Astrology and the Rising of Kundalini: The Transformative Power of Saturn, Chiron, and Uranus

by Barbara Hand Clow

Revised and updated edition of the classic astrology text on predicting and navigating life crises

• Provides charts for the transits of Saturn, Uranus, and Chiron--now updated through 2050--to predict your personal growth cycles and timing of kundalini rising

• Shares tools to cope with the intensity of spiritual emergency and direct the kundalini energy released during planetary passages

• Includes a new preface by the author reflecting on 20 years of success stories since the book’s initial publication

• No astrological chart needed to use this book

In this updated edition of Liquid Light of Sex , renowned astrologer and spiritual teacher Barbara Hand Clow explores the connection between life crises in your 30s, 40s, and 50s and the key astrological passages of Saturn, Uranus, and Chiron in your birth chart. She explains how kundalini energy--the “liquid light of sex” that lies at the base of the spine--is activated during these planetary transits, rising through the chakras and triggering the process of spiritual emergency, and in many cases, a cascade of health, emotional, and relationship problems as well as extreme anxiety. She shows that by understanding these astrological transits, you can be prepared for turbulent periods and successfully navigate them by creatively channeling the spiritual fire of kundalini.

Clow provides astrological charts--now updated through 2050 for those born between 1930 and 2000--detailing the cycles of Saturn, Uranus, and Chiron, so you do not need your birth chart to use this book. She explains how to use the charts to predict the onset and completion of each kundalini activation and corresponding crisis. She shares tools for individuals and therapists to cope with the intensity of spiritual emergency and too much fire energy, unblock the chakras, and integrate the power of kundalini for physical, emotional, and spiritual growth. Reflecting on 20 years of success stories since the book’s initial publication, Clow presents a road map for using celestial cycles to navigate positively and productively in times of great life change.

Genres: Astrology, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Philosophy

320 pages, Paperback

First published August 15, 2013

About the author

Barbara Hand Clow is an astrological counselor, an editor of books on New Consciousness, and a ceremonial teacher at sacred sites. She lives in rural new England.

Reviews

[Naomi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn’t realize when I got this book that this woman mistakenly thinks the midlife crisis and a Kundalini awakening are the same thing. Yes, they’re both triggered by Uranus, but they are not the same at all. She even encourages people to repress a naturally occurring Kundalini awakening until they are at least 38 years old. Seriously!

She also has a great deal of misinformation about the chakras in this book. She has confused the Earth Star for the Root, and for some reason she completely leaves out the Sacral chakra as if it doesn’t exist. As if that’s not bizarre enough, she lists the Root chakra as the one responsible for sexuality and creativity.

I honestly don’t know how this got published. Just sad. People will read it and believe it.

[El · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a useful book, but it’s huge and could have been reduced down as there was a lot of repeating. After initial gusto of enthusiasm in the first chapters, I wanted to give up after half way but I persevered because I knew there must be more good stuff inbetween the drawn out fluff. I felt it was good at explaining some of the life stages we go through but I don’t think it gave enough understanding of Kundalini even though that’s what it’s title says it’s about. It had a tone of hopelessness for anyone who hasn’t managed to take advantage or go with the flow of life stages as they happened. I was bothered too by the simplistic view that spiritual well-being is all sorted out if you follow the astrological story of your life. She seems unaware that our mental and physical health can be greatly affected by factors other than whether we are “in tune” or not (I’m referring to gut - mind connection etc). And I also got sick of her talking about “exquisite light” etc.
However, overall it has information that I may refer back to. Especially the end chapters about Saturn.

In summary: This book is kind of practical but kind of dreamy and drippy...
When Uranus opposition / midlife crisis occurs she says to allow the process to do its thing in yourself and with your partner. If you don’t, you’ll block the opportunity and ideal natural timing for kundalini rising. There also some talk about other astrological transits and how knowledge of those can help with understanding your life’s journey. It ends with guided meditation.

2 stars

[Red · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this informative and exciting work, Barbara Hand Clow explores and exposes the highly misunderstood passages of midlife. Citing the research and works of several renowned experts in this overlooked intersection of physical, psychological, and spiritual passage, she traces the various developmental stages commonly experienced between about 30 - 50 years of age. While in western culture the heightened stressors and confusing changes through these years are attributed simply to hormonal changes we are programmed to medicate and get over, or at best meditate and exercise through, this work breaks down the whens and whys of what we can expect, and how we can embrace these growth spurts as portals to better understanding and control; in maturity we can bring our psychological and emotional powers full circle - appreciating that what may feel like upheaval is a series of mechanisms facilitating enlightenment, Spiritual Ascension, and a renewed love for life and self.

[Ioana · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best and useful astrology books I've read, with a tremendous impact!

I liked its very particular perspective on Kundalini awakening, its vast information and the fact that in the end it offers a road map to the biggest transits that shape our life.

[Nya Thryce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning about the impact Saturn, Uranus, and Chiron transits may effect them as well as how to harness what it might mean. This is geared toward the nature of mid-life crisis and the potential it holds as soul growth and evolution.

There is discussion about metaphysical, scientific, and mundane knowledge and how to synthesize this into one's own being or at least, being aware of it, via the chakras, astrology, and shamanic underpinnings. This book is easy to follow and because it is an audio book there were additional pdf's to reference while listening for visual reference.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fascinating. I was very interested to understand the various life cycles we all experience in astrology as referenced by the author. I was able to review examples of family members who had gone through crises at the age range the author outlines, furthering my understanding and belief in her idea.

[Pinar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bir "audio book" daha, harcayacak fazla kredim vardı, bu kitabı içinde "astroloji" geçtiği için seçtim. Bana kalırsa sadece astroloji üzerine yazsa daha iyi olurmuş. Kundalini konusunda kendisi gerçek kundalini enerjisini yaşamamış kişilerin yazmasını çok sağlıklı bulmuyorum. Bu kitapta bir miktar "Uranüs karşıtlığı döneminde kundalini harekete geçer" gibi tarif edilmiş. Menapoz ateş basmaları kundaliniyle bir tutulmuş gibi geldi. Yine de "kundalini enerjinizi yapay yollarla harekete geçirmeye çalışmayın" uyarısı kayda değer.

Astroloji ile ilgili kısmı daha iyi gibi. Kitapta Uranüs, Satürn ve Kiron döngüleri anlatılıyor, ama bu da klasik anladığım astrolojiden çok daha "new age". Herşey çok iyi, uyumlu, herşey mutluluğu bulmaya odaklanmış.. Özellikle orta yaş bunalımı, hafif depresyon yaşıyorsanız, kitaptan rahatlatıcı bilgiler edinebilirsiniz. Aslında 2.5tan 2.. isteyen 3 e tamamlasın..

[shelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be a fascinating read—rich with insight and full of creative connections between kundalini and astrology. Barbara Hand Clow offers an expansive, symbolic view that ties major transits like Saturn, Chiron, and Uranus to phases of awakening, and it’s lovely to see these two worlds—energetic and astrological—woven together with such care.

That said, in my experience, kundalini doesn’t always follow a time-bound or transit-driven path. It can move in sudden, nonlinear ways that aren’t always reflected in the birth chart. So while I appreciated the framework, I experienced it more as an intellectual lens than a practical guide.

Still, it’s a thought-provoking book, especially for those who enjoy pattern-mapping and want to deepen their understanding of awakening through symbolic timing. Worth reading with an open mind and a flexible lens.

[Durga Lakshmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a chapter pertaining to discussion on Polarity and its link to astrology. The chapter made a lot of sense. In this chapter, each line was profoundly felt by the author. Prior to reading this book, I chanced upon the book 'Thousand Seeds of Joy', which dealt with Chakras, Awakening and some perspecitves on stories and characters from the Mahabharata and Ramayana. When, I read these titles together, it gives a very profound understanding of events in our life, be it our childhood, romantic life, or professional life. I am giving the book a 4 star

Cheers! Prayers!

[Carley O'Hara · Rating 1 out of 5]

I lost it at “If a man has an affair it doesn't mean he doesn't love you” 

This book was very toxic-male centered for awhile and making excuses for them. I'm not excusing the shitty behaviour of people because Saturn is rising or whatever.

The book literally opens with a man ignoring what his wife was saying because he was staring at nubile girls on the beach. It's just creepy.

Maybe I just don't understand Astrology but this book was supposed to help with that. It didn't.

[Leoni Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Author demonstrates drama stories with the 3 outer planetary cycles. A book with a visual perspective to 3 powerful outer planets . midlife crisis and beyond. and more. Reading. The Audio version is Good too.

[Aaron Carlton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finally got around to reading this and was amazed. Incredible depiction of the transformation crisis points all humans experience, the journey of confronting the fears of death, fears of life and the pain of integrating it all; how to make the most of each opportunity consciously.

[Viviana · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
[Audiobook]

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! It truly helped me understand myself from a different lense. Barbara’s bools never disappoint, and are full of truths that resonate.

[KristenNakiaaa · Rating 1 out of 5]

a lot of male worship, attention and justification. this book is trash and too surface level. I cringe hearing the stories of clingy women who are “ scared of losing their man” . It disgust me.

[Marian Magsaysay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish i'd read this when I was 20 years old

[Shaikha · Rating 5 out of 5]

عميق: الوعي ، ما قبل الخلق، اختبار الحياة، اختيار الانسان لحياته، نظام الاعتقاد والبرمجة ونسفها

[Sandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the 2001 edition, good for realizing and analyzing Planetary cycles. It is a little hard to just pick out a section to read, like I do with many other Astrology books.