Chapter 5. Eclipses and the Saros Cycles

The author starts by presenting eclipses like an unpredictable territory, because , most of the time an eclipse occurs, one can't say if it will have good or bad results and when the effect will be seen. The conclusion is that we should have a good lark (intuition)! Still, we can improve our results by doing a few things: analyze the house of the eclipse, understand the geometry of the eclipses, lunar nodes and the Saros cycles.

The Saros cycle is rarely used in astrology, but I think it is very interesting and can add valuable indications. The idea is that each eclipse belong to a series of eclipses which last for approximately 1300 years, generating one eclipse at 18 years. Each series has a pattern, generating a specific type of events. So, if we understand what is the theme, the pattern of the cycle we will have an inestimable source of information.

The author propose us 2 ways to discover the main characteristics of a Saros series: analyzing the mother chart (the chart of the first eclipse of the series) or choosing a kind of events and checking if it has a specific Saros series associated. In Appendix you can find all the Saros series and the chart of their first eclipses. Those charts are briefly analyzed, the author trying to give us some guidelines. It is an interesting subject that isn't presented in many books. I hope that more astrologers will research and write about the Saros series in the future, because I think it worth. 

In Chapter 6. Older Systems are presented other astrological predictive techniques like: ingresses, planetary returns, planetary arcs, midpoints. I think the Solar Return should had a more important position in this book, I wouldn't see it to "older systems". 

MY EVALUATION: 8,9

Conclusion. It is a good book with useful techniques, clearly presented. Whoever will read "Predictive Astrology - The Eagle and the Lark" will understand easily the concepts and will be able to apply them. Also, in my opinion, all the astrological techniques from this book are working. I mean it is not a book where you'll find all kind of astrological systems, more or less efficient, but one who presents few astrological methods which give good results. I think this is a good approach.

Another impressive aspect is that the book contains all the basic material needed for predictions: the main characteristics for planets, aspects, houses, signs, Saros series, all adjusted for predictive astrology. My evaluation is 8,9.