Old age is a ripening a harvest and potentially the most satisfying stage of our whole lives. The elderwoman has an important part to play at any level she chooses. Since our most pressing social imperative is that we learn to dwell more lightly and co-operatively on the earth the natural 'lightening' of the ageing process makes the elderwoman an ideal leader/expert in the art of what is nowadays called 'downshifting' i.e. the conscious choice of a simple lifestyle. The book draws on developmental and Jungian psychology ecopsychology deep ecology spirituality and ecofeminist philosophy yet is written in a clear jargon free language which renders it accessible to all regardless of educational standard colour race belief system socio-economic level or sexual persuasion.