A Handbook for the Humanistic Astrologer

Before purchasing this book, I had been studying and practicing humanistic astrology for two years.Rudhyar's work is spread across many different bodies of work, some of which are out of print, which can be a barrier in trying to really understand humanistic astrology. For this reason alone, I do commend Michael Meyer for his work. The fact that he clearly understood this himself and decided to compile *some* of humanistic astrology's principles into one book is awesome. This book can be used as a sort of "one stop shop" for understanding the planets, aspects, and houses as they are interpreted in humanistic astro.However, for a first time introduction into HA I wouldn't necessarily recommend this. Meyer unfortunately does not take the time to go into Rudhyar's core principles of involution, devolution, and evolution in terms of the cycles of spirit and matter. For one to really grasp HA, these principles must be introduced. Additionally, as much as Meyer says in the beginning that he doesn't utilize the cookbook method of explaining, he actually really does. This I feel was a lost. There is so much within this "handbook" that needs to be explained with context. So, unfortunately, the author does miss the mark here. I feel that, if I didn't understand already the context of humanistic astrology, that I would be confused. He takes too much time explaining different aspects of astrology that are not specific to HA when that effort could have been spent on the latter.That said, it will live on my bookshelf for years to come.

I bought this book in the early 1970s when it first came out. I was also studying the works of Dane Rudhyar. I share the same slight reservations which Rudhyar expressed. However, the book is a real gem and a truly excellent handbook clarifying what for many are obscure issues. Whilst the forward-looking techniques treated in this book are still far from being included within mainstream astrology, yet they are nevertheless crucial to a very necessary deepening and broadening of this ancient art if it is to have a meaningful future. Humanistic astrology was a term coined by Dane Rudhyar to embrace his human-centered astrology - as opposed to event-oriented astrology - and also his cyclical approach which stems from that most archetypal of relationships the solunar cycle. This is an advance which many astrologers ape yet few have penetrated to the depths of understanding as had their unacknowledged mentor Rudhyar. This insight gained from the appreciation of Cyclicity in Life revolutionises our approach to the astrological aspects placing them within either the involutionary or evolutionary hemisphere. Advances in philosophy and psychology form the backbone of such an approach alongside the desire to move beyond 'cookbook' formulas and to view the chart-as-a-whole and find the key to the soul within. The book is based upon the deeply insightful pioneering work of Dane Rudhyar and Marc Edmund Jones yet, whilst the original works of these great masters are often experienced as being opaque - through the unique prose of each writer/thinker's style - in this book Michael Meyer assists us in applying this great body of extended techniques to our understanding and unveiling of the unique mandala of each individual horoscope. I am more than glad that it is justifiably in print again and am equally pleased that my well-thumbed original copy won't have to see me through the rest of my lifetime's study and application of this great science of the mysteries. Buy it. You won't get many chances like this one to provide you with an ongoing future in your enjoyment of this beautiful key to the Universe.

I have been looking for a glossary to help me figure out the spiritual reading I got. I already owned this book (late 70’s) but had been unable to reference without an index. It was now, after a passing of time, available in Kindle which opened it up to me for searching. Hunting for something I already owned and needed but it was too cumbersome to use without Kindle as a search mechanism. My interest is more soul astrology or esoteric and Michael Meyer‘S choice of Dane Rudhyar is in line with my purpose.

Excellent book full of the best information, it’s older but it’s the best instruction manual out there. This and other books by this author are very, very informative.

Thorough and the author offers good explanation. Can utilize information immediately and the author links one set of ideas to another in that he combines the psychological motivations in correlation to the astrological information.

An interesting approach to astrology--perhaps alittle too complicaagain that male perspective.

I think this is an important book for those who are thinking about studying Dane Rudhyar's philosophy. The author exposes the subjects in a clear, synthetic and organized way. So if you're a beginner this is a needful book on your library.

I have had the paperback of this book for a long time and when it was available as an ebook was perfect to have it on my computer, so I could access it , when away from my in home library. It was one of the books that helped me understand the layers and deeper meanings of the astrological chart. It is well organized,comprensive and easy to understand, and I would definitely recommend it to a begining student of astrology. This book is a 'go back to' source of information.

A must read for every one interested in astrology. I am not sure if we can completely remove the prediction part from astrology. Needs more study.

Just the usual stuff . Fancy title but like weight .