My favorite books on astrology with a psychological perspective

Why am I passionate about this?

I was a humanistic psychotherapist first and came to astrology later and loved the way it didn’t pathologize and gave insight into our character and how that affects our destiny. I started to gather the charts of my psychotherapy clients (with their permission of course) and while not using this in their sessions, I was inspired by how they spoke their charts. Much of my understanding of how planetary positions and aspects manifest has been discovered by listening. I love how aspect patterns repeat through the generations within a family and what ramifications this has on the individuals. Who’s carrying the families karma?


I wrote...

Love and Sexuality: An Exploration of Venus and Mars

By Babs Kirby, Janey Stubbs,

Book cover of Love and Sexuality: An Exploration of Venus and Mars

What is my book about?

Would you like to understand your love life better? Do you fall in love with seemingly impossible people? Can you make the transition from being in love to a long-term fulfilling relationship? Then this book is for you.

The planets Venus and Mars represent the principles of love and sexual attraction. Together they describe what we look for and need in our relationships and the kind of people we attract. The more we understand ourselves and others, the more likely we are to form rewarding and satisfying relationships. This book focuses specifically on Venus and Mars and offers psychological insight into our relationship patterns and how various experiences and the people we are drawn to can help us grow and develop.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of The Gods of Change: Pain, Crisis and the Transits of Uranus, Neptune and Pluto

Babs Kirby Why did I love this book?

This book looks in depth at the transits of Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto and the changes the universe is insisting upon.

It is reassuring for those undergoing these periods of transition to understand the meaning behind what may be a time of loss, disorientation, or confusion, and what the new beginnings might resemble once we emerge. One way or another we are being cajoled, or forced into adapting and in the process, discovering new aspects of ourselves. 

By Howard Sasportas,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Gods of Change as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Life isn't always easy. It's impossible to live deeply and not to feel pain or go through times of crisis, breakdown or major disruptive change. Although this is clearly inevitable, what is not always obvious is the crucial role pain and crisis play in the process of growth and evolution. While some people fall apart altogether and never make it through difficult times, many others emerge from conflict and turmoil renewed and transformed, indeed, more fully alive. They 'return' to life with a renewed sense of commitment to a neglected potential, with a renewed sense of what one might call…


Book cover of Saturn: A New Look at an Old Devil

Babs Kirby Why did I love this book?

I bought this book in 1976, when it first came out and it’s now held together with Sellotape.

It offers an in-depth description of Saturn, a much misunderstood and maligned planet, through the signs and houses it occupies in a birth chart and includes a section on aspects as well aspects in synastry. No one else offers as much insight into the Saturnian principle and the painful lessons in life it can describe as Liz Greene. She does this planetary principle justice. 

By Liz Greene,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Saturn as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?


This classic astrology text, revered by beginners and professional astrologers alike, is now available in a Weiser Classics edition.

“The most important single contribution of twentieth-century astrology is that astrology is not a map of one’s fixed destiny but is a potential map of the unfolding of the authentic, higher self.” —Robert Hand, from the foreword

Saturn’s darker persona is recognized universally in myth and fairytale. In this classic astrology text, renowned astrologer and Jungian analyst Liz Greene offers a fresh perspective on how to handle the influence of this much-maligned astrological symbol.

In Saturn, Greene shows us how the…


Book cover of How to handle your T-square

Babs Kirby Why did I love this book?

This is another of my books held together with Sellotape.

A T-square is a particularly challenging aspect pattern within a natal chart and Tracy gives vivid descriptions of a variety of possible manifestations. This book will help us to see the positive and the negative outcomes available to us and potentially take more responsibility for the circumstances that befall us. 

By Tracy Marks,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked How to handle your T-square as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Book by Marks, Tracy


Book cover of Astrological Signs: The Pulse of Life

Babs Kirby Why did I love this book?

It’s hard to pick out my favourite Dane Rudhyar book, but this was the first one of his I read.

His descriptions of the signs of the zodiac are grounded in nature and inspirational. I was blown away by them and went on to read most of his writings. For those wanting to open up their understanding of their sun sign, this is the book to read. 

By Dane Rudhyar,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Astrological Signs as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

An intelligent metaphysical statement of the human experience expressed through the poetry of the zodiac. Free from the annoying fatalistic tone of some astrological writing, Rudhyar's book is all-inclusive, connecting the 12 astrological symbols to seasonal rhythms in a way that is both plausible from a scientific mindset and respectful of religious traditions.


Book cover of Horoscope Symbols

Babs Kirby Why did I love this book?

This is a great, in-depth introduction to the symbolic language of astrology.

Robert Hand covers just about everything in this book, which is aimed at beginner and intermediate students of astrology but stands up well even when you’ve become more fluent in astrology’s rich vocabulary. It’s accessible and profound at the same time. One you can dip into for new understandings indefinitely. 

By Robert Hand,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Horoscope Symbols as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Whether you're a beginning student or a practicing professional, Horoscope Symbols takes you beyond your present conception of astrology into a whole new realm of understanding. Horoscope Symbols takes the beginner beyond cookbook interpretations to genuine insight, beyond superficial keywords to the fundamental principles that underlie astrology, beyond overemphasis on signs to the primacy of planets and angles. Although Hand assumes little prior knowledge of astrology, the more you know, the more you will get out of this book. Hand takes the expert beyond the fatalism of tradition to a deep understanding of the role of personal choice in the…


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Who Will Take Care of Me When I'm Old?: Plan Now to Safeguard Your Health and Happiness in Old Age

By Joy Loverde,

Book cover of Who Will Take Care of Me When I'm Old?: Plan Now to Safeguard Your Health and Happiness in Old Age

Joy Loverde

New book alert!

What is my book about?

Everything you need to know to plan for your own safe, financially secure, healthy, and happy old age.

For those who have no support system in place, the thought of aging without help can be a frightening, isolating prospect. Whether you have friends and family ready and able to help you or not, growing old does not have to be an inevitable decline into helplessness. It is possible to maintain a good quality of life in your later years, but having a plan is essential. Who Will Take Care of Me When I'm Old? Equips readers with everything they need to prepare on their own:

Advice on the tough medical, financial, and housing decisions to come Real solutions to create a support network Questions about aging solo readers don't know to ask Customizable worksheets and checklists that help keep plans on course Guidance on new products, services, technology, and resources

Who Will Take Care of Me When I'm Old?: Plan Now to Safeguard Your Health and Happiness in Old Age

By Joy Loverde,

What is this book about?

For those who have no support system in place, the thought of aging without help can be a frightening, isolating prospect. Whether you have friends and family ready and able to help you or not, growing old does not have to be an inevitable decline into helplessness. It is possible to maintain a good quality of life in your later years, but having a plan is essential. WHO WILL TAKE CARE OF ME WHEN I'M OLD? equips readers with everything they need to prepare on their own:

* Advice on the tough medical, financial, and housing decisions to come
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