The New Instant Astrologer

[staragewiz]

Jim,

The New Instant Astrologer is still atop of my Sidereal book shelf.
I find that the interpretations are still pretty spot on.
Do you still stand by them or do you think they should be revised?

Who is Tom Stanton and what contributions did he make for
The New Instant Astrologer?

thanks,

[Jim Eshelman]

I think TNIA was a decent book for someone barely past 20 and has the weaknesses of someone whose experience of life and its subtleties was still a little narrow.

I think the sign interpretations were the best anyone had done to that time, but we've done far, far better since (the rewrites on this site, which will be in a free e-book perhaps this month). The aspects are solid (but we've done better since). Etc.

Some of the weaknesses besides my own youth: We've had far more opportunity to observe, research, and document sign meanings since then. I've become a much better writer and, in particular, have corrected the (now painful to me to read) sexist English I used. Society has changed so much in over 40 years that discussion of such important things as sex, relationships, the nature of work, particular lines of career and employment, and the implication that bookstores and libraries are in everyone's experience are barely recognizable in today's world.

But... it that's what someone had who was first learning astrology, I wouldn't think they were getting off to too horrible a start.

Tom Stanton was a real estate developer with a keen early interest in astrology. He cofounded the Sidereal School of Astrology with Phyllis Kneip in Hollywood, though Phyllis primarily taught it. He was co-author of an original text for the school called The Instant Astrologer, primarily collated by one of his students from Fagan, Bradley, and Stahl publications as more of a structured set of class notes. Not too long after I moved to LA, we met and he said he wanted to get a new, better version out, Primarily (for both the strengths and weaknesses of this fact) I wrote the whole thing cover to cover. Tom looked it over, gave some suggestions, and gave me full leash. He also financed the manufacturing of the book when The Astro Press agreed to make it happen.

[mikestar13]

NIA was a great work for its time, an along with Interpreting Solar returns, still form a good introduction to Sidereal Astrology in the West. That James has far exceeded them in quality in subsequent works is unsurprising: with continuing learning and practice, we become better teachers.

[staragewiz]

Definitely the best beginner book on Sidereal Astrology.
Very good interpts of the 3 Natal Charts presented.

Looking forward the Jim's eBook as it will no doubt become the standard...for now anyway.

[Jim Eshelman]

You are very kind . I'm hard at work today on the Moon in Capricorn interp (the final rework).

Did you see the new Moon in Aries last week?
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