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