general

Llewellyn's 2005 Astrological Calendar features stunning, original paintings by Ciro Marchetti, creator of the much anticipated Gilded Tarot. Each month features a vivid, colorful depiction of its corresponding Astrological sign: the month of January displays a white goat with golden horns atop a snowy mountain peak. A canopy of frosty branches, star-lit sky, and an imposing Saturn round out the picture, while the Capricorn glyph seemingly made out of ice, glows in the foreground. For the month of September, a maiden clad in white wears a leafy, sparkling crown atop her flowing locks. She is surrounded by a lush, green forest, and a suspended crystal ball in a kaleidoscope of color bears the glyph of Virgo in white.

Gorgeous artwork aside, this calendar is much more than something pretty to look at every month! Beside each of the vibrant pictures is a full monthly horoscope for each of the 12 signs of the Zodiac by Carol Schwalm, as well as the most rewarding and challenging days. For each day of the month, you'll find:

*Major daily aspects, with times included
*The Moon's sign, phase, and void-of-course dates and times
*Best fishing and planting dates

Each month also features one square dedicated to:

*Ruling planet
*Area of body the sign rules
*Element
*Nature
*Colors
*Glyph
*Symbol
*Birth dates
*Key words

In addition, this 40 page calendar includes:

*A comprehensive introduction to astrology (Planets, Signs, Houses, Aspects and Transits, Retrograde Planets, the Moon's influence through the Signs, Aspects Keywords).
*Lunar planting and activity chart
*Travel and vacation forecast by Bruce Scofield for each of the 12 Signs
*Ephemeris grids for 2005
*World Time Zones and Time Zone Conversions Map
*Retrograde Periods Grid
*Eclipse Dates

This is the first Llewellyn calendar that I've had the pleasure of reviewing, and I'm quite impressed! I'm a fan of artist Ciro Marchetti, and it's a treat to behold his breathtaking interpretation of the 12 signs. Every year, I purchase two calendars: one for the kitchen, and one for the bedroom. For 2005, I know which calendar gets the bedroom position!

I work in the customer service field and find this calendar invaluable. I've always dabbled a little in astrology and find the subject extremely interesting. Where this helps me in the customer service field is the schedule of the full moon. I'll tell you what...the week leading up to and ending with the full moon always gets our wackiest calls. At the very least, this gets me prepped for the looniness that ensues during that week.

Besides that, you also get a full astrology lesson in the back of each edition of Llewellyn's astrological calendar. You're also provided with the necessary tools to enable you to decipher the astrological symbols provided for each day of the week and how those days will measure up for you.

I've always found Llewellyn's calendars stocked with great artwork every year -- artwork suitable to be displayed in the office or at home.

If you have an interest in astrology and happen to be looking for a calendar, look no further than this item. And if you work in the customer service field like me and have noted how the phases of the moon dictate general goofiness, you'll find it to be invaluable!