The Mid-life Crisis and the Transits of Uranus
by Pauline Edward
The
mid-life crisis, a phenomenon which affects us to varying
degrees of intensity, occurs around the age of 40. This
adult transition phase will be experienced as moderately
stressful for some, liberating for others and completely
devastating for others. To astrologers, the mid-life
crisis is a "no brainer" as it is related
to the "Uranus opposition". The planet Uranus
takes 84 years to complete one revolution in the solar
system. In 39-43 years, it has completed one half turn,
or, in astrological parlance, it is in opposition to
the position it held at the time of birth. This "opposition
transit" can be a point of stress in the natal
chart, stirring up Uranian issues in the life of the
subject whose chart is being transited.
Uranus
transits are typically associated with the process of
individuation and a need for freedom and liberation.
When Uranus is active in the natal chart (and there
are many other occurrences of this type of event in
a person's life besides the Uranus opposition/mid-life
crisis), their is usually a strong urge to be recognized
as an individual, a need to be respected for one's unique
abilities and talents, a need to be free from anything
that may keep the individual from expressing and manifesting
his/her true nature.
Naturally,
the further a person is from his uniqueness, the more
he is trapped in conventions and compromises, the more
the person is likely to react in a radical manner to
the Uranus transit. In other words, light to moderate
agitation might indicate a need to shake up the routine
a bit, while deep unrest might be a cry for a more radical
life change. The greater the need for change, the greater
the indication that you may be off-track and in need
of a major life overhaul.
If
you, or someone you know is in this age range, and you
suspect that a mid-life crisis might be occurring, think
twice about quitting your job, divorcing your spouse
and buying that Ferrari. It may not be necessary to
throw away the baby with the bath water. Here are some
questions and tips that can help deal with the stresses
commonly attached to the individuation process:
- If
you get a sudden and overpowering urge to quit your
job, buy a sailboat and explore the far reaches of
the Galapagos islands, unless you are an experienced
sailor, and a biologist by profession, you may want
to ask yourself a few essential questions: What is
really missing in my life? What is tying me down and
restricting my freedom of expression? What is driving
me to want to make such radical changes in my life?
-
What compromises have I been making relative to my
true self? Are these compromises still necessary at
this time of my life? What important need am I not
attending to? Which part of myself have I been holding
back? For example, many individuals will repress certain
aspects of their personality in order to maintain
a relationship. During a Uranus transit, they will
be pushed from within to unleash these aspects of
their personality, sometimes with disastrous effects
on personal and professional relationships.
- What
is my greatest fear? What keeps me from feeling free?
What keeps me from being happy? If I could wave a
magic wand, how different would my life be? Then,
do something different. Do an activity that takes
you out of your routine. Eat sushi! Try a salsa lesson.
Learn to cook an exotic dish! Move the furniture around
in your living room. Feng Shui your house!
- To
facilitate the process of self discovery, try some
activities that are geared to releasing your creativite
energy. Try
to make time in your day, or at least once in your
week, for a creative project or activity, something
that defines you, your interests, your desires.
- Liberate
some time in your otherwise busy schedule for play
and freedom of expression. Whether it be karaoke singing
to your favourite Mel Torme tunes, whittling mallard
ducks out of balsa wood, writing love letters to a
phantom lover in a distant land or quilting tea cozies
for the local craft fair, all creative outlets will
help you make contact with your inner self, an essential
component for feeling fulfilled during a Uranus transit.
- Make
some space in your home, a room that you can call
your own, a workshop, a workout room, den or study,
a space that is yours alone, decorated to your liking.
Don't be shy, put your personal signature in this
space, write graffiti on the walls, try your luck
at sponge painting, put up a poster of your favourite
band, or leave it completely empty until you feel
inspired to bring something uniquely yours into it.
The best part is, no one needs to know about it...
this is your time, your project, your self expression.
So, don't hold back. Celebrate the unique individual
that you are!
Naturally,
a look at your natal chart, your horscope, and transits
will help set you back on track, and also identify the
important issues at work in your life at this time.
If you, or a friend of yours, are finding it difficult
to find your way back to your essential self, I remain
available for consultations. Sometimes a ray of light
is all that is needed to point you in the right direction.
The road to self discovery is a wonderful journey. Unleash
the beauty and uniqueness of You! (See consultation
services.)
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