New BOOK! "Soul Work" Available on Amazon

 "This book was written during the years Elizabeth was a practicing astrologer and author of six books. The non-fiction astrology books didn't delve into the interior life of the author as this book does. These poems are sometimes poignant and oftentimes outrageously funny. They reflect her spiritual growth--a hopeful "falling upwards." Readers who like Mary Oliver and Billy Collins might find this a good read." Available on Amazon.

SOUL WORK

 

Let us give thanks for the work we do

Let us pay homage to the gods, goddesses,

Symbols, signs and synchronicities

That make their appearance as Grace

When the choice is made “to ask and then to receive”

When “Called or not called, God is present.”

 

Let us give thanks for the chance to be messengers

And guides

To bring the good news that all is well

And all manner of things are well

That life has meaning

 That there is a rhyme and reason

A warp and a woof, an inner and an outer

An “As above, so below”

For all god’s creatures.

 

Let us give thanks for this knowledge

That grows into wisdom

That honors life cycles as well as the season’s cycles

That sees meaning where others see despair

That sees patterns where others see chaos

That sees hope and evolution where others

See none.

 

Let us give thanks for ancient soul languages

That challenge us to find the words to translate

The subtle geometry of the Soul

A language that sees

Little acts of change as large acts of courage

That delights at seeing the shy smile of recognition

When the personal story meets the larger story

And is truly heard.

 

Let us give thanks for Soul Work

That repeatedly shows us how wrong we may be

That what we see first

 is not all there is to people—

For we are all richer, more complex

And nobler than we imagine…

And that what we see as God or human flaw

 is flawless in design.

 

Always remembering that the gift is in the effort

 And in the practice of reaching to understand

This Soul Work, and all the unknowable mysteries

For which we are so truly grateful.

 

***

 

Soul Work

"Let us give thanks for the work we do

Let us pay homage to the gods, goddesses

symbols, sign and synchronicities

that make their appearance as grace

when the choice is made ‘to ask and then to receive.” 

When “Whether called or not called, Go is present.”

Let us give thanks for the chance to be messengers

To bring the good news that all is well

And all manner of things are well

That life has meaning

That there is a rhyme and reason

A warp and a woof, and inner and an outer,

An ‘As above, so below.”

Let us give thanks for this knowledge

That grows into wisdom

That honors life cycles as well as seasons cycles

That sees meaning, where others see despair

That sees patters, where others see chaos

That sees hope and evolution where others

See none.

Let us give thanks for this ancient soul language

That challenges us to find the words to translate

The subtle geometry of the Soul; a language

That sees little acts of change as large acts of courage

That delights at seeing the shy smile of recognition

When the personal story meets the larger story

And is truly hear.

Let us give thanks for this work

That repeatedly shows us how wrong we may be

That what we see first is not all there is

That people are far richer, more complex

And nobler than we image

And that what we see as God or human flaw

Is flawless in design. For the gift is in the effort

In the practice of reaching to understand

All the unknowable mysteries

For which are so truly grateful.”

Elizabeth Spring

Why is the North Node the Most Important Point in the Whole Chart? Why do you need to know it? 

 

The North Node is the “prescription” you need for the challenges in your birth chart; it’s the soul remedy for the karmic challenges you came into this life with as shown by your South Node, the “diagnosis.” In effect, the Nodes summarize the whole chart into “here is the problem; the South Node, and here is the solution; the North Node.” 

 

The Nodes are based on the idea of reincarnation, and that your Soul chose the time and place to be born into so that you would grow and experience certain things in this lifetime. The South Node is what you came into this life with, and it’s read from the viewpoint of what you didn’t get right in the last life and what you suffered from. You know how to do the South Node because it’s your default pattern in this life still, as an old habit. But it doesn’t serve you anymore. It takes courage and a willingness to try something new—to do the North Node remedy. 

 

People make astrology seem more complicated than it needs to be. Sure, one needs to learn the basic language of the planets, signs and aspects, and the underlying principles, but it isn’t as complicated to understand if you are simply looking for what you need to do to make your life better and more in alignment with your Soul Purpose. It’s in that nugget of information in your North Node. 

 

Doesn’t your Sun sign say everything? Not at all. It describes your personality. And you probably know that already. What about the Moon? It describes your emotional life, and the Rising Sign describes the persona-mask you show the world and your style of doing things. But none of these are as important for you to know as your North Node.

 

How does it work? Well, look at your chart and find the sign your North Node is in, and read about what the highest expression of that sign is about. That is your personal true North; your compass. Then look at the planet that rules that sign and see what it’s doing in your chart, for a little more information. Then find the area of your life where your karmic North Node work is most relevant; that’s the house it’s in. Read about all the expressions of that house. Now you know what and where—look next to see if there are planets conjuncting either the North or South Node and read about what those planets mean—throw them into the alchemical stew we are making. 

 

This is where you may need help from an astrologer to more fully understand what those added planets mean to your story, and also if there are squares to the Nodes creating a “skipped step.” There are nuances and permutations which are fascinating to learn, but if you simply want the basics it’s as simple as knowing the sign and house. 

 

You are creating an alchemical stew here and it requires a quality of intuition to bring the nodal story together…to take the intuitive leap that brings signs, houses, planets and aspects together. I guess that’s what keeps us astrologers in business! It does get nuanced and it’s not easy to read the story for yourself; but it is what evolutionary astrologers such as Steven Forrest and many of us do. We can look at your Nodes and see where there is “gold” or goodness in the South Node past life story, and we can adjust the interpretation of your Nodal story so you can see it in light of your whole chart. However, the basic information is there in your chart, in the Nodes, to see for free. It’s the gold in your chart and it’s worth having a compass in this life--it’s worth having a prescription for healing. It can change your life.

 

~Elizabeth Spring         From Podcast: North Node Astrology

Hello Readers! Well, so many of you like to listen as well as to read, so don't forget to go to your Apple or Spotify Podcasts for all the archived Podcasts. Some of them are also on page 2 here: https://NorthNodeAstrology.com   

The Astrology of Mid-Life and Menopause from Podcast: "North Node Astrology" by Elizabeth Spring

New North Node Astrology Podcast

Here's my new podcast on the Nodes which is available on Apple and most podcast Apps. Here's a sample: the first one on North Node Aries.

Astrology Readings

Yes, I'm doing astrology readings! Check out: www.elizabethspring.com to see how to quickly set up an appointment by phone. Even though I'm not an active blogger these days, I am a busy astrologer and would be happy to get your email request for a reading: elizabethspring@aol.com Because of my books and articles which have spread around the world I tend to get many long distance requests--which is not a problem, as I use a phone recording service that makes it very simple. (Sometimes the hardest part is just getting the time zone correct.) My readings include the birth, transit and progressed charts so that our session can be relevant to what is happening with you now; as well as looking at the Nodes. I request an email letter beforehand so we can focus in on your questions and concerns. This blog had it's birth so many years ago (!) and I hope you find information here that will be helpful to you. ~Elizabeth

North Node Table

Find Your North Node Using this Table You can use this table to find the sign of your North Node, remembering too that the South Node is always the sign that is exactly opposite it; of 180 degrees away. So for example, if you were born Oct 1 1947 your North Node sign would be Taurus. If you were born March 24 1979 your North Node would be in Virgo. After you find your North Node sign, scroll down the side bar to find the link to the description of your Nodes. If you were born between these dates, your North Node is the sign following the dates. Jan 1/40 – May 24/41 it is Libra, Dec 24/62 -Aug 25/64 it is Cancer, and so on through all these dates: May 25/41 -Nov 21/42 Virgo, Aug 26/64 -Feb 19/66 Gemini, Nov 22/42 – May 11/44 Leo, Feb 20/66 -Aug 19/67 Taurus, May 12/44 – Dec 3/45 Cancer, Aug 20/67 -Apr 19/69 Aries, Dec 4/45 – Aug 2/47 Gemini, Apr 20/69 – Nov 2/70 Pisces, Aug 3/47 – Jan 26/49 Taurus, Nov 3/70 – Apr 27/72 Aquarius, Jan 27/49 – Jul 26/50 Aries, Apr 28/72 – Oct 27/73 Capricorn, Jul 27/50 – Mar 28/52 Pisces, Oct 28/73 – Jul 9/75 Sagittarius, Mar 29/52 – Oct 9/53 Aquarius, Jul 10/75 – Jan 7/77 Scorpio, Oct 10/53 – Apr 2/55 Capricorn, Jan 8/77 – Jul 5/78 Libra, Apr 3/55 – Oct 4/56 Sagittarius, Jul 6/78 – Jan 5/80 Virgo, Oct 5/56 – Jun 16/58 Scorpio, Jan 6/80 – Sep 24/81 Leo, Jun 17/58 – Dec 15/59 Libra, Sep 25/81 – Mar 16/83 Canc, Dec 16/59 – Jun 10/61 Virgo, Mar 17/83 – Sep 11/84 Gem, Jun 11/61 – Dec 23/62 Leo, Sep 12/84 – Apr 6/86 Taur, Date Sign Apr 7/86 – Dec 2/87 Aries, Dec 3/87 – May 22/89 Pisces, May 23/89 – Nov 18/90 Aquarius, Nov 19/90 – Aug 1/92 Capricorn, Aug 2/92 – Feb 1/94 Sagittarius, Feb 2/94 – Jul 31/95 Scorpio, Aug 1/95 – Jan 25/97 Libra, Jan 26/97 – Oct 20/98 Virgo, Oct 21/98 – Apr 9/00 Leo, Apr 10/00 – Oct 13/01 Cancer, Oct 14/01 – Apr 14/03 Gemini, Apr 15/03 – Dec 26/04 Taurus, Dec 27/04 – Jun 22/06 Aries, Jun 23/06 – Dec 18/07 Pisces, Dec 19/07 – Aug 21/09 Aquarius.

Astrology for the Third Act of Life with Elizabeth Spring

I am doing Readings again!

I am doing readings again, and all the info for setting up a reading is here: http//:www.elizabethspring.com Readings are in my home or mostly by phone and they are recorded. We use the free conference call number on my website and I do readings from all over the world with no recording cost; the link to the recording is sent to you after our session. Readings are usually just over an hour long and include your birth, transit and progressed charts with special attention to the North and South Nodes. These relate to life direction and Soul purpose; and you can find my book: North Node Astrology on amazon.com I ask you to send me an email letter with your concerns and questions before so that as I prepare I'll know if you are simply feeling stuck or have a specific relationship, career, or health issue. So to set up a reading: first email me with some days and times you might be available. I can often do a reading within a few days. I will email you back right away, and once we've set up our appointment time, then you go back to the website and secure it with payment on the site. Then email me your letter with your birth info (including time and place) and a little about you and your concerns now. I'll let you know I received it, and we will be all set. Readings are $150 unless you are returning within a year: $100. I've been a full time astrologer since 1992 and have apprenticed with Steven Forrest, Alice Howell, and studied with many others. My Master's degree is in psychology with an emphasis in the work of Carl Jung.

What does It mean to have a planet conjunct, opposite or square the Nodes?

What does it mean to have a planet conjunct, opposing or square to the Nodes of the Moon? If a planet is conjunct the South Node that planet describes something of what the person was like earlier in this life and in a past life. It blends it's nature with the South Node sign.Remember that the South Node speaks of our reincarnation past as well as our default patterns in this life, and the North Node speaks to the direct our Soul longs to go towards in this life. We can discern our life lessons by understanding the Nodes. (Read: "North Node Astrology; Re-discovering Your Life Direction and Soul Purpose" on amazon.) If a planet is opposite the South Node or conjunct the North Node that planet describes what the person was up against in a former life, and earlier in this one, and may represent something that was blocked or repressed in the past, and thus the higher octave of the planet is longed for in this life. For example, if that planet was Uranus, freedom may have been an issue in the past and is something still longed for. If a planet is square to the Nodes, it is called a skipped step, which means the qualities of that planet must be faced again in this life and resolved in order for evolutionary progress to continue. It's an issue left unresolved from the past, which needs attention in this life. For example, if Mars in Aries is square the Nodes then the person might need to harness their courage and ability to act effectively and assertively in this life. They might have been blocked in a former life by a person who acted like "Mars in Aries." Elizabeth Spring. www.elizabethspring.com

What if the Nodes are reversed?

In trying to understand my North Node, what if the nodes and houses are reversed? As in a Pisces North Node in the 6th house? You need to find the integration of those opposing functions and blend their energies. For example in this case with a North Node Pisces (Pisces normally ruling the 12th house but now in the 6th house) you'd want to emphasize Piscean qualities in the arena of 6th house activities--so you'd want to bring the heartfelt, imaginative and intuitive qualities of Pisces into your daily work life (6th house). With the Nodal reversal it's always the challenge of integrating what the sign and house mean, even if it feels awkward at first. With a South Node in Virgo in the 12th you might realize that your default pattern and your reincarnation story has to do with not being able to make order and sense out of your deep psyche--the unconscious. In this case, paying attention to dreams, synchronicities and having psychoanalysis might be the wise thing to do. The Pisces/Virgo axis is also about blending the energies of the heart with the head. The North Node is the evolutionary cutting edge of the Soul, so always look to it by sign and house to be your guiding North Star even if it feels unfamiliar. Elizabeth. www.elizabethspring.com

Lifting the Veil; Becoming Your Own Best Astrologer: Lifting the Veil; Becoming Your Own Best Astrologe...

Lifting the Veil; Becoming Your Own Best Astrologer: Lifting the Veil; Becoming Your Own Best Astrologer: This book will help you learn the Soul Language of astrology. It's not as difficult as you may think! This book simplifies and prioritizes what you need to know and what you don't need to know; lifting the veil on old ideas and confusions. It explains signs, houses, planets, aspects and the Nodes in a way that will help you be able to understand your chart in a way you never did before. It will help you see your life journey and direction in a way you've never understood before.

Understanding the North and South Nodes

Many astrologers believe the Nodes are the single most important point in the chart. I am certainly one of them. They are unique to each person and describe what your Soul wants to learn and experience in this life. The Nodes are Soul Messengers, describing the evolutionary needs of your Soul. They show the arc, or journey of our lives and summarize the direction of the whole chart.   When we act out the qualities of the North Node we heal and nurture ourselves. It tells us in what area of life we need to bring emphasis, and some of the ways to do it.  The North Node has a sign, a house position, and aspects, and is an excellent suggestion---similar to the idea of a personal guiding North Star.The North Node is the direction we are called to move towards in this life. It holds hints of what qualities we need to bring into our life more.

By contrast, the South Node describes the qualities brought over from our previous life, and describes how we lived when we were young. Our deeply habitual ways of being and thinking are shown here, and as we mature we tend to act out the qualities of our South Node less. It shows both the unhelpful and negative qualities that our Soul wishes to move away from, as well as containing what Carl Jung talked about as the “gold in the shadow”. This gold is the unconscious unrecognized talents and abilities that we bring over from a former life or that are simply latent or repressed qualities. It is wise to uncover and use the gold in the South Node, while leaving the negative old patterns behind, and to move in the direction of the North Node.

Most astrologers would agree that the South Node reflects karmic qualities of our previous life, describing the unfinished business and things that we didn't 'get quite right.' Although there are gifts and talents shown there, it is the North Node that points to the qualities our Soul wants to use and acquire in this life. So when you have a chart reading, take a long look at what your North Node tells you, even if it feels a little unfamiliar and challenging. It offers a potent suggestion.                            

So how does this all work together in a chart? Let’s look at my chart as an example. My Sun is in Libra, North Node in Taurus in the 2nd house, and South Node in Scorpio in the 8th house. “Houses” are the areas of life where things get acted out, and the Nodes are each in different houses. In many ways I acted out my South Node till my Saturn Return at age 28. I have tended to learn things the hard way, to be ungrounded and to go to excesses when I was young. It has taken me a long time to live into my true profession as an astrologer.  I married late, and after 20 years of marriage was divorced for five years, and then I remarried my first husband. We've been married now since 2001, and continue to do the wonderful/horrible work that soul mates do with each other---we help each other grow. His independence and my desire 'to merge' are not comfortable together, yet I can see how he naturally pushes me to live out the independence and grounded values of my Taurus North Node. I encourage and stimulate the curiosity and expansiveness of his North Node in Gemini. There's grace and grit here; a true marriage.

My South Node in Scorpio suggests that my Soul purpose is, in part, to move away from hurtful melodramas and to ground myself in my own talents and resources.  It speaks of the desire for serenity and to move away from the dramatic reactivity and the excesses of my earlier years and former life. I’ve needed to take on the qualities of loyalty and persistence of the Taurus North Node and to find the sacred in the commonplace, which is a beautiful quality of that sign. The “gold” in my Scorpio shadow-South Node is my intuitive ability and emotional intensity. 

One could speculate that with my South Node in Scorpio (conjuncting Jupiter, the planet of expansion and privilege) I may have been the 'power behind the throne' to someone of importance, and was used to enjoying the largesse of another person and a more dramatic life. That is not the case in this life–I need to use my own resources and power based on that grounded Taurus in the 2nd house of personal values and resources. The Universe gives me strong hints whenever I move into territory that is not my own to claim anymore.

My Sun sign in Libra wants serenity, harmony and beauty. Yet it thinks in terms of opposing ideas, and about the paradoxical nature of life. I can get easily stressed, yet look poised. The North Node points to the necessity of creating calmness and living off my own values and resources.  It's also significant that I have no earth signs in my chart—except the North Node in Taurus, and yet I was unconsciously drawn to compensate for that (the pull of the North Node) as I make pottery as well as do astrology. For many years I lived in a stone house, and married an earth sign, Virgo. Jungian psychologists would call this the unconscious compensation of my inferior function; the sensate.  

An astrologer sees a chart like my mine and says this is an air and fire sign personality, whereas a Jungian therapist would say I was an intuitive-thinking type. This is labeling, and just the beginning of a deeper discussion, but it’s still useful.  

The movement towards the North Node is a continuous process, not just one decision you make. For me, I needed to get lost, and found, many times--- I divorced and remarried the same man.  I write and do astrological counseling, which is my true vocation, but I have ‘followed several gods home’. I continually need to recommit to ever deeper levels of grounding and persistence in my work and life. Serenity and home life is very important. I know I survived a difficult family karmic inheritance, yet I strive to act out the highest octave of the Libra Sun which pulls me towards tactfulness and deep thinking.  And that South Node in Scorpio still tries to seduce me in every way you can imagine. 

So, I come back to the chart and to the astrological work again and again as a spiritual practice. It helps me remember my commitment to the work of being a healer; an intuitive astrologer who is grounded and practical.  Astrology reflects the internal dialog between the different parts of oneself, but at least now I know who to listen to and why. I am grateful to have this divinatory tool that helps make conscious what is unconscious in the psyche, and I delight in sharing the gifts of this Soul Messenger to whoever asks.

Elizabeth Spring, MA, is a counseling astrologer and therapist who has studied astrology and the psychology of Carl Jung since 1969. She has studied and taught in England, Switzerland, and California, and has been a professional astrologer since 1992. She specializes in relationship, career, and soul direction and life purpose issues. Consultations are done by phone or at her office in Wickford, RI. Other articles can be read on www.elizabethspring.com  

You can contact Elizabeth Spring at ElizabethSpring@aol.com

All of these sign placements are on www.NorthNodeAstrologyBlogspot.com : ie North Node in Aries, South Node in Libra, North Node in Pisces, South Node in Aries, North Node in Gemini, South Node in Sagittarius, North Node in Virgo, South Node in Pisces, North Node in Cancer, South Node in Capricorn.etc.  The houses that the Nodes fall in are very important and you need your chart to see that. To truly understand how it all fits together I recommend a personal reading.  Email me: elizabethspring@aol.com

New Workshop at Boston Jung Institute

Journey of the Astrological Archetypes Through the Third Act of Life, with Elizabeth Spring

From the age of 40 to the age of 88 there are symbolic movements of the planets that mark times of significant life transitions.  Planets are archetypal energies and will be explored at each life passage. We will delve into the meanings of the Uranus Opposition at age 40, the Chiron Return at age 50, the Saturn Return at age 59, the Uranus Square at age 63, the Jupiter Return at age 71, the Saturn Opposition at age 73, the Nodal Return at age 76, the Uranus Return at age 84, and the Third Saturn Return at age 88.   A basic understanding of astrology is helpful but not required.

Each participant will receive a copy of Elizabeth’s new book: “Astrology for the Third Act of Life”

Saturday, March 30, 20189:30am – 12:30pm
Cost: $45

To Register: https://cgjungboston.com/public-programs/ or call 617-796-0108

"Astrology for the Third Act of Life" Review by astrologer Steven Forrest

Astrologer Steven Forrest's review of my new book:

"Astrology for the Third Act of Life" on Amazon: "Elizabeth's given those of us who past mid-life a lovely, poetic -- and ultimately encouraging -- road map for the years ahead. What I like best is that she's done it honestly too, without taking cheap refuge in any happy-face platitudes. I am always delighted to see astrology presented in such an intelligent way instead of being saddled with the usual market-place trivialities."  (Available on Amazon.com in paperback, Kindle, and Audible: direct link:http://www.amazon.com/dp/1727202198 )

                                                            

Excerpt from "Astrology for the Third Act of Life": Ages forty-two-forty-five: The Mindfulness of the Tight Rope Walker

Excerpt from "Astrology for the Third Act of Life".   AGES 42-45: THE MINDFULNESS OF THE TIGHT-ROPE WALKER; THE NEPTUNE SQUARE AND SATURN OPPOSITION These are the years of working with the changes you created at the Uranus Opposition. Now with Neptune square itself, and Saturn opposing itself you are working hard to embody the change you’ve initiated at the Uranus Opposition. You’ve moved across country? Now you have to make roots and friends. You’ve just had a baby? Now you’re experiencing the first few years of keeping that baby alive—a good example of Saturn in action here. And there are the inspiring Neptunian moments too when you look in your baby’s eyes and see how it has all been worthwhile. Is that God in there?

This is the first time we’ve mentioned Neptune; god of the ocean. Every transit has what I call an upper octaveand a lower octave of expression, and Neptune is a good example of this. In a transit we usually experience both the higher octave and the lower octave of its expression. With Neptune we can see the archetype of the highest forms of spirituality: transcendence, compassion, creativity, and self-less love. And yet its lack of bound- aries can bring confusion and every kind of addiction imaginable. Neptune wants to find a sense of transcen- dence; of ease and relief from the mundane—is it having a drink? And then another one and another? Or will you take a walk on the beach at dawn to catch a glimpse of the swans in flight? Neptune transits run the full range between great inspiration and hope, to despair; a higher octave expression and a lower octave. Usually we get a little mix of both, but often the strongest effect can be one of unclarity. You may feel like the fog is rolling in and you can’t see clearly; nothing is clear as the left-brain linear clarity gives way to the right brain imaginative intuitiveness.

You are not losing your mind or developing a case of early Alzheimer’s! Your brain is simply processing things differently. If you lean away from fear during Neptune transits you can access the beauty and imaginative gifts of this time. Allow yourself to linger in nature, take photographs, do paintings, write songs and poetry and generally feed yourself as much inspiration as possible. Go to the music concert. This is “feeding the higher octave” of Neptune and you’ll feel the enchantment that comes with it. So often we have a choice between love and fear in our lives and we always benefit when we choose love. Yet because we usually get all that Neptune offers us, undercurrents of anxiety may still occur as we deal with these transits. What is calling to be done now? How is this going to play out? Sometimes with Neptune it can feel like the bottom falls out of a very organized life. In that case, a careful Saturnian re-evaluation needs to happen because with the lower octave of the Neptune transit there can be a temporary discouragement; a loss of ideals, dreams and spiritual direction. It will return in time, after the Neptune transit has passed.

This is also the time of life when death and separation is not uncommon; sometimes parents may be dying or children leaving home for school. Or possibly the self- reinvention you did at the Uranus Opposition at age 41 may have been so radical that it’s taking time for you to find your ground again. This is a transitional liminal period. It’s like being in the hallway between 2 rooms...you’re neither here nor there yet. Your next big life stage will be at the Chiron Return at age 51 when you turn your life experi- ence and your “wounding” into a gift. That is an anchoring time. But you’re not there yet. For women this is often a perimenopausal time. It’s hard to rest comfortably in this place; these years often have that in-between liminal quality to them, that only patience can cure. Liminal, or in-between times, are like times of reaching for a poetic state of mind. This is the Neptunian element that relates to pure consciousness itself.

The Saturn opposite Saturn aspect now combined with Neptune is like a tight-rope between two fixed anchors, and you are the tight-rope walker. As you walk between them you see where you are going and what needs to be done; you strive for balance--patience and mindfulness are called for now; and Neptune will gladly give us that if we make that our intention. As astrologer, Caroline Casey, once said: “The invisible world would like to help, but spiritual etiquette requires that we ask.” Whether we call this prayer or making an intention, the essential point is that it’s a process of asking, receiving and commitment. It’s about making an intention to ourselves and to whatever we might call our higher power, and not assuming that “God” knows what you want and need. Spiritual etiquette says we must ask for what we want. Caroline’s book: Making the Gods Work For You is a helpful book for under- standing the astrological language of the psyche. More Ponderings from my Journal:

I forget the words she said that day as we were having coffee together. But they were similar to the Eliot quote I was familiar with: "It is never too late to be who you might have been." I've loved the idea of that quote all my life, but today it had a hollow ring to it, and I remember saying I liked Rilke's quote better: "And then the knowledge comes to me that I have space within me for a second timeless larger life.        We both grinned at each other, nodding our heads, as I quietly wondered how this might play out in my life-- because I was not making a career change or getting married or divorced. This felt to be more about a different kind of change—but maybe an important change—of making space within me for that larger life. What would that look like? (Continued in book....direct link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1727202198 )

Excerpt from "Astrology for the Third Act of Life". Age 66

AGE 66: HOLDING THE TENSION OF THE OPPOSITES; SATURN SQUARE SATURN "You are an alchemist: Make Gold of that." --William Shakespeare At age 66 Saturn moves into a waning Square to itself. This isn’t classically a tough transit but it can be a testy time when we are called to finish, complete or change what had its beginning around the Second Saturn Return. It can also be the time when you become an alchemist; but we’re coming to that...

But first, we know that Saturn always responds well to WORK and CONTEMPLATION, and if you’re willing to do it, this transit need not be too difficult. In Saturnian times sometimes illness emerges, and although it’s not specified for this age, it can happen at any time in the Third Act of Life, and it’s worth mentioning now...here is a journal/blog entry of mine that speaks to this issue: March 20 Each day I take 14 pills. I take them 4 times a day spread out from 8:00 am to 3:00 am—yes, I wake up at 3:00 am! Without these pills I wouldn’t be alive—I have to take a blood thinning pill, a blood pressure pill, a statin for heart issues and a post-herpetic pill for nerve pain. (Yes, I had shingles 5 years ago.) And then there are more, including the supplemental vitamins...you don’t need to know the list. Why do I mention this? Because I don’t want my readers to think I’m unfamiliar with illness and the necessary requirements to stay ‘healthy.’

Just after my Second Saturn Return at age 59, I began writing books. I willingly lived with a schedule that got me up and at my writing desk at seven am most days. I gladly pushed myself for 6 or 7 hours a day....I fought back tiredness and moderation as the adrenaline was flowing, and--many cups of coffee later over several years—I ended up with four published books and in the emergency room. When I turned sixty-six, and too many cups of coffee later, I began three years of dealing with the ‘demons’ brought about by the too muchness of my writing life—I was afflicted with issues with the heart, the GI, and anxiety and insomnia aggravated by 3 visits to the ER due to uncontrolled blood pressure and atrial fibrilla- tion. It was made worse by a cardiologist who gave me even more potent dangerous pills than I needed. Grate- fully, my new cardiologist found the right combination of medicines—and I’m now maintaining “healthy” most of the time. What was I not conscious of before I became ill? What did I not want to admit? Was I pushing up against tired- ness or a deeper unwillingness to slow down?  Was I afraid that if I stopped writing intensely every day I would lose my passion and energy for the project?

So, does this qualify me to write about aging? Does seventy years and fourteen pills help me to qualify? Many of you know the story of the spiritual teacher, Ram Dass, and author of the book: “Be Here Now”. He was writing a new book on aging when he was in these years. One day, as he was laying down resting, the phone rang. It was his publisher saying that his book was good; but not good enough; it lacked depth and conviction. Puzzled, he laid down again and proceeded to have a major life-threatening stroke. For the next 5 years Ram Dass fought for his life and his ability to move and speak again. Finally, he emerged with a best-selling book called “Still Here” which spoke to his experience of aging and illness. Now, he had no lack of conviction.

Most of us don’t need to have a stroke of enormous “bad luck” like that. But sometimes that is what it takesto do the humbling things that age demands. In my case it was years of illness and fourteen pills. For Ram Dass it was a phoenix like recovery; a near death experience that took enormous courage and work. Interesting though, he admitted that before the stroke he knew he had high blood pressure and simply didn’t take the pills. Sometimes it takes a lot to acquire the humility that age demands. Sometimes, especially if you’ve been ill, you may find that you have the initial passion to do something, but you’re afraid that you might not have the energy to sustain it. That was my case; I feared if I slowed down I would lose steam, lose the momentum and then fall prey to procrastination. How hard it can be to find your- self at the peak of inspiration only to realize that you fear losing the endurance to express what you love! Sometimes it’s a matter of waiting, healing, and strengthening our body and spirit so that we are strong enough to do what we want to do. And then pacing ourselves. (Ram Dass and I were both impatient with our book writing process and didn’t honor the needs of the body.)

In the creative process, we don’t want to think: I’ll never do this again! No, instead “doing the Saturn work” can be about waiting as much as by doing, and holding the flame of the alchemical fire at a steady even temperature instead of burning ourselves out. This is the nature of “Alchemy” where we’re holding the flame constant while “holding the tension of the opposites until the third emerges.” Except from New Book: Astrology for the Third Act of Life. Direct link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1727202198

Astrology for the Third Act of Life

               

                                                                                

To read reviews and see "Look Inside the Book Feature on Amazon, click HERE

By combining astrology, Jungian psychology and personal memoir, Elizabeth shows how the "third act of life" gives us a chance to awaken to a joyful connection with the deep Self. By understanding the specific challenges and opportunities of each astrological life transit from age 40 on, we have a practical road map for our journey.

This book will motivate and inspire, helping you to use your insights for better choice-making and helping you to draw the threads of your life into a meaningful tapestry. Previous Knowledge of astrology not necessary; just a willingness to learn something new, as you grow into your wise years with an attitude you'll love!

The book starts at the age of 41 explaining the significance of that age, known as the Uranus Opposition, and then moves to the Chiron Return at age 51, the Saturn Return at age 59, the Uranus Square at age 63, the Saturn Square Saturn at age 66, the Saturn Opposition at age 73, the last Nodal return at age 76.....all the way up to the Third Saturn Return at age 88.

"For me the spiritual journey, marked by the wisdom of astrological insight, allows for re-enchantment in our lives." Elizabeth Spring