Understanding the stages of our lives

Life is a series of cycles that continues to unfold as we go along. When we talk about cycles in astrology, we are discussing the orbits of each of the planets around the Sun. We are familiar with some of these cycles, whether we are talking about the terrible twos, the mid-life crisis, the transition into retirement, or the transition from  life to death. Astrology is the study of the cycles of life. Astrologers help us understand how these cycles play out over the course of our lives and a great astrologer gives us the tools to best navigate these ever-presenting cycles.

I was excited when I began to learn about astrology; the cycles of the planets and how they affect our personal and public lives. Developmental psychology touches these areas, but I felt astrology provided me with a clearer understanding or vantage point from which to understand these thematic periods in our lives without any patholigizing. Astrologers play an important role as helpful guides to those who traverse the challenging terrains presented by challenging transits and returns. While some cycles may be viewed as more positive than other cycles, all cycles are meant to create the right experience(s) for us to become the beautiful Self we were born to be.

A planetary return is when a planet by current motion returns to the same place it was when a person was born. We celebrate our birthday when we have our solar return (give or take a day or two), but here we are talking about the other planets’ returns. How each of us experiences each of these return cycles and faces the challenges and/or takes advantage of the gifts presented is dependent upon emotional and psychological maturity (how one has learned to face challenges), personal resources (emotional, financial, spiritual, familial, intellectual) and the aspects to the planet having the return. If one has squares and oppositions to the specific planet, one will likely experience more challenges, whereas if one has sextiles and/or trines to the planet, the native is likely to have a more supportive time during the return -but that is not always the case. The signs and the houses in which the returns occur will, of course, further flavor or color the experiences.

The Moon, Mercury, Venus and the Sun return to the same place in our chart the most frequently: The Moon every 27 or so days, Mercury every 88 days or so, 225 days for Venus and, of course, the annual return of the Sun (one’s birthday) every 365 or so days. In this article, I will focus on the longer chronological periods, or stages, associated with the Mars through Pluto returns as they are more widely experienced and known.

2 years old. Mars return. Mars returns to the same place in our charts about every 687 days or every 22 months to two years. When Mars returns or transits back to the place where it was when we are born for the first time, we experience “the terrible twos.” Assertions of autonomy, defiance and the almighty NO are all hallmarks of this period. Parents are often exasperated by the newly found independent streak expressed by the child and often have to find some new way to pacify or relate to the child’s rise in self-directive energy. Mars, the God of war, our drive, our ego-based me-self raises its sometimes ugly head and requires the child to gain a sense of self in relationship to the people and world around the child. How both the child and the parents deal with this first sense of independence sets the stage for how the growing child emotionally deals with and/or reacts to success, failure and frustration throughout life.  

12 years old. Jupiter, the planet of expansion, higher philosophies, big mind and big thinking takes about 12 years to return to the sign in our birth. Around 11 or 12, we leave elementary school and we begin to see the world filled with new opportunities for growth, education and physical maturity –as puberty also changes the chemicals in our brains and bodies. Adolescence begins and we are no longer the innocent little girl or little boy.

27-29 years old. Saturn, the Lord of time, maturation, boundaries and limitations takes about 27-29 years to return to conjunct our natal Saturn. You have no doubt heard of the sometimes greatly bemoaned, and often maligned Saturn return. The first time we experience this return, we are often made aware of our limitations as this is the end of our adolescence and the beginning of true adulthood. Who are we as the authors of our life? Many of us experience the shift from being the child to being the parent of a child, or simply stepping into our own sense of self-authority and understanding that our lives, happiness and sense of self are wholly dependant upon our choices and not because of what mommy and daddy did or did not do. In order to successfully navigate this period, we must accept self-responsibility in thought and deed for our lives and ourselves.

42 years old. Uranus, agent of change, genius, authenticity, and evolution, while taking about 84 years to return to the place it was in our natal chart, makes an opposition around 42 years of age. This flash point often coincides with the realization or presentation of one’s life work or purpose to the world. This flash of insight into one’s purpose is not always a welcome experience as it may be antithetical to what one has been doing to make a living. This is often some sort of deeper, more significant and personally relevant idea. These are significant ideas, ones that not only change our personal view, but can often change world views. The Uranus opposition, like the full moon, is also about each of us individuating and fully realizing our own unique archetype. 

49-52 years old. Chiron, the wounded healer who becomes the healer, teacher, educator and/or facilitator returns about every 50-52 years (although its erratic orbit can make for a quicker or later return depending upon sign) to the place it was at the time of our birth. If we have given the time and energy to see, process and heal our childhood wounds up to this point, we can experience a time of acceptance and release from the deep pain some of us have associated with our early wounds. At this point in life’s journey, we can understand we are no longer the prisoner of our past emotional pain and even use the wisdom we gained from working through our pain to help others heal their wounds. Where Chiron is by element and house can indicate whether the wounds are intellectual, emotional, physical or spiritual.

56-60 years old. The second return of Saturn around 56-60, is often associated with the midlife crisis. Whereas with the first return we are aware that we are no longer an adolescent, this second return brings the realization that time is running out. Some men run out and get a new sports car or a new spouse in an attempt to quell the inner crucial scream for a last hurrah before settling quietly into their “later years”. When we have done our work, this period can be about resting on our laurels, enjoying the fruits of our labor and having the time and means to be reflective as well as to be of service. We may become more aware of and seeing to please ourselves rather than others.

84 years old. While the next chronological planetary return is Uranus at about age 84, there are several Saturn aspects which occur in the years between the second Saturn return and the Uranus return. Saturn squares then trines, then opposes then trines then squares again which all have to deal with Saturnian themes of emotional and physical maturation, authority and self identity. Coming to terms with the physical limitations of the aging body and mind coupled with the depth of experience and emotional maturation gained hereto give an understanding and acceptance of the self and life in deeper and more profound ways.

84-89 years old. Between 84 and 89, we experience a trifecta of planetary aspects that often hail the end of life. In addition to the Uranus return, there is the third Saturn return as well as the Neptune opposition. This combination of planetary aspects often brings us face to face with the limitation of the physical body (Saturn), which can shock (Uranus) us with/to death or help us float out of our physical bodies and back into the cosmic Oneness from which we came (Neptune) some 80 plus years before. Those of us who survive this pivotal exit point and have done our work, often settle into a life of deeper meaning, wisdom and understanding as we await the transformation of our physical selves back into spirit. This can be a beautiful period when we are able to offer wisdom, we have learned over the course of our lifetime to others around us. IN ADDITION to this trifecta is a most notable fourth part: Those of us fortunate enough to be born when Pluto is in the shorter part of its orbit means many of us get to enjoy a transiting Pluto in opposition to its natal placement. If this isn’t an opportunity to let go of accumulated emotional baggage –or the physical body—I don’t know what is!

I have summarized the stages of life by year planet and how western cultures sees these returns.

Astrology is a wonderful tool for understanding and navigating the hills and valleys that occur in our lives. Awareness of these cycles makes all of the difference. We say in astrology that it is better to work with the planets consciously than have them work you unconsciously.

Wishing you grace on your path,

Michael Bartlett