This is the book that changed the way I looked at relationships from an astrological point of view. Stephen Arroyo, a fellow Libra, offers a fair and un-judgmental look at the astrology of relating. He clearly describes how energy moves between people as shown by the charts in synastry. I have used the guidelines he lays out in this book for many years with very consistent results.
The concept I call “intra-aspects” (same planets in aspect from both charts) is one Stephen came up with and these sets of aspects are invaluable in pointing to a major theme in the relationship. There are several examples of how these work in this book. He also demonstrates how he lays out the information from both charts to find these aspects. The software I use will produce a grid making it easy to find the intra-aspects.
Stephen is also one of the few astrologers who don’t make Saturn a “bad” guy and in fact he talks about the frequency Saturn/personal planet aspects by conjunction and square show up in chart comparisons of couples who have been together for years. He refers to Saturn aspects in synastry as stabilizing and my experience concurs with this assessment. Another valuable insight for me in regards to “hard” aspects in synastry is his assessment of individual charts and their tolerance for challenges in relationships. What is overwhelming to one person may be the spice of life to another.
Another concept Stephen discusses in this book is how parallels between two charts work. For example, one person has Sun in Aries and another has Sun conjunct Mars – they tend to relate well because Mars plays a big role in who they are as individuals. When two people have a number of these types of parallels in their charts they will find it easy to understand the other even without many of the classic synastry aspects.
The downside of this book is the way it is written. Most of the material is from a series of lectures he gave and while very informative this makes the presentation uneven and disjointed in places. However, compared to the value of what he offers this is a minor issue! If you are at all interested in the astrology of relationships, this is a must have for your astrology library . . . at least in my opinion. =grin=
The concept I call “intra-aspects” (same planets in aspect from both charts) is one Stephen came up with and these sets of aspects are invaluable in pointing to a major theme in the relationship. There are several examples of how these work in this book. He also demonstrates how he lays out the information from both charts to find these aspects. The software I use will produce a grid making it easy to find the intra-aspects.
Stephen is also one of the few astrologers who don’t make Saturn a “bad” guy and in fact he talks about the frequency Saturn/personal planet aspects by conjunction and square show up in chart comparisons of couples who have been together for years. He refers to Saturn aspects in synastry as stabilizing and my experience concurs with this assessment. Another valuable insight for me in regards to “hard” aspects in synastry is his assessment of individual charts and their tolerance for challenges in relationships. What is overwhelming to one person may be the spice of life to another.
Another concept Stephen discusses in this book is how parallels between two charts work. For example, one person has Sun in Aries and another has Sun conjunct Mars – they tend to relate well because Mars plays a big role in who they are as individuals. When two people have a number of these types of parallels in their charts they will find it easy to understand the other even without many of the classic synastry aspects.
The downside of this book is the way it is written. Most of the material is from a series of lectures he gave and while very informative this makes the presentation uneven and disjointed in places. However, compared to the value of what he offers this is a minor issue! If you are at all interested in the astrology of relationships, this is a must have for your astrology library . . . at least in my opinion. =grin=
15 comments:
Thanks for the informative review Neith!
I absolutely love this book! I don't think I have ever read any other book on astrology that would influence my way of thinking about this discipline as much as this one.
I especially like that it supports very individual approach to compatibility analysis and gives pointers rather than strict rules.
Thanks for the informative review Neith!
Thanks! :-) Libras are good at even-handed . . .
I especially like that it supports very individual approach to compatibility analysis and gives pointers rather than strict rules.
Me too! Stephen Arroyo single-handedly cured me of doing "cookbook" synastry and taught me to look at each chart comparison as very unique. I am planning on getting some of his more recent books too . . . :-)
HI NEITH--Stephen is absolutely one of my NUMBER ONE teachers! I love his books--have every single one of them-- his work reminds me of Steven Forrest, but is as bit easier to grasp first time out--
I also agree that SATURN is not a bad guy! In fact, with so much Mars and Uranus and various oppositions in my chart, the SATURN TRANSITS usually bring me a period of stability, hard work, and reward!
ENJOY!
Stephen is absolutely one of my NUMBER ONE teachers! I love his books--have every single one of them-- his work reminds me of Steven Forrest, but is as bit easier to grasp first time out--
Isn't he!! One of my pet peeves is overly complex explanations. Donna Cunningham is a favorite of mine because she is so easy to understand and presents her information in a clear, easy-to-follow manner.
Sounds like this one could be a mixed blessing for someone who's still a novice. But intriguing nonetheless...
My absolute favorite book! I have re-read this book so many times. I dont usually re-read books again only favorite parts but this book I re-read in full everytime.
This book makes its so much harder to read cookbook style books because like unsual unsuspect said"stephen gives you pointers" and guidelines and allows you to use your own interpretation.
Like you said neith the book itself is not as organised and structured in presentaion and this might be a little frustrating for some readers but I actually liked it that way. Very much like reading a conversation.
Thanks so much for reviewing this book. I just love it.
Im actually reading his most recent book "Person to Person Astrology". I like it but not as much as "Relationships & Life Cycles". It is more structured and organised as he intended and of course still insightful but I just cant help I've got Relationship & Life cycles on a pedestal. For a someone with Libra influences Im totally bias when it comes to Stephen Arroyo.
Sounds like this one could be a mixed blessing for someone who's still a novice. But intriguing nonetheless...
I still recommend getting this book, Joe, because even if the info isn't well organized, it's very easy to read and understand . . . he has a good sense of humor too! :-)
Im actually reading his most recent book "Person to Person Astrology". I like it but not as much as "Relationships & Life Cycles". It is more structured and organised as he intended and of course still insightful but I just cant help I've got Relationship & Life cycles on a pedestal. For a someone with Libra influences Im totally bias when it comes to Stephen Arroyo.
Hi Skye! Do you feel "Person to Person Astrology" offers enough new info to buy? I've been debating between it and John Townley's book on the Composite chart as the next one to get.
I may be prejudiced =smirk= but I feel those with lots of Libra like Stephen are the best at explaining how relationships work. Being good IN relationships is a whole other thing . . . :-D
JOE-- don't worry about the organization of the book-- just read it and read it again-- like a novel, don't try to memorize.. I somehow get the feeling when I read Stephen's books I am just absorbing them into my brain cells and into my chakras somehow, the info settles in, and becomes part of your knowledge base, your brain makes what it need to of the info--hard to describe.. you will get a lot out of his work no matter what level you are with your studies! Have fun!
Goodness, this post and the comments make me want to dig out my copy of this book and re-read it. I have a memory the first time around of being inspired by Stephen Arroyo's enthusiasm and insight.
Thanks Neith. You've reminded me that it's been too long.
Hey neith,
sorry the long time to get back and read comments must be mars rx and now mercury, doh.
Do you feel "Person to Person Astrology" offers enough new info to buy? I've been debating between it and John Townley's book on the Composite chart as the next one to get.
Hmm thats hard, I think you may prefer getting John Towley's Composite book only because Stephen Arroyo's Person to Person Astrology does have much of the same info as the Relationship and Life Cycles (not enough that you learn something new but definitely worth getting at a later date just to have for extra reference) If you have to choose and your already have Relationships & Life Cycles then purchase John Towleys for something new & different.
Oooh and I do love all this relationship talk. Im so glad you have this synasty site as well as your home site. I think this going to fabulous for you finally being able to do astrology more full time as well as lucky for us bloggers. You can never have too many astrologers.
Goodness, this post and the comments make me want to dig out my copy of this book and re-read it. I have a memory the first time around of being inspired by Stephen Arroyo's enthusiasm and insight.
Thanks Neith. You've reminded me that it's been too long.
Excellent!! You will enjoy it! He is one of those I always find a little something new each time around or an great reminder for a perception I'd forgotten.
Hmm thats hard, I think you may prefer getting John Townley Composite book only because Stephen Arroyo's Person to Person Astrology does have much of the same info as the Relationship and Life Cycles (not enough that you learn something new but definitely worth getting at a later date just to have for extra reference) If you have to choose and your already have Relationships & Life Cycles then purchase John Townleys for something new & different.
Thank you very much for the feedback, Skye! I was wondering about that and will get John Townleys's book on composites. I have great respect and appreciation for him as an astrologer too and for some reason, I believe he is a Libra Sun person too. Can't recall where i read that though.
And speaking of blogging, I need to get busy and write a couple of posts for this blog & one for NorthNode Astrology for Elizabeth Spring. She asked me to do a guest post this week . . .
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