Book Review: Decoding the Stars by Allison Scott

 

Title: Decoding the Stars

Author: Allison Scott
Genre: Astrology - Divination - Spirituality
Publisher: Wellfleet Press - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: January 3, 2023
ISBN: 9781577153290
Read: January 4, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: Find harmony between your self and the cosmos. In Decoding the Stars, examine the details of your birth chart and discover your soul’s true purpose through astrology. 

Astrological archetypes are highly fluid and subjective in nature and your personal relationship with them can change over time. While we may look to our zodiac signs to help us navigate our relationships, career, finances, and family matters, astrology can also help us align the personality and the soul. 

You may have already learned how to interpret the external influences through astrology—the paths your life may take, who you will make friends with and love. Now’s the time to find what’s inside you. This guide will help you understand your desires, skills, and unique talents and guide you toward identifying your purpose and motivation. 

With this book, you will awaken self-knowledge and awareness of your larger spiritual planetary influences. The more self-aware you become, the greater your possibility of finding inner peace and happiness. With a walk through your birth chart, reflective questions, and writing prompts, Decoding the Stars will help you to better understand your creative spirit and bring your life’s purpose to light.

Review: Decoding the Stars is an in-depth guide to discovering what makes you...you. Even though the book isn't as lengthy as some on the subject of astrology, Allison Scott packs a lot of information into 240 pages.

The reading is quick, especially because Scott has a conversational tone to her writing, so the reading is more like having a conversation with a knowledgable friend. However, the self-reflection isn't as quick or as easy, and in all honesty, it shouldn't be, which is one aspect of Decoding the Stars I especially liked. I've read plenty of astrology books that tell you how to interpret a birth chart, but not so many that have encouraged true self-reflection or given the option to work with what resonates and then leave other aspects alone. 

Many of the books I've read have given an "all or nothing" presentation to the zodiac and the aspects of each sign--meaning, either accept everything about a sign even if it doesn't truly fit you as an individual or continue to feel as though something is missing. Scott doesn't offer a hardline black and white view but rather shades of gray. For example, as someone who has a Sagittarius Sun Sign, Capricorn Moon Sign, and Aquarius Rising Sign, I haven't always felt 100% in line with everything surrounding my Sun Sign. Thanks to Decoding the Stars, I now have a better understanding of why I've felt this way as well as a better understanding of not only who I am as an individual but why I'm drawn to some of the interests and hobbies I've had. 

Overall, Allison Scott has produced a solid and unique book for anyone interested in astrology, especially from a personal point of view. The charts are detailed and make for easy reference. The illustrations compliment the writing. Decoding the Stars is a great addition to the growing field of astrology books available today.

Book Review: The Karmic Birthday Book by Amy Zerner & Monte Farber

Title: The Karmic Birthday Book

Author: Amy Zerner & Monte Farber
Genre: Astrology - Divination
Publisher: Fair Winds Press - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: January 3, 2023
Read: December 20, 2022
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: Drawing on their enchanted psychic abilities, renowned psychics Amy Zerner and Monte Farber present a fun and easy way to use birth dates to gain insight into our true selves. 

For each birthday, Zerner and Farber have included five perceptive entries: 

• PERSONALITY identifies, evaluates, and helps you understand the true nature of a person through the patterns revealed in their birth date. 
• DESTINY is like a castle being built, stone by stone—it is where the person is heading in this life. 
• LIFE PATH is how one achieves destiny, including the lessons they must learn so they can then help and teach others. 
• KARMIC LESSONS are what are encountered on the journey along one’s life path. 
• SECRETS offer insights designed to help readers discover hidden talents and character traits based on the day they were born. 

Each birthday includes a profound quote with special meaning for those born on that day, as well as a list of famous people who share the birthday and space to add significant people in the your own life who have that birthday. This engaging and interactive guide will prove enjoyable, informative, and useful as you navigate your relationships and tune into your true self. 

The Karmic Birthday Book will unlock the secret of your birth date and guide you along your true life path, teaching you a karmic lesson and opening the door to your destiny.

Review: The Karmic Birthday Book covers all 366 days in a year--including February 29, Leap Day. Each day is giving its own dedicated page with information regarding personality, destiny, life path, karmic lessons, and secrets to help each individual along their path. Each day also includes a short list of celebrities who share the birthday as well as a place to record the names of family or friends born on that day. There's also a quote that sort of summaries or resonates with the energy of the day. The illustrations are vibrant and definitely lend a mystical feel to the book. While interesting, the information provided is fairly general. It's obvious the authors pulled inspiration from astrology and other sources to present the entries. However, to gain a fully developed picture other sources of astrology should be consulted. Anyone interested astrology will find The Karmic Birthday Book handy as a place to record birthdays as well as discovering some insights into specific days.

Book Review: The Magic of Astrology by Jessica Allen

 

Title: The Magic of Astrology

Author: Jessica Allen
Genre: Astrology - Divination
Publisher: Driven - Copyright 2022
Publication Date: November 29, 2022
Read: December 10, 2022
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: Find your place in the stars with this fun and accessible guide to the 12 signs of the zodiac. 

Are you spontaneous and impulsive, or do you like to look before you leap? Are you constantly full to the brim with big ideas, or do you prefer to tackle your goals and dreams one at a time? Learning about your astrological sign can help you find out what energizes and challenges you, how you relate to different signs, and how to get to know not only yourself but also your friends and family better. 

• Organized by the 12 zodiac signs, each chapter covers everything you need to know about how astrology relates to you. 
• Beautiful illustrations and helpful charts throughout feature each sign’s classic and lesser-known traits, tips on travel and décor, communication style, health and wellness, and beyond. 
• Fun bonus material includes a sun sign yearbook page, a zodiac compatibility matrix, lists of famous duos and their zodiac signs, and career ideas for each sign.

Review: I've reviewed several astrology books in the past couple of months, and The Magic of Astrology is one of the better books I've read. It's not a long or difficult read (only 176 pages) but is packed with lots of useful information. Unlike some authors, Allen doesn't spend time explaining how to create or interpret a birth chart, and instead focuses on the individual zodiac signs. Each sign is provided with information on ruling planet, compatibility with other signs, health, careers, and a lot more. Handy charts make it easy to reference and cross-reference everything Allen packs into these pages. If you're looking for a quick-reference guide to the zodiac, this is the book for you.

Book Review: Astrology Magick by Lindsay Squire

Title: Astrology Magick

Author: Lindsay Squire
Genre: Astrology - Divination
Publisher: Leaping Hare Press - Copyright 2022
Publication Date: November 8, 2022
Read: December 7, 2022
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: Astrology is a powerful tool for tuning into and better understanding yourself and others around you. Aligning your actions with the patterns and signs of the stars can bring you comfort and control in the 21st century, and empower you to really reflect on your present and future actions, and live your happiest life. 

Whether you're new to witchcraft OR astrology, discover how to use simple witchcraft and astrology to boost your wellbeing, find self-love and acceptance, and harness the power of the stars and universe in your life as well as your craft. 

Beautifully illustrated by Viki Lester, of @forensicsandflowers, this visually enchanting book will help you reconnect with the astrological bodies, rebalance your energies, and find spiritual meaning in the universe. 

Learn about: 

• How to incorporate astrology into your witchcraft practice 
• The different types of astrology (predictive, natal, karmic, and synastic) 
• The 12 zodiac signs, 9 planets, and 12 astrological houses 
• Your sun, moon, and rising sign 
• How to calculate and read your birth chart 
• What retrograde means and how to survive (and thrive!) when mercury is in retrograde 
• Astrology and its relationship to the moon 
• How to use astrology as part of your magickal and self-care practice

Review: Lindsay Squire makes astrology accessible to all in Astrology Magick. Whether you're new to the practice or an experienced follower of the stars, this book takes the complex subject of astrology and breaks it down into easily digestible chunks. Handy diagrams and a conversational writing style add to the book's overall quality. The illustrations by Viki Lester are beautiful and enhance Squire's information. 

Each chapter covers a different aspect of astrology--everything from creating a birth chart to how the placement of planets on the chart affect an individual's personality, outlook on life, relationships, and more. Also included are suggestions for tarot readings based on the different zodiac signs. Astrology Magick, regardless of whether or not you practice Wicca/Witchcraft, is by far one of the best resources I've found on the subject, and certainly one of the most approachable.

Book Review: Moon Energy for Beginners by Simone Butler

Title: Moon Energy for Beginners

Author: Simone Butler
Genre: Spirituality - Astrology
Publisher: New Shoe Press - Copyright 2022
Publication Date: October 11, 2022
Read: November 8, 2022
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: Awaken, heal, and manifest your goals by connecting with the sacred feminine powers of the Moon 

The Moon, which waxes and wanes in predictable cycles, is the symbol and path for finding empowerment and strength in the cycles of birth, growth, death, and renewal. Moon Energy for Beginners, adapted from Simone Butler’s Moon Power, shows you how to honor the primal feminine powers—intuition, emotion, sexuality, creation, communion with nature—as they have been in the past by connecting spiritually with the Moon as you learn how to read and act on the lunar astrological signs and cycles. 

This empowering book explores: 

*The history of Moon worship and introduction to the phases—This accessible guide provides a basic history of ancient Moon worship, a simple introduction to the Moon phases, and the meanings of New and Full Moons. 

*The 12 Moon signs—You’ll find details on working with each sign as the Moon passes through it, a goddess and power animal for each Moon sign, and activities and rituals for connecting with their energy during certain Moon phases. 

*Recognition and development of your lunar nature—Even if you are completely new to harnessing lunar energy, you will learn how, through reflection, ritual, and purposeful action, you can connect to your emotional nature and inner spirit more deeply. 

Moon Energy for Beginners offers a simple path to reuniting with your inner Goddess in ways that deeply satisfy your soul. 

Review: There are many books on the market that deal with the subject of drawing on the moon for energy, inspiration, and magic. So what makes Simone Butler's any different from all these others? Simply, the book is concise, easy to read, and doesn't overly complicate the subject matter nor does it attempt to shoehorn the subject into a specific spiritual path. Butler approaches moon energy from an astrological standpoint and keeps things simple so that anyone--beginner, intermediate, or experienced--can incorporate her information into their path, whatever it may be. 

Special terms and concepts are highlighted in the text in call-out boxes that give more detail where it's needed. Butler's explanation of terms like "Super Moon," "Blood Moon," and the differences between lunar and solar eclipses are detailed and yet easily understood. She offers simple rituals and exercises to tune into lunar energies and how these may be used to enhance daily life. The fact that she's able to do all this without referring to an overarching path and stick to an astrological basis is undoubtedly the most helpful aspect of the book.

The reader is prompted to visit two separate websites to learn their own moon sign and moon phase at the time of their birth. (I found this really helpful as I was able to determine my moon sign to be Capricorn with a moon phase of waxing crescent. Something I didn't know until I read this book.) Once the reader has determined both, the book is divided into individual moon signs and each has helpful information such as lunar superpower, lunar shadow, sexual nature, karmic path, and moon qualities. I especially enjoyed reading about the moon women, or ancient goddesses, associated with each moon sign. Also included with the goddess information is sections about animals sacred to that goddess, how to set up an altar, and both full and new moon rituals. Activities and inspiration round out the individual moon signs. 

Overall, Moon Energy for Beginners is a great resource for anyone interested in astrology, lunar goddesses, and working with moon energy. It certainly has found a home on my bookshelf.