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A Lantern in The Dark: Navigate Life's Crossroads with Story, Ritual and Sacred Astrology
Meditations, Stories & Rituals for Life's Crossroads All too often, when we find ourselves at a crossroads, the conventional ways of understanding where we are can fall short of the mark. Intuitively, we know we need something more. Sacred astrology teaches that there are several distinct rites of passage that can show up as a psychospiritual crisis characterized by intense challenge and confusion. We are betwixt and between―no longer who we used to be, but not yet who we are becoming. However, these powerful thresholds are where the real magic of our lives happens. They usually coincide with significant turning points that lead us toward our life's unique purpose.
Learn how myth, folklore and story can be a source of guidance in difficult times. Illuminate the archetypal dimensions of your own story and re-enchant your life. Learn when to expect the crossroad times throughout your life so you can make peace with the past, navigate the present, and create a more purposeful future. Discover the keys to self realization and step into alignment with who you’re becoming. Create a self-care tool kit for the distinct issues that arise with each crossroads, and get clear about what you're calling in. Unlock new levels of self awareness through ritual, guided meditation, and journal reflections crafted specifically for each threshold. You will also learn how to support family, friends, coworkers, and clients who are going through difficult times with a transpersonal understanding of where they are and what they're going through.
Having insight into what time it is in your life can be a lantern in the dark.
Learn how myth, folklore and story can be a source of guidance in difficult times. Illuminate the archetypal dimensions of your own story and re-enchant your life. Learn when to expect the crossroad times throughout your life so you can make peace with the past, navigate the present, and create a more purposeful future. Discover the keys to self realization and step into alignment with who you’re becoming. Create a self-care tool kit for the distinct issues that arise with each crossroads, and get clear about what you're calling in. Unlock new levels of self awareness through ritual, guided meditation, and journal reflections crafted specifically for each threshold. You will also learn how to support family, friends, coworkers, and clients who are going through difficult times with a transpersonal understanding of where they are and what they're going through.
Having insight into what time it is in your life can be a lantern in the dark.
256 pages, Paperback
Published March 8, 2022
10 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
About the author
Danielle Blackwood
10 books41 followersDanielle Blackwood (she, her) is a professional astrologer with more than 30 years experience and is certified in the Principles and Practice of Contemporary Psychological Astrology through world renowned astrologer and author, Erin Sullivan. Danielle is also a Registered Counseling Therapist (RTC) in private practice.
Her therapeutic approach is Jungian, transpersonal and person centered. In 2016, she completed the intensive, Singing Over the Bones with Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes, and she holds a certificate in Jungian and Post Jungian Clinical Concepts through The Center of Applied Jungian Studies.
Her passion is helping others through their rites of passage, finding meaning on their journey and consciously reframing their stories through an archetypal lens.
She has been a priestess and educator since 1994, facilitating workshops, retreats, classes and public ritual. Danielle is the author of The Twelve Faces of The Goddess: Transform Your Life with Astrology, Magick and the Sacred Feminine and A Lantern in the Dark: Navigate Life's Crossroads with Story, Ritual and Sacred Astrology. She is also a regular contributor in Llewellyn annuals.
She lives in an enchanted cottage on magical Salt Spring Island on the west coast of Canada, the original lands and unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples.
Her therapeutic approach is Jungian, transpersonal and person centered. In 2016, she completed the intensive, Singing Over the Bones with Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes, and she holds a certificate in Jungian and Post Jungian Clinical Concepts through The Center of Applied Jungian Studies.
Her passion is helping others through their rites of passage, finding meaning on their journey and consciously reframing their stories through an archetypal lens.
She has been a priestess and educator since 1994, facilitating workshops, retreats, classes and public ritual. Danielle is the author of The Twelve Faces of The Goddess: Transform Your Life with Astrology, Magick and the Sacred Feminine and A Lantern in the Dark: Navigate Life's Crossroads with Story, Ritual and Sacred Astrology. She is also a regular contributor in Llewellyn annuals.
She lives in an enchanted cottage on magical Salt Spring Island on the west coast of Canada, the original lands and unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 1, 2022
We all face crossroads in our lives. How we deal with them is what makes the difference. Ms Blackwood provides an approach to approaching these crossroads and how to traverse them to come out on the other side a stronger and more magickal being. Maiden, Mother, Crone…they are all stages in life, and this book offers some guidance on how to deal with the challenges and journey along the way.
An excellent read and a wonderful approach to aging and making the best of life.
An excellent read and a wonderful approach to aging and making the best of life.
March 6, 2022
Like many readers, I’ve always found a haven in the stories I read. I have had a fascination with mythology and the mirrors they hold up to our lives. Many years ago, in what I would refer to as the winter of my life, I found my love for astrology and how the natal chart, or the placement of the planets at the moment of your birth, can collate with your personality and challenges that you will face in your life. This also roots into psychology and works of Carl G Jung.
A Lantern In The Dark by Danielle Blackwood is absolutely enthralling! This book walks you through several big transits in your life.
“A transit is essentially when a planet moving through the heavens makes contact by degree and angle to a planet in your birth chart. . . Some transits indicate a time of opportunity, flow, growth and abundance in your life, while others suggest key life lessons, a major developmental shift, or a crossroads.”
These rites of passage include the following:
The First Saturn Return: Age 29–30
The Midlife Transits
Pluto Square: Age 36–48
Neptune Square: 39–42
Uranus Opposition: Age: 41–45
Saturn Opposition: Age: 44–45
The Second Saturn Return: Age 58–60
Think back to this time of your life. What was happening? I’m in my first Saturn return now and it’s a time of big changes and navigating my objective and goals in life and questioning what in world am I doing?
This book provides a wealth of insight, journal prompts, rituals, and other tools to help you navigate these crossroads. It does so by weaving in the lessons and archetypes from myths which make this even more fascinating to me.
A Lantern In The Dark by Danielle Blackwood is absolutely enthralling! This book walks you through several big transits in your life.
“A transit is essentially when a planet moving through the heavens makes contact by degree and angle to a planet in your birth chart. . . Some transits indicate a time of opportunity, flow, growth and abundance in your life, while others suggest key life lessons, a major developmental shift, or a crossroads.”
These rites of passage include the following:
The First Saturn Return: Age 29–30
The Midlife Transits
Pluto Square: Age 36–48
Neptune Square: 39–42
Uranus Opposition: Age: 41–45
Saturn Opposition: Age: 44–45
The Second Saturn Return: Age 58–60
Think back to this time of your life. What was happening? I’m in my first Saturn return now and it’s a time of big changes and navigating my objective and goals in life and questioning what in world am I doing?
This book provides a wealth of insight, journal prompts, rituals, and other tools to help you navigate these crossroads. It does so by weaving in the lessons and archetypes from myths which make this even more fascinating to me.
May 16, 2022
Brilliant! This along with her 12 faces of the goddess book are incredible deep dives into astrology. This is devotion at work in the stars. Highly recommend
May 27, 2023
This is a good book - so why the average rating. Well, hear me out.
First of all, I LOVE how the author weaves together stories, astrology and real life to walk us through the various transits in life.
But I felt like we kind of jump in straight at nearly the age 30+ and only go upwards when exploring the transits.
At this stage in my life, save for the first Saturn return, I had no real point of reference for myself or my more immediate peers. So anything past that was a good introduction, but without any real life references for me personally it ended up being a bit too vague.
Also any advice that relates to witchy rituals and spells unfortunately does not speak to me at present and that was 1/3 of the chapters on each transit. I can, however, see how this may be an amazing element for those who do feel called to utilise this.
Goodreads marks 2 stars as "it was ok" and this book truly was ok for me. Perhaps if I re-read this book later in life it will all make more sense - it just was not the right time for me....yet.
First of all, I LOVE how the author weaves together stories, astrology and real life to walk us through the various transits in life.
But I felt like we kind of jump in straight at nearly the age 30+ and only go upwards when exploring the transits.
At this stage in my life, save for the first Saturn return, I had no real point of reference for myself or my more immediate peers. So anything past that was a good introduction, but without any real life references for me personally it ended up being a bit too vague.
Also any advice that relates to witchy rituals and spells unfortunately does not speak to me at present and that was 1/3 of the chapters on each transit. I can, however, see how this may be an amazing element for those who do feel called to utilise this.
Goodreads marks 2 stars as "it was ok" and this book truly was ok for me. Perhaps if I re-read this book later in life it will all make more sense - it just was not the right time for me....yet.
April 2, 2023
This is an amazing book about the crossroads times in our lives: the Saturn opposition and returns, the Pluto square, the Neptune square, and the Uranus opposition. This book is especially applicable for people in their 40s going through all these midlife challenges. I love the pathworking and ritual ideas to help move through these times, as well as the correspondences. I started reading this book literally the day Saturn left my opposition sign, so there is a spirituality in looking back at these 4 transits of the late 30s to mid-40s with poignancy and self-evaluation. A sacred, and much-loved, book that I will treasure (and recommend to others) through my second Saturn return.
January 27, 2024
An interesting look at various folktales and mythologies from around the world to illustrate the stages of life we all face in regards to coming to a crossroads or facing a "dark night of the soul" that leaves us changed. Blackwood uses these archetypal stories of heroines facing the dark forest/underworld etc with a bit of astrology to explain these life stages and give insight into how to get through them without losing ourselves. A little bit psychology, a little bit woo, but a fresh perspective nonetheless for dealing with life's various and inevitable challenges.
March 2, 2023
This is a lovely book rich in many different ways. I love the imagery, the Astrology and the the combination of Psychology and Magic. As a Psychological Astrologer and Analytical Hypnotherapist, I really appreciate the value of ritual and a sense of the sacred in helping us through difficult times in life. Danielle’s rituals and meditations are inspiring.
You can watch Danielle discussing her book on Lightways @ lifeastrologer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXvOp...
You can watch Danielle discussing her book on Lightways @ lifeastrologer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXvOp...
April 1, 2024
Beautifully woven mythology and folklore woven in with spiritual practices, and rituals to support each unique transit or crossroad we are at. She helps us reflect on each stage of our lives and the potent medicine the lessons along with these bring us. I highly recommend to anyone going through a big life transition to help gain clarity from this perspective or for anyone wanting to take stock or prepare for an upcoming phase in their lives.
July 23, 2022
If you are interested in the evolution of life experience through the lens of astrology and entering your late 20s (or older) this is a great look at the major planetary transits which will rock your world. The author gives some good useable advice for how to manage the complexities that show up though, at times, perhaps sprinkles a bit too much of their ideal of life into the mix.
March 14, 2022
Crossroads in life are always hard, no matter what age you are. It can be a dark place if you don't understand or cannot accept that things have changed or are changing. This book gives you insights and help to understand the transits you may go thru.
March 30, 2022
This book gave me a different perspective on life. It's beautifully written, easy to understand, and profound. This book is something I will go back to again and again to help me anticipate and navigate life's crossroads.
February 17, 2023
Excellent book! Fiercely insightful, honest and compassionate. I think folks ‘at the crossroads’ will find it a comforting guide. Definitely will recommend this!!
September 8, 2022
This book has been profoundly informative for me in understanding life's challenges that I've already faced, ones I am currently navigating, and ones still to come. She helps to normalize processes that we all go through in life without minimizing these experiences through an archetypal lens, while emphasizing that each journey is unique. I love the stories, ritual and relatable experiences throughout the book. I'm so glad I've discovered Danielle and her incredible insight and rich and meaningful writing style. This book will be with me throughout my life and I have already recommended it to friends.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews