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{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Mixed Bag
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
This book is occasionally insightful but mostly petty. It is spiritually oriented on the whole – that is to say the author made an effort to address what the chart says about the individual at a soul level. However, the soul is treated in this book much like a subconscious with which the individual is assumed to have no sense of connection… (ie blanket statements about highly specific unconscious forces acting in depths of person) Positions of planets and aspects are treated in a very black and white, good or bad manner. trines and sextiles are always good, squares and oppositions unfalteringly bad. same with planets exalted or in sign of detriment. No acknowledgement of what is to be gained by the dynamism and often highly creative tension of a square, or of the stagnation/laziness that can grow out of the easy harmony of a trine not used to facilitate other growth. the interpretations are about specific manifestations in the personality or subconscious, not about the energies themselves which operate, making for a very limited interpretation which rarely rings true when the rest of the chart and the evolution of the person are considered.
Strewn With Hidden Gems Of Wisdom
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
The strength of this book is the deep, rich context surrounding each topic. But for many, that would be its weakness.
I use it as a reference book – when I’m stumped by a chart, I just page through this book looking for new associations to break the logjam in my mind. But in truth, this is a book to read cover-to-cover, pasting in post-it-notes to mark the bits and pieces of unrelated but illuminating wisdom tossed into various discussions.
For example, in one very illuminating section of this book, Hickey discusses each of the signs as it manifests as the Ascendant – then under each sign as the Ascendant, she discusses each of the signs that would be on the other House Cusps if there are no interceptions, or if you use equal-house methods.
She shows you how the rising sign synthesizes with the signs on each of the cusps – to create some of the characteristics of people with that sign rising, and to color the house involved. This explains WHY a particular ascendant tends to produce people who behave a particular way.
The book is worth its price for that section alone — if you’re willing to just sit for a couple of hours and read all the rising signs, one section after the other. The faster you read it, the more sense it makes. The section is laid out very systematically, and that system reveals vistas of astrological truths in and of itself.
However, at random throughout the section, a few sentences, “throw away dialog,” and offhand allusions are tossed into other topics to point you to bits of knowledge about how astrology works and what it’s actually for. These bits are not taken up anywhere else in the book, not assembled, not set into a larger context, and not indexed. They just leap out at you as if outlined in soul-fire.
For example: In the section devoted to Capricorn Rising, which puts Libra on the 10th, Hickey says, “Venus’s sign in Saturn’s house is often loving for the sake of expediency. This is not true of the more evolved individual. Students often ask the question, “How can one tell the evolvement of an individual in the chart?” Character is shown by the signs in which the planets are placed. Planets in their sign of exaltation and in the signs they rule are indications of an evolved consciousness. Also the higher-octave planets — Neptune, Uranus, Pluto, and Jupiter — in the first, fourth, seventh, or tenth house show that the individual has had much soul experience in other lifetimes”.
You see? For that alone, this is worth the cover price, and there are lots and lots of those throughout the whole book.
Maybe these bits of wisdom aren’t actually true. But as you go, “Aha!” and pull out a dozen charts of people you know well to check out Hickey’s theory, you learn vast amounts more about astrology than you ever would have without investigating that theory.
I came to amazon today looking for links to used copies of Hickey’s book and was delighted to find it in print. I had been paging through this book at random the other day and it gave me a flash of inspiration. I used that insight to write two columns for my sf/f review column called ReReadable Books. Hickey had connected several sf novels for me, using the 7th House, the 6 of Swords and how they generate the art of storycraft. I’m a professional sf author, and teach writing online, and I needed to write a handout for the Writing Workshop at the World Science Fiction Convention. Before I leafed through Hickey’s book, I had no clue in my mind what I could offer at that Workshop. Then I produced a 14 page essay which will probably be the October and November installments of my column.
So, the strength of this book lies in the context surrounding the facts, a context which assembles random bits of the universe in which you live into a pattern that makes sense. But that context material is so randomly placed – so “stream of consciousness” in the style of Hickey’s writing that it’s impossible to use this book just to find out, say, the signature of the advanced soul.
You’d never find it if you searched the index or the table of contents. You have to read the entire book. (stock up on post-its).
And if you like this style of astrology (with a karmic and spiritual bent) – you really need Hickey’s book on PLUTO as MINERVA, and all about WISDOM. There’s a lot in that book I don’t agree with – but it surely makes you think.
Live Long and Prosper,
Jacqueline Lichtenberg
…
The Top of My List
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I attended Isabel Hickey’s classes at B.U. in the early seventies. This started my astrological journey which continues after 30 years. My first copy of the book fell apart I used it so much. I had to copy all my notes into a brand new book. Hickey’s book is not an astrological “cook book”. It blends her spiritual and psychological way of looking at a chart. It works for a beginner and for an advanced student. Thirty years (and many books) later, it is still my favorite text. Isabel was a great mentor and healer. Her spirit lives on through this book.
RU a willing STUDENT? Then your teacher has appeared!!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Quite simply, the best. Though Isabelle is no longer living (at least on the earth plane), this book is like a personal tutor. Certainly, you will customize your interpretations and understandings as you learn more. But if you’re like me, this book will always be nearby for a quick ‘look-up’ (e.g., ‘what’s the Jupiter-Saturn natal conjucntion energetic and when does the ’second life’ begin?’). Or, as a reminder of what a compassionate wise woman has to say about all of this. Pretty tasty stuff.
This seems to be a posting of Hickey’s book with the reviews from Amazon, including mine. I’ve learned a lot about Astrology and Tarot since I wrote that review, from Hickey and most notably from the great Astrology Teacher Noel Tyl whom I quote all the time.
Hickey’s concept of Minerva as the symbolism for Pluto explains a lot about how and why Relationships form then blow apart violently (in divorce or worse).
Knowing that this energy of wisdom ebbs and flows through our spirits, we can learn how directing Pluto’s energy into life is somewhat like trying to hold onto a fire hose running full blast. You definitely need HELP to keep it aimed where it can do good not harm.
And that help is your mate.
Below is a link to a blog post I just did on Pluto and the generations of young people changing the world.
Those who are attempting to understand Relationships and the phenomenon of the Soul Mate might like to read some of my blog posts based on what I’ve learned of Tarot and Astrology applied to the field of Romance writing.
You can start with Astrology Just For Writers Part 6 and work your way back through the links in each post. This is a co-blog with 6 famous Romance Writers and this one uses Pluto/Minerva to explain a lot.
http://aliendjinnromances.blogspot.com/2009/10/astrology-just-for-writers-pt-6.html
I’ve also done 20 posts examining the Tarot suits of Swords and Pentacles in depth in terms of the process of Relationship in the art of story telling. You can start with http://aliendjinnromances.blogspot.com/2007/12/10-pentacles-cake-comes-out-of-oven.html and work back from there via the internal links in the articles.
You can follow me on twitter as jlichtenberg or if you’re really into Tarot and Astrology, as 9Cups too. facebook.com/jacqueline.lichtenberg
I use all this Tarot and Astrology in my novels. My Romantic Times Award winning trilogy, Dushau, is now available on Kindle as well as Mass Market paperback.
Jacqueline Lichtenberg
http://www.jacquelinelichtenberg.com
The worst kind of old-fashioned astrology…
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
I bought this book, but soon got rid of it. I am frankly amazed at all the five-star reviews here. The book seemed to me to embody the worst aspects of old-style astrology – linking up horoscope patterns with superficial character traits in a way that will not impress anyone familiar with the existing statistical research into the topic. Give me Greene, Arroyo or Sasportas any day – unlike Hickey, they write at a level of psychological depth where astrology actually makes compelling sense.
If I remember right, Hickey’s book predicts that the lost continent of Atlantis would rise from the waves during the 1980s. Did I miss something?
i love this book
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
amazing and helpful, easy to read and apply the information to birthchart. Interesting and in depth.
My first “real” astro book
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
It must have been 15 to 20 years ago that one of my friends lent me her hard bound copy of this book in which I became instantly enthralled. It was several years later that I finally got a reprint paperback (it was out of print for quite a while). Frankly I’m shocked at the negative reviews. This book was written at time when the genders were more patriarchal defined (not that I agreed w/ that by any means), long before the global economy. My point is she was writing of her present overtly “accepted” social conditions in the same manner as did Jane Austen for her time. If one gets so stuck on that surely it is more telling of the person reading vs. that of the author. In my humble opinion, this is a beautifully written book-is it perfect, no. What this book did for me was to enlighten me to the prospects of authentic astrology-quite a gift. That lead me to explore other greats of out time, Adams, Green, Spiller, Parker, Pond, etc. I still reference it and take heed to its wording. For me the most important of her words were we select our chart (life circumstances) when we decide to come on this earth plane and the planets impel us, but do not compel us due to our free will in making choices while on the path journeyed. The beauty of our birth chart is clearly defining our potential use of our strengths and weaknesses, as often we are blind to how we utilize both. This book is quite a gift to all.
Great for beginners…
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Nicely written book that covers all aspects of astrology without all the fluff that many others fill their pages with. Very easy to read and I highly recommend it for people just starting out with their study of astrology.
Insightful but with a definite point of view.
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
Isabelle Hickey was my first astrology teacher more than 30 years ago, and I still own this book. It offers good astrological insights. Yet much of it reflects Hickey’s point of view and is not without prejudice.
For instance, “Venus Square Mars. Emotions and passions need controlling.” (true) “Animal self need domesticating.” (a bit to judgmental to my way of thinking) Yet, despite this a lot can be learned from this book
Joyce Levine, author of Breakthrough Astrology & A Beginner’s Guide to Astrological Interpretation.
A Good Intelligent Read–
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This book is highly recommended.The author makes the reader agree that Astrology is a Cosmic Science.Recommended for all levels of Astrological Knowledge seekers.(beginners, middle, or advanced).After reading many..many books on Astrology,on the topic of Astrology as being a cosmic science,i can say Yes..this is the best i can think of.This is a well-researched and finely written book.(Dr.Parihar,Vedic Medical Astrologer)
Still the best astrology book
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I have used this book for 25 years and recommend it to all my astrology students. I continually seek out other astrology books and have found some good ones, however Isabel Hickey’s book is still the best.
The Worst Astrology Book on the Market
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
I was extremely disappointed with this book. Isabel Hickey is often praised as an astrologer, but I agree with the above criticism, that it really would have been better for astrology had this book not been published. It is very embarrassing, to be sure.
This book tops all other astrology books for being the most prejudice on the market. It is simply unacceptable to use astrology for this purpose, and makes an excellent example of what you should not be if you are considering astrology.
Isabel Hickey’s absolute abuse of other women throughout her book is astonishing. In one description of a sun sign she writes “females in this sign have difficulties in relationships with men because of their lack of femininity. They want to run the show and need to learn to be feminine. The mascline type that they so much admire will run when they feel their aggressiveness. The only type that opinionated females can attract is Caspar Milquetoast types and how they dislike them.”
Astrologically speaking, that is baseless. Fire signs tend to be attracted other fire signs,ect. For a relationship text, Linda Goodman is a much better choice.
I have read dozens of astrology books and this is the only one that I have ever thrown out. I am an earth sign, supposedly unopinionated and willing to be dominated by a man like a good girl, and tossed this in the can faster than sour milk. It is extremely offensive, ethnocentric, and degrading to women. The only woman who wants this book is one who is looking to dehumanize her sisters so that she can award herself a higher position by playing up to some percieved understanding of men which is purely imagined. Men do not escape this vindictive woman’s pettiness either, though. She has another “opinion” that men with Cancer Sun/Moons afflicted to Saturn have deep psycological problems due to lack of masclinity. Plain and simply, the book is rediculous, and shows the worst face of astrology.
I recommend Jan Spiller for anyone interested in Spiritual Astrology. As far as general text books go Parker’s Astrology is a much better tool than this book.
First Rate; My Astrology Bible
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Having gotton the Astrology bug a couple of years ago, I have read a number of astrology books and perused many more.
Isabel Hickey’s book serves as the astrolgoy “bible” for me. It’s stand-out quality is how well it takes one through the fundamentals of astrology while at the same time revealing deep and spritually profound truths underlying “the cosmic science.”
It is really a wonderful book.
I use it so much that my copy is literally taped together at this point to keep it from falling apart. I don’t want to use a new copy because I have come to rely on the many notes, annotations and underlining of key passages I’ve written in the text. I have hundreds of books in my home and can say that for no volume except “Astrology, A Cosmic Science.”
I would recommend anyone – the beginner, the advanced, and the just plain curious – to buy this book.
The BEST astrology book.
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Easy to understand, this is the best astrology book you can study. Astrology is a never ending study and this is the book to start with.
Jump into the deep end..
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Ms. Hickey’s book is the book to get for the astrological student who thinks like a virgo. If you tend to make thought associations and read a line of text and take off with it into much deeper trains of thought, this is the book for you.
I find myself recommending this book to anyone who wants to get beyond sun signs and actually understand the complexities of astrology.