Joseph C. Crane, M.A., is an astrologer, psychotherapist and lecturer in Waltham,  Massachusetts near Boston.  Joseph's current focus is on reformulating modern psychological astrology by using methods from astrology's traditions.  In A Practical Guide to Traditional Astrology, Crane writes to modern astrologers about ideas and techniques from the past.  A gifted teacher, he conveys difficult material from the late Hellenistic and medieval periods in a manner that is easy to read and apply to your own charts.  Since1990, Joseph and Dorian Gieseler Greenbaum have been co-directors of the Astrology Institute, providing quality education in modern and  traditional astrology.  This book can be purchased for $14.95 through ARHAT Publications - click here for order form.

    READ:  The Introduction section on-line for a first look at the material.

    "Our first secondary source work, A Practical Guide to Traditional Astrology is a first must read for all astrologers.  Crane is empowered with an understanding of both ancient and modern technique that is difficult to master, and for this deserves much respect."

Robert Hand
ARHAT Publications

        This is a well-written summary of and introduction to the methods of early astrology that have gained renewed attention due to the recent translation work of Rob Hand, Bob Zoller and Robert Schmidt.  While much, though certainly not all, contained here is regular fare for practicing horary astrologers (those of the Lilly school that is), readers who have concentrated only on natal or mundane astrology (the vast majority I suspect) will find Crane's clear explanations are well worth studying.
    Combine this booklet with Neugenbauer's Greek Horoscopes or even Lilly's Christian Astrology and one's whole view of how to astrologize is likely to radically change overnight.
    In varying states of health and public acceptance, astrology has been around now for many millennia.  Today's psychological trend, while obviously containing much of great value, has departed in many important ways from the initial process with which astrology had its long-ago beginnings.  Studying the past does not mean rejection of the present - only a fool would advocate anything of that nature - but knowledge of how matters were originally handled can only add immeasurably to any astrologer's expertise.  Joseph Crane's A Practical Guide to Traditional Astrology provides a very readable setting point to this whole exciting area.

Ken Gillman
Considerations Magazine

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