Summary
“Astrology for Regular People” makes complex aspects of astrology easy to understand. Colorful illustrations are used to explain how the natal horoscope, signs of the zodiac and houses are derived. Amusing cartoon characters are employed to make the signs, such as Aries, Taurus and Virgo, and planets, such as Mars, Moon and Jupiter, come alive. Mars is portrayed as a football player, Moon as a homemaker and Neptune as a musician and spiritual teacher. Stories or parables are used to help explain the meaning of the planets and signs. Dr. Semkiw approaches astrology with the question of why is astrology so popular in mass consciousness. One conclusion is that astrology represents a wonderful model of personality, which helps us better understand character traits of diverse individuals, regardless of whether the natal horoscope actually determines personality. Another reason is that people are fascinated with predictions, such as are featured in popular horoscope columns, though most people don’t understand how these predictions are made. Most predictions are based on the astrological transits and Dr. Semkiw again uses colorful illustrations to explain what the transits are and how astrological predictions are made. Academic assessment of the transits is being done at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco. A most wonderful aspect of “Astrology for Regular People” is that Dr. Semkiw integrates mystical concepts of Christianity with astrological archetypes. Dr. Semkiw also explains that through an understanding of personality traits as defined by the astrological planets and signs, we can promote self growth, by comprehending the positive and negative qualities of each of these personality traits within us. In the end, whether the reader believes in astrology or not, one will understand astrology and see how the symbols of astrology can enrich one’s life.
About the Author
Walter Semkiw, MD is a board certified physician practicing in San Francisco. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa and with University Honors, subsequently earning his MD at the University of Illinois, Chicago. He trained in psychiatry, then entered Occupational Medicine residency at the University of Illinois where he earned a Masters of Public Health (MPH) degree. On his Occupational Medicine board examination, he scored in the 99th percentile. In addition to “Astrology for Regular People,” Dr. Semkiw has had books on reincarnation published in the US, India and Serbia. He was interviewed on CNN in India and has been featured on numerous radio talk shows, including Coast to Coast. Dr. Semkiw serves on the Board of Directors for IARRT, the Intuition Network and he is the founder of IISIS, an organization dedicated to reincarnation research.
Reviews
Dell Horoscope Magazines, April, 1999
". . . this colorful book presents astrology's basics in a step-by-step format that is both comprehensive and fun. Every page is beautifully illustrated with full-color cartoons. The illustrator . . deserves top honors for . . these clever and enticing depictions of astrology's central archetypes. While astrology's basic building blocks (planets, signs, houses and transits) are patiently constructed, an underlying global perspective or philosophy is carefully interwoven in the narrative. The concept of the Web is introduced to describe what traditionally goes by the name Collective Consciousness. . . All in all . . a wonderful, beautiful and thoughtful presentation."
John Charnay, Whole Life Times, December, 1998
"Astrology for Regular People is the book you've been waiting for. It makes astrology understandable, fun and useful on a day-by-day, week-by-week . . basis. . . it gives the reader user-friendly tools to access astrological information. And today's horoscope reading for you says you probably should obtain a copy soon."
