Planets in composite: Analyzing human relationships

by Robert Hand

Robert Hand has written an important reference book that is much needed in the astrological community. Until the appearance of Planets in Composite no astrologer has written a definitive work about human relationships. Why? Perhaps because the customary technique, called synastry, was just too complicated and unreliable.

Instead, Robert Hand used a technique developed in Germany about thirty years ago. After much research and professional experience, he has discovered that the technique not only works, it is easier to use.

Genres: Astrology, Reference, Occult, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Psychology

366 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

Robert Sterling Hand (born December 5, 1942) is an American astrologer, author, translator, and lecturer, who received the Regulus Award for his life's work at the "United Astrology Conference" in Denver in 2008

Reviews

[Fenixbird SandS]

Some examples of comparisons of charts (aka composites) include Carl Jung vs. SigmundFreud. Here is a glimpse, small, perhaps revealing:

(p. 67): 'The Taurus-Scorpio polarity of the composite opposition is especially revealing, because Freud thought Jung unconsciously wished him dead. Jung had had a dream in which he was in an old cellar & found several deeper cellars below that. In the lowest one were heaped bones & other relics. Jung interpreted the dream to mean that he was being shown the layers of the human subconscious. [Sigmund:]Freud, who was already feeling rather insecure about their relationship, felt that it was a sign that Jung subconsciously wished Freud's death.

'The collaboration between the two men came to an end in 1912. During that year URANUS WAS TRANSITING BACK & FORTH ACROSS Jung's ASCENDANT in early Aquarius, an obvious symbol of breaking away to follow his own course. And IN THE COMPOSITE CHART, NEPTUNE TRANSITING THE 8TH HOUSE indicated changes through dissolution or disappearance, in this case of the relationship itself. WITH NEPTUNE SQUARING COMPOSITE SATURN, the father-son relationship was dissolving. Jung's book, "Symbols of Trans-formation," is largely about the will, psychic energy & the symbolism of the hero, but an astrologer can se that it is also a out the symbol- ism of the Sun. Jung, the Leo, was making his break from the father, Freud (Saturn in the fourth)...'

Leave it to the Germans to find a better way...Mr. Hand's Composite has been dedicated to Frank Molinski & the book's forward was written by John Townley.

In his forward, Townley references the sample cases utilized & incorporated by Hand & describe Hand's "Composite," as "..a classic text for the student of astrology." My copy (new to me) is a 1975 copyright, but EXCEPT for Pluto no longer being considered a "true planet," per international conventions, how much has changed in the sky in that past 36 years?! [Don't overlook his prior works, Planets in Transit: LifeCycles for the Living & Horoscope Symbols, especially if you are rather new to the study of astrology. THIS work is not especially for the beginner novice astrologer but is written clearly without too many technical complexities.]

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down the best book on composite chart analysis and synastry I've yet to find.

[Jinsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

the best and one of 2 books on the subject in existence.

[Jasmyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - I haven’t stopped thinking or talking about this book since I read it. It should be required reading. Lots of quotables and highlights.

[Will Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another essential astrological reference point, Robert Hand's work is incredible! Accurate, helpful, & seeking to foster harmony amidst inevitable conflict in human relationships, this book is a beautiful work that I utilize often, maybe not as often as the Planets in Transit book by Hand but when needing another perspective on the energies of a relationship this is the best book I've found thus far & I suspect it'll remain that way :)

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

You cannot go wrong with a book written by Rob Hand.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book, very clear and instructive to the astrology lover interested in relationship analysis.