MythAstrology: Exploring Planets & Pantheons

by Raven Kaldera

2005 Coalition of Visionary Resources (COVR) 1st Runner Up in Non-Fiction category!

In ancient times, priests, poets, and astrologers studied the movements of the planets to understand the cycles of life. Mars, Venus, Neptune - the planets themselves are named after gods and goddesses of civilizations past.

MythAstrology is a guide to understanding the expression of planetary energies through the signs of the zodiac. Explore the many myths that you may be living, their lessons, and their rewards and difficulties by discovering your own astrological mythology.

All you need is a copy of your astrological birth chart and this book to form a complete astromythological profile of yourself and your friends and family. Deepen your understanding of ancient myth, modern astrology, and your own psyche.

Genres: Astrology, Mythology, Paganism, Spirituality

456 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

A female-to-male transgendered activist and shaman, Raven Kaldera is a pagan priest, intersex transgender activist, parent, astrologer, musician and homesteader. Kaldera is also the author of "Hermaphrodeities: The Transgender Spirituality Workbook" from XLibris Press. The founder and leader of the Pagan Kingdom of Asphodel and the Asphodel Pagan Choir, Kaldera has been a neo-pagan since the age of 14, when he was converted by a "fam-trad" teen on a date. Since then, he's been through half a dozen traditions, including Gardnerian, Dianic, granola paganism, Umbanda, Heithnir, and the Peasant Tradition. He is currently happily married to artist and eco-experimentalist Bella Kaldera, with whom he co-founded the Institute for Heritage Skills.

Reviews

[Min · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raven Kaldera's astronomy works are written with a clear love, and knowledge of the subject, that pulls in what he's learned, and experienced through his pagan beliefs.
I found this book a great teacher about the myths, the gods, and astrology in a beautiful balance.
If one struggles to find a perspective to interpret a myth to our modern minds, placing them against the astrological framework clarifies several points. The same applies in reverse. An astrological combination can feel baffling, yet, when given a story to illustrate, the principle is discovered.

A few correspondences weren't initially obvious, then, he reveals the tale and associations that make that deity an excellent representation. He admits, there could be several that fit certain archetypes, and one should consider more to discover deeper aspects about the gods, and their stories. We all have our own favorite stories to add, as well.
I liked his suggestion to go through one's natal chart and check which god images the book suggests as exemplars. This proved an interesting exploration for myself. Also, he points out that for devotion, and petition focus can be gained using the relationships outlined such as during a transit, or ritual.

This book is a fitting companion to Pagan Astrology, and Moon Phase Astrology. The combined with a secure foundation is essential astrology, can open many doors of understanding, and worship.

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I attended a workshop with Kaldera on a whim, and his approach as discussed in this book made astrology accessible and interesting to me when nothing else had. Instead of dry personality analysis and pat predictions, he maps each planet-in-sign combination with a character from world mythology whose story embodies something important about that astrological placement. The stories, as multivocal symbols, offer many different ways of relating to the situation. If you can see how one of the stories in your chart resonates with something going on in your life, and if you don't like how that story ends - what can you do to write a different ending?

[Jonathan Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love astrology and/or mythology, as do I then I recommend this book! It's perhaps not one for reading cover-to-cover, unless you've a great deal of time to spare, but as a reference book it's fantastic, both informative and interesting. If you know the position of the planets in your birth chart (reasonbaly easy to find out with a free birth chart online) then you can easily build up your own personal pantheon of gods and goddesses.

[Maria]

I have always been a big believer on magic, on all levels. This book is totally channeled. It is a combination of mythological tales from all areas of the globe and planetary energies thru the signs of the zodiac. You will need a copy of your astrological birth chart. The insight is amazing.

[Lauren]

Love the opportunity to encounter new stories.

[Lizzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

there were some really good points and interesting mental pictures. i enjoyed it.