“As we play on violins, guitars, and pianos, so too the Universe plays on us…anonymous.
I recently received a message from my niece. She turned 40 this year. She ended a five-plus year relationship. And she moved into a new condo.
All I have to say is YIKES. It always happens all at once! What made me pause for thought was that she had just reached a new decade. For me, the beginning of a new decade always brought change. Or the musings of a change. A new job. A new relationship or the end of one. Whatever it was, it was always significant and usually at the beginning of a new decade.
I believe this cycle is a regular occurrence for many people. Most of these cycles commence with a new career, a marriage, or the beginning of a family. I found myself on a seven-year cycle of change. It was more pronounced in my career choices than in my personal life. Although it did show up twice in two major relationships.
I recently read a fascinating, playful (intriguing) article by Chani Nicholas. She has been a contemporary astrologer for over twenty years, with a highly successful iPhone app called CHANI. She has been profiled in the New York Times, New York Magazine and is currently a contributor to The Today Show. Her book, You were born for This, debuted at #8 on the New York Times best-seller list and continues to be a brisk seller.
In July, she released a post, The Astrological Timeline of Your Life. The opening line and the entire first paragraph are what caught my attention. And I quote…
Charni
While every life is spectacularly one-of-a-kind, have you ever noticed that we tend to go through similar trials at similar ages? That’s because each threshold of human development holds astrological significance. Every planet orbits the Sun in consistent numbers of years — for example, it takes Saturn 30 years to complete this journey, while it takes Uranus 84. When the planets reach key stations in their treks around the zodiac, they correspond to major moments in our lives. Those “key stations” include every time a planet returns to the position it first held in our birth charts and every time a planet squares or opposes that position, representing a significant growth edge.
There are four planets, in particular, that she focuses on because of their longer cycles Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto (other planets return to their starting points every year.) I chose to focus on the age ranges that begin in our twenties and end in our fifties. Plus, I’ve added a link for you to read the entire article. You can start in the age range you’re in now, or you can begin at younger ages and compare where you were at that time to what the planets have to say! Her original post continues beyond 50, another reason to link to the site. https://chaninicholas.com
To highlight the timeline, I’ve added a few sentences as a lead into each age range. If you follow the link to the full article, there will be much more information. Even if you are not “into” astrology, it’s intriguing to read these timelines and relate to where you were at that time in your life. I found for me the timing was spot on for major developments in my life—especially these formative years of establishing my own identity.
THE FUTURE STARTS NOW
Age 18-19
The threshold of the future. It all has to do with a Nodal Return! The South Node return reverberates themes of release and letting go, while the North Node return releases new desires and appetites. We’re graduating, leaving home, and going off to college or entering the workforce on our own. We’re letting go and exploring.
OUR TWENTIES
Age 21–22
This is where it all begins. We are out of college or on our way to grad school. Saturn, the taskmaster, enters our realm. We’re off to a running start with new jobs, probably new cities, and the start of a new life. If you didn’t go to college and went right to work, this is when you begin to recognize which jobs you find gratifying and which ones you would rather move on from. When Uranus arrives, you will feel a surge of freedom. Enjoy the ride.
Age 23–24
A few years later, around age 23 or 24, we enter our second Jupiter return. This is a golden year where we don’t yet feel saddled with the responsibilities of adulthood, but we’re starting to be more confident as independent agents. Even if we still experience the same old insecurities, this season brings a sense that the future is ours and the world is at our feet.
Age 28–30
Then comes the famous Saturn return, which lasts from around age 28 to 30. Because Saturn tends to represent rules, restrictions, and reality checks, the first Saturn return corresponds to years when we feel like certifiable grown-ups for the first time. Though our resolve is often tested during Saturn’s returns, we’re reminded how resilient we are during this period. Nothing wins Saturn’s favor like determination and persistent effort over time.
OUR THIRTIES
Age 36–37
Life can feel very “real” at this age, which is partly attributed to our second Saturn square, which also happens around age 36 or 37 . We covered the highlights of this earlier, but the critical thing to note is that this is the first significant test of Saturn after our initial Saturn return. If we haven’t been making the adjustments that Saturn highlighted for us around age 30, this square will nudge us to interrupt those outdated patterns and course-correct.
Age 36–42
Welcome, Pluto and Neptune. These two will usher in the beginning of the “midlife”transits. As we reach our late 30s, rebirth and regeneration begin. Pluto is the planet of power, mystery, deep psychology, wealth, death, and the underworld so these themes will be activated during these years. If we haven’t addressed specific aspects of our life, now is the time.
Neptune helps us asses “what we’re doing with our lives!” Are we really happy where we are? Is it time to make a dramatic change, and how did time pass so quickly? A good rule of thumb here is to be open to asking questions of ourselves and the universe. There’s a good possibility that we’ll find answers. It’s a good time to check life’s road map.
OUR FORTIES
Age 42
All the fruitful confusion of the Neptune square leads to another reckoning at age 42: the Uranus opposition. Uranus represents the people and experiences that break through barriers, interrupt the status quo, and defy conventions. As such, this transit corresponds to the famed “midlife crisis.” Uranus loves authenticity and freedom. The arrival of Uranus could rupture some patterns that are not representing who we are. Now is the time to step forward and volunteer for the future.
OUR FIFTIES
Age 50–52
Finally, we’re established. We absolutely know where we have been. And now, with the return of Saturn, our focus will be long-range into a future that we must plan for now to be secure and grounded where we wish to be. Our fifties are when we’re comfortable in the paths we have chosen for ourselves. But that doesn’t mean that life is suddenly easy. Saturn square is the reality-bringer’s last test before the end of this decade—Saturn’s all about deferred gratification: making sacrifices now to support something significant down the road.
THE MEDICINE FOUND IN REFLECTING ON THESE CYCLES
“These are the main phases of the human life. While some people will live a decade or two longer, all of the transits they’ll experience will be repeats of the ones they experienced earlier, allowing them to integrate those themes further.
No matter what phase you’re currently in, reflecting on the astrology of a lifetime can be both rich and rewarding because it not only provides meaning to your life stage but illuminates how you’re connected with others. And not only others your age but others who are decades older or younger are experiencing the exact transit. It’s another reminder — if you needed one — that you’re never alone.” https://chaninicholas.com
From Kate
Thanks for exploring with me. I have to admit that I am a bit of a dilettante. I have many areas of interest and enjoy the journey into the unknown (to me). Personally, I like to frolic among the planets and traverse the universe. I usually return with a bit more knowledge than what I left with!
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