Carrie’s cabinet of curiosities: Thr Astrology Toolkit

 

The Astrology Toolkit by Grant Lewi

Connections Edition 

A fascinating but sadly outdated box set

Print length	224 pages
ISBN-10	1859060129
ISBN-13	978-1859060124

First published 1987 by Century Hutchinson Ltd

Edition in our library is the 2005 edition , Eddison Sadd.

“The Astrology Toolkit” (also referred to as “The Astrology Kit”) was a boxed astrology educational set or kit devised/created by Grant Lewi (often misspelled or listed as Grant Levi/Levy in some listings), with contributions or consultation from the well-known astrologer Liz Greene.

This product dates back to around 1988 (based on auction and collector records). It is a vintage astrology learning tool, likely designed for beginners or enthusiasts to explore and practice astrology hands-on.

My complete copy is the reissue version but alas this too is now outdated. 

The kit was devised by Grant Lewi with consultation from Liz Greene is a vintage boxed set from the late 1980s (original edition around 1987–1988, with some later reprints or updated versions extending planetary data to 2019). Its main purpose is to let beginners cast and interpret basic natal horoscopes quickly—typically in 10–15 minutes—without needing advanced astrological knowledge, ephemerides, or complex calculations.

It simplifies the process using pre-calculated tables and interpretive texts, drawing from Lewi’s signature accessible style (similar to his books Heaven Knows What and Astrology for the Millions, where he popularised ularized quick, practical horoscope casting via lookup tables for planetary positions).

Contents of the Kit

•  Booklet 1: “How to Cast a Horoscope” — Step-by-step instructions guide (the core manual).

•  Booklet 2: “The Horoscope Readings” (or “The Interpretations”) — Pre-written interpretive paragraphs for planetary positions in signs, houses, and aspects.

•  Zodiac Wheel — A circular chart wheel (often cardboard or printed) for plotting the horoscope.

•  Note-pad / Calculation Pad — Worksheets or tables for recording positions and aspects (includes lookup tables for approximate planetary positions by birth date).

•  Sometimes includes a pencil or other minor tools. My version does.

The kit uses simplified tables (not full ephemerides) to approximate Sun, Moon, and planetary signs/houses based on birth date, time, and place—focusing on quick results rather than precise astronomical accuracy.

How to Use It (General Step-by-Step Process)

The kit follows a straightforward, four-step (or similar) method as described in product overviews and contents listings:

1.  Gather Birth Data
Collect the person’s exact birth date, time (as accurate as possible, especially for Ascendant/houses), and birthplace (for time zone and longitude/latitude approximations if needed).

2.  Use the Tables to Find Planetary Positions (from the “How to Cast” booklet and note-pad)

•  Look up the birth date in the provided tables to determine the approximate sign positions for the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.

•  These are simplified grids or lists (not precise degrees, but sign placements and rough aspects).

•  For the Ascendant (rising sign) and house cusps: Use the zodiac wheel and any adjustment tables or shortcuts in the guide (often involving local sidereal time approximations or birth time lookups).

3.  Plot on the Zodiac Wheel

•  Draw or mark the planetary symbols in the corresponding signs/houses on the provided wheel.

•  Note major aspects (conjunctions, oppositions, etc.) using the kit’s simplified aspect finder or by visual proximity on the wheel.

4.  Assemble the Interpretation (from “The Horoscope Readings” booklet)

•  Look up the pre-written paragraphs for each planet in its sign and house.

•  Combine them (e.g., “Sun in Aries in the 10th house” gets its specific text, plus any aspect modifiers).

•  The readings are modular: You string together the relevant passages for a personalized-sounding horoscope covering personality, strengths, challenges, relationships, career, etc.

•  Lewi’s style emphasizes empowering, psychological insights over fatalism, with Greene’s input likely adding depth in later editions.

The result is a basic natal chart reading—not a full professional horoscope with exact degrees/transits/progressions, but a surprisingly insightful snapshot for beginners or casual use.

Tips and Notes if you’re interested in using this kit 

•  Accuracy Level: It’s approximate (especially for fast-moving Moon or Ascendant), so treat it as an introductory tool or fun starting point rather than precise modern software/astrology.

•  Updates: Some versions were “updated for the Millennium” with tables extended to 2019+; older ones cover roughly 1920–2000.

•  If You Have the Kit: Start with the “How to Cast a Horoscope” booklet—it walks you through examples. Follow sequentially; the process is designed to be idiot-proof.

•  Modern Alternatives: Today, free sites like Astro.com can generate accurate charts instantly, but the kit captures Lewi’s 20th-century “do-it-yourself in minutes” spirit.

Note: The kit is not a modern publication (nothing recent shows up on my search) but vintage copies occasionally appear for sale on auction sites. If this is something you’re looking to purchase or learn more about, it represents an older-school, practical astrology learning tool from the late 1980s era.

Who was Grant Lewi?

Grant Lewi (full name William Grant Lewi II) was a highly influential American astrologer, author, and editor, often described as the father of modern astrology in the United States for making the subject more accessible and practical to the general public.

Early Life and Education

He was born on June 8, 1902, in Albany, New York (some sources list March 24, but June 8 is the more consistently cited date across reliable references like Wikipedia and astrological databases). He graduated from Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, and pursued graduate work at Columbia University. Initially, he worked as an English instructor at institutions including the University of North Dakota, the University of Delaware, and Dartmouth College. In 1926, he married Carolyn Wallace, whose mother (an astrologer named Athene Gayle Wallace) introduced him to astrology and provided his early training in the field.

Career Shift to Astrology

Facing economic challenges during the Great Depression, Lewi left academia around the early 1930s and transitioned fully into professional astrology by 1934. He became a prominent figure in the astrological community through his writing and editorial roles.

•  In the late 1930s, he worked with American Astrology Magazine before becoming editor of Horoscope Magazine (published by Dell), a position he held through much of the 1940s, where he also contributed numerous articles.

•  In 1950, he moved to Arizona, resigned from Horoscope, and launched his own publication, The Astrologer.

His approach emphasised humanistic and psychological elements in astrology, synthesising planetary energies in ways that felt fresh and relevant even decades later. Many consider him an early pioneer of a more interpretive, less rigidly predictive style.

Key Works

Lewi’s books remain his most enduring legacy and are still in print or widely available today:

•  Heaven Knows What (1935, originally published under the pseudonym “Scorpio”) — A groundbreaking bestseller that allowed readers to cast and interpret a basic horoscope quickly (in as little as 10–30 minutes) without deep prior knowledge. It simplified planetary positions and aspects for the average person and became one of the best-selling astrology books of the 20th century.

•  Astrology for the Millions (1940) — A comprehensive, practical guide to understanding astrology, personality traits, relationships, and life patterns through planetary influences. It includes autobiographical notes (under the pseudonym “Oscar”) and remains popular for its clear, no-nonsense explanations.

These two titles introduced astrology to countless beginners and helped popularise it during a time when it was often dismissed or misunderstood.

Later Life and Death

Lewi passed away suddenly at age 49 on July 14 or 15, 1951, in Tucson, Arizona, reportedly from a cerebral hemorrhage (some accounts specify a brain aneurysm). His early death cut short what might have been an even greater expansion of his influence through his new magazine.

His writings continue to be praised for their clarity, insight, and timeless appeal—many modern astrologers credit him with helping shift astrology toward a more empowering, self-reflective practice rather than fatalistic fortune-telling. If you’re interested in his books, they’re readily available in reprints (e.g., through Llewellyn Publications), and vintage editions or related items like astrology kits inspired by his methods occasionally appear in collectors’ markets.

And Liz Green?

Liz Greene (born September 4, 1946, in Englewood, New Jersey) is a highly influential American-British astrologer, Jungian analyst, author, and lecturer widely regarded as one of the foremost figures in modern psychological astrology.

Background and Education

She was born to a British father (from London) and an American mother. Greene developed an early interest in astrology, psychology, and mythology as a teenager. She holds:

•  A doctorate in psychology.

•  A doctorate in history.

•  Qualifications as a Jungian analyst.

•  A diploma from the Faculty of Astrological Studies (of which she is a lifetime Patron).

•  Additional credentials, including a diploma in counselling from the Centre for Transpersonal Psychology.

She has been a professional astrologer for nearly 60 years (active since at least the mid-1970s).

Career and Contributions

Greene is best known for pioneering psychological astrology, an approach that integrates Carl Jung’s depth psychology, mythology, and symbolism with traditional astrological techniques. This method views the horoscope as a map of the psyche, focusing on inner dynamics, personal growth, unconscious patterns, and archetypal themes rather than purely predictive or event-based interpretations.

Key milestones include:

•  Co-founding the Centre for Psychological Astrology (CPA) in London in 1983 with Howard Sasportas (she continues as its Director).

•  Directing CPA Press, which publishes specialized astrological works.

•  Serving as one of the chief writers and contributors for Astro.com (Astrodienst), the popular astrology website, where she has helped develop computer-generated interpretive reports available in multiple languages (in collaboration with Alois Treindl).

•  Teaching and lecturing extensively, including past roles as a tutor in MA programs on Cultural Astronomy and Astrology (e.g., at Bath Spa University and the University of Wales, Lampeter).

•  Delivering in-depth webinars and seminars on planetary symbols (e.g., Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Uranus, Chiron) through organizations like the Mercury Internet School of Psychological Astrology (MISPA) and CPA.

She is held in high esteem globally among both professional and amateur astrologers for her insightful, scholarly, and psychologically nuanced work.

Notable Books

Greene has authored numerous influential books (many translated into multiple languages), often blending astrology with Jungian ideas, mythology, and personal development. Some of her most acclaimed titles include:

•  Saturn: A New Look at an Old Devil — A classic re-examination of Saturn’s symbolism as a teacher of boundaries, limitations, and maturity.

•  Relating: An Astrological Guide to Living with Others on a Small Planet — Explores relationship dynamics through astrology.

•  Astrology for Lovers — A popular, accessible guide to sun signs and compatibility.

•  The Astrology of Fate — Delves into destiny, karma, and transformative patterns in the chart.

•  The Astrological Neptune and the Quest for Redemption — Focuses on Neptune’s spiritual and illusory dimensions.

•  The Mythic Tarot (co-authored with Juliet Sharman-Burke) — A tarot deck and guidebook rooted in Greek mythology.

•  Jung’s Studies in Astrology: Prophecy, Magic, and the Qualities of Time and The Astrological World of Jung’s ‘Liber Novus’ — Scholarly explorations of Carl Jung’s own engagement with astrology.

•  Others like The Outer Planets & Their Cycles, The Luminaries (with Howard Sasportas), Barriers and Boundaries, and The Dark of the Soul: Psychopathology in the Horoscope.

Her writings emphasise empowerment, self-understanding, and the therapeutic potential of astrology, making her a bridge between esoteric traditions and modern psychological practice.

As of 2026 (at age 79), she remains active in writing, teaching, and directing astrological organizations. If you’re exploring psychological astrology or Jungian-influenced chart interpretation, her books (especially Saturn or Relating) are excellent starting points and are still widely recommended today.