Relationships and Life Cycles: Modern Dimensions of Astrology

Another masterful volume of contemporary astrology by Stephen Arroyo. All his books stand out as being amongst some of the very best astrological literature published in the last 25 years. Early on in the prologue, Arroyo explains his approach with this one: "Sometimes one must concentrate on tuning in on the LIVING nature of ideas by having fun with them, and this can often be more significant for students of astrology than systematic and dry attempts to be deep and meaningful". The majority of "Relationships And Life Cycles" is comprised of workshop transcriptions, much of these being naturally presented in a question and answer format. There are five sections: The Individual's Capacity For Relationship, Techniques Of Chart Comparison, The Use Of The Houses In Chart Comparison, Understanding Transits, Some Thoughts On Astrological Counselling. Numerous astrological perspectives on common everyday relationship experiences are scattered throughout the text. At the same time, all the theoretical basics are covered e.g. the Sun and the Moon, Venus and Mars in the different signs of the zodiac, aspects between the charts of two people (particularly involving the planet of commitment, Saturn). The "Understanding Transits" section could almost be a separate book in itself, there is an excellent few pages here on the journey of Jupiter and Saturn through the different houses of the birth chart. A truly great book.

I saw this in the Astrology Shop in London, after perusing about a half dozen other synastry titles and indeed, the shop owners highly recommended this over any other one. This one clearly stood out. It is an awesome read. Pick this one up. It's so in depth and accurate. Stephen is an excellent writer.

This is from my point of view on of the best Synasrty books ever published. It is of course the work of Stephen Arroyo, from my point of view, the best living humanistic astrologer.Suitable for beginners , it is also a book that more advanced astrololger will enjoy. A part from the usual descriptions of mars and venus placements and general astrological compatibility comments, Arroyo makes a vast number of deep and interesting observations that are much more subtle in nature and that make this book a real gem. For example, he looks in depth at the ability for a person to engage in a relationship at all, from the individual chart. He sees this as the first port of call of the astrologer. Can this individual, with this chart, have the ability for intimacy, committment, sexuality, etc that will allow for a successful relationship to occur?Arroyo looks at the aspects between charts, the elemental compatibility, at the Sun/Moon aspetcts and aspects with the outer planets as well as the nature of transits in synastry. Much of the book is taken from live lectures and there is such a rich exchange of questions and answers that deepen the material as well as bringing it to life with examples from his practice and from the lives of the participants. Excellent fun...One of the things that I really enjoyed was the case study example he examines towards the end of the book. He explains step by step how he approached this case and i learnt so much from this example. I adopted his way of working as part of my relationship astrology and I have been enriched so much by the observation this great living master makes in this book. I just wish i could have been one of those lucky students in the audience!

This book is another example of Stephen Arroyo's expertise & is presented in lecture style, paying some very valuable at- tention to transits as life processes. He & I differ completely on the issue of "reincarnation", believing in heredity & our own past behaviors as "karma" myself, but the insights in this book are designed to help the Astrologer/student learn to form their own insights...to actually Think when interpreting a chart! Invaluable aid as it is, I recommend it highly to those wishing to understand more about synthesis in their interpretations... chart comparisons may be especially useful also. A "relaxed" attitude about difficult transits of the outer planets will put many minds at ease concerning these difficult times we all must face, & this section alone may be worth the price of this book!

After three years of studying astrology intensively, but without a teacher, I have aquired some of vast astrological knowledge. This book is one of those that really put things in a new perspective for me. A great, readable material! I recommend it sincerely.