Chrissie Blaze has created a deceptively simple “introduction” to astrological chart reading. Yes, the book covers the basics of chart interpretation and how to work with each factor as an entry point into chart analysis. But Blaze takes us into advanced “seeing” by moving past these individual factors into what I call “the blend” – she teaches us to weave the parts into a greater whole that reflects the creation story written in each birth chart. If you have ever looked at your birth chart and wondered how to make sense of your Venus in Aries AND your Mars in Libra opposing each other, Blaze’s book will help you sort it out! As she points out, all of the elements of the chart combine as if they are playing in a symphony. Parts are harmonious, parts are discordant – and you can teach yourself to make a whole out of all the parts. Blaze’s “five easy steps” are not simple! Each step contains many baby steps that culminate in leap forward. I have studied astrological charts for many years and found her process outline to be clear and quite useful, with each step building to a sense of competence. Suggestions for weaving the many parts together are excellent. Blaze tells us that working with what seem like a bunch of disconnected pieces is like learning a language. We have to learn the vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. Once we practice putting them together, we speak effortlessly! And like getting the “gist” of a language we don’t yet understand, we can work with our first impressions to find a way into the chart. In fact, Blaze starts out in Step 1 by taking us into deep waters – chart shapes! We look at the overall pattern the planets make in the astrological wheel – are they “splashed” all over or in a “bucket” in one part of the chart? The shape tells us something about the overall energetic design of this person’s lifetime. Identifying chart shapes can be tricky, but Blaze wades right in and use our intuition to feel into the chart as life’s destiny blueprint. She asks us to see and to trust what we are seeing. So, in Step 1, we begin reading the chart without any feeling of overwhelm! Blaze is correct – you can stop reading other books and use the great technical information in this one to dig deep into your chart. She addresses all of the key factors – chart shapes, planets, signs, houses, chart angles, elements, modalities, nodes – and more. And you can add to the technical information the ability to weave the multiple factors together into a creation story. There are short descriptions of the signs and the qualities of the Sun and Moon in each sign that you can use as references and an excellent discussion of using the Sun, Moon and Ascendant to identify themes and characteristics in a person’s inner and outer selves. But this is no ordinary cookbook of canned interpretations. Blaze shows us her process of analysis in discussing examples of each factor, which I found invaluable. These discussions are a great reference as reading and re-reading them will teach you to think in “astrological language.” And as with learning a language, you will begin to recognize the energies and metaphor that the symbols convey. Blaze emphasizes fluency, rather than rote memorization, and offers practices that will help you achieve it. At the end of each of the five steps are a “jargon” list and a set of exercises that almost trick you into chart reading without a sense of overwhelm. At the end of Step 1, you are already identifying chart shapes, looking for empty and “full” houses and listing “missing” and predominant elements. Blaze asks you simply to sense how these factors might affect you. You are encouraged to study Sun signs, but not to memorize a list of meanings. She also encourages you to be curious, wide-eyed, to explore and to trust your instincts. It’s a shamanic approach – ask the living energies of the planets how they are working through the houses and signs they occupy! By Step 5, you will know enough to look for themes, using Blaze’s list of interpretation guidelines and working with your findings in the very useful interpretation outline. The outline is a fantastic starting point for looking at your life as a whole through the lens of the chart. Do you want to know about your character and leadership potential? Blaze suggests that you look at placement of the Sun, Saturn, Mars, the Ascendant, what sign and planets are in the first house and how these relate to each other. Blaze will tell you that this is not a hard and fast “rule,” but a good place to start. You will evolve your own way of seeing into these destiny patterns, but these guidelines are a fantastic place to start. I printed them out to use! Learn the “jargon,” use your intuition and work with “the blend,” and you will be reading a chart by the time you finish this book! ~ Susan Rossi, PaganPages.org

Chrissie Blaze has written THE book for anyone interested in learning astrology, and she's done it in a lively and witty style. Reading this is like having your own personal astrology teacher close at hand. It's aimed at beginner astrologers but also offers insights and revelations for experienced astrologers. It's a must have in everyone's metaphysical library. ~ Dr. John Holder, Chairman, Festivals for Mind-Body-Spirit, U.K.

Chrissie's wisdom just pops off the page. Not only does she make astrology accessible, but she shares her experience with the finesse of a born and compassionate teacher. When you cast your first chart, will you find a Splay, See-Saw, Bucket or Bowl? Let Chrissie guide you to interpret the shape of planetary influences to make your chart truly meaningful. Yet again, Chrissie has given readers her distinctive blend of wisdom, humor, bluntness, and discernment. She is the rare how-to writer who knows how to make information accessible to students at all levels. Never oversimplifying, always reaching out and up -- wouldn't you like to read HER astrological chart? And, of course, now you can. ~ Rose Rosetree, Empowered by Empathy: 25 Ways to Fly in Spirit www.roserosetree.com

Chrissie and I have been friends for many years and one common bond has been our love of astrology. Her new book How to Read Your Horoscope in 5 Easy Steps is cool and witty in Chrissie's dry English style. She keeps things simple so anyone can understand their chart but don't be fooled by the simplicity; Chrissie's depth of astrology and her metaphysical knowledge are profound. Like all the best teachers, she can put a complex subject in an easily-understandable way. And she does it with this book. I highly recommend you get a copy. ~ Dave Davies, international rock star, Founding Member \"The Kinks\", International Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, metaphysician. www.detune.tv; www.davedavies.com/www.spiritualplanet.net

This book is like an easy conversation with a friend....where the friend is a learned scientist yet knows the gift of imparting information easily in what seems to be a guided path, allowing the reader to learn while feeling completely at ease. She describes how she became passionate about astrology, which makes the reader feel excited about the topic as well. She makes it seem that anyone, just by reading this book, can easily understand what has so long seemed mysterious and only available to those who studied for many years. For anyone who has ever yearned to master the fundamentals or even intricacies of astrology, this book is a gem. My great appreciation to Chrissie, an amazing and wonderful person and fabulous and gifted author. ~ Nora J. Baladerian, Ph.D., TFTdx, LMFT, Center for Healing of West Los Angeles

Chrissie Blaze is not only an outstanding astrologer with a unique depth and insight into this much misunderstood subject, but also a brilliant communicator who makes this valuable information accessible and engaging - as is demonstrated in this fantastic book." ~ Dr. Richard Lawrence, World teacher/author, “Gods, Guides and Guardian Angels”, www.richardlawrence.co.uk