Astrologically, it’s been a crazy time for 40-somethings, or those born between 1963 to 1969!

For starters, you are experiencing your Uranus Opposition. That means that Uranus is on the opposite side of the sky from when you were born and this aspect has been building for some time, for though its energy can be radical and changeable, Uranus stays in a sign for a long time. You and me and those who were in school with us are all dealing with the same Universal Question, as it were - that being "how do you like being a grown up? You're all about 1/2 way through - do you want to make any changes in your life for the back half? What changes do you need to make to make the next 10 years (and the next 40 years) just what you want?" We all have the same goal here - a healthy, happy life, right? All different versions of that, admittedly, but still the same ultimate goal. Uranus lends it's often disruptive energy to help us make the changes we want and need in our lives - and don't think you can hide your deepest feelings from Uranus. It finds your innermost issues often times.

At the same time restrictive Saturn is now beginning to stand opposite of changeable Uranus. Many people are feeling a strong imbalance with structure and freedom that’s very frustrating and physically draining. The answer is to be open to the changes that give us both change/freedom and structure/security. For me, for example, it is sending my kids to public school instead of home schooling - I now have free time in the day, but am tied here all week (and suddenly up early every day) and can't travel like I used to. I love the structure on the one hand and resist it on the next as I crave freedom, too. Extra magnesium can make a Saturn transit more comfortable, physically too. That means blueberries, spinach - even Epsom salt in the bottom of your shower can help relieve stiffness inspired by Saturn's restrictive energy.

Then Pluto gets into the mix - we all have Pluto very near Uranus in our birth charts, so whatever happens to our natal Uranus is affecting our natal Pluto, too. Here's what the software says about Saturn hitting this Pluto spot:

The earth moves during this transit. Areas of your life which you thought were stable and reliable start to change, putting everything in a new light. This can be a bit de-stabilizing, particularly if you do not enjoy the challenge of the process of change. However, if you can steer a positive course, it is ultimately rewarding. This transit is good for clearing out the old in order to bring in the new, a bit like renovating an old house.

And here's what it says about Pluto spot opposing Uranus:

This is an intense time when your emotional attachments will be challenged. This can be traumatic and leave you feeling quite vulnerable. Therefore it is a good time for entering therapy, or taking any action which will help you gain insight into your deeper levels and your life.

And if that wasn't enough, we have a Neptune square thing going on too:

There are a few transits in astrology which are linked with what society calls the "mid-life crisis". This is one of them and usually occurs in your early 40’s. During this transit you review your life's goals and dreams. Like the character Scrooge in Charles Dickens' tale of The Christmas Carol, you have the chance to reflect on your visions of the past, present and for the future. You see what has been achieved and what remains to be done. In some cases, you might feel disillusioned at how little you have achieved. The trouble is that you are vulnerable to feelings of failure right now. However, on a more positive note, by the end of this transit you can also gain much insight into which visions may have been sheer wishful thinking and which are achievable.

This is an important time for all of us. Major changes are coming. The more we can flow with them and steer toward the positive, the better off we will be, individually and as a society. These are not quick astrological aspects, I am sorry to say - Uranus will be on us until July 2010. Rather than despair for how long it lasts, we need to be grateful for the fact that we get a lot of time to really try on a whole new mess of stuff. If we make a change now it will be easy to change again, and the accelerated growth we get to experience now will forever change the rest of our lives in the direction we focus upon, for good or bad.

Peace everyone - and best of luck and fortitude to us all.