The Karmic Axis & Mid-Life Crisis

A mid-life crisis is a real thing and there is an astrological reason for the upheaval defined as “a loss of self-confidence and feeling of anxiety or disappointment that can occur in early middle age.” The karmic axis formed by Rahu-Ketu, the nodes of the Moon, are to blame!

One of the first things I look at in an astrology chart is the placement of the Rahu and Ketu axis. Ketu shows where we think we have life all figured out, and this gives us a sense of security. But the scope of the world where we feel confident is quite limited – as if we stay within the confines of the castle. But at some point we become a little bored or dissatisfied with life in the castle and get drawn out into unknown territory.

That is Rahu – a desire to explore the unknown, experience every taste of life. Rahu’s placement highlights a key development area that brings major learnings. But we feel like we’re fumbling around in the dark, hence the drop in self-confidence.

All the planets have a natural age at which they mature and the lessons they bring us are accentuated. Rahu and Ketu aren’t actual planets, but are sometimes referred to as shadow planets and represent deeper sub-conscious issues. As a result, they are the final to mature: Rahu at age 41/42 and Ketu at 47/48. Bring on the mid-life crisis!

Every mid-life crisis is unique – it depends on the exact placement of the karmic axis in your chart and how all the other planets interact with Rahu and Ketu. Common themes that come up are balance of:

·       Self vs partners

·       Material vs emotional security and responsibility

·       Feelings vs actions

·       Work vs rest

·       Individuality vs society

As Rahu matures we don’t “Stuff it! I’m staying in the Ketu castle where I feel secure” because hiding away is unfulfilling and/or we get forced outside our comfort zone by life circumstances. So we need to master the Rahu lessons to ever have a chance of feeling the liberation that Ketu and the karmic axis represent.

What happens after 48? You get the rest of your life to master Ketu – significator of spiritual evolution, wisdom, freedom, non-attachment and penetrating insight.

Did you know? According to myth, Rahu is depicted as the head of the serpent, the desire to taste life, and Ketu as the tail, spiritual, with little interest in the material world.