As I looked around the room at the last Seacoast Astrological Association meeting, I noticed that many in the room were over the age of 40. As President of the organization, it occurred to me that we needed to attract and teach astrology to the younger generations. If they picked up some of the standard text books to learn about astrology, they would yawn. I don’t blame them…but these books were all we had back in the day…did I say that? Yowee. I’m not that old…I’m not that young either…just right, if I do say so myself. Anyway, where was I…oh yeah, Kim’s books.
Kim’s books remind me of the Francis Sakoian – Louis Acker series, only…funny. They wrote The Astrologer’s Handbook
, Predictive Astrology
, and The Astrology of Human Relationships
. I’m waiting for Kim’s Astrology for the Light Side of Relationships to complete her trilogy.
Astrology for the Light Side of the Brain
teaches us the basics about astrology. The book gives a great overview of what an astrological chart is, the planets, the signs, the houses and the aspects. Then there’s a nice cook book section where she describes planets in signs so the reader can start to interpret their own chart. To compare apples to apples, let’s take a look at a Sakoian Acker description of a planet in a sign, then we’ll look at Kim Roger-Gallagher’s description and tell me whose book you would rather learn from:
Moon in Capricorn
Kim: “The Moon in Capricorn was raised on The Work Ethic. She never thinks she’s done enough for her children, possibly because she may not have them until later on in life, but usually more because she felt starved for love herself as a child and feels that even though she wants to give hers all the love she didn’t get, she’s incapable. Contrary to popular opinion, this Moon is not cold—she’s starved for love, and she cried a lot more than anyone will ever see.”
Frances and Louis: "The Moon in the sign of Capricorn indicates a reserved and cautious nature inclined to be cold and austere. Natives with this position take life seriously and identify emotionally with material rather than spiritual values. This is not a favorable Moon position because the Moon is in its detriment in Capricorn."
Thanks a lot Frances! First of all, I don’t like being called a Native. Sounds a little primitive. To call your customers cold, austere natives is downright mean. Kim, on the other hand, gets the fact that her customers are self sufficient working girls who need a little love every now and then. This is one of her heavier descriptions. Most are light and fun to read. My point is, Kim teaches complex concepts with a light touch. Maybe I should have used Moon in Sagittarius to prove my point…but I have Moon in Capricorn, so I get first dibbs on examples…it’s the wild native in me!
In Astrology for the Light Side of the Future
, Kim takes the same approach as Rob Hand’s classic Planets in Transit 
where she gives a description of each transit aspect to a planet in your natal birth chart. Only, Kim is no Rob Hand (although I do know they’re friends)…Kim writes, “Mars/Mars Transits—The Terrible Twos: All of a sudden, we’re stomping around the office, angry for what seems like no apparent reason. We’re feeling like we want to hit something, and we have zero tolerance for lines, busy signals, and people doing 45—okay, 55—in the left hand lane. What’s up with that? Well, check around the chart and see if Mr. Mars isn’t aspecting himself, because those are the symptoms of a Mars/Mars transit.” There’s the Light Side example I needed!
I would say that Planets in Transit
is a little dryer than Astrology for the Light Side of the Future which is great for those who want to take a stab at interpreting astrological charts for the first time. Life and learning should be fun!Unlike the Sakoian Acker books, Kim’s Astrology for the Light Side of the Brain
is missing some cook book natal aspects that I would have liked to have seen, but overall there’s a lot of great stuff in these two books. I didn’t find the humor silly. I found it sophisticated and helpful in learning and remembering a lot of information.I loved both of Kim’s books. I’ve giving them 4 stars but not because Kim has written something new. I’m giving them four stars because she’s written something old in a new way—a way that will cause many people—maybe younger people, to learn and embrace astrology that may not if they had read the old text books. I think Kim's books should be in the astrology section of every book store…if book stores still exist by the time you read this review!
Note: Since the original release date of this book review on Sept. 6, 2011, Kim Rogers Gallagher and her publisher ACS have notified me that she is going to take my suggestion and do a book called Astrology for the Light Side of Relationships.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
R. Ann Rousseau writes about metaphysical, spiritual and astrology topics on her blog Explore Beyond the Usual. She is author of the new novel Portsmouth, A Love Story. If you would like to be notifed when the novel is available for sale, please email us info@explorebeyondtheusual.com
Other Blog Posts by R. Ann Rousseau: One Big Global Blogging Family, Book Review - Psychic Exploration A Challenge for Science, Hay House Radio's New Show SoundWave A Bit Hit!, Do You Believe in Soul Mates, The Future of Astrology, You Always Had the Power- Oprah's Life Class Discussion, Love Doesn't Hurt - Oprah's Life Class Discussion, The Unconditional Love of Animals-Oprah's Life Class Discussion, Your Life is Whispering to You. Pay Attention. Oprah's Life Class Discussion, The Power of a Second Chance: Oprah's Life Class Discussion, Aging : Oprah's Life Class Discussion, Connecting the Dots- Steve Jobs' Stanford Commencement Speech, The Truth Will Set You Free, Discussion of Oprah's Super Soul Sunday Premiere: The World Beyond, A Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom Moment, Breaking Out the Top Shelf Advice for Rough Times, Eat Dessert First -The Art of Extreme Self Care, Queen of the Law of Least Effort-Seven Spiritual Laws of Success Book Review, The Secret of Instant Healing Book Review, Transforming Fate into Destiny Book Review, Awakening the Lightworker Within Book Review, The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane Book Review, Trust Your Gut Book Review, The Spirit Whisperer Book Review, Astrology for the Light Side of the Brain Book Review, My 9/11 Story, How to Be Inspired Book Review, Infinite Quest Book Review, Biology of Belief Book Review, The Morning Breeze Has Secrets to Tell, The Gentle Way II Book Review, Do You Fear or Respect Mother Nature?, You Can Heal Your Life Movie Review, Hereafter Movie Review, North Wind Blowing -Time for a Change, Presence University, Impossible Situations are Great Opportunities, Do You Have Enough?, Moon Tides Soul Passages Book Review, Compromise with the Varmints! Yankee Doodle Discord Book Review, A Wright Brothers Moment! The Sacred Promise Book Review
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