Life Cycles Exercise

This is when the child learns rules and the consequences of breaking them. They begin to discern between right and wrong, what is real and what is imagined. They begin to individuate their will and sense of self, and to realize they have a choice. This aligns with Erikson’s stage of Industry vs Inferiority the object is to learn competence and develop self-confidence in their abilities or a sense of inferiority when not successful. It also occurs at age 36 when we’re in Erikson’s stage 6 Intimacy vs Isolation and again at age 65 when enter stage 7 Generativity vs Stagnation. The struggle is how to balance our contributions to society, career, and care for the needs of a family. However, family is defined for you, pertaining to those significant personal, private relationships.

Nodal Opposition also referred to as Reverse Nodal Return. When the transiting North Node is in the opposite sign from your natal North Node. This cycle first happens at the age of 9 or 10. It will occur about every 18.6 years so at ages 27, 46, 65, and 83. It is a period to get out of your comfort zone and to release what isn’t working for you anymore on a soul level. It is a time to return to what you know, and rediscover gifts and talents you left behind. When the transiting North Node falls on your Natal South Node it is time to let go of past conditioning and consider what you’ve learned and how you have grown.  If you aren’t paying attention and being reflective it can be a difficult process. This cycle can help us to become more conscious of our vulnerabilities, as well as realize our natural innate abilities.

This will occur every 12 years; close to ages 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72 and 84 and so on. These are cycles for growth, sometimes it can be through difficult experiences. You can feel more expansive, it can feel like a lot coming all at once. You want to plant seeds for the future of your aspirations. It usually involves hard work, but with great reward. Things may feel difficult but there will be a good outcome. These are periods when we are starting something, and we feel ambitious and optimistic. It is dependent on where it is placed and how important it is in your chart. If Jupiter is your chart ruler it will be a very important time for things related to the house Jupiter is in, ruling and the aspects it makes.

This starts the first right of passage as a child enters adolescence around age 14. They may begin to oppose the familial and societal rules as they begin to explore their individuality and independence. They stand in a doorway, not yet adults but not children anymore. Saturn opposition is teaching them to find their equilibrium as their bodies and minds are going through a transformation.  This occurs again around age 44, when our physical bodies can start to go through changes.  Again, not old age, but not as youthful as we once were. We may change our habits to adapt to the changes we’re experiencing. The Journal of Nature Aging published research from Stanford University https://www.nature.com/articles/s43587-024-00692-2  in August 2024 finding that at age 44 and age 60 are key turning points in the aging cycle. At age 58-60 is when we have the second Saturn Return. Saturn is father time and does represent the physical limits of the body.

When Jupiter reaches an opposition to the natal Jupiter it is halfway through its 12-year cycle, ages 18, 29, 41, 54, 65, 76 years old. It can bring a year of reflection and reassessment. The individual can face setbacks and challenges that require them to adjust their goals, reevaluate their beliefs and values. However, it is a time to gain deeper understanding of their life direction and deeper self-awareness as they move forward. Sometimes depending on the individual chart this will occur along with the first Saturn Return. While they are reassessing their values, they are also taking on more responsibility and maturity.

Nodal Return Will occur around ages 18, 37, 55 & 74 years old is when the North Node returns to the same place in your Natal chart.  It will bring to your attention hidden traits that need to be integrated into the persona, as well as old worn-out attributes you need to release (South Node).  Often these traits are out of your comfort zone but are significant to what you’re here to learn.  The nodal axis is karmic so when it is the South Node Return there is an opportunity to release or absolve oneself of karmic baggage. When it is the North Node Return it brings situation that pull you into a new direction to incorporate new attributes that were previously foreign and uncomfortable to you. For example, someone with North Node in Gemini can be put into situation where they have to do more public speaking, which previously was an area they were uncomfortable.

Closing Saturn Square Occurs at age 21 to 22, age 52 and again around age 80. The first one coincides with the first Uranus square, so it will be a little different from the consecutive closing Saturn squares. At around age 22 there is conflict in finding your place and fitting into society and rebelling against the status quo. There is a desire to find one’s place in the world. The square in the early 50s can indicate a peak achievement in the area where Saturn is placed as well as progression. This is Erikson’s stage of Generativity vs Stagnation we want to make our mark on the world. To care for things that outlive us. Finally at age 79-81, there is reflection on what has been achieved, what kind of legacy we leave behind, and how we mentor future generations. There is a close of a Saturnian cycle with the closing square to clear the way for new lessons.

Uranus Square occurs between 17 – 23 and is a time of breaking away from the family home and making a start on your own in the big world. Breaking through the limitations of your upbringing. Think of the student who goes to college and learns new philosophies which contradict those they grew up with, it creates some chaos and change to their familiar foundations. It correlates with two of Erikson’s developmental stages Identity vs Role Confusion and Intimacy vs Isolation. Flying the nest exposes a person to diversity that may challenge their identity. They may also start relationships that also introduces new norms. That is what Uranus does it changes what is stagnant, it challenges us to grow in through the unfamiliar.

The first one occurs around age 28-30, Saturn constructs and places limitations. It rewards us where we’ve been responsible, and it can provide hard lessons where we haven’t been.  This is when we truly step into adulthood and take on more responsibility.  It could be a marriage or a big career advancement.  We ask ourselves Do I want to be married? Do I want kids? What are my career goals? These are important turning points. The second Saturn Return is age 54-60 is a check up on how you’re doing, you ask the same questions but in a more advanced, wise way. Am I happy in this marriage? Am I living authentically? Do I balance my needs with the care I provide others? Am I working for a paycheck or am I doing what brings my satisfaction? During this time some people divorce from unfulfilling relationships or leave careers to do something they’re passionate about.  They get serious about the time they have left.  The third Saturn Return is age 81-90 this is a time people let go of ego attachments. Saturn is the ruler of time, and we realize our time on earth is short. There is an assessment – How did I do? What is my legacy? What are my regrets and what did I get right to share with those close to me?

Pluto Square occurs between ages 34-42 for up to 3 years. Imagine yourself hiking up the trail of life, carrying a backpack of stuff, and dropping things along the way that have become a burden. This is about having to let go, it can be relationships, or a psychological pattern that isn’t supportive. There can be the need to let go of negative emotions, like resentment. There can be a feeling of powerlessness, that only learning to forgive and let go will remedy.

Neptune Square occurs around age 39-40 Neptune can be very illusory, this time can feel like a curse and a blessing. Neptune aims to tap us into dimensions of our psyche that is beyond reason and not clearly defined.  It can be spiritual, you can be more in touch with fantasy, or illusions. It can be painful when you have to release idealism around a person or situation. Sometimes we fantasize about how we want things to be and are disillusioned when we have to see the reality. Neptune brings deception, you may deceive yourself in order to hold onto your ‘idea of life’, one in which you haven’t had to confront your illusions.

Uranus Opposition about age 42 this is what some astrologers call the mid-life crisis aspect. It is meant to shake you up and wake you up!  When we get locked into going through all the motions society and others place on us, we have to rediscover who we truly are. This cycle is like an electrical power surge that courses through your psyche and can blow fuses in your life. Change you’re not ready for can be uncomfortable but it is meant to upgrade areas that you have conformed to that are not resonate with who you truly are. This is a good time to introduce something novel and significant into your life. If we were feeling more of the stagnation side of Erikson’s stage 7, Uranus will shake thing up and get us out of the rut.

Chiron Return occurs around age 46 – 53 and is another sort of midlife crisis cycle.  Chiron is referred to as the wounded healer.  It is mastery over the wounds we carry, and through that process we help to heal others, because we become experts in that area. Once we go through this process, we can discover that choices we made through our wounded self isn’t working for us anymore, because ‘hopefully’ we’ve healed.  These can be career choices or partnerships; it depends on where it is in your chart. You can discover your calling, because you let go of the fear and feelings of inadequacy that were holding you back. You can become more integrated and find your own power. An example of this is the caretaker who was always serving and caring for others at the expense of their own self-care.  They finally say ‘enough’ and start saying no to others dumping on them.  They can also get a burst of health consciousness and want to change bad habits.

Neptune Opposition for those who make it to 82 this cycle can bring despondence, maybe not constant, but as they reflect, they process feelings of guilt and regret. As we age, we consider our life events, the ‘shoulda, coulda, woulda’ syndrome. There is a choice to consider the life with disillusionment and bitterness or bless this life with compassion and understanding. We can choose to role-model for the younger generations and share our wisdom with kindness. Neptune is the higher octave of Venus the planet of love, it is the Christ-like higher spiritual love we hope to experience and obtain. Sometimes as we age, we feel less useful, but this wisdom from our elders is vitally important to their loved ones who listen.  This falls into Erikson’s 8^th stage of Integrity vs Despair, we slow down, we reflect, we review. If we believe we have accomplished what we desired, we get a sense of peace and wholeness. If we determine we wasted our life, we experience regret over mistakes or things not done that can lead to despair. We all make mistakes and don’t get to all that we hoped to accomplish.  The end result is do we have a sense of having lived a good life.

Uranus Return happens about age 84 Remember the 1980s movie ‘Cocoon’ where some 80 something elders swim in a pool and become revitalized with youthful vigor. Uranus return is kind of like that, so after some of the harder cycles, you’re rewarded by this one. There is a sense of personal freedom and forward-thinking.  There is a deep reevaluation of values, and a desire to be authentic and even a little unconventional. It brings the attitude of ‘I’m going to be me, what are they going to do…kill me?’  I’m old not around much longer so I’m going to be me, and I’m going to say what I think. It can also bring the unexpected and disruptions that can be challenging.  Mostly it is a time of enlightenment and gaining insight of the world around them and a deeper understanding of purpose.