Winter Reading Picks, 2023: Top 4 Astrology Books; Fun Non-Fiction and Instructional Essentials

All of these books are ★★★★★.

This one is best for those who enjoy historical non-fiction, psychology and quizes.

"Archetypes of the Zodiac", by Kathleen Burt

Take a deeper look at astrology as it relates to Jungian Archetypes. By understanding myths and archetypes, you can attain the potential of your birth chart―your life map―and gain conscious control of the instincts that rule you. You can change the instinctual patterns that seem to have you locked in, and become healthier and more productive.

Here we have the archetypal journeys of each sign: Aries' search for a separate identity, Taurus' quest for value and meaning, Gemini's search for variety. The technique in this book is based on the integration of the esoteric rulers of the signs with their opposites. This technique helps you understand your instinctual behavior, enhance your creativity, and modify the negative energies in your horoscope.

This cool, 576 page read is a really fun book with quizes at the end of each chapter, so you can see how each sign is expressing in your chart. This is ideal for those for whom Astrology is a secondary interest, and does not include instructions for how to create your own chart. I recommend learning at least a bit about your Sun, Moon and Rising signs first.



We're living in historical times, as this next book is a new cosmology added to Astrology. Ideal for anyone, including those with a casual to serious interest in the sciences.

"Venus Star Rising", by Arielle Gutman

Discovering the Star of Venus.

One of the primary images of Venus that has been handed down to us through the ages from mythology is that she is the goddess embodying love, beauty, harmony and peace. Actually, she brings this to us through her lineage: the gods Harmonia and Eros were her offspring. But, is this a myth?

In fact, science shows us the myth is real, and in Venus Star Rising, Arielle Guttman weaves together the fabric of mythology (which includes astrology) with science (astronomy, geometry, mathematics) to produce the evidence that we have all come to know and honor about Venus: harmony, beauty, love and passion are all indeed her products. Arielle further concludes that if we are in sync with Venus, we too are subject to these same bountiful gifts. Further, we are able to attract those delightful and joyful energies to us, as well. In Arielle’s 4+ decades as an astrologer, she acknowledges that these are the things that most people are seeking in their lives.

These two books really stand out as unique Astrology reads when compared to those published in the last 20 years. Most recent Astrology books are focused on being short and sounding "cool", to appeal to masses of people who have been taught from birth that thinking and feeling "too much" is uncool, or, ironically to the rest of us, stupid. They've also been trained by the media to consume, consume, consume, everything as fast as possible, causing short attention spans.

As a result, accurate information is often now traded for stereotypes and misconceptions.

"Astrology: Understanding the Birth Chart", by Kevin Burk

In Understanding the Birth Chart , Kevin Burk takes you step-by-step from the core basics to the finer complexities of chart interpretation while avoiding sidetracks into obscure techniques and fuzzy thinking.

As a teacher, Burk also understands that a real grasp of the subject entails more than just learning the techniques-it also involves grasping the underlying principles that make those techniques valid.

Understanding the Birth Chart is designed to be useful to all students of astrology, from beginners to more advanced practitioners, and will help you develop an integrated, synthesized approach to understanding the birth chart. You will discover how classical astrology can enrich your understanding of the planets, signs, and houses. You will explore the meaning of the Lunar Nodes, eclipses, the angles, retrograde planets, and aspect patterns. You will also learn how to identify key themes in the chart, and how to relate the different aspects and elements together to gain a holistic understanding of the birth chart-and of the individual.

An up-to-date listing (as of 2001) of astrological organizations and software programs is included that offers a wealth of resources for any astrologer. In short, this is a well-designed course that provides a solid foundation for anyone who is interested in practicing astrology quickly and with confidence. While many books at this level simply give you a set of techniques and ready-made interpretations, this book will give you a deeper grasp of an art and science that has its expression in the world around us, but its roots in the invisible world of primal origins.

Unlike that still widely sold (why?) cringe-fest, "The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need" (I've never heard such a pretentious sounding type of title), by Joanna Martine Woolfolk, Kevin Burk's "Astrology: Understanding the Birth Chart" really is a comprehensive guide to drawing up or having drawn up your own chart, and an easy to understand overview of Astrology for all. It stands the test of time. Joanna Martine Woolfolk's book has strange and condescending, yet I suppose "trendy" instructions such as rubbing a Virgos belly to get them in the mood for sex, is littered with stereotypes and yet contradictions when she preaches not to use stereotypes, and her tables are drawn up incorrectly according to many veteran Astrologers.



If interested in going deeply into the spirituality of Astrology, this book has the proper title; it really is a classic.

"Astrology, A Cosmic Science: The Classic Work on Spiritual Astrology", By Isabel Hickey

This handy reference book provides a strong foundation for the beginner, as well as new insights and self-knowledge for more advanced astrology students. Isabel Hickey’s emphasis on the deeper, more metaphysical aspects of astrology’s mysteries has resulted in continuous word-of-mouth recommendation by enthused readers. With a Foreword by internationally renowned author of eight popular books on modern astrology, Stephen Arroyo.

Isabel Hickey was indisputably one of the most important pioneers of spiritual astrology in the modern era. One of the most influential astrologers of her time, many of the next generation's most insightful and creative practitioners acknowledged her strong influence.