The primary aim of this book is to explain esoteric or magical astrology in a simple and concise way. The veriest beginner will quickly gain an understanding of their natal horoscope, while those already well-versed in the subject will find here magical and esoteric applications for the art that rarely, if ever, appear in textbooks on astrology. Here is a complete course in astrology covering astrological symbolism, chart interpretation, the dignities of signs, houses and planets, aspects and astrological timing. Esoteric knowledge is revealed concerning the Part of Fortune, the Dragon Stars or Nodes of the Moon, the Egyptian Ka or double, the Holy Guardian Angel and the Evil Genius, Outer Gateways and the use of the natal chart as a Master Key of Life. There is a need to define what we mean by Hermetic Astrology. This is not a history book, or a course based on classical astrology, though the general principles have not been changed. The Hermetic tradition is not something fixed in time, it is a syncretic tradition - in the positive sense - that has been developed by each generation of thinkers and practitioners. The Greek god Hermes, known to the ancient Egyptians as Thoth or Tahuti, and to the Romans as Mercury, is the god of knowledge and magick, words and writing. The hieroglyphs of the stars are the flaming runes of knowledge that were written in the sky aeons before any human hand shaped a rune or cast a bone. Oliver St. John has dedicated his life to the theory and practice of the occult, including related sciences of Tarot, Qabalah, ritual, astrology and divination, and is an acknowledged expert in these fields. He has written more than twenty books on these subjects, of which the most recent are concerned with pure metaphysics. He is the Director of Studies of Ordo Astri, Hermetic Order of the Star and Snake. Born in London, Oliver St. John's background includes training and working with Mary Long, author and student of Dion Fortune, the late Gareth Knight and Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki, co-founder of Servants of the Light Association. He was at one time active in the neo-pagan Fellowship of Isis, enjoying a voluminous correspondence with Olivia Robertson, the co-founder. He is a member of the Typhonian Order since over twenty years, and has contributed articles, including a short story within the Lovecraft genre, to Starfire Journal. He continues to teach students around the world.