How long have you been studying astrology? If you've been practicing for a year and don't feel comfortable reading an actual horoscope, then this is the book you need to read! You'll learn to "reason astrologically" and discover how to put the planets and the aspects together. You'll learn how to figure out the meaning of Venus aspects, or your fixed T-square, or that upcoming Mars transit to your Moon. Rather than encouraging you to learn by rote, Donna Cunningham gives you a structured approach so you can let the astrological symbolism flow through you and out to your client.<P>Cunningham teaches a minimalist style of reading a chart as the best way to start. You'll discover which technique you want to use, and how to let go of the many techniques you may want to play with later. This "unclutters" the chart so you can begin to really see what's there. You'll learn what you need to know to be able to talk for that first hour with your client. Remember, there is a lot that can be said about a horoscope — so much material is hidden in the circle that you could spend hours and weeks discovering it all. While this may be a lifelong interest for you, you need to talk sensibly without overwhelming the client, and after you've read this book, you'll be able to just that!

Astrology has no dearth of information about the myriad facets of the astrological chart and bewildering array of techniques used to interpret them, but students saturated with details still struggle to put the pieces together. Backed by nearly 30 years of observing humanity through the lens of the horoscope, Donna Cunningham lays out a workable system for reading charts in this latest of her twelve published volumes. It isn't a cookbook, but more of a driver's manual, as she offers her unique spin on the favorite question asked of conference speakers: How do you interpret a chart? Here, Donna teaches the reader to zero in on the most important features of the chart and transits and to synthesize the apparent contradictions. The book offers fresh and often pungent insights into planetary types, missing or weak features, and other facets of the horoscope that shape our character and actions. Donna pays particular attention to the role of aspects, which she believes are the key to understanding not only the birth chart, but also transits and chart comparison.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [195]-196) and index.