Planetary Strength - a commentary on Morinus is an intermediate level textbook on natal horoscope interpretation. Taking as its point of departure Astrologia Gallica by Jean Baptiste Morin de Villefranche (1583 - 1656), Planetary Strength explains the differences between the strengths conferred upon planets by virtue of their sign placements (celestial state), house placements (terrestrial state) and aspects (aspectual state). The strength factors of retrogradation / station, synodic phase, and conjunction with fixed stars are also explained and interpreted.  A detailed system of keywords is augmented by insightful "cookbook" interpretations for each and every planetary combination. The depth and quality of the analysis - as well as the hundreds of practical examples and tips - make Planetary Strength an essential reference work which both neophyte and experienced practitioners will consult every time they read a horoscope. "The book is beautifully written. With Makransky, whether you agree or disagree is not the issue - you will always get a good read. It is clear. He has done his homework. He makes the genius of Morinus accessable to English speakers. He shows us how to 'think astrologically'." - Joseph Polansky, Diamond Fire Magazine >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> "In this book, Bob Makransky brings a refreshing look onthe medieval principles propagated by Morin (Morinus) de Villefranche in his Astrologia Gallica . Makransky's delineations are often spot onand a very welcome addition to reading and interpreting the translatedtexts. We have found this book invaluableto reading natal charts. The author describes methods that are forgotten fortoo long. His contribution to analyzinga horoscope is remarkable. For the firsttime in the astrological literature, you will find reliable delineations ofstationary planets, well-placed or "afflicted" planets, angularplanets, unaspected planets and the Ascendant rulerships, among others." - astrological-compatibility-advice.com "This is certainly an interesting addition to reading and interpreting the translations of Morinus' original work. It is detailed and considered, and the author's knowledge and experience are evident throughout." - Helen Stokes, AA Journal "Bob Makransky systematizes considerations of planetary strength and aspect. He looks at 'celestial state', 'terrestrial state', and 'aspectual state' as indicators of planetary strength but they have different roles. Makransky turns around our standard use of keywords, replacing many worn-out ones (e.g. "intense", "nurturing") with others that are novel and challenging. In this way he creates his own kind of verbal algebra to discuss planets. Underlying his astrology is a view of human limitation and possibility — a stoic point of view, it seems — that bears serious consideration." - Joseph Crane, The Astrology Institute ""What's fascinating about Planetary Strength is that the author is using his own prose to describe the planets' conditions. In the introduction, he advises readers to study Morinus, but clearly Makransky's efforts are the better source. ... Try them in practice and compare these interpretations to what you might otherwise think about a planet. It may just sharpen your ability to make accurate statements about character, a person's history, and even to make predictions. And what more do you ask of astrology?" - Chris Lorenz, Dell Horoscope magazine "Presenting a mixture of discussion, detailed cookbook offerings and chart examples as well as keywords and tables, this fascinating book also addresses the fixed stars. ... This fascinating book assumes a fair knowledge of astrology as well as some experience in preparing charts." - Margaret Gray, ISAR "This is a book that every beginner as well as advanced student of astrology would do well to possess. The author is extremely perceptive in his descriptions of the planets ... this book would be a helpful aid to the researcher, as it would point him in the right direction." - Wanda Sellar, Correlation There is probably no term in astrology so fundamental and so vague as "strength" - that this or that criterion (ruler/exaltation; angular; conjunct a fixed star) makes a planet "strong".  Many systems of analysis, such as the Vedic Shad Bala and the Church of Light's astrodynes, have been promulgated to precisely measure the strength of each planet, or to identify the "dominant" planet(s) in a horoscope.  But nowhere is the term "strength" defined in such a manner as to provide an inkling of what the devil it is that we are trying to measure here.   One way of looking at "strength" is as a species of conservation of energy: angular planets, well-aspected planets, and essentially dignified planets show energy that is conserved and deployed economically; whereas cadent, afflicted, and essentially debilitated planets show wasted energy - more energy being spent than is necessary. This definition of "strength" is a measure of effec