The Cosmic Egg Timer 3rd Edition Review
Originally written in 2018
Note: The Cosmic Egg Timer is an excellent overview of Huber astrology. I originally wrote this piece for the Astrological Psychology Association (here).
The Cosmic Egg Timer by Joyce Hopewell and Richard Llewellyn was my first introduction to Astrological Psychology. I absolutely love this book as it welcomes new astrologers, astrologers from other practice, and curious minds into the Huber world of Astrological Psychology. According to Joyce, the intentions were to write in a style that could be absorbed and appreciated by many. This plain-language approach was very welcoming as it allowed an easy, initial, entry point into the powerful Huber teachings.
I bought the 2nd edition book about two years ago – through Amazon. I was waiting for my diploma coursework material to arrive and the Cosmic Egg Timer instant download was too appealing to resist (when could I ever resist an astrology book download to my Kindle??). There’s a whole range of books in the Huber method, written by Joyce, published by Hopewell Publishing, in the same informative, fresh, and fun plain-language style of writing. Each of her books present main topics in the Huber style – from Using Age Progression, Aspect Patterns in Colour to The Living Birth Chart, and The Cosmic Egg Timer. Each one of them appeal to the nascent astrologer curiously looking into the astrological psychology.
Third edition
Explaining astrological methods can be challenging. And while I’ve managed to quickly highlight main differences between other forms of astrology and Huber method, I never felt comfortable that I did a proper job in presenting astrological psychology fully. This is where the 3rd edition of Cosmic Egg Timer, paperback edition, really shines. I recently spent a few days explaining a fellow astrologer’s Huber charts to her – working through concepts, etc. I finally realized she had more questions that I could quickly answer so I redirected her to buy a copy (which she did). I’ve had a few situations like this and now with the 3rd edition having even more updated graphics, illustrations, etc. I can easily recommend this highly readable edition. To me, it’s the perfect gateway to astrological psychology.
The book more or less follows the APA’s diploma program, in a more easy “heads up” kind of manner. It’s been close to two years since I first read Cosmic Egg Timer and I forgot how much I enjoyed Chapter 2 “Astrological Psychology in Context.” In the course of my studies I’ve spent a lot of time listening to astrology podcasts and reading copious astrology books (astrologers love their books). However, I forgot how succinct and well developed this chapter was written in terms of how astrological psychology was developed and brought into the 21st century. It provides an excellent walkabout that links astrology’s history in the framework of Jung and that of Robert Assagioli’s psychosynthesis within Huber astrology. To understand the power of Huber astrological psychology requires leaving dry land and this chapter, alone, spells out the original manifesto gently.
Achieving the illusive “chart synthesis” is challenging for most new astrologers (and seasoned ones, too). Huber Astrological Psychology is built, fundamentally, around seeing the “whole person” within the chart. Chapters 3 and onward walk the reader through a process of uncovering their chart in this holistic manner. A journey, the say, is archetypal in nature – we leave a known area for a lesser known destination of discovery. I would suggest the Cosmic Egg Timer welcomes and takes the reader through this journey in a clever and non threatening manner. The chapters link the reader through a natural chart synthesis method that starts with exploring your chart (chapter 4) through colour, chart images, orientation, etc. I’ve used this book teaching it to a local astrology group and it went over really well – the powerful and straight-forward Huber approach is strengthened through this 3rdedition updated illustrations.
Chapter 5 focuses on Aspect Patterns – using the main Ptolemaic aspects and Huber-specific orbs and Bruno Huber’s extensive research into colour theory to explore that deep inner psyche and motivations of the individual. I love seeing the often-mythologized and overly complex aspect patterns written in such an easy-to-read manner with relevant and sane examples. Chapter 6 focuses on planets and how they are described at the three levels and within the scope of astrological psychology. New astrologers will appreciate the clean definitions of the planets while old-hat astrologers will gain understanding on their uses as psychological drives.
Chapter 7 takes you into the familiar world of signs by introducing the concept of strength by sign – new concepts that allow us to differentiate inherited strengths.
Chapter 8, Houses and the Environment, walks you through the many concepts of Dynamic Energy Curve, Quadrants, Hemispheres, interceptions, etc. The houses are where we meet the world and Huber method places considerable emphasis on them for this reason. Joyce and Richard’s explanations and chart examples are relevant and practical — I found myself dipping back to get their spin on these concepts if I got lost or confused in my studies. Chapter 9 explores the Huber-specific Family Model. It’s a powerful, almost “spooky” (due to how accurate and affirming it can be) subjective view of the family from the child’s perspective. Chapter 10 explores the truly amazing Age Point timing technique. Age Point has captured many non-Huber astrologer’s interest as its profound technique in showcasing psychological events throughout a person’s life is cleanly detailed.
Comprehensive teachings
In total, Huber uses 3 main charts: Natal, House, and Nodal. Cosmic Egg Timer doesn’t delve into house chart or the nodal chart beyond a quick discussion. This is a good thing, in my opinion, as there is more than enough information and structure provided to allow the reader to achieve a level of understanding about their chart. Further studies and more comprehensive teachings through the new ultimate Astrological Psychology book (the main text for the APA’s diploma program).
Chapters 11 and 12 are on “Psychological and Spiritual Growth” and “Bringing it All Together.” Chapter 11 brings the idea of personal and spiritual growth back into alignment as Joyce and Richard harken back to earlier chapters in order to relate the principles and concepts. As Joyce and Richard say, “The whole of this book is about using astrology to facilitate the psychological and spiritual growth of the human being, within the context of the spiritual evolution of humanity.” Chapter 11 begins with a focus on reincarnation and karma; stages of development; levels of consciousness and using the planets at “asleep” “waking” and “awake” levels. I enjoyed how chapter 11 brought the book’s synthesized layout back together to help the reader understand what the process and purposes of astrological psychology are. Chapter 12 is my favourite chapter as we are provided with two complete chart analysis. Some brief chart analysis suggestions are followed with technical and intuitive approaches. Seeing chart synthesis in action is so valuable and I appreciated the common sense approach to chart interpretations they delivered.
While I was fond of my e-book 2nd Edition Cosmic Egg Timer, I’m even more proud to showcase my new 3rd edition paperback (with the beautiful cover illustration) on my coffee table. It gets picked up. Questions arise – what’s this? Can you really gain all this from a birth time/place? I’ve found this updated version to be the best conversation starter. It’s a non-intimidating book in many respects. No one picks up my larger Huber books, yet the smaller Cosmic Egg Timer seems to resonate with curious onlookers. I love how much traction I’m getting with is as I fundamentally believe we all need more astrology in our life. Astrological Psychology is such a powerful tool and effective, considerate realizations about a person can be made through the archetypal eye of these symbolic teachings. The Cosmic Egg Timer initiates the first level of curiosity and builds trust with the reader. I felt as though astrology was something I was capable of learning after opening the first few chapters. More studies, and technical books and tutoring can follow, but in my opinion, there’s no better book to begin Huber Astrological Psychology.