John Steinbeck
challenges and difficulties

John Steinbeck has a great capacity for self-denial in the pursuit of a long-range goal. John is capable of hard work and persistent labor, but he may lack joyfulness and the ability to play. John Steinbeck often feels burdened by life's demands and responsibilities, and may envy those who seem to attract what they want in life without a great deal of personal effort.

There is a very judgmental, stern, and uncompromising side of Steinbeck's which may inhibit him a great deal. John Steinbeck must avoid becoming heavy and cynical, or becoming a rather callous, sophisticated adult whose practicality and realism squeeze out the playful, imaginative side of life.

John Steinbeck takes both his work and his health very seriously, but he may demand so much of his at work that he compromise his health. John can become a workaholic, not so much because he has lofty ambitions, but because he never feels like he has done enough. John Steinbeck is overly responsible or overly conscientious at work, so much so that he may not enjoy it at all.

Steinbeck can also get overly involved in self-improvement or his health, and he tends to be a bit of a hypochondriac.

Now we will discuss patterns of behavior which John Steinbeck instinctively and habitually reverts to when under stress - a mostly subconscious process that he is apt to over indulge in because it is so familiar and hence easy for him. The direction John Steinbeck needs to follow in order to develop balance, greater awareness, and wholeness is also described.

He is capable of withstanding outside influences and remaining constant and steady on his path, but when under stress John Steinbeck becomes downright obstinate and implacable, resisting any change no matter how necessary or desirable the change may be. Tenaciously trying to preserve the status quo and hold on to what he has, he is apt to ignore the subtle signals he receives about needing to do something differently, which often leads to a crisis.

John Steinbeck needs to learn the limits of his ability to control life, and to accept and even embrace change and loss of the familiar, in order to allow for new life and growth. "Letting go" is a major life lesson for him. Steinbeck also needs to develop a balanced attitude toward his appetites and desires, as John Steinbeck tends to overindulge and/or deny himself excessively.

It is in trying to strike a balance between Steinbeck's inner, personal life and his career or involvement with the world at large that he is most likely to wrestle with these issues. John Steinbeck needs to focus attention on his home and family situation, and create a secure inner anchor.

The following are specific activities that will support John Steinbeck in his growth. These may or may not feel natural to Steinbeck, and he may initially resist or feel awkward about them, but they are crucial to his path to wholeness.

John Steinbeck should care for and nourish children, plants, pets or other people. He needs to make a home, create and sustain strong relationships with his family or a community that can support him and give him a sense of safety and belonging.

John Steinbeck should develop his listening skills and deepen his understanding and appreciation of women and their perspective. John Steinbeck has to learn to trust his own feelings, intuitions and emotional needs. He needs to care for himself in an accepting, non-judgmental way.

It is in John Steinbeck's best interest to take all that is good and helpful from his past and use it in a new way. (If he is so inclined, John may want to explore the potential of past-life regression to tap into gifts he has already developed).

His relationships with others could be rather unstable and unreliable. With a somewhat negative attitude and weak will, John Steinbeck avoids opposition and escapes his responsibilities. In his relationships he is likely to choose people who are asocial.

Astrological factors in this Astro Profile section:

Saturn in Capricorn

Saturn in 6th house

N. Node in Scorpio

N. Node in 4th house

N. Node Conjunct Moon

N. Node Opposition Mars/Neptune