I’m definitely not a James Bond fan, but I really enjoyed The Astrology of Bond. Why? It’s the astrology! Hollywood astrologer Ra Rishikavi Raghudas has given us lots of charts, with well-drawn interpretations that only someone who’s spent a lifetime practicing astrology can do. And I no longer see many in-depth horoscope portraits elsewhere, making this book valuable indeed.
The Astrology of Bond cover blurb says it’s “suitable even for those with little or no astrological knowledge,” and while there are clear explanations throughout and much of a non-astrological nature, I personally think readers should have the basics to best appreciate the book.
Ra has done a tremendous amount of research and I especially enjoyed reading about the history and back story of the Bond works. We’re treated to the horoscopes of Queen Elizabeth’s astrologer Dr. John Dee, Rudolf Hess (yes, he’s connected), creator Ian Fleming, his mentors, his wife, the American ornithologist whose name was borrowed for the character, the producers, all of the actors who played the title role and more. For film and electional astrology buffs, all of the horoscopes for the movie premieres are included too.
I also found the section on the alchemical myths that relate to the Bond story fascinating, as well as Fleming’s friends in occult circles (and their horoscopes). It’s ironic how such a self-destructive man as Ian Fleming (who died at 56 from a heart attack due to chain smoking, drinking and a generally unhealthy lifestyle) created what became a seemingly indestructible man.
Ra is living in the 21st century, and while James Bond may have been an old-school, misogynistic alpha-male, the writer certainly is not, and also considers the shifting cultural climate and how the series adapted to succeed throughout the years. He also notes the 1962 Solar Eclipse in Aquarius (with seven planets in that sign) and the Uranus-Pluto conjunction of the 1960s as initiating the new social norms that helped the Bond archetype take root.
Ra Rishikavi Raghudas is a seasoned astrologer who brings a depth of experience to his book. He’s a wonderful writer with an easily accessible style, who presents sound, solid astrology while also touching on many tools to use and ways to look at a chart. If you’re an astrologer who’s interested in film or its history, you’ll enjoy this fun and informative book. But if, like me, you crave compelling horoscope interpretations of real people and events, you’ll find much more.
See The Astrology of Bond on Amazon.
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