SunShines: The Astrology of Being Happy

This man is a genius. The only horoscope I read is Michael Lutin in Vanity Fair. Every single month, without fail, it makes my jaw drop. Truly scary. I have read his other books, all great but this one is the best. I just happened to read about it in Vanity Fair the day before I was going on vacation and I had to one-day ship! So wonderfully insightful but funny, funny, funny at the same time. It was better than any novel I've read in a long time. I actually had a personal reading with Michael in New York two years ago and I still regularly think about things he said to me. I wish I could see him for fifty minutes every week instead of my shrink.

michael lutin is brilliant. i teach astrology and all my students must have this book. It's smply one of the best books for novices and know-it-alls alike. Right now i'm gong to sit down, have a cup of Maxwell House coffee, and have his advice to me engraved on my forehead - a number 8 1945 Gemini, "Stop spending money." this i will do after buying this book, two pair of Christian Laboutin shoes ~ and one pair of Marnies. KT

Sun Shines: The Astrology of Being Happy By Michael Lutin © 2007 NY: Simon & Schuster, A Fireside Book 480 pages In this book, Michael Lutin poses the question: What is happiness? In answering, helooks at the Sun signs of the zodiac. He focuses on the power of the Sun, the star that is the center of our planetary system. He looks at where true happiness lies for a person born under each Sun sign, what throws him/her off, and what gets him/her back on track. While initially appearing like a number of other books on astrology, with a cookbook format through the zodiac, its deeper focus promises more: to bring each reader to a greater ability to fulfill destiny, thus to be happy at last. There are some basic assumptions in this theory, specifically that the most of us are not happy, not living our destiny, not living to our fullest potential. If you know Michael Lutin's work at all, you know he is completely irreverent, challenging all basic assumptions from a depth that gets at the soul. He even promises that when you're done with his book, you'll be freer than when you began. But fear not! He includes instructions on how to read the book. After describing details on your Sun sign, he directs you to another section, one of 12 subdivisions of that Sun sign. He explains that this subdivision is based on where the South Node is located in the solar chart, during the year of birth. Here, he provides key words that describe two areas of concern that can become basic obsessions. Obsessions suggest a darker side, a deeper level of operating. They are related to the Lunar Node axis, where the paths of both the Sun and Moon's intersect. Lutin describes coping strategies for the obsessive desires that tend to serve as undoing. If lasting happiness is the ability to make the most of gifts, reduce negative traits, and increase positive ones, the Sun, as the heart and soul of everything, serves to center the psyche. As such, it is the container for the energy stimulated by the interrelationship with the Moon. The two become a dancing pair. At the deeper level, the Sun radiates the nodal authenticity, creating inner peace. Lutin guides the reader to face the self honestly, then he offers a way to deepen understanding and find "true north". He structures this section according to what gives great pleasure; what one might tell oneself; where one goes south; what major relationship struggle needs resolution, as well as other struggles that need attention, and he offers a possible past life scenario. He suggests ways to find true north and how to restore power. He offers some suggested paths to healing, as well as a final word of sage advice. Through his humor, Lutin reassures us that we're all struggling as humans together, but clearly, the process Lutin suggests is one of personal growth. It requires a letting go, a detachment, and movement towards things, relationships, ideas, and b

This new book by Michael Lutin has my highest applaud. This book has a wide range of audiences, from the person mildly interested in astrology and their "sun sign" to the experienced astrologer hanging on every word and thought by Michael Lutin, who brings his witty and deep perspective to another classic. This book is for everyone. Regardless of who you are, you will get tremendous insight into yourself, your friends and family, and learn more than they would ever want you to know about them. A true classic, in every sense of the word.

Michael Lutin's new book, SunShines, is utterly amazing. If you're a fan of astrology, you will love this book. He talks about identifying your "true North" and what drags you into "going South" with your life... the hidden things that you think that nobody knows about, and nobody--including you, usually--really understands. Michael talks about cognitive changes that can turn your life around. He explains how to head back towards what you're supposed to be doing with your life: How to find your real path... the one that'll bring you deep-seated happiness. He also describes what sucks you into trouble, nine times out of ten because you seem to be so attracted to it (or perhaps it to you, if it's an irritation more than a siren song). Michael courageously goes out on a limb more than other astrologers, often with astonishing accuracy. I've seen that, even in his monthly column in Vanity Fair magazine. I bought SunShines as soon as I could, and started reading it immediately. I literally laughed out loud when Michael described my kind of Virgo as a "phobic slob." Anyone who gets past the idea that all Virgos are perfectly organized and tidy... well, that put Michael on my list of favorites. You'll enjoy reading about friends & family in this book. If you know their birth dates, including the year, you can look them up in this book, too. SunShines is a great present for others, but it's an even better present for yourself. Few astrology books are this important; SunShines covers fresh ground and you'll refer to it often. Your darkest secrets are in this book, as well as what you can do to deal with them and radically improve your life. I highly recommend this book!