This book will appeal to astrologers who aspire to utilize the horoscope as a therapeutic tool. Its primary focus is on character and pathology as reflected in the birthchart. As a developmental model, it shows how clients can transform hard aspects of childhood into enduring strengths of adulthood. Numerous case histories illuminate the potential of astrology to facilitate the actualization of human potential.

Borrowing from psychodynamic, Jungian, and general systems theories, the foundational ideas of AstroPsychology are thoroughly explained, including intrapsychic conflict, defense, psychopathology, cognitive structure, integration, indeterminism, synchronicity, evolutionary feedback, and a growth oriented, developmental perspective.

The main body of the text explores how motivation is rooted in sign-drives that are experienced as distinct feeling states. Heightened activation of specific drives occurs during developmental stages that are implicit in the zodiac. Planetary placements by sign, house, and aspect provide information about how these stages will be experienced and whether potential problems, or complexes, could result. Pathogenic beliefs resulting from developmental trauma can be indicated by hard aspects, which symbolize both the origins of psychopathology and its possible consequences.

Although the astrological chart depicts psychic structure, the psyche is intrinsically dynamic and constantly evolving within the framework of that structure. Character is not fixed, but malleable, molded by choices freely made. Fate reflects the unfoldment of character while also acting as a spur to its further development.

For book review, see Claire James Review: Depth Analysis of the Natal Chart