For those who want high quality buil-in reports or are just beginning to study astrology...
TimePassages is the best buy for astrologers who desire quality built-in reports in their charting software (the Advanced and Standard editions include built-in natal and transit reports). For those beginning to study astrology, At $49.95, the Basic Edition is by far the least expensive quality astrology software on the market. This introductory astrology software provides an interactive view of natal and transit charts. The intuitive interface allows the software to grow with you as you gain astrological skill and knowledge. Instant interpretations when you click anywhere on the chart. The Basic Edition is fully upgradeable to the fuller featured Standard and Advanced Editions
If you choose the more full-featured Standard Edition, you get two report writers included along with it. These two professional level report writers would cost $200-600 from another vendor. Studying reports on friends and family members is a great way to learn. The menu system is well laid-out well to make for easy access.
For those studying Vedic astrology...
If you are new to Vedic Astrology, I recommend getting Käla and some of the audio-video lessons. Käla is simple, less expensive and has more straightforward English in its reports. Vedic astrology is too complex to understand without the aid of a teacher. If you can’t find one locally, I strongly recommend getting the tapes.
If you know Vedic Astrology well, I recommend Parashara’s Light. It has more features than any other Vedic astrology program. If your teacher uses Parashara’s Light, you should get the same software to make it easier for the two of you to communicate.
For those with a Mac...
The choice is easy. If you want the simplest program with the most features per dollar, I recommend Time Passages. If you want the very best in Mac Astrology software, I recommend Io Edition. It is the only Mac program that is exclusively built for the Mac, and it has more features and more report options than any other Macintosh astrology software.
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Richard's Picks for Natal Reports
For those looking for incisive analysis...
Professional Natal Report
By putting all the challenging aspects, a.k.a. 'your core issues', at the top of the report, Astrolabe's Professional Natal Report shocks the reader into realizing that astrology really works even when done by a computer. This is the astrology report I give to skeptical friends.
For those looking to replicate an in-person session...
The Sky Within
Steve Forrest is a writer and it shows. It sounds like he is talking directly to you. The Sky Within is the report to give people who have never had an astrology reading before. It lacks a level of the specificity found in all the other reports because it does not include aspects, but it makes up for it with enchanting writing.
For those looking for the most extensive, detailed report...
Indra
Bob Mulligan has been writing, rewriting and polishing Indra for years. He brings a spiritual evolution perspective to the text – he is always looking to guide you to the next level. Indra is, however, the longest astrology report and requires a commitment from the reader to get its full value.
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Richard's Picks for Compatibility Reports
For those seeking the most comprehensive relationship report...
Kepler Compatibility
The Kepler Compatibility report describes the blending of your temperaments, the major themes and issues in the relationship and what would be the outcome if it became a long term relationship. It draws from more text than any other astrology report. You can even set whether the text should reflect a friendship or romantic relationship.
For those looking for a 'pull no punches' report...
Solar Writer Synastry
Solar Writer Synastry is a shorter report, but the author Stephanie Johnson takes pride in a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach.
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Richard's Picks for Forecast Reports
For those looking for straightforward advice on how to deal with each aspect...
Starlight Solutions
The Starlight Solutions is my favorite forecast report because it focuses on solutions. I believe that great advice on how to make the best of an upcoming transit is more important than an accurate prediction of what will happen. Starlight Solutions puts more focus on how to best deal with transits than any other forecast report. If you are more interested on accuracy of prediction, I recommend Sky log because it is the only one that integrates houses into the report.
For those who appreciate great writing and strong organization...
Sky Log
Transit reports can be long and tedious to read, but Sky Log avoids this by putting the major transits up front, followed by the secondary factors and finally a daily listing. The daily listing includes references to the bigger transits at the top of the report.
Sky Log author Steve Forrest doesn’t fully synthesize the elements of each transit like other forecast reports. Most forecast reports give you one paragraph that specifically describes Saturn square Moon and what to do about it. Sky Log gives more than one paragraph to describe the Saturn function, Moon function, square energy, and the meaning of the houses each planet occupies. You have to do the synthesis, but Steve’s writing is so full of evocative images that it doesn’t feel as if you're being handed puzzle pieces. The advice isn’t as specific as others, but because you do the synthesis from a rich tapestry, you may find the advice more applicable to your situation.
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Richard's Picks for Spiritual Reports
For an authoritative report on karma and remedies for this life...
Edgar Cayce Past Life Report
The Edgar Cayce Past Life report is very exciting because it is so much like a real reading with the great psychic. This report gives very, very specific remedies for this life and how current difficulties are linked to past lives.
For a superbly well-written report on the spiritual aspects of your life...
Karmic Insight
Gina Ronco's Karmic Insight report does a beautiful job of taking an in-depth look at the natal chart from the spiritual perspective. She has a great deal of experience in writing reports and it shows in this gem.
For those seeking a child-oriented natal report...
Optimum*Child
...for its fresh and lively style, and sense that author Gloria Starr is speaking directly to you.
Gloria Starr's clear and concrete suggestions in Optimum*Child – tuned to different developmental stages – clearly come from a wealth of experience as a parent and someone who is particularly attuned to the ways of children.
Child*Star
Child*Star comes in a close second. The text isn't as warm and lively as Optimum*Child, but it is jam-packed full of information. It was written by a Montessori teacher who has had an opportunity to study hundreds of children and their charts on a daily basis.
For those wanting assistance with vocational astrology...
Opportunities
...for its in-depth report based on extensive research.
Author Stephanie Clement has written two books on vocational astrology and her Opportunities report condenses all this into a booklet about you. Her report probes deeply into the specific drives that you must engage to create a fulfilling career.
Richard's Picks for Astrocartography Reports
For those looking for an astrocartography report...
Astro*Carto*Graphy® Explained
...for its in-depth, detailed relocation report.
Astro*Carto*Graphy Explained was written by Jim Lewis, the father of Astro*Carto*Graphy, in a writing style that is poetic and sensitive, while being direct and to the point. It gives very specific advice about what works and does not work well in any location – both permanently and during the current year.
These are my picks. Please consult the User Comments for each program to see what others think. We would love to see your opinions there too.
Richard Smoot
President
AstrologySoftwareShop.com
