Astrology is probably the most complex and sophisticated method of describing life that has ever been discovered or developed by human beings. The whole pattern never repeats, and yet this infinite variability is achieved with the different forms of the twelve sides of life. These twelve sides of life are what the author terms the twelve-letter alphabet of astrology. In this context she discusses the similarities of the house-sign-planet combinations, the elements and qualities, the exaltations, and the dilemmas presented by the cardinal, fixed and mutable influences. Also explored are the asteroids, fixed stars, the Vertex, and decanates and dwads. An example delineation of Billie Jean King's chart is followed by a discussion of ethical astrology.

Using both a practical and a humanistic approach, Zip Dobyns guides the reader through the proven techniques used to rectify a birth chart. The precise methods she outlines to find the correct birth time are easy to follow, and include the use of various methods of planetary and angle progression, solar arc directions, local house cusps, transits, and more. She also discusses less dependable techniques.About destiny, Zip wrote: "Materialistic science assumes that destiny (experience) creates character. Materialistic astrology assumes that the planets create both character and destiny. Humanistic astrology assumes that our attitudes and actions (including unconscious desires and habit patterns) create our destiny, that we are born when our character-destiny matches the state of the cosmos, and that the planets offer a useful blueprint of the cosmic order, but do not create it. All approaches agree that internal nature and external circumstances match, so that we can understand one more clearly in the light of the other. They differ in where they place the power: in chance and matter (science), in the planets (materialistic astrology), or in the mind(humanistic astrology)."

Ancient myths describe an eclipse as the Sun or Moon being swallowed by a dragon. Since an eclipse could only occur near the lunar nodes, these became the head and tail of the dragon. Older references and eastern astrology still call the Moon's North Node the Dragon's Head and the South Node the Dragon's Tail. The Node Book goes beyond detailed information about the Moon's Nodes in signs and houses. Also included are chapters focused on the planetary nodes of Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Pluto, and the nodes of the four main asteroids: Ceres, Vesta, Juno, and Pallas. Extensive tables and directions for their use make it easy to find the nodes for the planets and asteroids.