BOOK REVIEW - Pagan Astrology
Mike
978-1-59477-302-0 320 pages Paperback $18.95 (U.S.) $26.50
(Canada) http://www.innertraditions.com
As I do periodically, I must confess that astrology is not my strong
suit. It’s not that I don’t understand the concepts behind it (I do),
but for some undefined reason it has never roused my interest to any
great degree. That was one of the reasons I requested this book for
review. Another reason was the author’s de-emphasis on Sun-sign
dominance.
Raven addresses the lunar cycle in a more depth than the average Pagan
author, seeing eight phases rather than four and emphasizing the
actual length of the lunar cycle (29.5 days) instead of the more
conventional 28 days most people think of. These changes affect how
the lunar year relates to the solar year, among other things.
Raven also makes an attempt to bring together various understandings
of the usefulness and function of astrology. He addresses the Western
“scientific” approach as well as the Eastern “Vedic: way of
approaching it. He offers little in the way of interpretations (there
are libraries of such books available) and concentrates on how to
modify and ameliorate the astrological effects on daily life.
The book consists largely of listings of stones, colors, herbs,
scents, etc. appropriate for each planet, in each sign, and in each
house, and for afflicting and beneficial conditions. Considering that
there are twelve houses, and twelve signs and ten planets to be
considered this leads to a large amount of tabulated data. It is,
there, a reference work in the true sense of the word. There is no
way you will remember all this information, hence the book will be
well used.
It also presents “remedies” which blend the Vedic approach and Western
attitudes. They won’t appeal to everyone, and I’m sure there are a
number of people who will object to the combining of these two, very
different, approaches to astrology.
Personally, I probably won’t get a lot of use from this book, since I
do very little astrological working, but I recognize the value which
it represents, and the effort which has gone into assembling and
testing the information it contains.
If astrology is even moderately important in your workings, this is a
book which will expand your understanding of the subject. Whether or
not you end up agreeing with, and using raven’s approach, you will
gain in understanding. It will be especially valuable to those who
have a moderate understanding of the subject. Those with more
experience in either of the two systems will probably be too set in
their ways to find much of use herein.
In any case, it is well worth a look. Browse it at your local
bookstore before plunking down your hard-earned cash.
Evergreen
> Pagan Astrology by Raven Kaldera =A9 2009 Destiny Books ISBN:
> 978-1-59477-302-0 320 pages Paperback $18.95 (U.S.) $26.50
> (Canada) http://www.innertraditions.com
>
> As I do periodically, I must confess that astrology is not my
> strong suit. It=92s not that I don=92t understand the concepts
> behind it (I do), but for some undefined reason it has never
> roused my interest to any great degree. That was one of the
> reasons I requested this book for review. Another reason was
> the author=92s de-emphasis on Sun-sign dominance.
>
> Raven addresses the lunar cycle in a more depth than the
> average Pagan author, seeing eight phases rather than four and
> emphasizing the actual length of the lunar cycle (29.5 days)
> instead of the more conventional 28 days most people think of.
> These changes affect how the lunar year relates to the solar
> year, among other things.
>
> Raven also makes an attempt to bring together various
>understandings of the usefulness and function of astrology. He
>addresses the Western =93scientific=94 approach as well as the
>Eastern =93Vedic: way of approaching it. He offers little in
>the way of interpretations (there are libraries of such books
>available) and concentrates on how to modify and ameliorate the
>astrological effects on daily life.
>
> The book consists largely of listings of stones, colors, herbs,
> scents, etc. appropriate for each planet, in each sign, and
> in each house, and for afflicting and beneficial conditions.
> Considering that there are twelve houses, and twelve signs
> and ten planets to be considered this leads to a large amount
> of tabulated data. It is, there, a reference work in the true
> sense of the word. There is no way you will remember all this
> information, hence the book will be well used.
>
> It also presents =93remedies=94 which blend the Vedic approach
> and Western attitudes. They won=92t appeal to everyone, and
> I=92m sure there are a number of people who will object to
> the combining of these two, very different, approaches to
> astrology.
>
> Personally, I probably won=92t get a lot of use from this book,
> since I do very little astrological working, but I recognize
> the value which it represents, and the effort which has gone
> into assembling and testing the information it contains.
>
> If astrology is even moderately important in your workings,
> this is a book which will expand your understanding of the
> subject. Whether or not you end up agreeing with, and using
> raven=92s approach, you will gain in understanding. It will be
> especially valuable to those who have a moderate understanding
> of the subject. Those with more experience in either of the two
> systems will probably be too set in their ways to find much of
> use herein.
>
> In any case, it is well worth a look. Browse it at your local
> bookstore before plunking down your hard-earned cash.
>
Astrology is nonsense. Anyone who thinks they can explain
Earthly existence by looking at the stars is a foolish
and ignrorant simpleton.
The opposite is true: Earthly existence can only be understood
by looking _within_.
Sid
--
Sidney Lambe
Wiccan Priest and Apprentice Magician
http://tinyurl.com/7vs9zb
usenet4444 (at) gmail (dot) com
Alan Salmi
> On alt.religion.wicca, Mike <gleason.m...@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>
>
> > Pagan Astrology by Raven Kaldera =A9 2009 Destiny Books ISBN:
> > 978-1-59477-302-0 320 pages Paperback $18.95 (U.S.) $26.50
> usenet4444 (at) gmail (dot) com
If within is where one can look, then WITHOUT is another place that's
possible. If you recall the hermetic maxim: As Above, So Below, then
the correlation of all life and its intimate interconnection reflected
in everything else (Indra's net) show how Astrology and its study can
be of use in understanding that which is within. Western astrology
however, until recently, was disconnected from its spiritual roots for
a number of reasons. The magickal worldview is very much alive in
those astrologer's who understand the deeper basis of astrology's
origins. I suggest you look into project hindsight or perhaps
arhat.com (rob hand's site) to see how they interrelate. There is NO
mechanism (gravity or whatever) for astrology, it's efficacy is of the
same level as that of tarot or any other symbol system. If you'd like
a more scientific bent, look up Bernadette Brady and her work relate
astrology to chaos and complexity science.....
-Alan Salmi, Chicago, IL
Evergreen
> On Nov 10, 2:59=A0pm, Evergreen <sidneyla...@nospam.invalid> wrote:
>> On alt.religion.wicca, Mike <gleason.m...@comcast.net> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>> > 978-1-59477-302-0 320 pages Paperback $18.95 (U.S.) $26.50
>> > (Canada)http://www.innertraditions.com
>>
>> > As I do periodically, I must confess that astrology is not my
>> > behind it (I do), but for some undefined reason it has never
>> > roused my interest to any great degree. That was one of the
>> > reasons I requested this book for review. Another reason was
>>
>> > Raven addresses the lunar cycle in a more depth than the
>> > average Pagan author, seeing eight phases rather than four and
>> > emphasizing the actual length of the lunar cycle (29.5 days)
>> > instead of the more conventional 28 days most people think of.
>> > These changes affect how the lunar year relates to the solar
>> > year, among other things.
>>
>> > Raven also makes an attempt to bring together various
>> >understandings of the usefulness and function of astrology. He
>> >Eastern =3D93Vedic: way of approaching it. He offers little in
>> >the way of interpretations (there are libraries of such books
>> >available) and concentrates on how to modify and ameliorate the
>> >astrological effects on daily life.
>>
>> > The book consists largely of listings of stones, colors, herbs,
>> > scents, etc. appropriate for each planet, in each sign, and
>> > in each house, and for afflicting and beneficial conditions.
>> > Considering that there are twelve houses, and twelve signs
>> > and ten planets to be considered this leads to a large amount
>> > of tabulated data. It is, there, a reference work in the true
>> > sense of the word. There is no way you will remember all this
>> > information, hence the book will be well used.
>>
>> > and Western attitudes. They won=3D92t appeal to everyone, and
>> > I=3D92m sure there are a number of people who will object to
>> > the combining of these two, very different, approaches to
>> > astrology.
>>
>> > since I do very little astrological working, but I recognize
>> > the value which it represents, and the effort which has gone
>> > into assembling and testing the information it contains.
>>
>> > If astrology is even moderately important in your workings,
>> > this is a book which will expand your understanding of the
>> > subject. Whether or not you end up agreeing with, and using
>> > especially valuable to those who have a moderate understanding
>> > of the subject. Those with more experience in either of the two
>> > systems will probably be too set in their ways to find much of
>> > use herein.
>>
>> > In any case, it is well worth a look. Browse it at your local
>> > bookstore before plunking down your hard-earned cash.
>>
>> Astrology is nonsense. Anyone who thinks they can explain
>> Earthly existence by looking at the stars is a foolish
>> and ignrorant simpleton.
>>
>> The opposite is true: Earthly existence can only be understood
>> by looking _within_.
>>
>> Sid
>
> possible.
You can get a mirror and look up your own asshole if you want.
> If you recall the hermetic maxim: As Above, So Below, then
> the correlation of all life and its intimate interconnection
> reflected in everything else (Indra's net) show how Astrology
> and its study can be of use in understanding that which is
> within.
Garbage.
"As Above, So Below" refers to inner space/the Spirit (Above)
which creates the physical universe (Below).
Your ignorance is staggering.
Astrology is garbage.
[delete]
Lamey
wrote:
Haven't you got a spell to cast or something?
zayton
>
> [delete]
>
> Sid
That's the best suggestion made on ARW in decades!
babydahl8
Lets delete sid that is the very best suggestion made anywhere, get
google to delete the fake persona of Sid, remove him and move on!
Evergreen
wrote:
This cracks me up. In his desperate attempts to convince people
and himself that astrology is a valid magickal science, he has
abandoned his common sense.
He thinks the stars are above us.
This is for him:
Look down at your feet, fool. Imagine that you are standing at
the edge of a straight shaft that passes through the entire
planet.
What do you see? STARS! The stars are also _under_ you.
And to your left and your right. And behind you and in
front of you.
Sid
>
> Garbage.
>
> "As Above, So Below" refers to inner space/the Spirit (Above)
> which creates the physical universe (Below).
>
> Your ignorance is staggering.
>
> Astrology is garbage.
>
> [delete]
>
> Sid
>
> -- Sidney Lambe Wiccan Priest and Apprentice Magician
> http://tinyurl.com/7vs9zb usenet4444 (at) gmail (dot) com
--
Sidney Lambe