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This down-to-earth exploration of natal chart interpretation focuses on the familial, male-female patterns in the zodiacal signs and the potentials they hold in combination with planetary energies and house symbolism. Our personalities are strongly influenced by what was happening around us when we were infants and whether our needs were met. Lundsted explains that our natal chart is our parent’s transit chart, therefore revealing the truth of our childhood family dynamics. Once we understand these dynamics, Lundsted helps us move beyond laying blame on our parents by identifying the compensating strengths revealed in the chart. She also shows us that the typically classified difficult or hard aspects in the chart actually hold the key to our transformation.

Lundsted discusses the symbolism of the chart wheel and the importance of the cardinal, fixed, and mutable crosses as they relate to the houses and natural zodiac. She focuses on sign polarities in connection with the male-female principle and outlines the meaning of various planetary aspects, focusing on early childhood environment as well as parental influences, issues, and interaction with the individual as a child.

Lundsted writes: “This book was written because I have personally experienced the possibilities for growth and awareness that can occur when astrological symbols are used as a tool for understanding the processes taking place within the individual.

Astrological Insights into Personality is a good choice for intermediate astrologers interested in exploring family dynamics. . . . Lundsted’s lack of psychological jargon and choice of examples makes this an enjoyable and thought-provoking book.—Tishelle Betterman, Geocosmic Journal, Spring 2004.

Betty Lundsted (1941–2001) was an astrological counselor, publisher of Nicolas-Hays, and chief editor of Samuel Weiser books. She wrote Transits—The Time of Your Life and Planetary Cycles, both published by Weiser. In 2000, the Coalition of Visionary Retailers presented her an award for her commitment to quality in New Age publishing.
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This revised and updated edition of a beloved classic shows how the discovery of the asteroids Ceres, Pallas Athena, Juno, and Vesta coincided with the shift of woman's role and power in society and the reactivation of the feminine principle. The feminine archetypes were previously the exclusive domain of the Moon and Venus, limited to social roles such as mate and mother. The arrival of Pallas Athena—the Goddess of Wisdom—and Vesta, the High Priestess, broke through the confines of woman's stereotypical role. The authors show how the asteroid goddesses, the Moon, and Venus comprise a mandala of the full expression of the feminine principle. Mother, wife, daughter, and sister are represented by Ceres, Juno, Pallas Athena, and Vesta. The creating, supporting, nurturing aspect held by the goddess Ceres, the Universal Mother, brings to us how we feel nurtured and how we function with our roles of mother-child. She embodies the principle of unconditional love. Pallas Athena is our Warrior Goddess, a woman in a man's world, carrying the principle of creative intelligence. Vesta, our Goddess of Focus and Commitment is our High Priestess. Juno, the Queen of Heaven and Divine Consort, is our capacity for meaningful relationships. Understanding the themes that each goddess holds enriches our understanding of that function and expression in our lives.

At first I thought, OH, NO. Not more stuff to put in the chart! I'm confused enough already." But over the years I have come to value the asteroids as a vital part of chart interpretation. Demetra George IS the goddess of the goddesses.—Michael Lutin, Vanity Fair astrologer, author, and lecturer

If you really want to study the myths of the asteroids in depth, then the classic, Asteroid Goddesses, is where you start . . . A powerful book that contains history, the myths and a deeply insightful interpretation that helps you understand yourself and others better. In other words, you don't know characters like Pallas Athena unless you read about her in this book. . .—Georgia Stathis, author of Business Astrology 101

New Revised Edition!

Irene Gad
About the Author

496 pages • 6 x 9
Over 200 illustrations
ISBN: 0-89254-110-5
Paper, $29.95

Purchase from Red Wheel/Weiser
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Focusing on the major arcana of the tarot, Dr. Gad suggests that the first ten trumps represent the descent of Spirit into matter (the cabalistic Flash of Lightning). The following eleven trumps describe the difficult journey back (the cabalistic Path of the Serpent) to merge with the Source. The last card, The Fool, sets in motion “formation, transformation, the eternal Mind’s eternal recreation.” This cycle is no more than the individuation process, a task to which each of us is called. Amplifying the message of each trump with Jungian, cabalistic, and alchemical interpretations, Dr. Gad enables you to use the tarot as a map for individuation and restoration of harmony. By interweaving tarot, alchemy, and cabala, this book gives you a solid understanding of each tradition. Included is an exciting section on divination, compiling 72 different spreads. New to this edition is the Transcendent Function Spread, which can actually activate the transcendent function to aid you in finding a helpful perspective on your life journey. This edition also includes a new section on tarot and kundalini in which the author uses Jung’s “Psychological Commentary on Kundalini Yoga” to validate her setting the last 11 trumps along the ascending Path of the Serpent.

Dr. Gad does a wonderful job of justifying her relatively unorthodox and highly educational approach to tarot correspondences. She consistently hits the bull’s-eye in linking the cards to the vital archetypal energies that give tarot its unique power. . . . a work of esoteric depth and value, packed with stimulating references and ideas.—Tarot Network News.