After earning a B.A. in Religion, Steven Forrest immersed himself in astrology, quickly establishing a practice that would reshape the field. His first book, The Inner Sky (1984), was praised by outlets like Esquire magazine for being "intelligent, well-written and actually fun," setting the stage for a new kind of astrological literature rooted in psychological depth and narrative power.

Forrest's philosophy is foundational to his work; he argues for an astrology of free will, where the chart reveals a soul's evolutionary path and the choices available to it. This approach, which he has taught to over seven hundred students in his Apprenticeship Programs, stands in contrast to deterministic fortune-telling. His work, like that of his contemporary Liz Greene, emphasizes personal responsibility and consciousness. Esteemed figures have taken note, with Robert Downey, Jr. stating, "I marvel at the accuracy of Steven’s readings," and Rob Brezny calling him "the most brilliant astrologer alive.”