man going to pick up a book on Astrology and learn the subject?  

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