Publications

Book Reviews

The Mountain Astrologer - Mary Plumb's Review in the June/July 2009 issue:

One of the unending pleasures of exploring astrology is the many, many different ways that people investigate astrology and practice it as an art.

In Planets in Play, Laurence Hillman combines the imagery of theater with the planets and stars. The title has a dual meaning herein: Not only is the author describing the planets as characters in the staged drama of one's life, but he also invites the reader to engage the planets through a variety of means that essentially allow one to "play" with the archetypes. He serves as almost a theatrical producer himself, teasing out the nature of the planets in their various garbs and positions on the stage.

You will see the essentially practical and experiential method of his approach in the titles of the chapters, for example: "The Solar Principle — How to Shine Light on What You Want," "The Venusian Principle — How to Delight in the Way You Love," and "The Martial Principle — How to Apply Your Force." Each chapter introduces the reader to one of the planets with sections on their primary and subtler themes. He then describes how that planet may act in excess ("Too Much Moon: The Emotional Wreck" or "Too Much Venus: The Oversexed Come-on") or in deficiency ("Too Little Moon: I Feel Nothing and I Need Nothing" or "Too Little Venus: 'I Hate Everyone,' Said the Spinster"). Hillman then offers a selection of simple and practical tips for getting closer to a particular planet — no complex psychological processes, just directly and immediately playing with the planet. Next, he returns to the planets as characters in a play and sketches each by house ("Where Is Your Mars Acting?") and sign ("How Is Your Mars Clothed?").

Although the motif of seeing the planets as characters on the stage is often used, Hillman is very good at it. He is at home in the imaginal realm and brings metaphor, myth, story, Jungian psychology, and fairy tales to transmit the meanings of the planets. Each chapter leads off with quotes from diverse literary sources that further tap into the archetype at hand.

We use countless means to attempt to follow the words at the entrance to Apollo's shrine at Delphi: "Know Thyself." Astrologers are often motivated by this dictum. We also aim to guide our clients on their path of discovery — supported, of course, by numerous techniques, methods, and a rich history. Laurence Hillman's book facilitates this process in a very direct and accessible way. I think it would be a perfect reference for clients and friends who want to learn more about astrology without engaging in an in-depth study.

If any of you pros are feeling stale or bored or (more likely, perhaps) working hard to integrate a new technique, take a break and read Hillman's delightful book. It is easy to read and may very well give you a new — and more fun — view of yourself.

Dell - Chris Lorenz's review in the November 2007 issue:

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.