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Astrology for Today by Joanna Watters
Published by Carroll & Brown Publishers Ltd.,
London, 2003
Review in - Spirit and Destiny Magazine - October 2003
Reviewed by Maria McCarthy
“If you’re interested in astrology and would like to move from being a beginner to someone who can describe themselves as an astrologer, then this is the book for you. It moves from basic explanations of the symbolism of planets and zodiac signs, to drawing up a horoscope and interpreting the links, or aspects, between the planets. By the end you’ll be up to speed on stelliums, grand trines, t-squares, retrograde planets and loads of other topics usually only known by experienced astrologers yet all made straightforward by Joanna Watters’ simple and direct style.
She emphasizes that the only way to get experience as an astrologer is to work on lots of charts and suggests that you work initially on your own chart as you have an insider’s view on your own life. As she covers predictive techniques such as interpreting transits and progressions, you can also gain insight into what astrological influences will be coming up for you, your family and friends.
In a Nutshell: A real gem and my new top recommendation for beginner astrologers.”
Book Review – by well known astrologer Deborah Houlding
The first level of astrological study is to gain an overview of its elements, philosophy and terminology. Most student astrologers will turn to ‘cookbooks’ which offer a comprehensive and easy to digest reference to the whole subject.
More advanced scholars often treat cookbooks with some degree of disdain. The criticism against them is that their subject matter is broad and therefore necessarily shallow; as a result the subject exploration lacks the profound insight of more specialized tomes which focus upon a particular issue. Whilst that is very often the case, cookbooks remain the most expedient means by which a novice can gain the outlined summary that subsequent analysis requires.
There is most certainly a place for reputable books of this nature. However, astrology has suffered in the past by books of this genre being written to please the eye and entertain the masses rather than support the budding astrologer who will one day want to take their study further. There has been a temptation to present astrology as a simple New Age subject with loose and easy workings, all of which can be tied within the contents of one all encompassing publication, providing we ignore certain contradictions and break away from its traditional philosophy.
The beauty of Astrology For Today is that it fulfils all the essential requirements of a book that aims to teach a complex subject to those with no previous knowledge, whilst remaining a valid source of reference for those that have probed the subject more deeply and are looking towards becoming professional in their craft. It is delightfully presented and richly illustrated – but more than that, the author, Joanna Watters, is a very credible expert astrologer and this shows. She has successfully built up her own international practice after having studied with and later taught for the highly reputable Company of Astrologers. Too many of these books are written by people whose experience is based on a ‘way with words’, rather than the hard experience of working closely with clients and teaching astrology directly to students. On the basis of her experience she anticipates areas of potential confusion and explains them in her text so smoothly that you don’t even realize they exist.
Only an author with a very deep knowledge of their subject matter can write a simple and truly informative introduction. Joanna has managed to do so in a way that leaves no room for contention. She has recognized the need to explore traditional philosophies and introduce ingrained elements that are often ignored in similar works, such as planetary dignities, the nuances of house strength and interpretation and the distinction between traditional and modern aspects. Her commentary is sane, illuminating and authoritative. Joanna introduces astrology, but also acts as a guide to the problems that will confront the reader who sincerely seeks to become proficient. There is nothing in this book that I can disagree with and I was genuinely impressed with the simplicity by which certain intricacies were illuminated and conveyed.
This book is the best introduction to astrology that I have seen so far. It is a perfect book for beginners but will remain valuable for those that pursue the study to expert level. It has great strength in that its definitions are sound and reliable and this continues through to the concluding chapters which introduce advanced predictive techniques and the art of synthesizing charts in relationship issues. The final pages offer Joanna’s practical advice for conducting consultations, offering warnings against problems that can easily occur, and demonstrating typical real-life situations by honest assessments of some of her own case studies.
I have often been asked to recommend a good, introductory book to students and in the past I’ve found it difficult to isolate one book that stands above the crowd and doesn’t leave me wanting to qualify the recommendation with some proviso. Not now. I have no hesitation in recommending this book.
Book Review – Joanna Watters: Astrology for Today
by TV Times Astrologer Sally Kirkman
Astrology for Today is extremely inviting to read. It’s colourful, fun, incredibly insightful and packed full of vital information for the budding and experienced astrologer alike. If I’d have been asked to write a similar book I would have felt daunted by the absolute mass of information that you need to learn and absorb in order to grasp the depth and knowledge that is the world of astrology. The real achievement of Astrology for Today is that it makes learning easy. All the key points and more are there, laid out in a straightforward, easy-to-read fashion.
The book covers all the basics of astrology as well as unravelling the technicalities of timing factors, teaching the student about transits and progressions and how these make sense of what’s happening in our lives today. There are chapters on relationships and astrology in action but the book also brings up the much-pondered question of what astrology’s all about and discusses the fundamental nature of symbolism.
As with Joanna’s first book, Tarot for Today, I went straight to the fascinating real life case studies as it is this hands on approach that makes any subject come to life. She has a wealth of interesting stories which brilliantly illustrate astrology and how it works, always relating her subject material to real life and modern day issues. Not only is she well informed about the nuts-and-bolts of astrology but she also possesses considerable insight into the philosophical questions that astrology raises. And perhaps most importantly, she’s incredibly intuitive when working with clients. For me, that’s why this expertly written book is such a welcome addition to the astrology market and is a must-buy for any student. If you know nothing about astrology, you’ll know plenty by the time you’ve finished this book. And if you’re already an experienced astrologer, Astrology for Today is not only a fascinating refresher course but you’ll learn a whole lot more as well. I just wish this book had been around when I was starting out on the astrologer’s path. Nidri, Lefkas, Greece
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