Like so many others, my first introduction to astrology was sun sign columns. I thought those columns were Astrology and fretted when they missed the mark for me. Then, I read a book entitled, "Linda Goodman's Sun Signs." Ms. Goodman presented the concept that an individual is describe not only by his or her sun sign, but also by the role that person plays in our lives - spouse, child, boss, parent. She made it clear that one needed a birth chart analysis to begin to understand another person. But, I just didn't know how to get the information I really needed to know. So, armed with this one book, I began to read the signs that affected my life and compare the information to the people I knew. It really worked! My eyes opened wider each time I read her material but, I still didn't know how to learn more, so I kept Ms. Goodman's book handy and used it as skillfully as I could.

When I began my teaching career, I found Ms. Goodman's take on sun signs more helpful in handling twenty-seven diverse 5-year olds than some of the pedagogical textbooks I had studied for four years. I carefully arranged activities and groups based on the various sun signs and found the learning process improved and disciplinary problems diminished. Additionally, I watched how these young children behaved when they were dropped off and picked up. And, I found out the parents' sun signs which helped me anticipate my students' reactions to and interactions with their parents.

During this period I misjudged my students at times, but my accuracy rate was rather high, so my failures piqued my curiosity about what I "didn't know." I needed to learn and understand this subject on a deeper level. That was the beginning of my quest for an astrology teacher.

Several years later I found Dorothy Santangelo, a gifted astrologer and teacher. The local community college offered a basic astrology course and I enrolled. Over the next few years Dorothy became my mentor. She patiently helped me lay the foundation for a deeper understanding of astrology. During those early years we revised her course textbook and I assisted her efforts to write and publish her book on astrology and dyslexia. Within a few years I was invited to present my first lecture on "The Evolutionary Journey," one of the first advanced studies of the moon I had undertaken. Soon I began to give readings as a professional astrologer. And, when my mentor retired, she asked me to assume her teaching load.

Today I'm a frequent lecturer in the tri-state area (NY, NJ and CT) for a variety of astrological groups, as well as for non-astrologers. I continue to teach basic astrology at the local community college in my new location. I enjoy working with beginners most of all because they keep me in touch with the basics of my craft. Besides maintaining this website I've been a guest astrologer on cable television, guest-written website articles for colleagues, and been honored to have an article accepted for publication in "The Mountain Astrologer."

In 2005 I launched this website with its emphasis on the Moon, our mood barometer, and dedicated to the premise that life is a series of cycles. Although we might tend to repeat our mistakes, we can learn about ourselves thus transforming the unwanted circle into an upward spiral. The result of this shift in focus can be a life of joy and fulfillment. My vision of astrology's purpose is influenced by my desire to: 1) keep things as simple as possible, 2) encourage individuals to be as consistent as human existence will allow, and 3) help others triumph by honoring their individual life cycles.

At Cycles For Living I explore the repetitive patterns we experience. Your instincts, sometimes called gut feelings, are your brain's way of alerting you to a repeat in your life cycle. When you learn to identify the cycles, then it's easier to foresee what will happen next.

My colleagues elected me to a committee position within AFAN (Association For Astrological Networking) and I'm currently the newsletter committee chairperson. I've served as secretary for the Long Island chapter of NCGR (National Council for Geocosmic Research), am a frequent volunteer at the NCGR national conferences, and a speaker at the NYC NCGR Fall Education Conference each December.

I'm also a member of OPA (Organization of Professional Astrologers) and earned their peer supervision and career development certificate. I hold a BA in English Language Arts with a minor in Elementary Ed, and a Masters of Public Administration. I'm a skilled trainer and have successfully completed NCGR certification through Level 3.

I do hope you'll take time to explore and enjoy my site. My take on the stars?