Midlife through a Cosmic Lens
Have you lost touch with your why?
It’s common knowledge that we experience life through cycles of development—from the pre-natal stage through the end of life. There are predictable phases of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual growth.
One of the things I love most about being an astrologer is the ability to look at planetary cycles and recognize, with astonishing accuracy, when major turning points will occur in our lives.
After the birth of my third child, I entered a difficult and confusing stage. I was 38 years old—a working mom, wife, daughter, sister, friend, colleague, school volunteer, and community member with an active social life. I was overwhelmed, disconnected, lost, and alone.
I went to an astrologer.
Prior to that, I had explored the all other forms of traditional self reflection/discovery—therapy, couples therapy, friends, family, antidepressants… but it was the astrologer who had the deepest impact on me. That first session was both validating and illuminating. It helped me begin to find my path again.
From that point on, I made a deep commitment to my own inner and spiritual work. I came to understand that I was in the midst of what I now call the Midlife Process.
The Midlife Process typically begins in the mid-to-late 30s and continues through the 50s. It is a natural evolutionary transition—one that asks us to release the identity of youth and move toward greater wisdom, self-acceptance, and truth. In many ways, it is a continuous cycle of death and rebirth, touching every layer of our being: mind, body, and spirit.
These are transition points in our lives. And, they are never easy.
From an astrological perspective, this process is reflected through the movement of the slower-moving planets—Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. When these planets activate key points in our natal chart, they linger, often for years, inviting deep transformation and growth.
As we move into midlife, these configurations begin to guide us toward fundamental questions about meaning, purpose, and authenticity. While we all encounter these cycles, the way we experience them is deeply personal—shaped by our level of awareness and the inner work we’ve done along the way.
This is a natural evolutionary process—one that asks us to '“let go” in order to grow into something more aligned.
Below are the key transits that tend to occur at specific ages, along with the themes they bring. Notice the sequence—there is an inherent intelligence to their timing. Each one invites a shedding of the old and the integration of the new, preparing us for the next stage of life.
Age 36-39 - Pluto Square Natal Pluto - Approx. 1.5-3 year cycle
Themes: Endings, fear, facing ego, shadow work, death, awareness of deeper self and needs.
Intention: This is a time to face deep seated fears in order to release old confines and negative narratives. Relationships that are not supporting you need to evolve or end. Great opportunity for self transformation and empowerment.
Challenge: Letting go of parts of self and relationships is difficult. Facing deeply held limiting beliefs and fears is hard work and brings painful change. The more you avoid or cling during this time, the harder this period will be.
Recommend: Seek spiritual and psychotherapeutic support. Be curious, honest and humble to what arises. This is a very intentional time and will bring great insights to your awareness of self and others. Clinging and/or projecting during this time can create breakdowns rather than breakthroughs.
Age 40-43 - Neptune Square Natal Neptune - Approx. 2 yr cycle
Themes: Confusion, searching, spiritual inquiries, reviewing belief systems, dreams, passivity.
Intention: It’s a time for renewed belief systems and inquiry into true self. This can feel liberating and inspiring. It's important to be open to what is coming up and tap into your creative nature. Spiritual realignment.
Challenge: This is a confusing time and will be difficult to make confident decisions. Facing life-long, deeply held limited beliefs and owning it can be difficult. The more you hold onto convictions, you will remain blocked and the lessons will be lost.
Recommend:: Get very curious about your core beliefs. Learn meditation and/or yoga. Find philosophical and/or spiritual teachers. Seek creative outlets. Be careful when making big decisions.
Age 42-45 - Uranus Opposition Natal Uranus - Approx. 1.5-2 yr cycle
Themes: Sudden breakthroughs, anxiety, restlessness, isolation, self reflection. Owning past behaviors and projections. Need for freedom, change and to break away from collective norms. Evolution of Identity.
Intention: This is a time to claim your authenticity, face your own projections and shadow behaviors. A need to break free from constraining structures, relationships, and concerns for outside approval. Dynamic tension between opposing forces can bring opportunity for greater awareness and confidence of your unique gifts and talents.
Challenge: This period can bring tension, opposition, and isolation. Claiming your authenticity can create conflict within the relationships and structures you are aligned with.
Recommend: Seek support. Slow down. Be aware of your growing needs for individuation and soften to the process with grace for yourself and others. Not all contracts are meant to last. See the lessons you are learning as a gift to your long range development.
Age 43-45 - Saturn Opposite Natal Saturn - Approx. 6 wks-1 yr cycle
Themes: Evaluation of career, relationships, status in community and society. Assessing where you are versus where you thought you were. Feeling of being at a crossroad.
Intention: This is a time to make decisions about what structures and belief systems in your life are working and not working. This is a time for letting go, setting new boundaries, and moving forward with refined intentions into the next phase of life.
Challenge: Facing midlife and the passing of time can feel overwhelming and scary. Making big decisions and letting go of deep seated beliefs is challenging and liberating. The more resistance during this time can create health issues and conflicts.
Recommend: Seek support. Take responsibility for your own prior actions that brought you here. Find acceptance and be open to learning deeper truths about yourself. Take action with integrity and compassion. This stage makes room for new parts of yourself that you haven’t accessed yet.
Age 49-51 - Chiron Return - Approx. 6-18 month cycle
Themes: The need to healing old wounds, need for familial healing, serge of renewed creativity, bridge between old & new, health concerns, new boundaries, search for meaning, menopause (women + men), softening, wisdom.
Intention: This is a time to find deeper understanding of self, your choices, and the condition of your relationships. To step into your wisdom, grace and flow. A demand to release what no longer serves you for greater long term health.
Challenge: It’s difficult to face physical and mental health concerns at this stage. To let go of lifelong patterns of belief and behaviors can be painful to confront. This process, and the other midlife transits, initiate you into your deeper wisdom and ability to serve others.
Recommend: Seek support and training that help you gain the confidence to live your life in co-creation with your natural gifts and ways to share them with others. Be open, curious and inspired! Surround yourself with like minded people.
To understand how these transits play out in your natal chart will help bring more awareness to your individual process. For further inquiry, reach out to me directly to schedule a FREE 15 minute consultation.
Understanding that there is universal intelligence to be accessed throughout these stages has truly supported me in allowing life to flow with a deep feeling of purpose. I am excited to share how this can support you as well.