Book Review
by Susan Kelly
Astrological
Crosses in Relationships:
Understanding Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable Energies
by Pauline Edward. Published 2002 by Llewellyn Worldwide
The great
paradox of Astrology: this cosmic art/science has been around for at least
4,000 years, yet it never seems to get old. There's always something new
to discover, or a neglected element crying out to be viewed in a new light.
This latter
point was amply and ably brought home to me in reading Montreal astrologer
Pauline Edward's new book Astrological Crosses in Relationships. (Llewellyn
2002). For just when you thought such basic stuff as the crosses has been
adequately covered, it turns out they haven't.
Beginning
students are introduced to the zodiac signs through the elements and crosses.
Volumes have been written about the elements, for they form the bases
for so many branches of metaphysical studies, such as the tarot.
Not so the
crosses, for which no other extensive reference exits. They're also known
as the quadruplicities, qualities or modes if you prefer, and are unique
to astrology. There are three crosses, called cardinal, fixed and mutable,
each containing four signs. And, as Edward sees it, : "By their basic
structure, the crosses represent far more dynamic groups than do the elements."
A respected
astrologer since 1985, Edward has studied the crosses for over 15 years.
(She's also Astrology Montreal's website designer/master and a founding
member who now sits on the executive committee). She traces her fascination
back to an awakening during a lecture given by another Montreal astrologer,
Marc Bériault: "Ever since that moment, I have continued to
study and develop my understanding . . . The crosses were the missing
link."
She goes
on to elaborate on their dynamic nature: "Over the years I began
to recognize the crosses in people's speech patterns, in the style of
their actions, in their methods of self-expression, in the words they
chose to express what was on their minds or in their hearts, in the manner
in which they carried themselves into a room, and in how they related
to others." (P.3)
The results
of these observations is a very cogent outline of the crosses as accessible
for beginners as it is for professional astrologers. Edward presents her
material in a very personable style. From page 1, the reader has the sense
of being able to sit down with a top-notch astrologer who is also a superb
translator of 'astrolgese' into clear, straightforward English.
I am impressed
with not only the extent, but also the quality of the insights and information
in this book. The author certainly nailed my fixed cross issues, such
as: "Although for the most part productive, fixed signs can find
themselves trapped in the immediately perceived reality, and when this
occurs they are unable to be creative and can be inflexible in their attitudes
and actions." (P. 58) The above is just a little too true for this
Leo reviewer!
There are
a wealth of anecdotes to illustrate the crosses and how they play out
in the lives of individuals, without relying too heavily on celebrities,
as do so many astrology books. Real people with real lives are included,
not just such über-successful over-achievers as Bill Gates, Oprah
Winfrey or Martha Stewart. In"The Crosses in Life Experience"
chapter. I especially liked the analogy of decorating a room, and how
each cross would handle and divide tasks. (p. 129)
This book
holds a wealth of insight and information for intermediate to advanced
students of astrology. But it's also accessible to those with only Sun-sign
knowledge. Edward provides every opportunity for them to benefit from
this book, including a table of Sun-signs clearly indicating to which
cross each belongs.
Those wishing
to go beyond the Sun-sign are able to send away for a free chart. Edward
provides pointers on how to determine if one or more of the crosses predominates
in your chart on pages 12-13 (of course, you can always ask your astrologer!).
Beyond setting the tone, the Introduction chapter also provides a mini
astrology course, and lets you know you're dealing with an authority.
Practicing
astrologers will find not only information, but advice directly applicable
in counselling situations. Case in point: the chapter entitled "Mending
Broken Crosses" deals with lack of or over-abundance of a quality,
and provides suggested coping strategies.
I do have
one small cavil with this book, and that is with the title, Astrological
Crosses in Relationships. Were I to come across it cold on a bookstore
shelf, I might assume it was a book about the crosses in synastry. A more
apt title might have been The Astrological Crosses in Relationship - for
as Edward writes ". . . it is the aspects, or relationship of one
sign to another within the same cross that makes up the dynamism."
Astrological
Crosses in Relationships now has a prominent spot on my astrological reference
bookshelf. I will return to it often, in mutable dipping and skipping
for immediately useful knowledge, in a fixed desire to spur greater mastery
and creative approach to my astrology practice, and in a cardinal obsession
with needing and wanting to be in on a very good thing.
____________________________________
Astrological
Crosses in Relationships by Pauline Edward (Astrology Montreal original
founding member and website designer). Llewellyn Worldwide, 2002. 195
pp, paperback. Accessible for beginning students and beyond. Pros will
also benefit. Contact Pauline through this website, or check out www.atimeforsuccess.com.
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