Eh. I'm pretty sure everything I linked to is legal. I'm under the impression that most of the older works have no valid copyright attached to them anymore...

Bumping this.

Has anyone yet read Helena Avelar and Luis Ribiero's On the Heavenly Spheres?

I had no idea that it had been translated into English, but it has, and I'm still searching for a primer that's absolute-beginner friendly, as opposed to a bridge book from modern astrology.

A lot of folks still have problems with the language of older texts, especially in the beginning, sadly, and that's the critical point. It would be nice if there was something out there that people could learn the basics from without having to unlearn more than half of it to go from modern to traditional.

At this point I usually recommend that people start with James Holden's A History of Horoscopic Astrology, which is a wonderful book, but for obvious reasons it doesn't quite qualify as a primer.

Thanks for the heads-up on Avelar and Ribiero, Olivia. When you say you're still looking for a primer as opposed to a bridge book from modern astrology, do you mean that On the Heavenly Spheres is essentially the latter?

Since I haven't read it yet, I don't know. What I do know is that a lot of people are asking me for a primer that starts with traditional astrology that they can understand.

Even in translation, the 'language barrier' is too much for most folks to get through with original source materials, at least as first books, and I've yet to find anything written in modern English that starts with a traditional basis. Everything I've seen for beginners' books so far goes with the 'alphabetical zodiac' - Aries is Mars is the first house, and so forth.

Right, I see what you mean. Maybe On the Heavenly Spheres will be better, in that regard. I certainly hope so.

I have had a brief look at On the Heavenly Spheres and have ordered a copy by mail order.

It does indeed appear to be a primer in Medieval natal and horary astrology and if it proves to be a good read then one may now study the art without learning modern astrology first and without squinting at pdf facsimiles of Lilly, Dariot and Gadbury.

In view of the interest shown I can always offer my opinion later as to whether it should go on our booklist.

Regards

Matthew

Given that Ptolemy's tetrabiblos is must read and that is the book that
western astrology is largely based on, it would be superflous to speak of its importance. What I want to say is that Ptolemy's book is important
but also perplex. It was very hard to digest and still
some information in that book remains esoteric especially, when
his opinion dissent for others. For example, he explains decan not in terms
of degrees of zodiac but rather in terms of aspect to the luminaries.
This book and any other books written by authors before Morine, needs
some guidance and companion materials whether printed or digital to
digest.. at least that was true for me.

My recommanded reading materials for the begginers would be
start reading contemporary traditional astrologers such as lee lehman,
robert zollar, robert hands, john frawely, deborah holding, benaddet bredy,
etc. Contemporary authors explain difficult concepts and render complex mateirals digestable and eluminating.

To understand tetrabiblos, I relied on Opus Reformatum by John partridge..

Matt, thank you. I'm on a tight budget and it's pricey here, but if it's worth it, I'll definitely grab a copy. So yes - please let us know your thoughts when you've read it!

Junibus, I agree that it's probably best to start with Deb, John Frawley, Lee Lehman, etc., if you already know some astrology.

What I'm looking for is a book for people who don't even know all the signs and planets yet - people who are just now starting out.

Even still, I wouldn't have minded a start from the beginning primer when I was switching over.

Olivia wrote:

What I'm looking for is a book for people who don't even know all the signs and planets yet - people who are just now starting out.

Maybe Joseph Crane Hellenistic Legacy?

http://www.amazon.com/Astrological-Root ... 1902405242

It's a very good introduction and in very simple words, maybe too simple if I should find a bug-but maybe because I read it after Bezza's introduction to Tetrabiblos, who has his peculiar way to write.

Anyway Crane's book is perfect for astrology first aid, I would recommend.

margherita

I didn't think it would be that great for beginners, myself, Margherita. Lots of technique, but not enough explanation to go with it.

Both of Crane's books were kind of like that - it's as if he was trying to fit too much into the allotted space. Maybe it's just me, I'm not sure.

Not to say that they're bad, just not what I'd throw at someone to start.

Frawley's The Real Astrology is wonderful for an overview and a bit of history from then until now, and I definitely recommend it early on, but that one doesn't teach the practical how-to.

Maybe Crane and Frawley read together?

Let's see what Helena and Luis have come up with, as well.

Thanks for the heads-up on Avelar and Ribiero, Olivia

Thanks from me too! I had missed this one. Just ordered it.

I didn't think it would be that great for beginners, myself, Margherita. Lots of technique, but not enough explanation to go with it.

I would agree that Joseph Crane's book: Astrological Roots: The Hellenistic Legacy, is not an ideal beginners book. The large number of techniques discussed is likely to overwhelm many. Although I dont entirely agree there is insufficient discussion of the techniques described. Crane explains all the different techniques with several example charts. The problem is rather that there is no real discusssion of how to combine all the numerous techniques explained as an integrated delineation. Something Crane might consider for a revised second edition if space permits. It comes over rather like an advanced High School textbook at times. Still, for intermediate or more advanced students the book is excellent and pulls together ideas from a variety of hellenistic sources. Despite its limitations its one of my favourite astrology books at present.

Mark