Beginner's Guide to Practical Astrology

by Vivian E Robson

Most introductory astrology books, such as this one, are content to teach you the ABC's of Planets, signs, houses, aspects, pretty much in that order. You're then congratulated that, by the time you reach the end of the book, you can look up the individual pieces and spit out canned interpretations, by rote. Vivian Robson (1890-1942, a man, by the way), expected better. Here is an "Suppose Jupiter were chief significator of money and afflicted by Saturn. We should judge that money matters would be hampered by poor conditions, depressing surroundings, ill-health, or whatever Saturn signified in that horoscope. In other words, we should give Jupiter the chief consideration as significator of the matter enquired into, and interpret the action of Saturn in its relation to Jupiter, and not vice-versa. On the other hand if Saturn were the significator we should judge that fits of generosity or extravagance would affect the finances, because Jupiter is expansive in its action, and its afflicting aspect would cause trouble and loss. This general judgment is then refined by taking into account the sign and house occupied by the aspecting planet, and the houses it rules. Thus, suppose with Saturn as significator that Jupiter threw an adverse aspect from the 5th house. Then we should judge that the extravagance would arise from too much indulgence in pleasure, or from gambling, or other matters ruled by the 5th house. "As a word of advice to the beginner I would say - Do not be afraid to let yourself go in this way. You will make many mistakes to start with, but it is the only way to make your Astrology of practical use. There is too great a tendency nowadays to float about in a comfortable haze of so-called esotericism. The first need of Astrology is accuracy and definition, not pseudo-religious speculation, and it is only by concentrating on the practical and scientific side that we can really make Astrology of service, and obtain for it the recognition it deserves." (pgs. 110-113: go have a look) Someday a picture of the man will be found. Until then, read his books!

Genres: Astrology

184 pages, Paperback

First published July 20, 2010

Reviews

[Liquidlasagna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Today, you're better off to start with a batch of these, if not all of em:

Only Way to Learn Astrology - Volume I - Basic Principles - March/McEvers
Only Way To Learn Astrology - Volume II - Math and Interpretation Techniquess - March/McEvers
Only Way to Learn Astrology - Volume III - Horoscope Analysis - March/McEvers
Only Way to Learn About Tomorrow - Volume IV - March/McEvers
A Beginner's Guide to Practical Astrology - Vivian Robson
Astrology for Dummies - Rae Orion
Alan Oken's Complete Astrology - Alan Oken
Llewellyn's Complete Book of Astrology: The Easy Way to Learn Astrology - Kris Brandt Riske
Astrology: Classic Guide To Understanding Your Horoscope - Ronald Davison
Astrology: A Cosmic Science - Isabel Hickey
The Astrologer's Handbook - Sakoian/Acker
Secrets From a Stargazer's Notebook - Debbi Kempton-Smith
Astrology, A Comprehensive Guide to Classical Interpretation - Kevin Burke

I got a soft spot for March-Hickey-Sakoian-Oken
as the absolute must haves....

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be more of historical interest than something I would recommend to someone who wanted to learn astrology. Although Robson was writing in the 20th century, his astrology has elements of both the traditional and modern approaches, although it falls more on the traditional side of the spectrum. There's very little psychology in this book, and the author uses Uranus and Neptune (the book was written before Pluto was discovered), but leaves Saturn and Jupiter as the rulers of Aquarius and Pisces. I think the part that has held up the best are his chapters on chart interpretation: how to take into account the different factors and balance them to get useful information out of the chart. But most of the book is on creating the chart and working out the basic meanings for the planets in the signs and houses. Today, it's easy to have a chart calculated for free, and there are clearer explanations available for those who want to do it manually. Most of the cookbook meanings feel out of date: again, historically interesting, but limited for use today. Since basically everything in the book has been covered in more depth elsewhere, including Robson's own A Student's Text-Book of Astrology, I'd say read this only if you're truly interested in Robson's work.