embracing midlife with grace
We recently met with Nina Taylor in our of our On Friday weekly virtual sessions on Astrological Rites of Passage—and it was widely expansive! So much so that we want to share (even this super juicy post feels like the tiniest peek into the wisdom this woman has to offer!). It’s a replay you won’t want to miss out on.
The first thing that stood out for us is how beautifully Nina frames what midlife means to her (and it resonated with so many of us too).
Societally speaking, midlife is often painted as a challenging, overwhelming stage, yet it can be a powerful moment of growth, transformation, and self-discovery. According to Nina and her recent session, which explored the astrological rites of passage, she illuminates how during midlife it is a time (and an opportunity) for us to embrace this time of our lives with grace.
This is essential for personal evolution.
In her session, Nina also shared her own deeply personal journey of navigating menopause—an experience that can feel destabilizing, especially when surrounded by silence or shame. She pointed out that the absence of open conversation about midlife struggles is common, and it’s often only when we begin to experience it ourselves that we realize just how much wisdom can be found in these transitions.
Photos via: NinaTaylor.org
Let’s break down the transitions…
Uranus Opposition
A Time of Radical Change
(approximately between the ages of 38 and 42)
The first major astrological passage Nina discussed was the Uranus Opposition, typically occurring between the ages of 38 and 42. This transit marks a period of sudden and radical change, which can feel like a profound disruption of everything we’ve known up until that point. Uranus is the planet of rebellion and freedom, and during this time, it urges us to break free from the constraints of our past and step into a new, more authentic version of ourselves.
Nina explained how, during the Uranus opposition, we feel a powerful urge to ask, “Am I okay with the way I am living?” For many, this may manifest as an overwhelming realization: “I just can’t do this anymore.” These are the cosmic invitations we receive, urging us to reflect on what no longer serves us and what is preventing us from fully stepping into our potential.
Tools for navigating the Uranus opposition:
Breathwork to clear energetic pathways
Nervous system regulation to manage the intense shifts
Reflecting on where we are resisting the changes our soul is calling for
Neptune Square
Dissolving Boundaries and Old Identities
(approximately between the ages of 40 and 42)
Between the ages of 40 and 42, we encounter the Neptune square, a transit that invites us to soften our egos and dissolve old forms of identity. Neptune is the planet of spirituality and divinity, and during this phase, it challenges the boundaries we’ve built around ourselves—whether those are social, emotional, or even physical. It’s not uncommon for individuals to turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as drinking or mindless TV watching, in an attempt to dissociate from the deep shifts happening within.
However, Nina emphasized that Neptune’s influence invites us to soften these structures, ultimately helping us embrace a more fluid, spiritual understanding of who we are. This phase is about recognizing that the old ways of being no longer fit, and through dissolution, we make space for the new.
Tools for navigating the Neptune square:
Meditation to connect with our higher self and divine essence
Embracing the fluidity of Neptune's energy to release rigid identities
Chiron Return
From Wound to Wisdom
(approximately between the ages of 48 and 51)
The final rite of passage discussed by Nina was the Chiron return, which typically occurs between the ages of 48 and 51. Chiron, known as the wounded healer, represents the healing of deep emotional and physical wounds. This transit invites us to recognize that our wounds are not weaknesses but sources of wisdom and healing. For many, this can be a time of confronting health crises, especially if they have been avoiding the need for healing up until this point.
Nina spoke passionately about how the Chiron return offers us an invitation to step into our mastery, transforming our challenges into tools for personal growth. It’s a time when we’re called to integrate the wisdom we’ve gained from our wounds, and often, this can involve doing deep ancestral or body-based healing work.
Tools for navigating the Chiron return:
Rituals of integration to honor the lessons of the past
Storytelling to connect with our journey and share wisdom
Practices like yoga or Tai Chi to bring awareness to the body and its healing needs
The Invitation to Self-Compassion and Grace
Throughout the session, Nina highlighted the importance of showing ourselves grace during these transitions. It’s easy to become caught up in the pressures of external expectations, especially in a culture that often expects us to "have it all figured out" by midlife. Yet true fulfillment comes not from mastering everything, but from allowing ourselves the space to grow, heal, and evolve at our own pace.
Nina’s message was clear:
Midlife isn’t a time to resist change but a cosmic invitation to embrace it.
Through the Uranus opposition, Neptune square, and Chiron return, we’re invited to shed old skins, embrace our spiritual essence, and transform our wounds into sources of wisdom.
Midlife can be a sacred and transformative time. While these rites of passage may be intense, they offer us the tools to step into a deeper, more authentic version of ourselves. By showing ourselves grace, utilizing practices like breathwork, meditation, and ritual, and embracing the cosmic invitations of the universe, we can navigate this powerful stage of life with more ease and self-compassion.
As Nina so beautifully put it, the challenges we face in midlife—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—are not roadblocks, but redirections that guide us toward greater fulfillment and wisdom.
Lastly, you may be wondering:
“How on Earth might I learn what these Rights Of Passage might look like or have looked like, for me?”
It’s imprinted in the stars from the time of your birth, and your personal Natal Chart will reveal some the details and the nuances. Book a session with Nina to learn more.
NOTE: On Friday Subscribers receive a special offer for select readings. Subscribe for access in our Private Portal. Plus, we did a fun Instagram LIVE in case you missed it… Check it out here.