[harmonygirl]

Michael,
I am curious about the term "crisis" as applied, wouldn't "transition" or "growth" be more appropriate? Use of crisis implies reluctance to change...Also, I am not sure about the years defined, I think the 3rd crisis can manifest way earlier than your early 20s (also your 4th stage seems quite long). I'm not sure of the point you're trying to make but in the research I have done on alchemy, it seems there are also 4 stages of transformation: nigredo, albedo, citrinitas and rubedo. The first stage seems to be purification of earthly influence, or removing identification with the elements of earth and water. The second stage is called the stage of the moon, and is characterised by an inward journey. The third stage, stage of the sun, talks of Divine Intellect and true knowledge and is a move into the mystical realm of enlightenment. The fourth stage incorporates the freedoms gained in the first three and is Pure spirit consciously chosing to live in the Earth as an enlightened being, with soul fully integrated into body. There is fire, death and pyschological implications in each state. Is this kind of what you mean?