cover image SOUL SIGNS: An Elemental Guide to Your Spiritual Destiny

SOUL SIGNS: An Elemental Guide to Your Spiritual Destiny

Rosemary Altea, . . Rodale, $24.95 (352pp) ISBN 978-1-57954-948-0

Imagine a new system of finding people with whom you could be compatible, or who at least understand the nature of your interpersonal dynamic. Based on information channeled from her spirit guide Grey Eagle, spiritual medium Altea (The Eagle and the Rose ) has written such a system based on "Soul Signs" or energy groups: Fire, Earth, Air, Water and Sulphur. Although the first four sound similar to the cardinal associations of astrology, Altea firmly asserts that astrological and soul sign typing are different. For example, her mother is an Aquarian, but fire is her soul type. Fire souls are driven by passion; earth by a need to plan and strategize; air by a passive and calming energy flow; and water by a need to evaluate and compromise. The fifth group, sulphur, is a total departure from astrological ideas, as sulphur souls are driven by evil. Within each of the five energy groups there are subsets based on type of energy flow (introvert, central and extrovert), which is not the same as a personality type whom we might consider as introverted or extroverted. These subsets have evocative labels such as Retrospective, Visionary, Peacemaker, Newborn, Bright Star, Warrior Soul, etc. All members of the sulphur sign are considered Dark Souls. Since soul signs, unlike astrological signs, lack an obvious date marker, Altea gives numerous explanations and variations to help readers determine their soul sign and subset throughout. The book's chief merit is in provoking new ways of contemplating the human psyche. (June)

Forecast: A six-city book tour, a confirmed appearance on Larry King Live, and a drive-time radio tour should help move this title, which is an alternate selection of the One Spirit Book Club .