The Planet Series: 8 Classic Reference Works

Quite a few years ago, Para Research published a series of “cookbooks” that for many astrologers have become instrumental in erecting a horoscope. Published as “The Planet Series”, their original run is now long out of print. However, since some things never go out of style, some have been reprinted by other publishing houses, and several are used as the source material for Astrodienst’s interactive horoscopes. Copies are readily available; out-of-print editions are easily found in used bookshops and from online sellers.

These are not all core books in my personal library, but they are classic texts for anyone pursuing natal work or astrological research. Here is a brief review of each:

» Planets in Aspect: Understanding Your Inner Dynamics (by Robert Pelletier)

• I bought this text after seeing that it was one of the source texts for Astrodienst‘s interactive charts. The text begins with an introduction to major aspects, angles, and orbs. Pelletier is an extremely detail-oriented writer and this volume is packed with great information, organized by aspect and planet. Includes the major aspects, inconjuncts, and angles to the ascendant. I find it invaluable as a basic reference. This was the first volume in the Planet Series.

» Planets in Composite: Analyzing Human Relationships (by Robert Hand)

• Full disclosure: I’m a pretty big Robert Hand fan, because I really mesh with his writing style. His treatment of his subjects is methodical and even-handed, which is a good thing since he often delves into rather technical areas. This book begins with a thorough introduction to the workings of composite charts (including hand calculation, since it was written before widespread computer use) and outlines the conceptual approach to composites as well as the mathematical details, with sample charts. The bulk of the book is cookbook-style, and makes a great reference. Astrodienst has licensed this text for their interactive composite charts.

» Planets in Houses: Experiencing Your Environment (by Robert Pelletier)

• This book was the first that gave me the idea that there was a lot more to the concept of houses than I had originally thought. Another dense work by Robert Pelletier, it describes the nature of each house and the interaction of the planets within them. The real meat of this book, though, is not the commonly referenced planets-in-houses info, but the long, thorough analysis of derivative houses for each planet. I will be studying this book for years.

» Planets in Love: Exploring Your Emotional and Sexual Needs (by John Townley)

• Like so many others, I too cut my astrological teeth on Linda Goodman’s Love Signs, but one cannot live on sun signs alone and so this book is the next logical step. Townley works his way through the major aspects, similar to Pelletier’s Planets in Aspect, but with a focus on how each aspect manifests in the context of love and relationships. I don’t own a print copy of this, but have a working knowledge of it via the Astrodienst license.

» Planets in Signs (by Skye Alexander)

• A basic reference, this text methodically describes the different “flavor” a planet takes within each sign. The author uses the charts of well-known people to illustrate the energies of carious planet/sign combinations. I don’t own a copy, but it is written in a very accessible style and is great for people starting to get further into astrology. Out of print, but easy to find (especially used copies).

» Planets in Synastry: Astrological Patterns of Relationships (by E.W. Neville)

• This is a good book for learning the framework of synastry, and a good reference text. However, the author is a harbinger of doom with many aspects; I feel its descriptions should be taken with a grain of salt. Sometimes unnecessarily negative. I don’t own this book, but spent a lot of time with the Seattle Metaphysical Library‘s copy. Includes quintiles, which is nice.

» Planets in Transit: Life Cycles for Living (by Robert Hand)

• This was the first “serious” astrology book I ever bought; it sat on my bookshelf for a couple years before I really knew what to do with it. It has proven (for me) to be one of “Hand’s Greatest Hits”- I keep it at arm’s reach whenever I do transit work. It includes a thorough analysis of each planet’s transiting aspects to all other planets, as well as the ascendant and midheaven. What really won me over, though, is that

1. it doesn’t leave out rare transits like Pluto conjunct Pluto (which only takes place if Pluto retrogrades soon after one’s birth)
2. the author puts certain outer-planet transits in a timely context, noting that certain transits will occur around a certain age, and that some transits (especially Neptune and Pluto) will mainly be experienced by people born in certain generations because of the nature of the outer orbits.

Whitford Press brought this text out of retirement with an updated, expanded edition in 2002.

» Planets in Youth: Patterns of Early Development (by Robert Hand)

• Another of Hand’s Greatest Hits. I believe this is out of print, but copies are still easy to find. This book opens with analysis of each parent’s role in a person’s development, the influence of planets, and includes case study charts. It goes on to detail each aspect in the manner we’re familiar with, but emphasizes potentials for young personalities, not the more crystallized interpretations of adult charts. The text of this book is licensed to Astrodienst as well.

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