For The Pilgrim’s Progress*…
Source: Unsplash/Pierre Bamin
*The title of this post is a nod to the first astrology author I read, Linda Goodman. She included a list of metaphysical book recommendations in the back of her book Star Signs under this title and that phrase has always stuck with me.
So why this post? I recently taught my first astrology class (yay, me!) and I had a few people ask me for some book recommendations to advance their studies. Since I love a good book reco, I’m offering you mine. This is not an exhaustive list, but they provide a solid foundation as you progress deeper into astrology. I rated them from my point of view as beginner, intermediate, and advanced and tried to offer a mix of older & newer books. I’d love to know your personal favorites, too. I keep a running list in my “save for later” cart.
Sorry for all the Amazon links, but I figured they may be the most universal resource. I’m happy to take a reco for a great metaphysical bookstore that ships worldwide, though.
All levels:
An Ephemeris, which is helpful to understand concepts like daily motion of the planets, stationary and retrograde periods, transits, lunations, etc. And I know most of us aren’t calculating charts by hand, but knowing how to use a Table of Houses is good as well. You can find both of these resources online – I like Astro.com. Just use the search bar — but having at least a printed ephemeris is handy.
Beginner:
Sun Signs and Love Signs by Linda Goodman – Honestly, almost any book by Linda Goodman is a must-read, but I consider these two essential since she gets progressively “new age-y” and less astrology focused with her later books, Star Signs & Gooberz. Just as an aside, I personally was not a huge fan of Linda Goodman’s Relationship Signs, published posthumously with the assistance of “Crystal,” who I think would be properly referred to as a friend and literary executor. I’m willing to give it another chance though. Linda Goodman was such a popular author that you may even have some of her books in your local library.
Parker’s Astrology by Derek & Julia Parker – I know this book tends to be maligned by “serious” astrologers, but it’s a great first step. You may be able to find this in a local library as well.
The Houses Temples of the Sky by Deborah Holding – I picked up this book after astrologer Sam Reynolds mentioned it on a podcast or on social media, I forget which. It’s an excellent overview of house meanings and has helpful tips on delineation.
Planets in Transit: Life Cycles for Living by Robert Hand – Transits may be considered an intermediate topic, but I find this book is useful for readers at every level. It can also be helpful for new students of astrology by providing insights into general planetary behavior and aspects.
Intermediate:
Ancient Astrology in Theory and Practice: A Manual of Traditional Techniques, Volume I: Assessing Planetary Condition and Ancient Astrology in Theory and Practice: A Manual of Traditional Techniques, Volume II: Delineating Planetary Meaning by Demetra George – I almost split these two into different categories because I think the author does a great job teaching a systematic approach taking the reader from basic concepts to advanced delineation with her workbook-style exercises, but you need more than a passing interest in astrology to remain engaged with the level of detail she provides.
Hellenistic Astrology: The Study of Fate & Fortune by Chris Brennan – Similar thoughts on the author here with regard to concepts and delineation. The detailed history of astrology he provides is good background, but I was happy to get into the “meat” of the book about halfway through. It’s a great resource on technique, including introductions to zodiacal releasing and profections, especially if you prefer whole sign houses.
Advanced:
Astrosynthesis by Jean-Baptiste Morin de Villefranche – This was my class textbook when I studied under my teacher, and it remains a constant resource. My personal copy is the Zoltan Mason Emerald Books version with a green cloth cover and I found ONE copy on Amazon through a reseller. I wonder if this is my original copy with all my notes & starred passages I left on a United flight several years ago (she added wistfully…).
I also have the white and red soft cover version of Astrologia Gallica Book 21 translated by Richard S. Baldwin, which is similar, but slightly different from Astrosynthesis in that it does not include the resume of rules and some of the later chapters. There is also a new translation of Book 21 by Penelope Sitter, which I haven’t read, but I encourage you to check it out. To note: The structure and cadence of the translation from Latin, at least in the two versions I’m familiar with, take some getting used to, as does the terminology used by Morin.
Symbols of the Soul: Discovering Your Life Purpose and Karma Through Astrology by Gina Lake – Maybe not so advanced to understand the concepts presented in the book, but this really pulls more into the philosophical meaning of astrology through an analysis of the Moon’s Nodes and Saturn in a chart.
The Arabic Parts in Astrology: A Lost Key To Prediction by Robert Zoller – Absolutely mind-blowing in parts with its exploration of Kabbalistic concepts underlying astrology. I picked this book up on a whim while on vacation a couple of years ago and I’m so glad I did.