Future
Signs; How to Make Astrological Predictions, Maria Kay Simms; ACS Publications,
5521 Ruffin Road, San Diego, CA 92123-1314; 1996; 287 pages; paperback,
5 3/8 x 8 3/8 inches; $US14.95; ISBN 0-93512-750-X.
This
book is designed for describing to beginning astrologers how to work with
and interpret transits. The author, Maria Kay Simms, offers a worthy effort.
Maria takes two ideas: astrology, and forecasting with astrology, from
the ground level, up to how to interpret future trends in life through
understanding transits. The first part of her book explains what astrological
forecasting is, how astrology should work with forecasts, what astrological
symbols are, how to read astrological symbols, what an ephemeris is, how
to read and use an ephemeris, where to locate information on an ephemeris
page, etc. Naturally, Maria uses ACS' own fine ephemeris series for her
examples and teachings. After her introduction, which is intended for astrological
beginners, Maria then goes on to provide "cookbook" interpretations of
the various aspects, starting with Pluto and proceeding to the Sun. The
interpretations are purposely presented starting with the slowest moving
to the faster moving planets. Her interpretations of the transits can be
used by astrologers at any level, and are probably the same interpretations
also used in ACS' transit interpreting computer program.
There
are different parts to this book: the introduction to what transits are,
what is forecasting, how to read and use an ephemeris, how to work with
transits, an explanation of aspects, and, cook-book style interpretations
of the meanings of transiting to natal planets. Maria offers a "Quick Reference
Guide" two page tear out sheet for helping readers work with transits.
This tear out sheet, in the back of the book, serves as a guide for determining
aspects of the transiting planets to natal planets. It is well done, simple
to use, and a good tool. In addition Maria discusses a computerized report
which her company, the book's publisher, offers, as a companion to this
book. The book also offers a Glossary of Terms, as an appendix, to further
help the beginner understand astrological terminology.
Maria
divides aspects into three types: conjunction aspects, challenging aspects,
and cooperating aspects, and uses these divisions for her interpretations.
She mentions both major (the traditional) aspects, as well as minor aspects,
like the forty-five degree and the inconjunct series. In this sense the
book is thorough, well planned, and well presented. Maria's examples are
from her own life, and thus the writing and depth of feeling as to how
transits played out in a person's life carry a bit more emotional emphasis
with them than if she had chosen to describe the effects of transits in
the life of a famous person.
This
is a good book for both beginners and intermediate astrologers. It is an
especially good book because it fills a gap in astrological literature,
which is teaching someone how to use and work with transits from an ephemeris.
If you are a reasonably new student to astrology, and interested in learning
how to work with transits, then this book can help teach you much about
this subject.
I especially
liked Maria's chapter on lunations and eclipses. This is a much neglected
area of astrology, and often what is written is not sufficient. While still
retaining a beginner's orientation Maria explains lunations and eclipses,
and how to determine and interpret same, is a straight-forward and interesting
manner.
My
only downside to the book is that I felt that the book is spotty in its
presentations at the lowest beginning levels. That is, Maria will go to
in-depth on how to pronounce words like ephemeris, what the Mars symbol
is and how to read same, where to locate information on the ACS ephemeris
pages, etc., but then interspersed with this are comments which are directed
at intermediate or advanced astrologers. While not necessarily detracting
from a good book, it just leaves me with an impression of being, well,
"spotty." That is, a mixture of ideas and levels all at the same time.
The book is well done overall, and deserves worthy consideration.
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