The Career Astrologer 1 2016 | Page 10

Book Review

By Arlan Wise

The Book of Neptune

By Steven Forrest

He ’ s done it again . Steven Forrest has written another great book . For those of you old enough to remember , the joy when hearing that the Beatles had put out a new album , or that Tom Robbins had written a new novel , or Apple released a new Iphone , it ’ s that same happiness that that there is a new book by this favorite author and teacher . Steven has aced it with The Book of Neptune . He gives us the planet through the eyes of an evolutionary astrologer . Reading this book is a process , more of a transformative experience than a cognitive event .

Steven starts the book teaching us astronomy . This section sets up the main metaphor of the book - Neptune is the window to the transNeptunian planets , which symbolize the world of consciousness , what lies beyond and within .

Neptune is the window through which consciousness peers at the cosmos-and through which the light of the cosmos pours into us . However , With Neptune you have no control over what come in through the window .

A window is both inside and outside of the house . In a similar fashion , Neptune belong both to the known planets and the unknown , newly discovered , and yet to be discovered planets in the Kuiper belt . Once he establishes this image , he tells us in the rest of the book , how to polish this mirror . He states : taking care of our souls boils down to window washing .

He teaches meanings of Neptune in aspect with the planets , Neptune in the houses , and finally Neptune in the signs . Steven uses both popular music and religion to describe how Neptune affects the culture as he moves through the signs . He has a chapter on Neptune in Pisces and speculates on what that may bring .

There is a section on experiencing Neptune by transit and Solar Arcs .

Periods of Neptunian stimulus correspond to periods in which one ’ s consciousness might be becoming more spacious . Most of what is truly important in such a time happens invisibly . It is more centered in the category of “ realization ” and less focused on actual existential events .

He makes the point that Neptune does not evolve you , that he does correspond with a time of evolutionary opportunity , but the work is up to you . Steven gives good suggestions as to how to make the best of such times in your life .

This book is a great help to the counseling astrologer . There is good advice on how to work with clients and Neptune . He is thorough and explains how to impart these ideas about Neptune to those who come for a reading .

Steven Forrest is a great writer and a great teacher . This material is taken from workshops from his Apprenticeship Program . He writes in a dynamic way and it feels as if we are sitting in a classroom with him . From the beginning of his publishing career , his books have been filled with clear meanings for the astrological symbols . As he grows older and ripens , his books reflect the evolution of his consciousness . He is thus able to tell us how to do so ourselves . In The Book of Neptune , he gives us the 21 st century evolutionary description of Neptune . He makes our understanding of Neptune come alive . It is more than the Mercurial meanings found in other books , because he frees us from words and takes our understanding to a new realm .

Steven tells us that Neptune coincides with synchronicity , not coincidence , and my Neptunian self resonated with this book as I read it a few weeks before the Lunar eclipse which fell by degree on my natal Neptune . From now on I will look at Neptune in a client ’ s chart with new depth of understanding . Thank you , Steven , for writing this book .

If you want to enhance your dreams , find your path to higher consciousness , and honor your spiritual life , buy this book .

I give it 5 ++++ stars . R

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The Career

Astrologer OPA ’ s Quarterly Magazine V25-01 MARCH EQUINOX 2016 page 10