Astrology for Dummies

by Rae Orion

Book Overview

Did you know that Sir Isaac Newton, inventor of calculus, and discoverer of the universal laws of gravity and thermodynamics ,was interested in astrology? Or that, in his day, the seventeenth century astronomer, Johannes Kepler, was more famous for the uncanny accuracy of his astrological predictions than for his three laws of planetary motion? Julius Caesar, Queen Elizabeth I, Napoleon, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, Carl Jung...the...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764552171
• ISBN13: 9780764552175
• Release Date: November 1999
• Publisher: I D G Books Worldwide
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 1.53 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 7.4" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Excellent Overview

Astrology For Dummies (For Dummies (Sports & Hobbies)) I will happily admit to being a big fan of the Dummies books. If one is new to a subject, wants to find a starting point that will not mislead or overwhelm them or only wants an overview they are the perfect place to start. "Astrology for Dummies" by Rae Orion is just such a book. As an experienced Tarot reader, I know the basics of astrology, but I wanted to learn more so that I could effectively add astrology to my services. I needed a starting point from which to learn enough so that I could intelligently evaluate more advanced books as well as software and other technical astrological products. This book has given me those tools. Other reviewers have complained that this book "...is an extremely generalized book..." or that it is "...not very helpful for anyone who really wants to seriously study astrology". Yes, it is generalized and no, it will not make you a serious nor professional astrologer. It is a Dummies book! It does precisely what all Dummies books are intended to do, it takes the reader from know little or nothing about a subject to either satisfying their curiosity or giving them an effective platform from which to launch more detailed study. The various parts of astrology are covered step by step with the clear tables, checklists, comments, signpost icons and sidebars for which the Dummies books are famous. I highly recommend this book for anyone who knows little or even nothing about astrology, but wants to learn more and then either be satisfied or know how to go on with their studies.

Fairly complete

This book was much more complete than I ever expected. I use it as a reference on a regular basis. The information appears to be fairly accurate and fairly detailed. Lots of formulas to help the user calculate and draw their own charts.

Excellent overall introduction to astrology

This is a first class general introduction to all of real astrology. If you have heard or suspected that there is a great deal more to it than the newspaper columns, this book is a good place to begin finding out more. Rae Orion explains the basics and complexities of the birth chart (a proper horoscope is based on the exact time, date and place of birth) in a clear, straightforward manner.In "The Cosmic Cookbook" section, Orion takes the reader through the basics of birth chart interpretation. Sun signs, Moon signs, the positions of all the planets in the various signs and houses e.g. Mars in Aquarius, Uranus in the sixth house and so on. Real life examples are scattered throughout the book. Other sections cover basic compatibility, both Sun sign combinations and more complex relationship astrology. Towards the end there is "Ten Types Of Astrology" (including Vedic and Chinese) and some more esoteric features of the horoscope are briefly covered in "Ten Ways To Complicate A Chart" (such as midpoints and Arabic parts).An excellent starter. "Parkers Astrology" could be a colourful complement to this volume, and I recommend Stephen Arroyo's "Chart Interpretation Handbook" as a possible next step.

Excellent and thorough

Don't write off this book because it's about astrology, and don't buy into the stereotype that believers are flaky. The author certainly doesn't fit this stereotype. This book is written seriously and intelligently. If you don't know anything about astrology and would like to learn as much as you can, this is the book for you. This book is very easy to understand and proves that astrology is uncannily accurate. Orion helps dispel skepticism (from close-minded people) regarding astrology by discussing the mathematical basis (referring to planetary alignment) for this ancient science. There is an entire section in the later pages of the book devoted to this mathematical aspect, and it gets quite complicated, though Orion breaks it down well. Even gifted mathematicians will have to spend some time here, but if you're devoted to it, you'll be pleased with the results. Keep in mind that you will need to know not only the date of your birth and your birthplace but your exact birth time, which is essential for an accurate reading. Give this book a chance, and you'll be awestruck with your newfound information and perspective.

Star Power!

Ignore the unfortunate cover art (consistent among this series). Rae Orion has written a thoroughly entertaining and extremely user-friendly guide to the fascinating world of astrology. Unlike tradition astrology tomes, which always seem filled with hopelessly complicated charts and mysteriously undecipherable symbols, this book is easy to use -- and SO fun to read! I love picking it up and opening it at random--virtually every page has some delightful nugget of insight or some wonderfully gossipy real life example. (Find out why Princess Diana and Charles's marriage was doomed from the start!) Even a little time spent browsing through this book will make a skeptic into a believer. The writing is smart and informed, lively, and somehow comforting. I highly recommend it (though I could do without the goofy cartoons, for which Rae Orion is evidently not responsible).