Victorian Astrology Association Inc.
Registration No. A0031119X

The Role of the Transcendental Planets During the Mid-Life Transition Period
by Peter G. Burns Oct 1997

The outer planets: Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto are often called "the transcendental planets", meaning that they operate beyond the purely physical and personal realm of existence, and beyond the realm of the inter-personal. The energy associated with these planets takes us beyond the limits of "normal" existence.

The planets associated with "normal" existence are the Sun and Moon (traditionally included under the title "planets"), Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. The Sun and Moon are the most personal of these, while Jupiter and Saturn relate to inter-personal psychological functions and social interaction.

Until the outer planets were discovered, the most outer limit of the known universe was Saturn, the representative of all known limits to life, including death. Nothing existed beyond this point. Saturn symbolises boundaries, limits, and all that which can be said to confine and contain. Saturn is the planet which, until the discovery of the transcendental planets, defined all limits to life and the conditions for physical manifestation.

Beyond the realm of Saturn are the transcendental planets, which are associated with forces more powerful than mere individuals, or relationships between individuals. They have to do with the collective psychic content of humanity, and the capacity to transcend the individual ego and connect with the greater whole. These planets have only been known to humanity in a conscious sense for just over 300 years. Yet an examination of mythology reveals that they have been known on an unconscious level for some thousands of years. In Greek myth Uranus was known as Ouranos, "the sky crowned with stars" . Ouranos was the sky father who was the child of Gaia (mother Earth). He is associated with creativity and rebellion. In Greek mythology Neptune is associated with Poseidon, the tempestuous sea god, ruling over the ocean of the collective unconscious of modern psychology, in which the rational mind is replaced by intuitive insight. In Greek mythology Pluto was represented by Hades, lord of the underworld, lord of the dead. He is associated with rape, rage, revenge, and loss which is experienced as death, subsequent mourning and grief, and acceptance of the loss in order to open the way for a new beginning, and subsequent rebirth.

The transits of these transcendental planets to their natal positions act as a catalyst to going beyond an existence defined by life's material structures (Saturn), and experiencing something greater than oneself. The 3 outer planets refer to powerful universal principles that connect us with something greater than our individual egos, and enable us to transcend our normal limitations (Saturn).

The specific manner in which each person will be affected by these 3 transits will be influenced by the natal house placements of the 3 outer planets, and aspects to the personal planets. The transits of the outer planets commonly associated with the mid life transition time are their transits to their own natal positions: the opposition of Uranus, the square of Neptune, and the square of Pluto. The age at which these transits occur varies through the decades, because of the eccentricity of their orbits, as shown by the adjacent table. This table shows the age at which people born at 20 year intervals experience these 3 transits. Most people born in the 1940's to the 1980's (now aged between their late teens and late fifties), will have all 3 transits occurring at approx. 40-44 YOA. The sequence in which these 3 transits occur can vary. Those born in the 1900's will experience the Pluto transit last, while those born in the early 1960's will experience it first.

40 YOA is a common time for people to re-assess their lifestyle and career options. It is common for women at this time to find themselves freed from the burdens of motherhood, with important decisions to make as to which direction to take in life.

The way in which Uranus works is like an electric shock, often depicted as a bolt of lightening. It is quick, sudden, unpredictable and sometimes shocking. Its effects can unsettling and disruptive in the negative, and/or exciting and stimulating in the positive. To some extent the degree of disturbance experienced at this time will depend on how rigid the personality has become after 40 years of living, and the degree to which personal needs have been compromised. Perhaps one of the most common sudden realisations at this time is that of age - the realisation that youth is passing, and the feeling that mortality is suddenly close at hand. Shock, horror! - the first grey hairs appear, wrinkles are more obvious. A sense of urgency sets in - there is only a limited amount of time left for dreams to be fulfilled. The future that was hoped for is almost already passing. It is common for people to behave in an unpredictable manner at this time. Some have affairs, or attempt to re-sculpture the body beautiful in order to reclaim their lost youth. Rebellious behaviour is also seen. Whatever the outer circumstances, the underlying theme is the same: to break free of structures which have outgrown their usefulness, and seek liberation from restrictions that curtail a true expression of individuality.

2. The Neptune Square
The second transit: Neptune square natal Neptune, is by its nature harder to define because it has to do with a lack of definition, a blurring of boundaries. Neptune is associated with the intangible, formlessness, sacrifice and spirituality, idealism and illusion, confusion and glamour. Unlike Uranus, whose method of operation is to strike suddenly like a flash of lightening, breaking apart the walls of Saturn, Neptune operates in a gradual, subtle and imperceptible manner, slowly dissolving Saturn's barriers. Neptune's position in the natal chart shows what is idealised and glamorised, and where an individual is prepared to make sacrifices. This interpretation will be influenced by aspects made from the personal planets.

The square of Neptune to its natal position signals a time when ideals previously held sacred are questioned. It is often a time of disillusionment resulting from the realisation that one's ideals may never be realised, or are simply unrealistic. If ideals have been projected onto another person, such as an intimate partner, then a crisis in relationship is likely to result. Inspiration, a key word associated with Neptune, is often sought during this transit through some form of art, such as music, photography, painting or dance. If this transit is experienced at the same time as the Uranus opposition, the art form may take a bizarre expression. If it is experienced at the same time as the Pluto square, then repressed emotions or desires may find a sublime expression. Rational thinking is sometimes suspended when the Neptune square Neptune transit takes place. No longer are things clear and concise - logical, linear and sequential thinking does not provide the solution. This is the time when it is so important to listen to the inner voice, the voice of intuitive knowing.

Those with business involvements may find that schemes turn into "scams", and that promotional activity may be dishonest representation in disguise. The temptation to engage in dishonest activity, to take "the easy way out", may be strong at this time. Confused and muddled activity is also seen. Neptune can have the effect of reducing the libido, resulting in a personal crisis concerning inability "to perform", or simply being less concerned with sexual needs, to the surprise/alarm of the partner. Indulging in erotic fantasies, sometimes in secret liaisons, is a different manifestation of Neptune in the sexual area. Both these manifestations can be associated with a concurrent Uranus opposition Uranus transit, especially if there is alarm regarding the onset of old age.

Some people experience a sense of futility during this transit - a loss of hope - often a result of spending a lifetime chasing the dollar with no focus on anything more meaningful. Vague fears surfacing as anxiety with no obvious focus are not uncommon. For some the best medicine is found in extending compassion to others, doing something charitable that takes the focus off themselves. This can also be a time of "divine discontent", a yearning for something more, when a sense of dissatisfaction sets in for no discernible reason, not content but don't know why - unhappy without a cause! This is frequently a case of spiritual bankruptcy, and the beginning of a search for higher meaning.

Because of Neptune's association with spirituality, this transit is often associated with a spiritual crisis, a loss of faith, or a serious questioning of religious beliefs, whether these beliefs are of the orthodox or unorthodox kind. As a result many "turn to God" at this time, surrendering to the idea of a greater power. Some search for mystical enlightenment in places like India, others find a guru and or join a religious sect.

Neptune is also associated with healing, with softening the hard edges. The Neptune square Neptune transit often occurs at a time when there is a healing crisis, whether it be to do with health or emotions. This mid-life transit can be a time of retreat and withdrawal from life, particularly if there has been a crisis of some kind that has been overwhelming. A quiet meditative time of solitude can an excellent antidote for the stress that often accompanies the Uranus opposite Uranus transit. Those whose charts reveal a strong Piscean or Neptunian emphasis, who have sacrificed themselves to an ideal or another person, perhaps allowed themselves to become a doormat, tend to experience a different type of adjustment. In this case the disillusionment has to do with a lost sense of self, having taken the principles associated with Neptune too far. The need is to make one's own needs a priority. Whatever the actual circumstances, the Neptune square Neptune transit has to do with re-aligning oneself with one's spiritual purpose, however ill-defined, and somehow put meaning back into life.

3. The Pluto Square
The third transit, Pluto square Pluto, introduces into this mid-life transition time a very different energy. Pluto is intense, focused and serious. Pluto's position in the natal chart indicates the area of our life that we are able to transform in a fundamental way. It also shows where we are vulnerable, where we bury our treasure, and the source of our deepest feelings and regenerative power. The transit itself may last from anywhere from one month to eighteen months, depending on the exact position of natal Pluto and how many times transiting Pluto moves over this point. Pluto and the sign of Scorpio which it rules, are associated with issues of trust and its betrayal, of intimacy (in-to-me-see) and shared feelings.

Sexuality is often a major issue associated with Pluto transits, as it has to do with close intimate encounters. The flip side of trust and deep closeness with another is betrayal and hurt. Hence Pluto's association with repression and revenge, rage and dammed up explosive energy. The old adage that what we deny within ourselves is what compels us, exemplifies the nature of Pluto. Compulsion and obsession are associated with this planet. Where this planet lies in the chart is where compulsions exist, and also where we need to let go. The transcendence associated with Pluto has to do with letting go, forgiving those who have caused deep wounds, facing the devil/shadow within, and bringing about a renewal, a resurgence and re-birth.

When natal Pluto is aspected by personal planets, the Pluto square will highlight control and manipulation issues, often involving a power struggle. Because Pluto is associated with covert activity and secrecy, this transit often coincides with the revelation of information about things which were previously kept hidden. Because Pluto rules the sign of Scorpio, this information may concern secret sexual activity or an abuse of trust concerning joint finances. Both areas are the stated cause of many a divorce, and are the subject of deeply felt emotions.

The person having the Pluto square Pluto transit can be either the recipient of this information, or the perpetrator connected with the betrayal of trust. Covert sexual activity is possible during this transit especially if it coincides with the Uranus opposition, as this is also a transit associated with breaking free from stale relationships and experimentation with exciting and stimulating people. There may be an element of obsessive compulsion concerning relationships that begin at this time - the attraction may seem unusually powerful (Pluto) and magnetic (Uranus). The inclusion of covert sexual activity and rage as part of Pluto's domain is more easily understood when it is considered that these result from the repression of the ardent passion and assertion of Mars, which is the traditional ruler of Scorpio. The repression of these energies can only result in their re-appearance in a different form. Both Pluto and Scorpio are associated with crisis. Whatever the actual circumstances of the crisis, the underlying theme is that something has to be surrendered in order for something to be gained. There has to be a death of some kind for there to be a rebirth.

This concludes my brief discussion of the three important contributions made by the transcendental planets during the mid-life transition time. It should be noted that this transition period is sometimes referred to as a "time of crisis", as indeed it often is; and by others as "the mid-life correction time". Whether this mid life passage is experienced as a crisis or merely a change of direction will depend on a great many factors, including the aspects made by the personal planets to these transcendental planets in the natal chart, and the manner in which life has been embraced in the previous 40 years.

Victorian Astrology Association Inc. Registration No. A0031119X

40 YOA is a common time for people to re-assess their lifestyle and career options. It is common for women at this time to find themselves freed from the burdens of motherhood, with important decisions to make as to which direction to take in life.

Victorian Astrology Association Inc.
Registration No. A0031119X