I Don't Believe in Astrology: A Therapist's Guide to the Life-Changing Wisdom of the Stars

by Debra Silverman

Do you ever question if you're fulfilling your purpose in life?
Are you happy with the path you’re on?
Are you being true to yourself?

Perhaps you, like many, are sceptical of astrology. Still, you cannot shake that restless voice of curiosity, wondering whether there's some truth in it. I Don't Believe in Astrology is here to help. Debra Silverman’s expertise will help you silence every doubt and find clarity through her system of the four elements - earth, air, water and fire - and understanding which of these is your core element.

Debra introduces astrology as the medicine for accepting our human nature, its idiosyncrasies and dilemmas. Through an application of both therapy and astrology, this breakthrough guide equips readers with tools that release self-judgement, inner criticism, negativity, and misunderstanding. Learning to accept who you are and to love yourself unconditionally.

Debra teaches you how to step away from the struggle of your ego and see yourself with the calm objectivity of your soul. You will learn how to love what you see — not just your best qualities but everything about you. Most of all, you will cultivate compassion for others. Learn the meaning of the sun, moon, rising, and planetary signs. Using Debra’s method, combining the wisdom of astrology and psychology, you will remember the truth of your soul’s expression, seen through the eyes of self-love.

Genres: Astrology, Nonfiction, Self Help, Spirituality, Psychology, Audiobook, Personal Development

304 pages, Hardcover

Published April 8, 2025

Reviews

[Obsidian]

Please note that I received this book via NetGalley. This did not affect my rating or review.

Honestly, this isn't a bad book, but it wasn't as helpful as I thought it would be. I was intrigued by this being a therapist's guide to astrology, but honestly, some of the things for Aquarius do not apply to me at all. For example, I always laugh at it when someone says oh you are quirky and love technology....I loathe technology and my team of 20 somethings had to bully me into a new IPhone. Just saying. I was hoping this would get into more things that I have experience that my therapist has helped me with, high anxiety, imposter syndrome, etc., I thought that may be tied to astrology in some way that I thought would make this interesting, but it was very light on all of that.

This is pretty much the same thing as most astrology books, date of birth, time of birth, location of birth, find out your sun sign, etc. However, as another reviewer noted, she doesn't tell you how to find some of this which was weird. I think she thought that anyone reading this book would be familiar with astrology and how to find that information. The only reason I know is that I was born on a cusp, so I actually do need to know the time of my birth to figure out which "house" I am in (either Capricorn or Aquarius). Speaking of cusps, I was surprised she didn't talk about that at all.

Some interesting things I wish we had gotten more details on was the 13th sign she mentions, she talks about us being in the Age of Aquarius, but how in 2026 we will see an entire shift with concerns to government/climate etc., but I was confused honestly since so many people disagree about when the Age of Aquarius actually starts and will end. I think next age is supposed to be Capricorn (do not quote me on that) but again that whole section of the book moved pretty quickly through that and I wanted more details.

[Edie]

An excellent introduction to astrology and deep dive into a couple of esoteric astrology topics. I found the explanations and examples engaging and easy to follow. Would recommend this to anyone on an astrology journey - beginners will find Debra Silverman to be a helpful guide and more experienced practitioners will be intrigued by the interesting questions she poses. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the eARC.

Silverman is a popular astrology teacher, I follow her on social media and have participated in online workshops. I might have found the voice in the book a little too breezy if I wasn't already familiar with the author. Instead, I appreciate the excellent job she and her coauthor have done capturing the essence of Silverman's delivery.

While I Don't Believe in Astrology contains a good overview of astrology, it really shines during the in-depth exploration of the rising sign and influence of Saturn. This is also the first time I have delved as deeply into Mercury which I found particularly fascinating. And of course I loved Silverman's no-nonsense yet compassionate way of explaining the strengths and struggles of our shared humanity. I am still not completely sold on the idea that my birth chart accurately reflects my lived experience, but I find a great deal of the information helpful in working towards building communities of care. Understanding differences, respecting differences, figuring out that these individual differences build a stronger whole are difficult lessons for me and I am grateful for teachers like Silverman who take the time to share their experience and insight.

[Sam Lille]

My new Bible. Affirmed a lot of my preexisting feelings about human nature and how astrology helps diagnose behaviors. Another great addition to my library of searching for the truth of why we are here.

[Victoria]

This wasn’t what I was expecting. I thought she would talk more about her experience being a therapist and how she relates astrology to psychotherapy, which was what I was most intrigued by. Instead this is more a basic intro book to astrology, and a way for her to promote her online school. The name dropping was a bit weird too, but she’s a Gemini so.

Also, not to sound like an Aquarius rising, but she totally misunderstands Aquarians.

[Abby]

I think this was different than what I expected. It seemed that maybe this book was going to explain how someone could refer to astrology in psychology, not as an absolute but as a tool for how people learn about and understand themselves, and I was curious about the answer to that. I think how we relate to astrology and how we interpret what it says about us can offer a lot of psychological insight. This author presents astrology as fact, and seems to bring religious faith into the mix as well, which led me to not really appreciate much of what she had to say. I think astrology is a lot of fun, but I also don't really believe in it. Taking the approach of confidently telling a reader that something is real that can't be proven real, meanwhile attributing traits to them that do not track, is not *really* all that effective. It would make more sense to say, "if you're a *this*, you might do, think or feel *this*," but the author more just said "because you are a *this*, it means you do, think or feel *this*."

[Jenna]

Debra Silverman offers a unique lens on astrology, and certainly writes about the characteristics of the signs in a way that’s different from what I’ve read before. I really enjoyed her therapeutic lens and the “real life” advice she offered. She also has a very honest, quirky writing voice that made the book easy to read and fun to engage with. I’m grateful to the publisher for the ARC, and looking forward to buying a physical copy once it’s released — I’m sure I’ll be marking it up and returning to it for reference for years to come!

[Annette]

The purpose of this book is to use the tools of astrology to access your true self.

The author was a sceptic about astrology. She didn’t like the feel of astrological signs to limit her possibilities. However, ones she understood that astrology could help her in understanding her inherent nature, she realized that what she saw as limited now became expanded.

Astrology shows you who you really are. Each sign inherits a struggle, thus, it helps you discover what you are here to learn. Your challenges happen for a reason. It’s an efficient route to self-knowledge.

We’ve been conditioned to think or act certain way, but it doesn’t mean it’s the right way and we’ve been programmed to think it’s the right way.

The author calls the observer as the thirteenth sign. The observer is an important part in any emotionally charged situation. When you feel reactive, pause, and become the observer of the situation. See your behavior from a distance, looking back with objectivity and neutrality.

Most astrology books focus on the outer world. In esoteric astrology, the body represents your soul, listen to your gut reactions. And the rising sign is to help to access the soul, the higher parts of you.

“New Age,” namely the Aquarian Age began when science started supporting metaphysics, which is happening now. Science backs up such things as mystical or supernatural, from quantum physics to string theory to the existence of beings on other planets.

Our humanity is based on fear and greed which is shifting to love and unity.

It was interesting to read that Saturn demands that you change something about your life every seven years. I was aware of taste possibly changing every seven years, but it looks like it’s something we should strive for.

This book gives a good feedback on each zodiac sign, its traits are well-presented. It gives a good understanding about rising sign (which characterizes your soul’s path), the planets and the houses.

This astrology book with esoteric approach is a helpful tool in understanding oneself and others. It is well-explained. It’s an excellent guidebook for self-development.

[Laura]

Part I was a decent into to astrology, and I think provides a good basic framework. In Part II though, she veers into stereotypes and lists many personality “quirks” of each sign until each chapter reads like a caricature of a sign. I couldn’t take it seriously and barely was able to finish this book.

[Murani Reads ✨]

3.5 ⭐️

I really don’t believe in astrology but I’m very curious about it. I think this book explains a lot about the planets and what they mean in which sign. A great beginner intro, I borrowed the audiobook that was read by the author and she did a fantastic job. I will be purchasing this book so I can make notes in it!

[taylor]

What I really liked about each section for the signs was that it went beyond just the Sun, Moon, and Risings. It included Mercury and Saturn which, I feel, are just as important. I do feel that some moments felt overly stereotypical of the signs, but I think the different iterations and "sections" help readers find and discover the nuance especially once you dive into the 12 houses and their influence.

[Taylor CE]

Review of ARC
Ok loved this. If you have an interest in astrology this book is great. Has a lot of information in one place and goes into great detail about how certain signs affect who you are as a person.
I personally love learning about stuff like this. And even if you don’t believe in it but find it interesting this book is packed full of fun info! Def recommend

[vantablack]

This was written by a therapist. Astrology may be fun and generally true in a silly way, for some people, but to rely on it as a credible personality system is absurd. If I had a therapist that used astrology as some sort of prescription, I would demand a refund and get away from them. I genuinely believe that people who rely on astrology to explain themselves and blame their mistakes and actions on their star, sun and moon signs…they are red flags who don’t want to take responsibility for their actions or hurting others. That’s been my consistent experience with those types of girls and women who also turned out to be of the Mean Girl variety of personalities.
I do think astrology can be used as a light hearted resource but not relied on as truth. However, the truth is subjective.

As a side note, I also couldn't stand the narrators voice.

[Sophia]

Convinced more than ever that astrology is real and should be used in therapy.

[Katie]

Spoiler alert: this author does, in fact, very much believe in astrology.

[Zemyntuxx]

Nuostabus astrologijos vadovas, išmokantis apie būstus, planetas, zodiako ženklus! Taip pat galima daug sužinot apie save ir kitus! Rekomenduoju! Lengvai skaitoma, lengvai suprantama ir visiškai įtraukianti! Be to, yra naudingos kitų sričių informacijos, šiek tiek psichologijos konteksto, patarimų ateičiai!

[Tani Caesar]

Just reading this book stretched my goal to be non judgemental prior to investigation. I’m glad I read this, it has a lot of useful reflections

[Kelsey Williams]

3.75

Very interesting, author is very passionate.

[Rosy]

This book was insightful, and I think the idea of having a prescribed personality trait can really help me come to peace with who I am and all my quirks.

I think the downfall of this book for me is the mention of God sprinkled a bit throughout. I personally don’t believe in any religion, which also makes it hard to justify believing in astrology.

I identify so strongly with my sun and rising after reading this, but how true is it all? I think the last chapter is actually for the nonbeliever. It doesn’t matter what your signs are and what that says about you, to be at peace is to see yourself as you are and let it be.

[kaylasbookishlife]

I loved this! The amount of highlights & notes on my kindle is extraordinary lol. This book was so helpful in understanding myself and my purpose. I felt like it was the perfect mix of astrology and therapy all in one. I learned a lot more about Mercury & Saturn which was so interesting. I feel like most astrology books just focus on either one of the sun, moon, and rising signs or all three, but they don't dive into other signs/planets. I also really enjoyed reading about Pluto! My goodness we are in for such a huge shift.

[LemontreeLime]

i actually read this twice. Bought 3 copies gave two to besties. brilliant.

[Cee]

This book really deserves 10 stars!
Yep, this book describes human beings to a T, foibles and all! Ms Silverman certainly tells it like it is-and it’s so refreshing. A little scary but refreshing. This is by far the best explanation of the zodiac traits I’ve ever read.

I have tried many times in the past to figure out what my birth chart meant but every time I just ended up confused. I can’t explain exactly why, but with this book everything immediately clicked. So worth reading! Really, seriously do not pass this book up! You will learn why you are who you are and it’s such a relief!

[AnnaMeansFun]

I think I just expected more from it, both in terms of explaining the nuances of astrology as well as making the connection to psychology.

What we got, was a very basic rundown of what can be found in the birth chart. Good enough to point everything in it, not nearly substantial to be able to read it and draw any significant conclusions.

The second half of the book is just a somewhat stereotypical analysis of all 12 signs and then the last chapter read like a word salad to me.

[Carolyn Hudson]

I wanted to love this but the writing was so bad. So, so bad. Still enjoyed learning a little bit more about birth charts, planet placements, etc but feel like I could just google that??

[Amanda]

I can’t remember how many times I’ve brought up astrology only to hear someone immediately dismiss it as nonsense. Invariably it’s someone who’s never read more than a newspaper horoscope, so of course they don’t believe in it. This mentality is what first drew my attention to I Don’t Believe in Astrology: A Therapist’s Guide to the Life-Changing Wisdom of the Stars by Debra Silverman. I was interested in reading an astrology book that might be more convincing of the power of the planets.

Why I Chose This Book:
Beyond that catchy title, I liked that this book would highlight the crossover between astrology and psychology. If I could go back to school, I would absolutely get a degree in psychology, so I thought this angle would be interesting within the realm of astrology.

I’ve read dozens of astrology books before, so I’m not the target audience of a newcomer to astrology. Even so, I find there’s always something to glean.

What I Liked:
- Finally I kind of understand the houses! As I said, I know quite a bit about astrology, but one thing I’ve never really gotten is how houses work into all of it. I appreciate the chapter devoted to explaining the houses and what they mean for the different signs/planets in your birth chart. I’m still not an expert, but at least I understand the gist of it now!
- New perspective on Saturn. I like how this book points to Saturn as the life lesson you need to learn. For me, with my Saturn in Capricorn and my ongoing longing for career success, it all clicked into place. This was an eye-opening way of looking at an outer planet that I mostly ignored before.
- More holistic approach to astrology. It’s not just your sun, moon, and rising sign! This book emphasizes the Saturn, midheaven, and house placements, which adds so much more dimension to your astrological makeup.
- Esoteric perspective. Debra Silverman’s practice is esoteric in its approach (unlike most popular astrology), which gives this book a fresh perspective on how much weight each planet holds for you. I enjoyed looking at my birth chart in a new way. The author also describes your sun sign as your ego, your rising sign as your soul, and so on. An interesting take!
- Thank you for stating that astrology cannot predict the future. I think this is the thing that makes so many people view astrology as nonsense, and I appreciate how the author explains that astrology predicts energies, not outcomes. We still have freewill to respond to things, and that can depend on where we’re at in life (low road vs. high road, for example).
- Fun, approachable writing style. This book is easy to engage with and is set up in a way that it would be easy to flip to the sections relevant to you. Personally, when I got to part two, I read all about my sun sign (Gemini), then read up on the smaller sections within Taurus (my rising and mercury), Cancer (my moon), and Capricorn (my Saturn). I’ll need to check the birth charts of my husband, son, and so on to read up on them, too!

What Didn’t Work for Me:
- Surface-level about signs. I wanted more insights and greater depth. Though, admittedly, that could make the book quite a bit longer.
- Not enough psychology. Beyond the ego, id, and so on, I was hoping for more of a psychological perspective on things. Maybe what I need is a psychology book with a dash of astrology?
- Probably wouldn’t convince people to believe in astrology? Despite that title and the hinted promise of readers coming away with newfound belief in it, I don’t know that this would make believers of most readers.

Final Thoughts
Overall I enjoyed reading I Don’t Believe in Astrology. I learned a lot about the houses and Saturn, and I appreciated the fresh perspective thanks to psychology and an esoteric approach. It could have gone deeper and been less repetitive (enough about gremlins!), but it still makes for a handy reference for anyone interested in astrology.

Special thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book!

* Please read my full review on my blog, Amanda's Book Corner! *

[The Bookish Narwhal]

Debra Silverman’s "I Don't Believe in Astrology" invites readers to embark on a journey of self-discovery through the lens of astrology. With a unique blend of wisdom, humor, and practical guidance, Silverman offers a fresh perspective on how the ancient practice of astrology can be a powerful tool for understanding ourselves and our place in the world.

The book is structured around Silverman’s personal journey and her experiences as a professional astrologer. She begins by addressing the skepticism that often surrounds astrology, acknowledging that many people view it as a pseudoscience. However, through her engaging storytelling and relatable anecdotes, Silverman effectively demonstrates how astrology can provide valuable insights into our personalities, relationships, and life choices.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is Silverman’s approachable and conversational writing style. She has a knack for making complex astrological concepts accessible and entertaining, breaking down the basics of astrology in a way that is easy to understand for beginners while still offering depth for those with more experience. Her humor and warmth shine through in every chapter, making the book a delightful read from start to finish.

Silverman’s exploration of the twelve astrological signs is both thorough and engaging. She delves into the characteristics and traits associated with each sign, providing practical examples and real-life scenarios that illustrate how these traits manifest in everyday life. Her insights are often surprising and thought-provoking, encouraging readers to reflect on their own behaviors and tendencies. Silverman’s ability to blend psychological understanding with astrological wisdom sets her work apart, offering readers a holistic approach to self-awareness and personal growth.

The book also includes a series of exercises and activities designed to help readers connect with their astrological charts and gain deeper insights into their personalities. These interactive elements add an extra layer of engagement, allowing readers to actively participate in their own journey of self-discovery. Silverman’s emphasis on practical application ensures that the lessons from the book can be integrated into everyday life, making astrology a useful tool for personal development.

Another standout feature of "I Don't Believe in Astrology" is its focus on the four elements (earth 🜃, air 🜁 , fire 🜂, and water 🜄) and how they influence our personalities and behaviors. Silverman explores the strengths and challenges associated with each element, offering guidance on how to balance and harness these energies for personal growth. Her holistic approach encourages readers to embrace all aspects of their nature, fostering a sense of acceptance and empowerment.

Silverman’s personal anecdotes and stories add depth and authenticity to the book. She shares her own experiences with vulnerability and honesty, allowing readers to see how astrology has impacted her life and the lives of her clients. These stories serve as powerful examples of how understanding our astrological charts can lead to greater self-awareness, healthier relationships, and a more fulfilling life.

"I Don't Believe in Astrology" also addresses the common misconceptions and criticisms of astrology. Silverman tackles these topics head-on, providing thoughtful and well-reasoned responses that challenge readers to reconsider their preconceived notions. Her balanced approach ensures that the book appeals to both believers and skeptics alike, encouraging an open-minded exploration of the subject.

This read offers a fresh perspective on the power of astrology. With its engaging writing style, practical insights, and emphasis on personal growth, the book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in exploring the connections between the stars and our inner selves.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Bojana's Library ❤]

If you're looking for a easy book on astrology, something that will simply insert the idea of exploring astrology - this is the book for you.

When you look at the writing, this is not a book that is just defining each aspect. No. The author really goes all in to give her own experience and show examples in her own life and friends. Kinda seems like an autobiographical novel, not something I'd expect to see in an astrology guide.

And although the book really dives into every sign, planet, house, it really threw me off on the last chapter. In it the author analyzes the 13th sign. I'll quote how she explains it:

This is the voice that is often found only after profound longing, or enough crises to drop you to your knees, leading you to seek comfort, praying for help and soul-filled wisdom that softens pain. Yes, the voice of the thirteenth sign is established through hardship. (...)
This has been called by many names in many cultures throughout human history. In ancient China, they call it the Tao; in India, they call it the Atman; in the Jewish Kabbalism, they call it Einsof; in Buddhism, they call it Nirvana. All these words describe something that cannot be described. We are heading toward the realm of the ineffable where words fail.

Some astrologers would disagree (I'm not experienced, I love to analyze this as a hobby), as the other interpretation of this 13th sign is "intelligence, curiosity, independence, charisma, determination" - similar to fire signs and their strong will. The author poses this 13th sign as a sort of feeling of fulfillment, a relaxation, an experience that can't be defined.

[Amy Dee Eidson Clark]

This is a great book for beginners to astrology. It covers, in depth, each zodiac sign, the low road and high roads of this sign, beneficial medicine and meditation for this sign, etc. In the final chapter, she talks about the thirteenth sign, which is a non-linear concept of "home base" for each person where the "ego comes to rest and you stop the efforting - you just are." She brings up the actual 13th zodiac sign, discovered by NASA - Ophiuchus, the serpent bearer - and then writes nothing else about it. I wanted to know more about Ophiuchus!
In the book, Silverman covers elements, modes, the 12 planets, the 12 houses, the Saturn cycle (which is very interesting), rising signs and the Age of Aquarius. What would have been helpful is if she had included HOW to find your rising sign, what house and which planet your sign was in when you were born. When I went to the website she suggested - www.idontbelieveinastrologybook.com - to hopefully find some information on this, the website didn't exist. This may be because this copy is an ARC and the website isn't set up yet, I don't know.
All in all, I enjoyed the read and I did learn more about the Saturn cycles and that Pluto is about to change signs!

[Sara Martin]

I love this book by Debra, before I go into why, I have to note (my Aries rising) that some of these reviews are a bit confusing as they are saying things aren't in the book that most definitely are. For example someone said that it doesn't explain how to access your natal chart, yet she tells you exactly how to get your natal chart by using the free resource of astro.com on page 44. It was also noted that people didn't resonate with their sun sign advice etc, when Debra mentions, multiple times, that you may not resonate with your sun sign due to your other placements. As someone who is new to studying astrology, even though I have been following it for years, I found the book incredibly helpful and refreshing. I love Debra's approach, quick wit, and humour. What I found fun is reading it to the non-believers in my life. Especially the rising signs. My partner was blown away and laughed while being called out. As I am new to astrology, I will be referencing this as an easy to understand guide while I'm learning. There is so much info in one book that breaks down the overly complex topic of astrology into understandable snippets that I can use as a portal into more learning.

[Mara]

Ak by moja práca bola o tom, že môžem klientom odporučiť, aby si cisársky rez naplánovali na to, aby ich dieťa malo ascendent v strelcovi… Asi by som chápala, prečo sa nás ľudia tak boja a myslia si, že sme šarlatáni. Kniha má dobrý štart -Astrológia a psychológia sa môžu v mnohých myšlienkach spájať a s ich prepojením v minulosti koketoval nejeden psychológ. Damn, sama som o tomto robila experiment v škole. Vec sa však má takto- Táto kniha je hrozná, ak sa na ňu pozerám ako psychológ. Okrem pár pekných myšlienok bude výsledkom tejto knihy, že instagramové mamičky predávajúce herbalife budú čítať horoskopy a volať to terapia

ALE!

Ak by som sa na toto pozerala ako na knihu v ezoterickej sekcií, tak by som sa pri jej čítaní zabavila. Lebo nakoniec to nie je zlá kniha a štve ma len to, na čo sa chce hrať. Je vidieť, že autorku téma astrologie baví a že sa jej venuje. Je vtipná, ale ide priamo k veci. Obsahovo to nie je nič, čo by ste nenašli na internete. Tieto veci beriem ako zábavu (a poslednú nádej že ma v živote čaká eurojackpot) a ak to čítate s týmto prístupom, tak si to môžete užiť.

[Emma]

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan audio for early access to this audio book in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5!

I don’t typically gravitate toward “self-help” books, but I Don’t Believe in Astrology pulled me in because of my love for astrology—and I’m so glad it did. I listened to the audiobook version, which I highly recommend, especially because Debra Silverman narrates it herself. Her voice, tone, and delivery bring so much personality and warmth to the experience.

What stood out to me most is that this isn’t about astrology in the stereotypical sense. Debra uses astrology as a tool—a map—for better understanding ourselves. At the heart of the book is the idea that self-awareness and self-compassion are key to quieting the inner critic (or “gremlin,” as she calls it) that so many of us wrestle with.

This book is less about fortune-telling and more about emotional intelligence. It invites you to meet yourself with curiosity, not judgment, and offers a surprisingly grounded, soulful approach to making life a little easier.