Chart Interpretation Handbook: Guidelines for Understanding the Essentials of the Birth Char Paperback – April 20, 2004

Over the past five years, I've read probably thirty books on astrology, having become intersted in the subject about the time of my Saturn return. I was wholeheartedly enthusiastic in learning everything I could about astrology, although I was more interested in the psychological aspects than the technical ones (i.e., midpoint analyses, secondary progressions etc.) To be honest, I can't consider myself to be a true believer, because it seems peculiar to think that these "random" space bodies can ultimately yield to our anthropomorphic projections of their meaning based on Greco-Roman mythology. Just as it seems strange to think that the lines we've drawn between stars light-years apart from each other really resemble goats and fishes and that these same "random" space bodies, when directly between us and of these drawings, determine that we will have personality traits in some ways similar to goats and fishes. Trines, squares, and sextiles? You can't tell me that a grand trine between the Moon, Mars, and Pluto is an equilateral triangle in three-dimensional space.That said, I am reminded of a line from a Paul Simon song- "The cross is in the ballpark- Why deny the obvious child?" I have tested astrology enough for myself to know that I have had dreams and experiences that are completely beyond rational explanation. As regards the purely intuitive faculty in human consciousness, I am convinced that...there is something there. Surely no astrology would continue to exist as long as it has if it did not in some way coincide with reality, and any astrology that had been in error for long enough would have to be revised in order to survive. I believe this has been going on for millenia, and I think writers like Liz Greene, Jeff Green, Steven Forrest, and Bil Tierney among others, are in the process of doing this.So why do I mention these things in a review of this book? I have read some quality astrology, and I have read some New Age rubbish. I think that the conscience with which Steven Arroyo wrote this book is the closest that I have seen to being pure. Pure in the sense that IF one were hypothetically to accept astrology and all of the concepts involved in a typical chart as being true, THEN the conscience involved in delineating and explaining those concepts in a clear and rational way without giving in to tendencies to adhere to theoretical explanations that are thwarted by reality is sharper here than in any other introductory astrology book I have seen. I understand that the last sentence is a mouthful, but I truly MEAN it. That said, I don't really feel the need to say anything else EXCEPT that, although some of the ideas propounded by the reprinted cartoons (yes, there are cartoons in this book!) are in poor philosophical taste (polemical, sophist), others make their point cuttingly well.Basically, if you have a skeptical but curious bent and are capable of suspending disbelief in favor of exploring a larger reality, there is no better book to begin exploring with than this one. And after you've read something atrocious, or find yourself half-believing something too magical to exist, remember that Stephen Arroyo wrote this.

I cannot think of a better introduction to astrology or natal chart interpretation than this book. Arroyo provides a refreshingly holistic and essentialist approach to chart interpretation. This book is definitely not a one size fits all, astrological cookbook. In this book, Arroyo discusses the nuance and subtlety that must be taken when attempting to synthesize a natal chart, but still provides very basic interpretations for different chart components that the reader can elaborate and expand upon as they discover their own personal way of approaching and interpreting natal charts. The outline for chart interpretation provided at the end was both my favorite and least favorite part of the book. I loved it because it was exactly the straightforward information I was looking for to help me figure out where to begin my readings and what components of a chart to hone in on. I was, however, a little disappointed that the outline referenced a few concepts that Arroyo does not explain in the book. I don't take away any stars, however, because Arroyo does state that his book should only be used as guidelines for those new to chart interpretation, not as an end-all-be-all astrological reference book.

For anyone who has ever been interested in understanding their natal birth chart, this is a great book to have! The author covers every part of the chart in a concise and easy to understand manner, leaving nothing to speculation, yet in a straightforward way.If you are wanting to dissect your birth chart and understand what each section means, then this book makes that possible, for both the novice as well as professional astrologers, this covers what you need to know to understand all the parts of your chart.This book explains the signs, the planets, the houses, the planets in the houses, the Ascendant and Midheaven, even planetary aspects. It's all covered in a compact and easy to understand book that gets straight to the point without any hard to understand wording so prevalent in older astrology books. The author easily demystifies the ideas of astrology for all to understand.

To get five stars there must be content, style and organization - all top notch. The layout is not too sophisticated, Mr Aroyos voice is not my favorite read, but the content is right on. Very few astrology books would get five stars from me.I like the book to be a good read as well as informative. For example - anything by Howard Sasportas, much of Erin Sullivan and Liz Greene, Melanie Reinhardt etc.

Enjoy the contents message.

If you're a "one stop shopping" kind of person, then this book is for you. Everything you need to know about interpreting a chart is included from the usual rising, sun and moon placement to details on elements, aspects, and trines. It is plainly written so the novice will understand. However, if you're advanced, it may be too simple. I'm not an advanced student in astrology, I've always been intimidated by astrology and have stuck to my cards. Recently I wanted to understand more about the subject as it is a component of reading cards. This book may be all I need. If you're new to astrology, or only have a very rudiment understanding, I would highly recommend this book.

It's really difficult to find well written books on subjects like astrology. I was really skeptical and crossed my fingers when I ordered a copy. Turned out to be everything I had hoped it to be. It's very in-depth and well organized so it's easy to follow. Would recommend to anyone interested in learning about astrology and how to interpret their birth chart.