A teenage Paul McCartney penned those lyrics back in a time when sixty-four not only seemed ancient but unreachable—as if existing in another dimension, out of sight and out of mind of his eternally youthful peers. This year, the former Beatle, who got his “picture on the cover of the Rolling Stone” no less than twenty-two times in his half-century career, reached this not so coveted 64 year milestone--earning himself “a picture on the cover” of AARP Magazine (American Association of Retired Persons; May/June 2006).

McCartney and Me

Less notably, this writer also celebrated a 64th birthday, 60 days after the not-so-aging, and certainly not retired, rock star who, although his temples are graying, still has all his hair. On my birthday,  I went to the Social Security office to sign up for retirement benefits, even though I am certainly not planning to retire—only to re-fire, with a little help from my friend, Uncle Sam. Sir Paul, while eligible, will not be picking up his government pension; being a billionaire may be a decisive factor. However, neither he nor I are “wasting away” as his song goes on to so pessimistically predict.

Star Search

From my astrologer’s point of view, age 64 is a sort of “free space” on the celestial gameboard of life, falling in between a Uranus Square at age 62 and a Saturn Square at age 65. Almost every age has a corresponding challenge, so if an astrologer asks “how old are you now?” you can bet the mental calculator is ticking. The midlife period, ages 40-60 is especially dicey. British, astrologer Lara Owen, wrote about it in a recent issue of Mountain Astrologer Magazine (Aug/Sep 06): “If you were to enter the lifestage between 40 and 60 with foreknowledge, it would be like looking at a series of hurdles, with the prize at the end…being individuation and a well earned sense of inner peace. Ideally.”  The “well earned” part deserves special attention, as the journey is arduous (more like a series of crises than a single mid-life one) and life doesn’t come with instructions. Survivors are to be congratulated, thrivers, even more so.

The Midlife Road Map

Here is a partial listing of universal mid-life challenges and approximate ages:

• Transiting Pluto Square Natal Pluto: Age 38-42 (A ‘dark night of the soul’; dredges up unconscious shadow material from the psyche for transformation)
• Transiting Uranus opposing Natal Uranus: Age 40 (an engine of radical change—rarely voluntary, sudden & unexpected)
• Transiting Saturn opposite Natal Saturn: Age 43-44 (a stark reality check, a grinding halt, usually followed by a 180 degree turnaround)
• Chiron Return: Age 50-51 (old wounds reopen for healing)
• Pluto, Uranus and Neptune trines: Age 50-54 (hold on to your seatbelts you’re picking up speed)
• Second Saturn Return: Age 56-58 (life comes around full circle, blossoms open or die)
• Fifth Jupiter return: Age 60 (expand your horizons; a spiritual gift is in order)

Boom or Bust?

There has been much recent talk in America about the leading edge of the baby boom generation, 3 million of them born in 1946, turning 60 this year—at the rate of 8,000 per day.  In the ranks of those cited are two presidents, Bush and Clinton, Donald
Trump, Cher and Dolly Parton. Reflecting popular anti-aging sentiment, on CBS’ “Early Show” (7/7/06) Harry Smith posed the question “Is 60 the new 50?” to longevity expert, Dr. Robert Butler. His answer was ambiguous, due to the obesity epidemic and the fact that only some Americans are living healthier than previous generations.

“84 is the New 64”

While  60 may or may not be the new 50, “64 is the new 84”--according to American writer Gail Sheehy, author of “Passages”, the book that has been called “a road map of adult life”. It caused a sensation when it was published in the 1970s. In astrological cycles, age 84 is an important milestone, marking the return of the planet Uranus to its natal position in an individual’s chart. Through the energy of Uranus we break with convention and express our individuality. During Uranus’ 84 year orbit around the sun it spends seven or eight years in a single sign of the zodiac. As the planet transits through each sign and house in our chart we get the opportunity to self express, to “make our mark”, so to speak, in that specific area of our lives—relationships, career, finances, spirituality, etc.

Coming Full Circle

At the Uranus return (84-85) people experience a sense of completion, of “mission accomplished”. Many souls consider this an age-appropriate time to check out. Pope John Paul II, world’s most popular Pontiff, age 84, crossed over in 2005, followed shortly by 84 year old Archbishop Marcinkus, who as head of the Vatican bank presided over one of the biggest financial scandals in its history.  In 2006, Rabbi Arthur Hertzberg, 84, a prominent American historian and civil-rights advocate who marched with Martin Luther King, Jr. ascended to heaven, and Betty Friedan, whose 1960s manifesto The Feminine Mystique became a best seller and laid the groundwork for the modern feminist movement, passed over on her 85th birthday. James Doohan, 85, the Canadian actor best known for playing the role of “Star Trek’s” “Scotty” was beamed up in July of 2005.

Far Out

Uranus is the farthest planet that fully orbits the sun within a human lifespan. Neptune, the next “far out” planet (an apt description), has a 165 year orbit. However, Saturn, the planet which rules age and maturity, returns to its natal position approximately every 30 years, and some lucky folks are now living through three Saturn returns. While aging in youth obsessed America is not exactly welcome, it beats the alternative, as the saying goes. In tribal cultures, elders were revered because of their wisdom, a product of age and experience. Perhaps there is a lesson here, and instead of age defying and age denying, we would do well to make peace with aging—or, even better, honor it.

Pluto and Leo

There are more than 78 million boomers in America; yet, the true scope of this generation’s influence cannot be calculated without counting the number of “war babies” born between 1939 and 1945. Reason being—Pluto, the planet which defines generations, was in the sign of Leo from late 1938 to early1957. It is the stamp of Pluto in Leo that is driving the current quest for eternal youth. The fear of aging is high on Pluto in Leo’s list—along with fear of loss of approval and fear of abandonment—all sub-categories of “fear of loss of love”.  A youthful appearance is believed to enhance lovability--an illusion that hides the real fear. Another key factor, awareness of approaching mortality can trigger regrets, or energize a drive towards legacy creation. Each generation’s “dharma” is to transform their greatest fears into their greatest contributions. Pluto in Leo’s mission is to transform aging, and—it is happening!

Revisioning Retirement

Many Pluto in Leos are eschewing retirement and reinventing themselves in the process. Millions of still youthful boomers moving into their “golden years” are looking for more enlivening options than golf and canasta. In fact, they are creating a whole new industry to cater to their newly expanding horizons. While not a boomer himself, former president and best-selling author, Jimmy Carter (“The Virtues of Aging”, Ballatine 1998) reminds us that while no one escapes aging, the later years can be filled with many blessings and numerous opportunities.  His own life, of course, provides ample evidence. Only 56 when he left the White House after one term, he has become one of the most popular former presidents, identified with peace-making initiatives and humanitarian causes such as The Carter Center and Habitat for Humanity.

2 Young 2 Retire

Authors, Marika and Howard Stone (“Too Young to Retire: 101 Ways to Start the Rest of Your Life”), founders of www.2young2retire.com were amazed by their impact. “We began our website to offer a different perspective on the post-career years.” They said. “To our surprise and pleasure, there are more like-minded people than we had imagined. We're getting between 600 and 1000 visits a day --And we get wonderful emails.” The site has a “contribute your own story” feature with over 100 submissions. Numerous other similarly themed books and on line opportunities abound.

Opportunistic Aging

Unlike the mid-life passage, with its “no pain, no gain” adversities, challenges after 60 can be exciting adventures. My own professional practice came into its fullest expression at my Second Saturn return and I reinvented myself as a writer during my subsequent Uranus Square. I’m looking forward to the next milepost at 65.  Sir Paul’s career is at an all time high. With the recent release of his new album “Chaos and Creation in the Backyard”, “he’s experiencing vital reinvention and growth” according to “Rolling Stone” music critic Anthony DeCurtis. He is also continuing to play an active role as an animal rights advocate.