powerful influence as they grow older. In their youth they are extravagant in every sense, and inclined to waste much time and energy. People born under this sign often have a sense of fatalism that they try to resist, like the reed characters, but it holds great sway in their actions and subconscious mind. However, the ability to comprehend the com plexities of life finally dawns, and the gift of under standing is the culmination of wisdom and a lapsed faith, although they must travel far or search hard to find it.
Some notable elder tree characters include Mary, Queen of Scots, Sir Winston Churchill, Beethoven, and Disraeli.
Positive Aspects
They have a constructive approach to life. They will continue a struggle that would defeat most people, even the powerful reed characters. They have a cer tain patience and self-discipline, but their real strength lies in their instinctive knowledge of when they are right and other people are in the wrong.
Negative Aspects
They can be heartless and cruel people. They may became involved in public scandals because of their lack of judgment in their choice of friends and by allowing their personal ambitions to dominate, for they are highly ambitious people who are deter mined to win at all costs.
General
Their search for fame and fortune will take them to many foreign places, only to discover that their des tiny lies much closer to home. The study of ancient cultures and philosophies will be their guide, but a restless spirit prevails. Of all the signs, the elder tree characters require the most understanding. In the early days they put on a convincing show of not really taking things too seriously, but they are inevitably drawn into more powerful arenas or con tests by their personal convictions. Unlike the reed people, who seek personal power, elder people are dogmatic characters who enjoy challenging the power of the land or what they see as great injustices. Being outspoken people, they are at times inclined to speak without thinking deeply enough, which can become the easy way out of a situation. And if they speak bluntly enough, people will learn to keep their distance. But they have, nevertheless, the ability to sway people with great oratory when they so choose. Elder tree characters are in the same mold as the brave oak people, their opposite sign and polarity, but the elder tree people are the constantly misunderstood people of the Celtic lunar zodiac.
They are very energetic people who can be seen jogging around the park in the early hours in all weathers. Their physical stamina is hyperactive; they usually become involved with outdoor sports or activities, and this may attract them into a profes sional sporting career. Military careers are also top of the list, and that urge for travel promotes journalists as well as sports promoters and commentators. This
is the extrovert elder tree character at its best-fin ger on the button, ready to fire the questions, exert ing a high profile. Perhaps it is not surprising that they often end up in politics.
The quieter type of elder tree character is less obvious, but remains a powerful figure, even on the sidelines. For no one can dodge or avoid their responsibilities forever, even though such elder char acters may appear to make a good show at trying. They make staunch friends and teammates, for they have the cheek of the devil and will never let the side down.
Love Life
Their personal lives are an open book. They will saunter away from the most disastrous relationships as if they were only bystanders, this casual attitude being their hallmark or notoriety. Do they ever really fall in love with any of their willing victims? Occasionally they do, especially in the very first moments of a relationship. But they are not heartless people, however, just overly romantic and lustful.
They make wonderful aunts and uncles, who bring back the most exciting souvenirs of their trav-
els, with incredible stories to tell. They also make ideal parents if the opportunity arises, but even when married they will never be around all the time because of their careers and restless nature.
Summary
The most enduring part of their nature is their sense of humor, which can become rather black on cca sion. But it will score a hit for the whole of human ity when directed at false prophets and merchants of doom. Their lifestyle is quite different from every one else's. They will dine with kings and queens and then take a nightcap with a passing tramp. Is it a protest against society or themselves? Whatever, they will keep the tabloids busy.
They seldom have a quiet life, enjoying the noise and bustle of the city or town as a rule, although they are equally adaptable anywhere. If it's a country life they choose, they are most likely to become the squire, with a menagerie of wild folk and animals as houseguests. But when the facade wears thinner with maturity and old age, the world is suddenly presented with one of the leading pillars of society.