This book review is for Born on a Rotten Day: Illuminating and Coping with the Dark Side of the Zodiac by Hazel Dixon-Cooper
There are probably just a handful of books that I refer to often enough that the pages have become tattered, the covers bent and worn… This is one of them. I find excuses to bring it down from the shelf, all too frequently, that I've ended up building a smaller shelf to keep it closer at hand. What makes this book so special?
Well, let's start with the author. Hazel Dixon-Cooper. She is a professional Astrologer, with over 25 years of characterizing folks based on their humble birth charts. She's the author of the best-selling series, of which this book was the first of (The Rotten Day Series), and she is the woman responsible for me recognizing an Aquarius man as the one holding the other piece of my soul.
As the title suggests, or at least, would lead one to assume, the book is written in a sarcastic but informative tone. I will (sadly) admit, that her vocabulary far exceeds my own, and I embarrassingly have to say that I had to look up one too many words! But that is obviously my own issue, and definitely not a complaint.
A friend of mine, years ago, turned me onto this book, after knowing how I felt about Zodiac signs and compatibilities etc. I'm pretty sure I've loved this book more than even (she) could have expected. Every time a friend or family member thinks about a potential mate, I grab this book and review “qualifications,” so to speak. And now, with me progressing in my writing career, I am referring to this book for characteristic inspiration for my countless created cast members.
Ms. Dixon-Cooper skips over any jawing introduction and gets right down to business. She shows each sign as the not so gentle or perfect person, other astrologers would have you believe they are. Then she breaks it down further and gives more understanding of the “rotten” man or the “rotten” woman – what to expect if you love one of them. Also, if you are the “rotten” one, you get to learn about you & the whys to you being you. And then finally she covers briefly, how to deal with the “rotten” one in other relationships, such as a sibling, a boss, a coworker etc. Hazel then ties each section up nicely with a recap of what you should remember, plus a small list of famous “rotten” ones.
As I said earlier, she is responsible for my marriage. My choices, as I understood them, were a Gemini or an Aquarius. Upon reading about both, I decided I could handle crazy – conspiracy thinking – mad scientist versus a double-faced – cheating – Swagga-muffin. 10 years in, and not enough fights to count, on one hand, says I chose right and she led me there.
I haven't picked up and read her other books in the series. Mostly because I feel that everything I need to know, to make an informed decision, or to understand someone better, is already in here. I have many Scorpio women and Virgos in my life (I know, poor me!). These are two VERY contrasting personalities. Me, being the middle lady (the Libra) wants to naturally balance the behaviors and interactions of these folks whenever we all get-together. With Hazel's expert guidance, I've been able to handle them with my perfected Libra-esque diplomacy! This is an excellent resource for would-be astrologers, zodiac curiositors, and of course, writers. Thank you, Ms. Dixon-Cooper, great book! (And yes, I enjoyed making up some words!)