JOHN M TESTHAFEEZ

This is a period of inner development and soul searching. , you will deal with the deeply important questions of personal existence and the meaning of life. You will need time to be alone to contemplate your inner world. This is a time of spiritual growth. You will experience a heightened sense of faith. The power of the universe will be the force that carries you along. During this 7 Pinnacle, spiritual growth, increased knowledge, and wisdom are the big rewards. The 7 Pinnacle provides the basis for contentment in older age, because you now begin to understand life more deeply.

You have an enhanced appreciation of poetry and nature. Walks in nature provide great therapeutic value and spiritual nourishment.

This is a time of specialization. You will pursue some course of development with fervor and focus. Your ability to concentrate will be greatly increased. Your desire to study in all forms -- reading, self-reflection, and contemplation -- will reach an all-time high. Your intuition is much more sensitive, making your path a little easier and more direct, since you know intuitively the appropriate next step.

Under this Pinnacle, you will become an expert in one particular field. Your capacity to penetrate the depths of a subject area is enormous. You will look below the surface in virtually everything you encounter. It is very possible that you will find yourself in a teaching role.

You must consciously work on your closer relationships, especially with your spouse and children. You must explain that your desire to turn inward is not an escape or an avoidance of those you love, but a deep need for knowledge. Your challenge is to avoid becoming critical or cynical of others. You can become so withdrawn from society that you look down on others. You may forget that you, too, are part of the imperfect human race. Sarcasm is the lowest form of communication, and a trap you could fall victim to.

Your desire to attain some high degree of perfection is sincere. But that pursuit can make you miserable if you lose perspective and fail to realize the relativity of human existence. Perfection is a Utopian goal, but an unrealistic ambition. It can cause you to be dissatisfied with yourself and others.

The 7 provides the possibility of true refinement, insight, and a high degree of wisdom. This deep understanding is the basis for self-love and true happiness.

This is a period that will teach the realities of freedom and expansion. You will travel great distances, meet many new and interesting people, experience many adventures, and essentially come to know the world. You are in a period of accelerated experimentation and learning. Experience is your teacher. Your ability with words is greatly increased. You can write and speak with ease. You are also able to successfully promote yourself. In fact, this is the source of much adventure; new opportunities for work, travel, and exotic experiences present themselves with regularity.

Your challenge is to prevent yourself from becoming a rolling stone. You need to ground yourself in a particular discipline, career, or relationship. This will not limit your freedoms so much as give you a base for operation. Otherwise, you may find yourself skipping from one meaningless job to the next, one superficial relationship after another. You can also fall victim to the abuse of food, alcohol, sex, or drugs. You must accept limitations as a necessary base for your freedom. Freedom cannot exist without limitations, otherwise you would be without identity, and without existence.

You may fear being anchored or tied down, which can cause you to skim the surface of a pursuit you enjoy, or important relationships. You must come to know the true meaning of freedom, which is unconditional love. You give your love and energy without the condition of holding on to a place, a person, or an occupation; and you expect the same in return -- to be loved for what you are, rather than someone who belongs to another. There is a highly spiritual path offering itself that requires detachment without loss of love. Many turn away from this and instead choose to maintain a superficial relationship with the world, or with other people.

You must cultivate your talents, especially your verbal and writing abilities. You are likely a gifted salesperson, or promoter.

, this Pinnacle causes you to be extremely sensitive, intuitive, and full of insight. It is a period that requires patience and the development of inner awareness. You are being asked to use gentle power and persuasion to obtain your desired goals. Direct approaches, forceful displays, and confrontations will likely work against you. You will find the most satisfactory roles to be supportive. You are now a gifted advisor, a diplomat and a peacemaker. Your insight into other people's feelings and motivations is so acute that you seem to be able to see right to the core of things. But rather than use these gifts to create differences between people, you must use them to create peace, to mend rifts, to harmonize.

Your challenge during this period is to bring balance to duality in every form, and at every level. You will recognize the value of both sides of an argument and be able to see the middle ground where peace can be made. You can create the atmosphere in which both sides can compromise and work harmoniously. You are the glue that keeps people and important projects together.

The weaknesses you must face and overcome are too much sensitivity. You may be tempted to indulge your feelings, to be too easily hurt. You may lack self-confidence, especially at the beginning of the Pinnacle when your heightened sensitivity and awareness make you conscious of your own shortcomings. You may succumb to fear and hesitation. All of this can lead to emotional turmoil. You need courage and the willingness to reach out for support.

Your sensitivity will make you acutely appreciative of beauty and harmonious environments. At the same time, you need beauty and harmony around you. You have an increased appetite for music and the arts in general. You may find that your musical talents coming to the surface. If you do not already play an instrument, give in to any inclination to take one up.

A person in a 2 Pinnacle who uses his or her sensitivity, understanding, and insight is very appreciated by others. You may not fully realize just how much others appreciate and respect you. This may cause you to feel undervalued, or that you are not getting the recognition you deserve. You appear shy and humble, particularly if this is your first Pinnacle, but inside there is much pride that must be kept in check.

You may want to hide from the tumult of life, or from difficult situations. This may tempt you to color the facts in order to protect harmony. Be careful of this tendency, because it often backfires.

You have an eye for precision and detail. Your taste in all aspects of life is enhanced and you possess a certain class that others admire. If you make the most of these qualities, your appearance is considerably improved, making you both attractive and graceful.