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Planets In Play - How to Reimagine your Life Through
the Language of Astrology

Most astrology books reveal how to read your character Planets in Play tells how to change it, specifically showing how to embrace zodiac traits that you need more of and diminish those that are harming your life.

The reviews are coming in... Read Chris Lorenz's review in Dell Horoscope from the November 2007 issue.

 

"Convention holds that a father shouldn't recommend a work by his son. May I revision this code by endorsing Laurence Hillman's book for its upbeat insights and down-to-earth truths."

—James Hillman, author of Re-Visioning Psychology and The Soul's Code

"There aren't many books that come along that can still change the breadth and depth of interpreting and explaining astrology. This book can easily do that and is well worth considering."

—Colonel Clarke E. Johnston, USAF Ret. (practicing astrology for thirty-five years)

"Shakespeare taught us that "All the World's a Stage," Laurence Hillman takes it a step further: "All the Universe is a Stage." Through the global language of theatre, Planets in Play gives anyone access to astrology as never before. Mixing ancient wisdom and modern psychology, Hillman intelligently and compassionately explains our  inner gods. I highly recommend this book not only as a delightful way to explore one's inner world, but also as a powerful reference tool."

-- Richard Olivier, Artistic Director, Olivier Mythodrama and author of Inspirational Leadership

"Perhaps you are an entrepreneur, a lawyer, a bartender, a web designer, an engineer, or an astrologer.  Whatever your role, Laurence Hillman’s exuberant new book is sure to reinvigorate and reanimate those parts of your life that have become tarnished with repetition and dullness. In language that is fresh, clear, and direct, Hillman masterfully translates the archetypes and myths that are the foundation of astrology, bringing the wisdom of the heavens to bear on the problems of modern-day life. Read this book. It will draw open the curtain on a vibrant inner theater brimming with magic and inspiration, altering your perspective on life in unexpected and dramatic ways."

-- Pythia Peay, inspirational writer and journalist, author of Soul Sisters: The Five Sacred Qualities of a Woman’s Soul

"In Planets in Play, Laurence Hillman's wonderful ear for the music of the stars, and love for deep places, leads me directly to the river moving through my life."

-- Mark Rylance, Actor and Artistic Director Shakespeare's Globe Theatre London 1996-2005

"This book is a MUST HAVE - an amazing reference tool for anyone practicing psychotherapy. Use it to broaden your vision of the inner world of clients, or to enrich dream work, hypnotherapy, or voice dialogue/empty chair sessions. The fact that it makes astrology accessible and practical is truly a bonus. You will continue to turn to it again and again, as I do both in my personal life and in my psychology practice."

-- Merideth Tomlinson, PhD, Psychotherapist

 

Dell Horoscope:

"Planets in Play" by Laurence Hillman. Many astrologers entered their field through an initial interest in psychology. After realizing that psychology in itself didn't provide any timing for the unfoldment of individual character or any systematic approach to the psyche, those who discovered modern astrology saw their world open up with unlimited potential. Along the way, psychology students inevitably came across James Hillman, one of the foremost psychologists of the twentieth century, especially noted for his archetypal psychology.

And now, in the twenty-first century, James Hillman's son, Laurence Hillman, is a professional astrologer with his first book out: Planets in Play. This father-to-son succession, bridging the study of archetypes to astrology, reveals the natural growth of astrology in our society. James Hillman broke away from his Jungian studies to create innovative archetypal principles, including the idea that the ego itself is an archetype. Laurence Hillman takes this one step further and identifies the Sun as the ego archetype. The material around the Sun, which he describes as the Solar Principle, comprises chapter One. Then, the Lunar Principle is chapter Two, and so on through the pantheon of traditional planets.

Planets in Play is organized around the idea behind William Shakespeare's famous lines: “All-the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players; they have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts.” The many parts that a man plays are the archetypes, as depicted in his horoscope. Some archetypes (planets) are more obvious to the individual than others, and an individual generally identifies with one more than the rest and acts it out. This is what one is "mostly."

The kinds of clothes this actor wears reflect the sign the planet is in. These are the costumes or disguises through which a planet can express itself. The props on the stage describe where the action takes place, and in astrological terms are shown by the planets in the houses. Each chapter gives a brief description of the planet in the twelve signs arid twelve houses, referring to these sections as the planet wearing certain clothes and where it's acting. Hillman describes three ways to identify the most important planets, which are labeled as the Greatest Tension, the Lead Character, and the Invisible Actor.

Laurence Hillman's extraordinary background is evident in the way he presents the material. His keen insights are reflected in a series of quotes from well-known, creative writers and artists, which is how he opens each chapter. Then, the archetype under discussion is portrayed in its various guises through ancient myths, through traditional keywords associated with the planet, and through its expression in modern times. Hillman's sociological education shines through his treatment of the various planets, making this an exceptional introductory book to psychological astrology.

One of Laurence Hillman's innovative approaches to describing planets as archetypes is how he explores when there's too much of an archetype, or too little. Too much Sun is egocentric, pompous, haughty, and ostentatious. Too little Sun has low self-esteem, low vitality, and no personal power. Practical tips follow to get the archetype into a balanced expression. Too much Mercury is portrayed as a smarty-pants or a liar, while too little Mercury feels stupid. Thinking clearly is the antidote to these problem areas. The sections on Venus and Mars are particularly colorful, including practical suggestions for getting these archetypes into balance.

Toward the end of the last century, it was cool for many people to have their own psychological therapist. In the twenty-first century, as Laurence Hillman suggests, those who are growth-oriented will have their own astrologer. It's as natural a progression as James Hillman's psychological archetypes to Laurence Hillman's astrological archetypes.

-- Chris Lorenz, Dell Horoscope, November 2007 Issue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Publisher's Summary (Tarcher/Penguin):

Planets in Play is the first foundational book that lets the reader reimagine his or her inner life through the self-exploratory language of astrology. Author Laurence Hillman reconnects the planets with the character traits given them by the ancients.

Whether one accepts astrology as being "real," its language and concepts can go a long way toward helping us see the archetypes that play on our lives. In observing the strengths, weaknesses, and character traits of each planet and zodiac sign, readers receive a toolbox filled with instruments with which to newly understand their lives.

The reader will then be able to make more conscious choices about how he or she is living out these different aspects. To that end, Hillman provides specific tactics and highly practical ideas of how to expressly nourish or minimize these tendencies through choice of behavior, lifestyle, and personal surroundings. Case examples, stories, and anecdotes run throughout the book to demonstrate and ease this process.

In its appendices, Planets in Play provides a guide in how to get a quality astrological reading, with an emphasis on one's dominant archetypes. In addition, Hillman offers a basic grounding in astrology for those readers, therapists, or counselors who wish to learn how the ancient art works at a psychological level without necessarily committing themselves to its study.