Astrology Resources: Online chart calculation, books, software

Astrologers’ Resources

Astrology: Astrologers’ Resources

 

 

Online Chart Calculation

Astrodienst

Description: Besides free reports, Astrodienst offers a fantastic chart calculation service (also free). Plenty of options are available, and the service is very easy to use.

The Free Service: This is arguably the best free online chart calculation service. On their “Free Horoscopes” page, if you scroll down to the “Chart Drawing, Ascendant” option, you’ll be able to input birth data and let the program draw up your chart for you. If you create a free account, you can save and access up to 100 charts online in “My Astro” at the site (you simply need to enter your email address and set up a password). Excellent!

If you are an intermediate or advanced student of Astrology, don’t miss their “Extended Chart Selection” option. This allows you to tweak your chart by choosing from different house systems, adding asteroids and various points to your charts, etc. You can also create composite charts, transits and progressions, and more here. Different chart styles can be selected, and there are also grids and the like. Outstanding!

• Go to the Astrodienst Chart Calculation page. For chart calculations, use the “Chart Drawing, Ascendant” link; for more choices, use the “Extended Chart Selection” link.

 

Astro Seek

Description: An online chart calculation service with a wide range of wonderful, intuitive options.

Multiple house systems, chart styles, and techniques are offered at this brilliant site. Of particular usefulness is the Natal Transits Search Engine that helps users search for the times of particular transits, progressions, and solar arc directions to their personal charts. There are also fantastic tools for discovering current and upcoming planetary positions.

• Go to the Astro Seek page.

 

Ephemerides

Astrodienst’s Online Ephemerides

Description: 3200 Years Ephemeris. Users can click on any year and view the ephemeris pages in .pdf format. For personal use only.

The Ephemerides: Very easy to use – a handy reference. I use these pages often enough, although I do prefer a hard-copy ephemeris (see below). You can print out the pages if so desired. This is the nicest online ephemeris I have found.

• Go to the Astrodienst – 3200 Year Ephemeris page.

 

The American Ephemeris for the 21st Century

Description: “No astrologer’s library can be complete without the ephemeris with the latest data from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The American Ephemeris by ACS is the most accurate ephemeris in the world today. In addition to planetary positions for every day from 2000 through 2050, it includes a wealth of data – solar and lunar eclipses, aspectarian of Jupiter though Pluto, Chiron, Synetic Vernal Point, Moon phases and more.”

The Ephemeris: This hard-copy ephemeris is a must-have for astrologers. Even though ephemerides and chart calculation programs are available online at no cost, there is nothing quite like the ability to pick up a book and do a scan of the upcoming transits and planetary positions! Of the ephemerides available, I prefer this one. It’s easy to use and reliable. Two versions are available (both are for the years 2000-2050)–one for positions calculated at Midnight, and one for Noon.

• For more information, user reviews, and to buy: The American Ephemeris for the 21st Century (affiliate link – commissions earned).

 

Sources for Celebrity Birth Data & Charts

Astro Databank at Astrodienst

Astro DataBank, featuring Lois Rodden, offers a large collection of famous people’s birth data online. Excellent for those interested in research.

• Go to the AstroDataBank

 

AstroPro

One of the many features of the AstroPro site is “Horoscopes of the Famous and Infamous”. Each month, Richard Nolle offers free charts of famous people, collected from a variety of sources (listed). Birth charts are only available for birthdays in the current month, but data is available for year-round birthdays. Very handy!

• Go to the Astropro Celebrity Data page.

 

Celebrity Astro*Search from Matrix

At the Matrix Software site, one of their features is the Celebrity Astro*Search, which is a searchable database for 30,000 famous people’s birth data and famous events. Search by name or birthday.

• Go to the Matrix’s Celebrity Astro*Search page.

 

 

Astrology Conventions & Connections

Cosmic Connections at Dell Horoscope

For a list of astrological get-togethers around the world, go to the Cosmic Connections section of the Dell Horoscope Magazine site. There you’ll find lists organized by location.

• Go to Cosmic Connections (no longer exists).

 

The American Federation of Astrologers – Conventions

The AFA offers convention details, registration forms, and so forth for their conventions.

• Go to the AFA site.

 

 

Professional Astrology Software – Calculation Programs & Computer Astrology Report Writers

Astrology Software

Hank Friedman’s “Ultimate Guide to Astrology Software” at Soul Healing  includes links to Hank’s weekly weblog on the latest news about astrology software, his published software reviews, “Optimal Use of Astrology Software”, how to download free demos of professional programs, links to free software, frequently asked questions about astrology software, a growing number of free video and text tutorials, and more.

• See the Ultimate Guide to Astrology Software by Hank Friedman at Soul Healing.

 

AstrolDeluxe Platinum

This astrology software program by Halloran is brilliant. It does pretty much everything you want an astrology software to do, has a beautiful suite of astrology report options, and allows you to create your own reports as well. Recent additions to the report options include well-researched interpretations of Aspect Patterns, declination aspects, Black Moon Lilith, the Nodes, and minor square aspects. This is a favorite, go-to software. We use this software for generating many of the reports sold on Cafe Astrology.

• Halloran’s AstrolDeluxe

Solar Fire

Description: Solar Fire Gold is an excellent, extremely capable astrology software program for basic through advanced calculations, and is available through AstroLabe and Esoteric Technologies (Australia).

• Go to the Astrolabe site or the Esoteric Technologies site.

 

Win*Star by Matrix

Description: The Software: Although I don’t currently own Win*Star, I did have its predecessor, Blue Star, and was thoroughly pleased with it (of course, that program is outdated now, but it was great in its time). I’ve used the demo, and I also have found Matrix gives excellent support and customer service. Win*Star is loaded with features for the professional and advanced student.

• Go to the Matrix site.

 

Kepler and Sirius by Cosmic Patterns Software

Description: Kepler provides interpretations and analysis of individuals, relationships, and future trends. The information is in plain English so you can understand it, and  uses the latest, most sophisticated astrological analytical techniques to provide accuracy. Kepler also provides a huge number of technical calculations for the advanced or professional astrologer.
The Kepler program provides a comprehensive set of tools that is useful for a wide range of interests. Whether your interest is learning astrology, research, advanced techniques, beautiful graphics, or having attractive chart wheels and accurate interpretations, Kepler can deliver what you need.

The Software: Massive options and features. This is one of the best charting software programs for the professional astrologer, astrology researcher, and for beginners who are interested in running the company’s report writers. We use Kepler for charts generated on CafeAstrology.com.

 

• Go to the Cosmic Patterns site for a complete rundown of the program’s offerings.

 

Win*Star Express by Matrix

The Software: This is sort of the “baby” program of Win*Star. It is less expensive, and of course, has less options than the big program. However, some Astrologers, and students of astrology, will find it handy and sufficient for their needs.

• Go to the Matrix site.

 

Sometimes even the professional astrology software programs don’t include some cities and towns in their atlas. For longitude/latitude lookups of the more obscure cities and towns, try this fabulous online tool for finding latitude and longitude.

Personal Use Astrology Software

 

Mastro – Astrology Software for Windows – Free Version

The free version of this clever software has a wonderful and interactive interface that most astrologers and students of astrology will love.

With this program, I especially love how I can look to the past or ahead at transits quickly and easily. For example, with transits (middle wheel) to my chart (inner wheel), I can actually drag transiting Mars to the position of my natal Moon and the transit chart will hop ahead to the date in the future this will occur. If I toggle the direction to “backward,” I can drag transiting Mars back to my Sun and the chart will change to the date in the past when this occurred.

I will be looking into the other levels of this software (pro and expert) shortly.

• Read more about and download the free Mastro software.

Astrolog – Freeware

Description: This is a free downloadable chart calculation program that runs on multiple platforms (Windows, DOS, Mac, and UNIX) with plenty of features.

The Program: Astrolog works–and it’s free! It’s terrific. You can create standard charts, bi-wheels, and more. It calculates the positions of Chiron, the 4 main asteroids, True and Mean Nodes, the Vertex, Part of Fortune, East Point, 8 Uranian Planets, Lilith, Fixed Stars, and Arabic Parts. You choose the House System (from a choice of 14 systems); get parallel/contraparallel data; and a lot more. There are also aspect and midpoint grids and lists, transits and progressions, synastry and composite charts, some interpretations of aspects and positions, Gauquelin Sector wheel option, and more! Recommended.

• Go to the Astrolog site.

 

Win*Star Express by Matrix

The Software: This is sort of the “baby” program of Win*Star. It is less expensive, and of course, has less options than the big program. However, many students of astrology will find it handy and sufficient for their needs.

• Go to the Matrix site.

Time Passages

Description: Time Passages software offers different levels of programs for calculations and interpretations, priced right.

 

Astrology Books

Amazon.com: Astrology Section

Description: Here you can find a list of the top-selling Astrology books as well as new and expected releases. Books often are reviewed, described, and reviewed by users.

This bookseller: Plenty of Astrology books can be found here. However, many excellent astrology books go out of print, and although Amazon has links to used books, I tend to run searches for the books I want in the other “used and new” online bookstores mentioned below.

*Please note that some links on this page (ones that go to Amazon only) earn me a small commission if a purchase is made through the link. My policy is to make the recommendations first and foremost and to use these links only if they are available since they are at no cost to the purchaser. I do not in any way prioritize products that earn commissions.

• Go to Astrology Books at Amazon (affiliate link – commissions earned)

 

Free online books:

See our list of free astrology books available to read online.

 

Astrology Magazines

The Mountain Astrologer

Description: “The Mountain Astrologer is widely recognized as the best English-language astrology magazine in the world today.”

The Magazine: Best for intermediate to advanced students of Astrology. Everything from mythology and zodiac to relocation and horary astrology is covered in this well-respected magazine.

The Site: TMA makes some of the magazines’ articles available online.

• Go to the Mountain Astrologer site.

Dell Horoscope

Description: “In every issue: Comprehensive daily forecasts, detailed love and romance predictions; informative features on careers, marriage, friendship; insightful analysis of world events; in-depth answers to readers’ astrological questions; new book and product reviews; the best monthly planetary data table in astrology today; and much more!”

The Magazine: Best for beginning to intermediate students of Astrology. I enjoy the feature articles the most, although some people fully appreciate the forecasts and planet data as well.

The Site: Offers some nice features, like a sun sign daily forecast (with monthly highlights), and a great “Cosmic Connections” section that lists astrological get-togethers (conventions, etc.) around the world.

 

• Go to the Dell Horoscope site (no longer exists, sadly).

 

Learn Astrology – Free Online Astrology Lessons

Online Astrology Lessons

1. Hank Friedman offers 100+ free tutorials in Western and Vedic astrology at Soul Healing.

Our Favorite Books – Great Reading & Reference Books for Astrologers

*Please note that the book links below earn this site a small commission if a purchase is made through the link. My policy is to make the recommendations first and foremost and to use these links only if they are available since they are at no cost to the purchaser. I do not in any way prioritize products that earn commissions. As well, I only recommend products that I have used and genuinely feel will be of great use to others.

Planetary Aspects

1. Aspects in Astrology: A Guide to Understanding Planetary Relationships in the Horoscope by Sue Tompkins (affiliate link). This is an excellent guide to aspects. Very readable and insightful.
2. Planets in Aspect: Understanding Your Inner Dynamics (The Planet Series) by Robert Pelletier (affiliate link). At Astrodienst’s web site, the alternative interpretations in the free natal chart reports are culled from this work.

Transits/Cycles/Predictive Astrology

1. Planets in Transits: Life Cycles for Living by Robert Hand (affiliate link). Cookbook-style, thick book. Great reference.
2. The Gods of Change: Pain, Crisis and the Transits of Uranus, Neptune and Pluto (Arkana’s Contemporary Astrology Series) by Howard Sasportas (affiliate link). The transits of Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. Read our review of this book for more information.
3. The Changing Sky: A Practical Guide to Predictive Astrology by Steven Forrest. (affiliate link)
4. Predictive Astrology: The Eagle and the Lark by Bernadette Brady (affiliate link). Excellent tools for organizing and understanding progressions, transits, eclipses, saros cycles, and more. See our review of this book for more information.

Nodes of the Moon

1. Astrology for the Soul by Jan Spiller (affiliate link). Thorough and insightful treatment of the Nodal Axis of the Moon. Read our review of this book for more information.

Natal Chart & General

1. The new Knack Astrology: A Complete Illustrated Guide to the Zodiac (affiliate link) by Molly Hall is beautifully written with a gorgeous, intuitive layout.
2. Astrology, Karma & Transformation: The Inner Dimensions of the Birth Chart by Stephen Arroyo (affiliate link). An excellent work that deals with transits and cycles, planetary aspects, karmic relationships, the Ascendant and Midheaven, and more.
3. Saturn: A New Look at an Old Devil (affiliate link) by Liz Greene. Outstanding analysis of Saturn by house, sign, aspect, and in synastry. Read our review of this book for more information.
4. The Twelve Houses (Aquarian Astrology Handbooks) (affiliate link) by Howard Sasportas. Comprehensive work that focuses on the meanings of the houses. Planets through the houses, plus Moon’s Nodes and Chiron.
5. Chart Interpretation Handbook: Guidelines for Understanding the Essentials of the Birth Chart (affiliate link) by Stephen Arroyo is a classic that explores the signs, elements, planets, and a whole lot more.

Relationship Astrology – Synastry & Composite

1. Planets in Synastry: Astrological Patterns of Relationships (The Planet Series) (affiliate link) by E.W. Neville. Analyzes aspects in synastry as well as in the composite chart. Very recommended work.
2. Relationships, Astrology, and Karma: How to Understand, Transform and Heal Your Relationships Through Astrology (affiliate link) by Pauline Stone. This out-of-print book is a little difficult to find, but it’s a gem. Essential for understanding the outer planets’ role in synastry.

Ephemerides

1. The American Ephemeris for the 21st Century 2000-2050 at Midnight (affiliate link) by Neil F. Michelsen. Very easy to use and handy.

 

 

Students of astrology, be sure to visit our recommended astrology books page, and our used astrology books page where we share sources for finding out-of-print, used, and rare books on the subject. So many excellent astrology books and manuals are now out of print! The site earns a small commission for referring customers through these links. However, I only include items that I truly recommend.