The Best Beginners’ Astrology Books for Your Shelf
There are so many astrology books and websites out there, not to mention YouTube channels and podcasts, that if you are just starting out, with your chart in your hand, you may be confused by all the options. I’m often asked which books I recommend for beginners. If you want to learn from one of the world’s most respected teachers, authors and speakers, you should really begin with my friend Sue M. Farebrother. Her website is here if you want to buy her bestseller, Astrology Decoded.
Sue is based in London and you’ll often find her at The Astrological Lodge of London, just near Baker Street. She is hugely experienced, both in reading for clients and explaining horoscopes to people who may be encountering their chart for the very first time. She is also a Tarot professional and her new book about Astrology and Tarot will be published in 2019. Do begin your search by looking at Astrology Decoded and any of the international events which have Sue on as a speaker!
Start by Making News Predictions – Use The Book of World Horoscopes!
I am often asked which ‘country’ horoscopes I use to make world news predictions. They all come from the same place, which is The Book of World Horoscopes by Nicholas (Nick) Campion, and you will find the data right across this website. This is a really good place to start learning how astrology works. Check the home page (front page) of my website for the position of the planets in their zodiac signs, at their degrees – the first number you see. When you see anything match the charts for countries like Great Britain, Australia and so on – you can see how the astrology lines up. To the very day. The horoscopes here only show you the planets we knew back in the 20th century. Yet, you can see the broad outlines of a nation’s news headlines by tracking the transits (patterns) made by the big game-changers: Uranus and Pluto.
Buy The Book of World Horoscopes by Nicholas Campion here.
Secrets From a Stargazer’s Notebook by Debbi Kempton-Smith
I remember Debbi cancelling a meeting with me in New York because I had absent-mindedly scheduled it the day after an eclipse. This brilliant astrologer was big on eclipses. Also the charts of The Who – and even The Empire State Building. This book is so great I have two copies, one kept in Britain and the other in Australia.
One of my copies is signed by her and falling apart. It is very precious as Debbi is no longer with us. Her short, chatty descriptions of your Sun, Moon and Rising Signs – and her fantastically useful tables of the transits (patterns) of the big outer planets, and Chiron too, make this a beginner’s best friend. Buy it here.
Decode Your Personal Birth Chart Here
Sue Tompkins is a great teacher and writer, based in Britain. She is hugely experienced and has done a lot of her own original research (as Debbi did) and uses plenty of examples and anecdotes. Look yourself up. Look up the people you know. Fall over in amazement at Sue’s precision accuracy! What I love about this book is that she’s not hedging her bets with vague wording or waffle. She is a crystal-clear writer and that’s why I also have two copies of both these two instant classics. Shown here, The Contemporary Astrologer’s Handbook. Start with this then move up to Aspects in Astrology, which I love.
Looking Up the Planets – From Eclipses to Ceres and Juno 
You still won’t find anything better than Solar Fire software if you want to do your chart properly with all the modern asteroids and other objects, like Neptune’s wife – Salacia. How about Pluto’s wife, Proserpina?
Yet, if you don’t want to invest in software just yet, you can try a look-up book which at least includes Ceres (equal to Pluto since 2006) and Juno (who was Jupiter’s wife). The New American Ephemeris for the 21st Century is a hefty book but it will probably end up going wherever you do! It covers the years 2000 to 2100 so you can look decades into the future to see what patterns will sweep across your chart. This is the Neil F. Michelsen memorial edition (he was the genius behind all these calculations) and although it’s called American – it covers the world. Even if you’re in Mole Creek, Tasmania. Rique Pottenger has done a great thing here. Buy it now.
Using an Astrology Book in Real Time – Ask Me Questions!
One of the ‘real time’ astrology books you can use if you are an absolute beginner is my 2016 horoscope guide. This is 2020 Astrology – Your Five-Year Horoscope Guide which takes you to the year 2020. Thanks to the Comments section on my website, which picks up particular stories and themes in the book, you can grab your chart (if you are a Premium Member) and hit me with a question. As my waiting list is long I can’t promise I will always be able to reply, but you can also look at the discussions going on with others, and learn that way too. I also answer questions on Twitter using this book, when I can. So here you go. An interactive ebook for beginners on the move! The design is by the brilliant Mark Elder. Buy Here
16 Responses
Hello Jessica,
I have a question with predictive astrology.
When a fast moving planet is in a “good” aspect with my natal planet, does the prediction or weather have to happen on the days the planets are aspecting? Or is it just opening up the possibilities from that forward?
Hope that makes sense
Kane
Sure, Kane. You have Juno at 24 Capricorn in your Tenth House of career, unpaid work or university life. You tend to ‘marry’ projects, roles or ambitions. You ‘wed’ yourself to particular organisations, titles, or jobs. When the Sun (which moves fast) goes to 24 Capricorn in January, watch how a spotlight turns on that. It will hold for the day it occurs. Allow 24 hours either side for world time zone differences. You might say that is a good aspect. It’s useful. It shows you exactly what is going on and why it matters. If you have been working hard then there may be admiration or applause for you.
Elizabeth you will be offered amazing options with your existing house or apartment, or perhaps a holiday home, property investment, home exchange, house sitting opportunity or similar. You will see things set up after Christmas Day like pieces in a jigsaw and the puzzle comes together in the most fantastic way in 2019. You may redecorate, renovate or move – for example.
Greetings for the festive season to you and your family Jessica.
2018 was a rollercoaster, 8 more days to go and I can’t wait. Thank you for being there to answer questions, sharing your knowledge made 2018 bearable.
It’s a pleasure. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Thank you Jessica and Merry Christmas. I have instantly picked up some of your recommendations. Back in the 1980’s, I received for Xmas The Only Astrology Book You Will Ever Need, still much treasured. As we approach 2019 I am experiencing optimism after a challenging 2018, and feeling more settled today after some internal tension during yesterdays full moon. Look forward to your future posts.
Thank you. The Full Moon was particularly hard work because of course we also have Saturn, Pluto and the South Node in Capricorn too, at one end of the pattern! Do you know, I have never read that book? I’ll pick it up online, thank you! Merry Christmas.
Happy holiday Jessica and all the best in 2019. Thank you for 2019 horoscope and year ahead 2018 has been most difficult year for me and I am ready for new 2019, but am still aware that is not over until Dog Chinese year is also over in February 2019.
Dear Jessica,
Right now I am in communication with man birthday November 9 1973 and don’t know what this connection may be for me…
Can you please sprinkle some light on this situation. So far what I know he likes animals and has 4 horses 2 dogs and two cats
He also shared with me that he was busy in his life and didn’t have time for personal life up to now and he wish to meet that one and he thinks I may be that one…
He also mentioned that he is dyslexic but also very intelligent…
Also I think something happen with his heart…
Jessica please tell me how am I connected to this man or will I be connected at all.
What are the major influences in 2019 coming my way and should I see this man or not…
Thanks
Merry Christmas. The man born on 9th November 1973 is not a life partner. Do you just want company? He can be a good friend or occasional date. I am sure this is not the answer you wanted to hear, but it will save you a lot of time! He absolutely loves animals, it is true, and finds them easier than people. He also needs company too. But don’t put the cart before the horse, so to speak. There is no ‘one’ for him and what would suit him much better is friendship. You have so many choices with dating in future. Real world is better than Tinder or dating websites. Use Meetups!
Love you Jessica…
Thanks for this feedback…
Rose
Thanks for your best astrology books for beginners recommendations. I would also like to recommend Astrologer David Klugmann’s free and easy free learn astrology online guide to your natal chart , suitable for beginners here:
https://astrologyyard.com/learn-astrology.php
Merry Christmas and happy new year to you and your family Jessica!
Merry Christmas Jessica and many thanks for this list of books. I have two on order and look forward to reading them!
Best Wishes for a soul satisfying 2019 !
Deidre
Happy New Year Jessica
I am looking at apartment living as I want to downsize and also move back to be close to my daughter. You have mentioned this throughout 2018 for Virgo’s! But I am also concerned about my finances and work is causing some instability for me, so I have been negotiating with companies to get me through Christmas etc. I am also about to refinance my mortgage and I am wondering if this will be ok to go ahead with these plans? My emotions have been through the wringer of late and I just want to move on. Also going through my Saturn return and you have pointed out before.
Thanks in advance
The instability with your finances fits exactly with the long cycle of Uranus (chopping and changing) in Aries, in your solar Eighth House of banks, loans, credit cards, mortgages and the rest. I’m sorry about the ups and downs. Uranus leaves Aries in March 2019 when life will calm down considerably. On the pure house/apartment side of things, 2019 is golden. If you need a little luck, ask for it. Find the people who can help you. Even now, if you think about it, there are a lot of ‘right time, right place’ or ‘that’s a coincidence’ feelings taking place. So don’t just ignore them, take them seriously. You’re being given little guide posts there so follow them. A door is firmly open to a bigger and better property situation in January 2019. No doubt about it.
Hi Jessica
I am a bit confused when you mention Aries in my eighth house when using natural house astrology. I am thinking that Aries is my first house and its the planets are the ones that move. Can you give me some advice on this as it is bugging me at the moment.
Thanks
In Natural House system astrology Aries rules your First House – correct. Image and presentation, packaging and profile, name and brand.