Astrological suggestions

May 29, 2008 2:41 PM

Complete neophyte looking for an astrology-related birthday present.

My SO's birthday is coming up next month, and she's a fairly serious astrology student. I don't hold any credence in it myself, but I'd like to get her some fairly interesting and useful (non-beginner level) materials or books. Anyone have any suggestions? I have quite literally no idea what sort of things would be useful. There's tons of books about putting together charts - is there anything more in-depth than that, like an 'Astrologist's Encyclopedia' or something? Diving charts? I've seen computer progs that do similar things, but she's not much of a computer person. Any and all suggestions welcome!

posted by FatherDagon to religion & philosophy (13 comments total)

And yes, I do realize the irony of Dagon not knowing anything about when the stars are right.
posted by FatherDagon at 2:48 PM on May 29, 2008

Probably not the kind of expert-level thing you're after, but on a slightly different tack, is there anything she might like at FreeWill Astrology?
posted by UbuRoivas at 3:01 PM on May 29, 2008

Astrology is so fraught with different schools, divisions of thought, etc. that it might be very difficult for you to find something that she doesn't already have that jibes with her personal views about astrology. Just an example: some people believe in cusps; that you can be both a Leo and a Virgo. Some people do not believe that is possible. There are long, complex arguments in favor of both views. Etc.

I would suggest a gift certificate to a well-regarded occult store/bookstore.
posted by sondrialiac at 3:40 PM on May 29, 2008

You just reminded me that I've been meaning to purchase Aleister Crowley's General Principles of Astrology for some time. While I suspect that it covers much basic information, I've never come across any of his works that I would consider entry-level. And Crowley has such a knack for cutting through bullshit that his work is nearly always fascinating, even for one that is ultimately skeptical (such as myself.)

Then again, many people are still turned off solely by his rather scandalous reputation, so I'm not sure if this is really a very good recommendation. A gift certificate as sondrialiac suggested may be a better gift.
posted by malocchio at 4:37 PM on May 29, 2008

Aw, you didn't give her astrological details, other than saying "next month"... why not give an AskMeFi astrological challenge of sorts and see if anyone can recommend something for her based on her chart? She'd get a huge kick out of that if she's into astrology (and if anyone is interested in taking up the challenge...)

What's her particular interest in astrology? Is there an area she's interested in but can't find good information on the subject? Even if she's an advanced student who has studied for years, there is going to be one area she'd like to learn more about. Horary astrology? Katarchic astrology? Learning the finer points on comparing two charts?
posted by Grrlscout at 11:48 PM on May 29, 2008

Aw, you didn't give her astrological details, other than saying "next month"... why not give an AskMeFi astrological challenge of sorts and see if anyone can recommend something for her based on her chart? She'd get a huge kick out of that if she's into astrology (and if anyone is interested in taking up the challenge...)

Ditto this--how fun!
posted by sondrialiac at 7:44 AM on May 30, 2008

The Crowley book is a good shot - she's really enjoyed other works of his (Book of Lies, Diary of a Drug Fiend, etc.). As far as her chart goes - it was June 14th, 1980, I believe in the Washington DC area... I doubt I could ask for her time of birth and hospital location without tipping her off, though.
posted by FatherDagon at 7:58 AM on May 30, 2008

Well, she's a Gemini, the twins, so I automatically think "earrings". She has a lot of Cancer in her chart (a water sign) so perhaps something like this?

Water earrings I am really tempted to buy these myself.

As a Cancer Moon, she is particularly affected by the moon's movements and phases.

A moon-phase clock. A ring with the phases of the moon

Of course, as a Gemini with a Cancer moon, it would seem that she likes to talk on the phone, email, IM, to all her closest pals, right? If we're getting expensive, a phone with a data plan (I.e. a blackberry, sidekick, I'm a bit out of touch with the specifics of those).
posted by sondrialiac at 8:36 AM on May 30, 2008

Hmm... the ring might be an option, altho she can be picky about jewelry. I ordered the Crowley book, and actually helped her set up a better phone plan a month or three ago - spot on with that prediction!
posted by FatherDagon at 9:36 AM on May 30, 2008

Cool! I hope she enjoys it...I'm looking forward to receiving my own copy, so thanks for the prompting!
posted by malocchio at 12:35 PM on May 30, 2008

As a hippie-dippie astrology person myself, who has a hard time finding enough "nitpicky" (i.e. goes beyond "Aries does this and Taurus does that") books, here's some of my favorites. I don't know what she specializes in, but this should give you options:

Horary:
Horary Astrology, Plain and Simple.

Synastry:
Synastry: Understanding the Astrology of Relationships.
Astrology of Intimacy, Sexuality and Relationship.

Composites:
Composite Charts: The Astrology of Relationships.

Karmic (trying to figure out past lives):
Karmic Astrology: Past Lives, Present Loves.
Past Life Astrology: Use Your Birthchart to Understand Your Karma.

Predictive:
The Art of Predictive Astrology: Forecasting Your Life Events.
Identifying Planetary Triggers: Astrological Techniques for Prediction.
Predictive Astrology: A Practical Guide.

Nodes:
SunShines: The Astrology of Being Happy.
Cosmic Love: Secrets of the Astrology of Intimacy Revealed.
Astrology for the Soul.

Fun stories written by astrologers (note: gonna have to order these online, they're ancient/used/out of print, but really good):
Appointment with Destiny
Destiny Times Six: An Astrologer's Handbook.

If you don't want to get her books, and don't mind spending some cash, this astrological jewelry site looks pretty neat. It turns your natal chart into jewelry.
posted by jenfullmoon at 4:34 PM on May 30, 2008 [1 favorite]

Snap, sondrialiac - those are some great suggestions. For a Gemini with a Cancer moon, I'd give something that plays back to a joke between the two of you as a couple - some kind of silly momento that has meaning between you. Every couple has something like that, but I think it would hit the Gemini fun/communication and Cancer attachment/sentimentality buttons.

Or just have a big dinner party with all her friends and family there and take lots of pictures she can remember it by (or share).

FatherDagon, you have to come back and tell us what you eventually did (and how she liked it). Enquiring minds and all that... :)
posted by Grrlscout at 3:53 AM on June 1, 2008

Well, I picked up the Crowley book (as well as some other things) but never had a chance to give them to her, since she ended up calling off the whole relationship a few days before she was planning on moving out to VA and in with me. Mercury being ascendant and bad for travel, or some such noise, among other things. The stars can kiss my ass.
posted by FatherDagon at 8:18 AM on June 30, 2008