Coming of Age

Coming of age is usually thought of as a rite of passage of some kind, such as being old enough to vote or going though a cultural ceremony marking the onset of adulthood. The transition from being a child or teenager to being an adult is generally regarded, according to the Cambridge Dictionary, as "the time when that person legally becomes an adult and is old enough to vote, the time when someone matures emotionally, or in some other way."

I've highlighted those words as there are so many variables in the life experiences of individuals that a real coming of age is a moveable feast, and something that can happen whatever age we are. Astrologically, the first Saturn return (the time when Saturn completes one circuit of the Sun) is generally regarded as a significant growing up point. As Saturn takes 29 years to return to the same place it was at when we were born, age 29/30 often brings with it a big "growing up" jolt. Something happens which forces us to change, grow, and mature.

In the context of Age Progression and LifeClock, at that particular age we will have - between the ages of 24 and 30 - gone through the psychological phase of testing out life experiences, maybe "playing the field". Between ages 30 and 36 there's more emphasis on coping with and establishing our existence.

A summary of the psychological phases, as described by Bruno and Louise Huber, is set out in my co-authored new book The Second Time Around:

1. Formation of ego, sense of "I"
2. Creation of personal life, importance of possessions
3. Learning/education
4. Moving on from parental home
5. Testing out life experiences
6. Establishing existence/working alongside others
7. Learning about self in relationships/partnerships
8. Mid-life crisis, change, transformation
9. Forming personal life philosophy
10. Self-realisation, individuality
11. Finding like-minded people, chosen relationships
12. Withdrawal, finding solitude, accepting old age/becoming an Elder

A pychological and emotional coming of age can happen at any time on the LifeClock. We can experience something as an adult which triggers memories and feelings we've suppressed, and which now demand attention. It's like an echo from the past, and having the courage and willingness to work through old and sometimes painful stuff from our earlier years - maybe from childhood, maybe as an adult - can be a real coming of age process as through it we grow and develop more self-awareness.

Such an experence offers the opportunity to let go of something that's been bugging us for years, but was never really resolved. Then we can move on, no longer stuck with the baggage of a particular situation at, say, age 3,15, 24, 36, 57.... or whenever it happened.

If we are on an upward spiral as we journey through life's physical and psychological stages, letting go and moving on from being stuck and held back by the past can take place at any time. It's useful to remember that we can come of age at any stage of life. The development of self-awareness and spiritual growth is an on-going process.

"The Life Clock can indicate where we are in life and how we can make the best of current influences in the light of problems past, present and future" - a quote from Bruno & Louise's book LifeClock.

What time is your Lifeclock?

Age Progression, LifeClock, call it what you will - my experience of it is exactly what my tutor told me 37 years ago when I started studying the Huber Method of Astrological Psychology.

He said it was "gilt edged", and quite simply, it is. And you can use this technique with or without referring to a birth chart.

The chart belongs to actor Tom Hanks, born 9th July 1956 at 11.17 in Corncord, California. Hanks is 67. His Age Point is in the 12th house/area of the chart and his LifeClock time is easing towards the start and end of the 72 year cycle. Realistically he's probably being a lot more selective in any acting roles he takes on, but interestingly is currently involved in the production of a new film, "Here", which involves the use of AI.The story covers the events of a single room with its inhabitants spanning from the past well into the future. Hanks is clearly not giving up yet!

Below is the LifeClock diagram, showing how the Age Point relates to the 12 astrological houses/areas of life experience from birth to age 72 (it begins a second circuit once the individual reaches 72, where there is often a huge surge of energy as we make a fresh start). The hand of the clock always moves in an anti-clockwise direction. It's shown here at age 40.

 

When the Age Point reaches the 12th house and is between ages 66 and 72 (again, use the diagram to navigate by), we no longer need to strive to prove anything to anyone. This can be very liberating. But some high profile people will choose to continue working into this phase, for example politicians, artists, writers, musicians, scientists and spitritual leaders.

A couple more examples. If you're somewhere between 30 and 36, the Age Point and your lifetime "o'clock" will be in the 6th house, where your main focus, if you're in paid or voluntary work, will be on the more serious matters of being successful, keeping your head above water and getting along with your work colleagues. You'll probably be forming realistic views about what you can and can't achieve professionally or work-wise.

Between age 36 and 42, the focus shifts to relationships and partners. At this psychological stage, the ability to make contact with others is at maximum strength and this is often a time of life when we realise there is more potential in life for us than we'd ever dreamed of.

All this, and much more, is covered in my book Age Progression - Understanding Life's Journey Click on the link to fine out more.

 

 

 

The Second Time Around - some thoughts on moving from role to soul

 

"The Inner Work of Age - shifting from Role to Soul" formed part of the research for my recent co-authored book, The Second Tme Around, looking at life beyond age 70+, and the opportunities this phase of life brings for renewal.

It was a book I could relate to, understand and learn from. Not only was it an excellent read, it was a nudge and a reminder of things I'd forgotten. It flagged up things I'd either been mulling over or had received sudden insights about, and is featured in Chapter 3 - What other authors say about this stage of life, in The Second Time Around.

Author Connie Zweig, a retired psychotherapist, draws on her personal experience of being an Elder alongside her professional work with others, also Elders, travelling the path from role to soul. She likens Elders to teachers or mentors, those who willingly pass on the wisdom of their life experience, not from a place of ego, or of needing recognition for their know how, but simply because they are at ease with themselves just as they are and don't need to prove anything, or be how others might "expect" them to be.

Zweig suggests that as Elders, behaving in this way, give hard-won knowledge to the next generation, welcoming a new generation of seekers and agents of change. The ego is set aside; it has no place when role or roles, which might have defined us during our more active working life, are dropped as the essence of soul begins to find it's place.

Whilst reading the book and reviewing my own status as Elder (yes, I'm old enough for this) I had some significant, transformative experiences and insights as I'd been evaluating myself and my relationships, contacts and friendships – their value, importance and permanence. I examined the depth, richness and quality of my current interactions with others, and realised that I’d become far more selective and discriminating about who I choose to spend time with. No longer willing to waste time or energy or pussyfooting about with relationships which don't hit the spot for me, I’m far more comfortable now being straight, truthful and outspoken.

In this Elder phase of life, I’m far more perceptive and discriminating about who I can trust and who I can’t. As for my "role", I'm not really clear if I now have one. Yes, I'm a retired teacher and as such I can always seize what is called "the teachable moment" with children and adults alike, but retired it's a lot easier being a volunteer in the classroom rather than being in charge.

I’ve made personal and psychological changes to myself and my outlook over the past couple of years, and I’ve questioned what my role, if any, is meant to be – or if I even need a “role”. Volunteering is one way Elders shift from role to soul - they become more involved in sharing their skills and knowledge and energy in society, for the benefit of others. And of course, they get a lot back from doing so, quietly being themselves and not needing the ego boost.

The Second Time Around

Two years in the researching and writing, my new book, co-authored with Barry Hopewell, was published in early December.

Overview of The Second Time Around

The years from age 70 onwards do not necessarily have to be years of gradual decline. In truth, no-one relishes the thought or the reality of getting old, but The Second Time Around does throw some positive light on the subject.

The Age Progression of Bruno & Louise Huber’s astrological psychology tells us that age 70 and beyond is a favourable time for growth and renewal of our lives, as we begin to circle around the Life Clock of the birth chart for the second time. From birth, we move around the natal chart in psychological and developmental steps and stages, each taking 6 years. We develop, grow and learn from our life experiences at each step of the way.

On reaching age 70 - and depending on how self-aware we are -  we have the opportunity to move beyond the limitations which we may have had since childhood or our adult years.

The research documented in the book is aimed to validate the theories of the Hubers, regarding the Life Clock and the realities of life at age 70+. We include the real life stories of 25 practitioners and non-astrologers, including their reflections relating their charts to key psychological events of their lives. We also relate the Huber theories to the understanding of other astrologers and psychologists.

It seems that at this stage of life we face a choice. We can continue to learn from past experience and grow in a spiritual direction towards wisdom, or we can stay at the same kind of psychological and developmental level we were at in our earlier lives, perhaps begrudging the inevitable slow decline in our faculties.

If we choose the former path some sort of Life Review can help us find our way to
renewed life. Astrological psychology, the birth chart and use of the Life Clock can very much help us in this process, enabling us to identify and move beyond habitual patterns and obstacles to growth.

The Second Time Around is available from booksellers and Amazon.

Publication Details

Paperback, 192 pages. First published 4th December 2023 by HopeWell, Knutsford, England.
ISBN: 978-0-9956736-7-0

 

King Charles III

I wrote this post a few months ago, when it became clear that the Queen's health was ailing, and that Charles - then Prince, now King - was intensifying his input into royal duties.

The sudden passing of the Queen on 8th September 2022 at Balmoral, and the transfer of  power from reigning monarch to heir apparent, is formally taking place as I write.

I have already commented on the charts of Charles and the Queen - links are given in the text below - so there is nothing much I can add right now at this sad and historic moment in time. One thing I have speculated on, looking at Charles's chart as he is proclaimed King, is that Pluto, which his Age Point is fast approaching, is connected in a Small Learning triangle with Sun and Mars, which may prove  interesting to observe as he eases - or maybe catapults - into the role he's been waiting for all his life.

I wish him well. A new, high profile role at age 73, pushing 74, is quite an undertaking, especially when there is mourning and a deep sense of loss to be dealt with on a personal level.

For me, on a personal level, it's feeling quite strange adapting to there being no Queen any more and hearing/reading the words "King Charles".The Queen has been there for me, and so many people, all of our lives, as a kind of backdrop, and it's as if the scene-shifters have been in, removed the old backdrop and have installed something entirely new and sightly alien as it's not yet familiar.

 

*   *   *  *  *

On Tuesday 10th May 2022 Prince Charles stood in for the Queen at the state opening of Parliament and read, on her behalf, the overview of what the government plans to achieve in the forthcoming parliamentary session. It's an occasion filled with traditional ceremonial pomp, headed by the Queen who, for the last few years, had not worn the crown or her regal robes and has opted for the comfort of a nice matching coat, dress and hat ensemble. 

This time, however it was a bit different. At 96, she's having mobility issues and has recently cancelled several public engagements. It seems cruel and unrealistic to expect an elderly lady who has devoted her life to her role, designated by birth, to turn out and be undertaking such stiff and formal public engagements when she'd probably be happier in her slippers at home. This time Charles did the job for the first time, accompanied by son and heir Wills. It looked a rather sombre event, with wife Camilla wearing black and Charles and Will in very formal attire. When they filed into the House of Lords, looking very serious, they could have been going to a funeral. Perhaps, in a way, they were.

As the crown was placed in front of the empty throne, usually taken by the Queen, Charles looked intently at the crown, his face deeply serious as I suspect he contemplated what his future will be as king. To me, it looked like a real, tangible moment of recognition.

How does this relate to Charles' chart and his Age  Progression - where he is on his life journey and what psychological life stage he is at? A few thoughts on this:

Charles is 73; he'll be 74 in November. In terms of his LifeClock (click to see details of the Huber's book of the same name) his Age Point crossed over his Leo Ascendant at age 72 and is now travelling through the 1st house for the second time. This is often, for people in their 70s, a kind of second childhood when there is more time to do the things they've not had time to do when working, a time for relaxation, pursuing new interests, enjoying grandchildren etc. and not a time to be embarking on a new career or a lifestyle laden with responsibilities of state.

Of course, Charles has a privileged life but it's always been different, with the need to stay within accepted boundaries and live by protocol laid down by generations of tradition. But with that look on his face, I wonder if the reality really hit home and hard? What's currently going on in his chart?

His Age Point is approaching his 1st house Pluto, which is always symbolic of power, and power will certainly be his when he's king, although how he will use it is going to be important. He'll become the head of the family firm and the event will be a bitter-sweet one as it means he'll be experiencing the loss of his mother at the same time. Pluto is not to be dallied with, nor is the power it embodies to be taken lightly as it ultimately - on its highest level - has to be used for the greater good, and not personal gain.

At the top of his chart, intercepted in the 10th house, sits the Moon and the Moon's north node. The north node is a signpost indicating the way forward via personal grow and development. The 10th house is a public place; the Moon there, conjunct the node, suggests it could be somewhere he could learn to shine and come into his own. The downside is that both Moon and node are in Taurus, an intercepted sign, making getting this aspect of himself "out there" and recognised, will not be easy. 

I wrote about this and other aspects of Charles' chart when he turned 60. Read what I said here. 

Also see what I've written about the Queen's chart here. Her Age Point is now in the 4th house for the second time and there are currently no contacts with any planets, but note her strong Saturn at the top of the chart. A strong indicator that she's the Queen and head of the family firm.