IN MEMORIUM BETTY LUNDSTED
July 10, 2001, Barbara Somerfield

Betty Lundsted died peacefully in her home in Cape Neddick, Maine, July 7, 2001 after a long illness. Betty's transformative effects on those who were the beneficiaries of her books, astrological counseling, lectures, publishing initiatives, mentoring and willingness to help in tough situations where others feared to tread, are too numerous to detail.

I first met Betty in the early1970's when she counseled and lectured on astrology. I invited her to lecture at National Astrological Society conferences because her insights and direct no nonsense delivery were valuable contributions in educating contemporary astrologers. Betty contributed her superb organizing abilities during the nascent years of NCGR in New York City, in her role as Conference Chair, Executive Secretary and participation on the Education Committee. Her coordination and implementation of the February 1977 Crisis Counseling conference influenced both astrologers and psychologists who previously had not considered the astrology/psychology connection.

With her husband Donald Weiser, Betty applied her expertise to expanding the availablity of high quality astrology and esoteric books in the U.K. from 1985 through 1999 through their Watkins Bookstore in London.

Betty wrote three books that remain in print as part of her legacy.

Astrological Insights into Personality, ACS Publishing, 1980;
Transits -The Time Of Your Life, Samuel Weiser, Inc. 1980;
Planetary Cycles That Get You From Beginning To End Without A Guide, Samuel Weiser, Inc. 1993.

As vice president of Samuel Weiser Inc. and publisher of Nicolas-Hays Inc., her direct experience and knowlege in astrology, esoteric and Jungian studies uniquely positioned her to produce a wide array of significant books of benefit to seekers. Betty was known internationally for her many efforts to arrange for translations of books she believed should be accessible in many languages.

The Coalition of Visionary Retailers awarded to Betty, the first Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999, for her positive impact in the dissemination of astrology, esoteric and Jungian psychology books, through her publishing and generous mentoring efforts.

Betty's inner certitude about what were the right choices for her, locating not widely known solutions to assist her functioning these last years, taking charge of how she was going to live while facing the inevitable, modeled a rarely seen courage, fortitude and dignity.

Condolences may be sent to her husband, Donald Weiser at:

Weiser, Antiquarian Books
P.O. Box 2050
York Beach, Me. 03910

By Donna Cunningham, 7/11/01

Betty was my friend and editor, and it saddens me greatly to hear of her death. I always say that Betty and I grew up together in astrology, for I knew her from very early on in my studies that began in New York City in the late 1960s. We organized a conference together in the early days of NCGR, where she was quite active, working alongside people like Charles Emerson, Charles Jayne, and her good friend Nancy Hastings.

She was a superb, no-nonsense astrologer who taught many of New York's astrologers who started during that era. She also conducted a large astrological practice in New York City before meeting Donald Weiser and becoming involved with Weiser Books as an editor and publisher.

While the field lost a fine astrologer when she joined Weisers, we gained one of the best editors and supporters of astrological and metaphysical writing ever. My own writing benefited immensely from her dual expertise as an astrologer and editor, and I greatly valued her insights and suggestions. Along with Donald, she made a huge commitment to keep valuable books in print, even when they were by no means best sellers.

I always loved Betty for her straight-from-the-hip common sense, and I am sure she faced death with the same solidity. A private person, Betty did not want her birth information published, and that wish will be respected here.

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