How to Be a Great Astrologer:

Book Review
The Planetary Aspects Explained by James Braha

I openly admire astrologer James Braha. Having studied astrology since I was eight years old, I have read several hundred astrology books over these last decades and when you do this, certain things emerge. Some books stand out, and in some cases it's the writer that captures your attention, for good or ill.
I like a variety of astrologer authors for a variety of reasons. I like some writers because they are concise to the point of cutting. Others are funny. Others impress with the sheer breadth of their knowledge, others with their humility, but with all this, I consider James Braha to be in his own class. And the thing that kills me is I am pretty sure a lot of western astrologers are unfamiliar with his books.
They are unfamiliar because Braha identifies himself as a Hindu or Vedic astrologer and I think that might turn the average western astrologer towards another book on the shelf, which is too bad, because odds are it's going to be inferior.
The other problem with these books getting out is the way they're titled. James Braha is not a flashy person. He is not going to write How to Spot A Bastard By His Sun Sign! My impression is that he is a subtle, spiritual man in service. The kind of person who would lay his book on a bench and hope it found its audience.
This is not obvious by the book cover. Take his most excellent offering, How To Be A Great Astrologer. If you see this book on the shelf, what do you think it is? Would it occur to you that it is one of the best books on astrological aspects on the market? Probably not. Would you think that he thinks he is a great astrologer and you should be too? Maybe.
But if read Braha's stuff you'll find this is not what he is up to. He is trying to help astrologers. He writes in total service to astrologers and to astrology and humanity in general.
What he wants is for astrologers to be great! And reading him, it's quickly apparent he means to serve and assist by offering the very best information he has, and the way he does this is magical. Braha has one of those kinds of pens; reading one of his books is like getting a massage! When you put the thing down, you just want to go around again. You want to reschedule. You want to read another book!
Remember, he's a Hindu astrologer, which gives a nuance to his writing. His perspective, while completely accessible to the Western astrologer, does have an exotic but very pleasant flavor. But overwhelmingly it is the heart of the man, and the care he takes with his work, that comes through.
So if you want good, concise information on the aspects (Western astrology) delivered in a way that is simultaneously ethereal and grounded, check out How To Be A Great Astrologer: The Planetary Aspect Explained by James Braha. I don't think you'll be disappointed.