Can astrology help you through midlife?

“Midway upon the journey of our life,
I found myself within a forest dark,
For the straightforward pathway had been lost.”

“I cannot well repeat how there I entered,
So full was I of slumber at the moment
In which I had abandoned the true way.”

Dante, Divine Comedy

As in Dante’s lines, your midlife may come on like a crisis, throwing you into situations or circumstances that take you to the brink of life as you know it. Astrology offers insight into these changing landscapes of life, via easily observed planetary cycles.

The use of set planetary cycles, such as the cycles used in the midlife transit phase (from the mid-30s to the early-40s), is the simplest form of predictive astrology. Being age-based, they offer a generic template, highlighting the planetary archetype dominant at different points throughout midlife.

By exploring the mythology and qualities of each planetary archetype as they arise through midlife, you are better able to understand your changing needs as a new self starts to emerge. Each planetary archetype asks for a different kind of growth; understanding the archetype helps you manifest its potential in the most positive and conscious way possible.

The planets whose ongoing movements (transits) combine to create the midlife period are Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, known collectively as generational or transpersonal planets. Being beyond the visibility range of the human eye, their use in astrology is relatively modern, with Uranus only discovered in 1781, Neptune in 1846 and Pluto in 1930. Due to their distance from the Sun, their cycles are substantially longer than those of other planets. Uranus’s cycle of about 84 years means it spends about seven years moving through each zodiac sign.

Neptune’s cycle of about 165 years means it spends about 14 years moving through each zodiac sign. Pluto’s cycle of about 248 years is elliptical, so its time in each zodiac sign varies from 12 to 25 years. Compare this with the relatively short cycles of Jupiter (around 12 years, with about 12 months in each sign) and Saturn (roughly 29 years, with about 2.5 years in each sign) and you can see how they came to be known as “generational planets”.

Spending such long periods in each sign means the essence of an outer planet’s sign placement creates themes for entire generations. (Their expression is personalised in your birth chart according to house placement, as this differs for everyone.)

Midlife crisis and individuation

Carl Jung’s work on predictable stages of life publicised the concept of midlife as a designated phase in the human life cycle. Other counselling and psychological theorists have developed their own interpretations and theories, but all agree that the phase of “middlescence” is an essential part of, and a key turning point in, the adult growth process. Loosely tied to age 40, it is a rite of passage you arrive at, willingly or not, that challenges your current world view and invites you to explore life and your own psyche anew.

According to Myers Briggs theories, midlife can be understood as progress through the following:

Accommodation presenting yourself as different people (“personae”) based on your situation

Separation removing the personae you wear in different situations and assessing who you are underneath; rejecting your personae, even if only temporarily

Reintegration feeling more certain of your true identity and adopting more appropriate personae

Individuation recognising and integrating the conflicts that exist within and achieving a balance between them

Jung’s term “individuation” summarises this period. According to Jung, “I use the term ‘individuation’ to denote the process by which a person becomes a psychological in-dividual, that is, a separate, indivisible unity or whole.”

The midlife phase is a time of transition, where the bulk of the work around establishing one’s self in the community and in child-rearing is done. Unfulfilled longings from your 20s and 30s continue knocking at the door of conscious awareness, though not everyone takes the opportunities (sometimes disguised as challenges or setbacks) to make life changes to reflect this new state or inner place.

Jung’s work intimated that the work of life through the midlife transition, occurring from age 35 to 50, was to remake yourself. This has been interpreted as a two-part phase that allows you to get to know your true self then reshape your life based on this fresh understanding.

The midlife period presents you with the chance to rework the threads of your existence so your life has purpose beyond its current direction — especially if it is mostly about mundane or practical requirements. Interestingly enough, many of Jung’s observations and theories around the process of individuation occurred as he experienced the Uranus opposition phase of his own astrological midlife transits.

The astrology of midlife

Astrologically, there are three distinct midlife transits. For current generations they occur very close together, from late 30s to early 40s. The Pluto square Pluto phase is a time of developing power. Situations in life highlight where you give away or misuse your power. The journey through this phase is around re-establishing your sense of conscious power and regaining a sense of control in life. This journey takes you from disempowerment to empowerment, often via an intense confrontation with the underbelly, or dark side, of the human psyche, either your own or someone else’s.

The Neptune square Neptune phase is a sensitive time when you are asked to soften into life. Spirituality and creativity are hallmarks of this period, as is the modern phenomenon of a sea change. Meaning and purpose become more important than success and achievement. Life choices ideally offer you the chance to escape or retreat from reality for a period of time. Energy levels can be low as your focus shifts inwards to discover what is meaningful for you at this stage of life. This is dreamtime, where long-term foundations or structures (relationships, careers) can be washed away to give you empty time and space to simply be.

The Uranus opposition represents the process of individuation. This chaotic and unpredictable period helps shake you free from limiting structures. Freedom is the essence of Uranus and following an authentic life path becomes a personal mission impossible to ignore. Others may consider your choices radical, as you give yourself permission to experiment with experiences you have long wanted to explore but never dared. Uranus is about rebellion and any area of life in which you have experienced restraint or limitation, or made conformist/conservative choices, will be the area(s) in which you break away unexpectedly.

How each of these midlife phases or planetary archetypes manifests is unique to each individual, based on the personal house placement of Uranus, Neptune and Pluto in your birth horoscope. Common themes exist within each generation via the sign energy. These are outlined below for the current generation experiencing the midlife phase.

Pluto

Pluto is Hades, Lord of the Underworld. He represents power, control and all that is hidden. Passion is his calling card, whether that be anger and rage or intense desire. Pluto symbolises the energy of transformation and his placement in your horoscope shows where you seek to gain influence and persuasive power, as well as where you are most likely to experience power struggles. Pluto is linked to anything taboo, including the darker side of humanity. Your psyche is rich in layers covering a broad spectrum and the influences and inklings that emerge that confront you or reveal the baser side of your nature are plutonic. Experiences of total transformation, like the caterpillar entering the cocoon to metamorphise into the butterfly, are also plutonic. Pluto in your horoscope shows how and where in life you will be periodically called to shed your skin and reveal a new you, like the snake shedding its skin.

Keywords: Power, death, sex, regeneration, control, rage, passion.

If you were born between 6 October 1971 and 17 April 1972, between 31 July 1972 and 5 November 1983 or between 19 May 1984 and 28 August 1984, you have Pluto in Libra. You belong to a generation that is changing the shape of relationships. This includes rewriting the rules around marriage and partnership. Equal power in partnerships rather than one individual dominating is important.

Through the periods 28 November 2008 to 24 March 2023 and 12 June 2023 to 21 January 2024 Pluto moves through Capricorn, making a square to Pluto in Libra.* Pluto in Capricorn describes the need for profound change within traditional structures. This energy is already obvious with the drastic changes occurring globally in banking and finance.

Capricorn is a sign of ambition and hard work. As Pluto transits this sign and links back to Pluto in Libra for those born through the above period, power clashes between work life and relationships are likely to arise. As part of the Pluto-in-Libra generation, your mission is to embrace new structures in relationships that support personal power equally for both parties. How the dance of togetherness is balanced with the striving for worldly success and achievement as indicated by the Pluto-in-Capricorn influence is the crux of this Pluto-square-Pluto phase.

Neptune

Neptune is Poseidon, God of the Sea. Mythologically, the sea represents the untamed forces within, your emotions and how they drive you being beyond the realm of logic. Neptune shows up in your chart as a connection point to the divine, whatever your personal sense of mystery or faith may be. Neptune is associated with sensitivity on all levels — being full of feelings just as much as being receptive or aware of intuitions or subtle shifts in energy or mood. Neptune is linked to the mystic, the shaman and the medicine woman as its role is to help you connect with the divine. Spirituality and creativity are hallmarks of Neptune as they require a level of escapism to connect with inspiration. This is the realm of the heart rather than the mind.

Keywords: Surrender, spirituality, sensitivity, softening, creativity, boundary dissolving, inspiration, intuition, compassion.

If you were born between 25 December 1955 and 12 March 1956, between 20 October 1956 and 15 June 1957, between 7 August 1957 and 4 January 1970 or between 4 May 1970 and 7 November 1970, you have Neptune in Scorpio. You belong to a generation that craves deep connection. Your sensitivity to energy and emotion is higher than most and your depth of awareness is potent. Merging with others is the ideal as you seek out people or passions with which to meld yourself. Nothing can be too deep, too powerful or too meaningful. Your reserves of compassion are endless and your level of care and concern towards vulnerable or disadvantaged social groups is high and absolute. Spiritual practices that help you explore and understand your depths and innermost nature appeal.

Through the periods 29 November 1998 to 4 April 2011 and 6 August 2011 to 4 February 2012, Neptune moves through Aquarius, making a square to Neptune in Scorpio.* Neptune in Aquarius is characterised by “coffee culture” and socialising outside the home, in different groups. Aquarius is about community and interconnectedness, but it’s more about the ideal of this rather than the emotion of such strong social and community ties. The offering through the Neptune-square-Neptune phase for your generation is to embrace connection through remote or detached mediums.

Social networking and internet dating sites are expressions of this. The challenge here and now is to separate yourself to create a clearer sense of individuality and identity while maintaining deep contact with the people, roles or hobbies that sustain you from within. The trick is to find a way to share your unique expression of spirituality in the world in ways that don’t drain or empty you. You may find yourself in situations more detached than you prefer, but an experimental attitude helps you discover alternative modes of connection that can be equally satisfying.

This particular expression of the Neptune midlife phase draws you back into society in new ways as the Aquarian expression of Neptune looks to connect with and serve the greater good rather than stay focused on the small network in your immediate family or close social circle. Look at ways to re-enter society from a platform that honours your beliefs and need for enduring respect and transformative togetherness.

Uranus

Uranus is known as The Awakener, the planet under whose transitory influence you are awakened anew to your true potential. Uranus has a love of chaos and enjoys challenging the status quo. This planet of rebellion shows where in life you will walk a different or unconventional path. Independence, individuality and freedom are its calling cards. Uranus’s energy is electric and stimulating, with his phase of the midlife period arguably the most dramatic and influential. Volcanoes may erupt in your life, but once the dust settles, things will be totally different from how they were beforehand in ways you could never have imagined.

Uranus encourages spontaneity and flexibility, tending to avoid getting bogged down in routine. Part of this awakening process helps you ask questions to stimulate new ways of thinking and living, rather than constantly meeting the same life challenges with the same actions. Uranus is the planet of change and disruption and his placement in your horoscope shows an area of life where it’s important to seek new experiences and keep things changing.

Keywords: Chaotic, unpredictable, electric, enlivening, exciting, unusual, alternative.

If you were born between 2 November 1961 and 11 January 1962, between 11 August 1962 and 28 September 1968 or between 21 May 1969 and 25 June 1969, you have Uranus in Virgo. Your generation’s rebellion involves restructuring the working day/routine. Virgo Deals with the day-to-day necessities of life; the rhythms and rituals that keep physical bodies healthy and manage the practical needs of earthly life. Uranus’s desire for freedom and need to do things differently mean your generation has rewritten the rules about working hours and routines. Your generation is also known for its interest in and practice of alternative therapies, approaching the body (Virgo) from unconventional (Uranus) perspectives. All kinds of non-mainstream healing have come into their own as your generation has sought out different tools and techniques for wellness.

Through the periods 31 December 2003 to 28 May 2010 and 15 August 2010 to 12 March 2011, Uranus moves through Pisces, making a square to Uranus in Virgo.* Uranus in Pisces revels in the chaos of energy, emotion and intuition and it’s through this period that your personal sense of order and routine will be stirred up. New faith is required before you can continue to maintain the current form of your daily grind. The need for greater personal freedom grows and means existing structures or routines must change, often dramatically and drastically.

As with a man breaking out of jail, your need for space and time is strong, leading many to resist new commitments or radically alter life direction. Virgo represents real world order and step-by-step achievement; Pisces prefers to escape and dissolve into the experience of the moment. Rigid adherence to routines and commitments becomes harder as feelings and intuitions demand attention. Your everyday routine needs to be reshaped to allow you extra time and space to experience greater authenticity.

This happens progressively, i.e. if you are born with Pluto in Libra in 1972, 73 or 74, the first three years of Pluto in Capricorn, from 2008 to 2011, will be the period that is most relevant for you. If you were born in 1983 or 1984, it won’t be until Pluto is nearing the end of his visits through Capricorn, in 2023 and 2024, that you will be affected.