Moonology: Working with the Magic of Lunar Cycles Paperback – Illustrated, July 5, 2016

This is a decent book, but doesn't really live up to the hype, in my opinion. It's really a general western Astrology book that has sections for each of the 12 zodiac for full moon, and same for new moon manifestation, plus sections for each of the 12 houses so you can see where that new moon is located with regards to your ascendant. There's a generalized chart to find your ascendant based on zodiac sign and time of birth and that chart was off by one sign for myself, so don't depend on that chart! Or at least don't depend on that chart if you're cuspal with regard to sun sign or with regard to the time frames for birth hour given there.This is more like a zodiac + moon reference book, so you'll need to refer to it a couple times per month to look up the current lunations.It does give some good general astrological info...but here's the thing folks: ***the new moon is always in the same sign as the sun sign...the full moon is always in opposition to the sun sign*** I have explained this to dozens of people over the decades, and literally not one person I've spoken with about the moon has ever known this fact. This is discussed in the book, but in such a convoluted way that I don't think anyone who isn't already aware of this fact will come away from reading this book enriched with this knowledge.Really, a lot of astrology can be observed if you live somewhere with visible night sky and know cardinal directions, the constellations, and a bit about the planets. That's why fads in metaphysics come and go, but astrology will always remain popular; of course most people don't realize so much of this can be observed, and understood via observation. Thankfully there are many free apps and websites that give astrological info and charts for free. One big complaint is that this book frequently tries to drum up web traffic for the authors website. I didn't check any of the links because I have other resources for my birth chart and the lunar calendar. I wouldn't even be complaining about this except that several times the author encourages you to visit her website to get worksheets and other resources that frankly should be in the print book rather lengthy introduction and discussion them plus a web address.As for the content of the book, considering it is an astrology book, there are some events she discussed that are already out dated. So beware of that. Most of the info is timeless, cyclical stuff, so majority of book is not outdated. I get the impression the author is very well educated, she suggests some solid, classic resources like Dane Rudhyar, and she does drop hints of classical concepts and Biblical metaphors; however there's so much Aussie slang in there that I feel it's off putting to English speakers of any other nationality. At times I felt like I must have picked up an Australian teen magazine by mistake.There are suggestions for manifestation, it's a bit like "The Secret" so if you've read/ watched "The Secret" and know the basics of astrology, just ask yourself how that concept can be fit into the themes for the moon sign at that new moon and if you can do that then you don't need this book. I do like this book, but there's nothing new about the zodiac that hasn't been written a million times before, and nothing new about manifesting via Law of Attraction that hasn't been said a thousand times before, so for me this book didn't quite live up to the hype, but it might be just the resource you need if you're new or intermediate into astrology.I do have her first 2 oracle decks and I think they're awesome. They are the reason I bought this book, and I do plan to try and use this book throughout the year, or when I feel like I need to reconnect with the moon energy.One last note: I am not sure what religious tradition this book really falls under. There are a lot of suggested mantras and seed mantras, and correlations to chakras given. The author even states that Sanskrit is the language of the archangels! Sorry John Dee. There are also suggested workings with Goddesses like Athena. There's stuff about Ascended Masters. So in this regard it goes way out of bounds from the typical astrology book. It does classify the moon as having feminine characteristics, and never explains that that is not true for all cultures, but yet it tries to pull in some cross-cultural religious practices. Nothing wrong with that, I just want to encourage folks to please think for yourselves and not blindly follow recipes in this source or any other that have you calling on deities (Goddesses, ascended masters, angels, demons, gods, whatever) if you're unfamiliar with the entity don't go there until you've done some solid research. And the same with mantras and seed mantras in a language you don't understand. They can open up doorways in your conscience that you may not be prepared to cross. You should really have a solid guru or if none is available the knowledge will come to you. Again, no complaints with the author's decision to include these practices, I am only saying this, especially for young people and beginners, to use discernment rather than go off reciting and invoking stuff you're unfamiliar with.

This book is an easy read packed full of everything you need to know to become acquainted with your personal birth chart and how to use that information to work with the astrological energies of the phases of the moon throughout the year. I've read it cover to cover and refer back to it often. An excellent value for information you will use over and over again.

Moonology” is one of three books I added to my library to better understand the Moon’s phases, its transit through the Zodiac signs and how that influences our lives. While the other books are adequate, “Moonology” is the most thorough and provides a step-by-step guide on how to harness the energy of the New Moon and Full Moon month after month. Author Yasmin Boland’s offering is a powerful tool that teaches readers how to use the New Moon to manifest intentions, and the Full Moon to release what doesn’t serve you. The book is helpful in creating a space at least twice a month to meditate on what it is you truly want and don’t want/need. It’s been six months since I turned page one of “Moonology” and I now understand – and FEEL – a cycle of life connected to the Moon. Boland writes: “Once you learn to dance to the Moon’s rhythm, you’ll find that life flows more easily: it will be as if you’ve cracked a secret code.” She deciphers that code in this must-have guide for anyone who wants to tune in to a Universal force infinitely greater than the “To Do” list of our daily lives.

This is a great book for anyone who is interested in how the moon can affect you, and how you can use the moon make adjustments in your life. I’m not an astrologist by any stretch of the imagination, but I might start looking into things more, as there are several parts of the book that spoke to me. One thing of those things was making goals around a new moon (and you don’t have to make many), and that if the new moon fell on your birthday—it was the Universes way of giving you a nudge. Well this year—the new moon was on my birthday, and I have been planning several changes for the coming year. Now I just need to follow through with those plans.There are tips and suggestions for basically everything we deal with on a day-to-day basis. While I knew my star sign, I never knew (or heard) of my rising sign, but looking at the way the moon can move through either chart—it does explain some of my mannerisms and actions at certain times of the year. This book has given me more things to think about spiritually (proud to say I have started to mediate daily—though not for long, but that is a goal to work towards), mentally, and physically.This is a book I will be coming back to on a continuous basis as I slowly start learning how to work with the moon.Highly recommended.