Recommended Astrology Books: Planetary Aspects
The following are short reviews of astrology books that offer interpretations of planetary aspects.
My favorite books on planetary aspects are How to Be a Great Astrologer and Aspects in Astrology:
Aspects in Astrology (A comprehensive guide to interpretations)
Author: Sue Tompkins
Aspects in Astrology: A Guide to Understanding Planetary Relationships in the Horoscope [affiliate link]
This is an excellent guide devoted to the interpretation of planetary aspects. Very readable and insightful. The author explores aspects between planets with the format of Sun-Mercury aspects, Venus-Uranus aspects, and so forth, rather than separate paragraphs for specific aspects. However, she discerns between hard and soft aspects in each interpretation, and most interpretations are lengthy.
How to Be a Great Astrologer (The Planetary Aspects Explained)
Author: James Braha
[affiliate link]
I don’t like the title because it belies the depth of content in this excellent book, but I love this book. Aspects between planets Sun through Pluto are interpreted with great insight and warmth. Also included are interpretations for the North Node in the signs/houses–not their aspects–which is a bit odd for a book about planetary aspects, but they’re very strong and highly useful. Highly recommended.
How to Be a Great Astrologer: The Planetary Aspects Explained [affiliate link]
Aspects and Personality
Author: Karen Hamaker-Zondag
This book is devoted to planetary aspects, and is a good one to add to your collection. Although it’s not one of my “staples”, it offers some unique insights into aspects and includes excellent interpretations of inconjuncts. For each planetary pair, there is an interpretation for the conjunction, the hard aspects (square and opposition), the easy aspects (sextile and trine), and the inconjunct. Planets in aspect to angles (the Ascendant and Midheaven) are also featured. Aspects and Personality includes chapters that discuss such things as unaspected planets, “approaching and departing” (applying and separating) aspects, “inclining and declining” aspects, aspect configurations, and more. A useful book.
More information or to buy at Amazon: Aspects and Personality [affiliate link]
The Astrologer’s Handbook
Authors: Frances Sakoian & Louis S. Acker
The above books take a psychological approach to understanding aspects. The Astrologer’s Handbook, like many of Sakoian and Acker’s books, is written from a more practical and behavioral angle that many students of astrology will appreciate. It’s a good cookbook-style book to help round out your collection (it also includes planets in houses and signs, and more). The interpretations are short, to-the-point, and practical.
More information or to buy at Amazon: The Astrologer’s Handbook (HarperResource Book) [affiliate link]
Planets in Aspect (understanding your inner dynamics)
Author: Robert Pelletier
Planets in Aspect: Understanding Your Inner Dynamics (The Planet Series)
This detailed book includes interpretations of each major aspect between the planets: the conjunct, sextile, square, trine, inconjunct, and opposition. Distinctions are made between the sextile and trine, and the opposition and square. The interpretations are practical and easy to understand. Note that at Astrodienst’s web site, the alternative interpretations in the free natal chart reports are culled from this work. Although it’s a strong book, I didn’t use this one as much as the first two listed on this page. Still, it’s intelligent, objective, and comprehensive. A good reference.
Planets in Aspect: Understanding Your Inner Dynamics (The Planet Series) [affiliate link]
The Only Way to Learn Astrology Volume I: Basic Principles
Authors: Marion D. March & Joan McEvers
This book is good for new students of astrology. The interpretations are practical and behavioral rather than psychological or spiritual in approach. Planets in the signs and houses are also included.
The Only Way to Learn Astrology: Basic Principles, Vol 1, 2nd Edition [affiliate link]
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