What is the significance of December 21, 2012? In this groundbreaking book, Tim Lyons offers a multi-faceted answer to that question by applying the principles of western astrology to time measurement that the ancient Maya called the Long Count, a period that began in 3114 BC and that ends on December 21, 2012. Drawing on the historical studies of Lewis Mumford, Arnold Toynbee, and others, Tim finds connections between the Mayan aeon and our own astrological ages, uses our astrological tools to draw meaning from the Mayan time-measurements, and demonstrates the correlations between the Mayan measurements and the many important historical developments from the past 5125 years. In his last chapter, Tim casts a horoscope for the aeon beginning on the winter solstice 2012, seeking similarities and differences between that horoscope and the one for August 11, 3114 BC. Concluding that the Long Count horoscope symbolizes a type of social development characterized by authoritarian militarism and leading to ecological destruction, and showing how those tendencies have worked themselves out through time in tandem with important transits and progressions to that horoscope, he connects social, psychological, and spiritual elements to give a clear diagnosis of the problems facing human civilization. Seeing the Long Count as measuring "the era of bigness," he suggests that the future will see the development of smaller institutions arising as adaptations to the dominant model that has now run its course.

Seeing in the pattern of the astrological symbols both the development of ego and the path beyond ego's restrictions, Tim Lyons discusses the relationship between astrology and perennial wisdom. The first three chapters present thought-provoking ideas about the development of awareness through the stages described by the planets, signs, and houses. Succeeding chapters explore the role of relationships and emotion in our spiritual development, the evolutionary potential symbolized by the outer planets, and the importance of collective projections. The final chapter explores the relationship between our ideas about freedom and astrological time-analysis. Astrology Beyond Ego concludes with an appendix that explains some astrological correlations to the Buddhist Abhidharma.Tim Lyons has been an astrologer for more than 30 years. He has contributed to two of Llewellyn's New World Astrology series (How to Manage the Astrology of Crisis, 1993; Astrology Looks at History, 1995), been a columnist for American Astrology (now Your Daily Horoscope) since 1990, and contributed numerous astrology articles to Welcome to Planet Earth and The Mountain Astrologer. He has also contributed to The East West Journal, The Liguorian, Chrysalis, The Vajradhatu Sun, Bodhi Magazine, ETC., The Vocabula Review, and various newspapers and given numerous lectures both in Colorado and elsewhere. He has a B.A. in English Literature from Occidental College in Los Angeles (1971) and an M.A. in Creative Writing from The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore (1974). He works as a writing instructor at the University of Colorado and maintains an active astrology practice.

The Good Guy Handbook is about volunteerism. It begins as an invitation for the reader to become involved in some not for profit activity. It identifies numerous causes like feeding the needy, helping at-risk youth, protecting the environment, prison ministry, youth sports, etc. The book then describes what you can do individually or by hooking up with established organizations. The last section of the book gives specific ideas on how to improve a person's not for profit skills. Tips are given on public speaking, running a meeting, managing and motivating other volunteers and selecting the appropriate fundraising program. Detailed instructions are given on planning and conducting a fundraising dinner to include preparing your own food. A three page food safety class is included that should be given to anyone that even infrequently finds themselves in a kitchen. The book is a call for people to feel a need to help out with something. Once called the volunteer is encouraged make use of their skills as they accept responsibility to not only do something good, but to do it efficiently. In the process the Good Guy receives the "helper high" as they have fun providing a much needed service.