Tips for navigating your age of Uranus

by Kelly Surtees December 15, 2016

The discovery of Uranus represented a stunning breakthrough for astronomers and was a testament to the success of the telescope technologies of the time. It also forced an update to astronomical theories of the time. Prior to Uranus, Saturn represented a visual boundary as the most distant planet. As Dava Sobel writes in her book The Planets, the confirmation of Uranus as a planet “doubled the width of the solar system”.

These qualities of Uranus’ discovery — of challenging and changing the status quo, of surprise and of defining new frontiers — are important when considering Uranus in astrology. Uranus is the astrological planet of chaos, the unexpected and doing things differently. Uranus represents innovation, experimentation and invention.

Uranus is curious and wants nothing more than to break new ground or shake up stagnant routines, rituals or beliefs.

As the first planet to be discovered through the use of machinery, via the telescope, Uranus is associated with science and technology and with groundbreaking or cutting-edge developments. Uranus is curious and wants nothing more than to break new ground or shake up stagnant routines, rituals or beliefs. One common prediction for a Uranus transit is to “expect the unexpected”, so unpredictable is its influence.

Uranus represents independence and freedom. The underlying mission of any Uranus transit is to inspire, encourage or coerce you to make a change that gives you freedom. The goal is to help shift you into a more inspiring existence, one that’s aligned with your authentic self. Safety, security and playing it safe hold no interest for Uranus.

Uranus by transit

Everyone is touched by Uranus. Uranus cycles can trigger your chart, and your life, in one of two ways. First, Uranus may trigger your chart by direct transit to one of your personal planets, like the Sun, Moon, Venus or Mars, or an important chart point like your descendant (relationships) or midheaven (career). This could happen at any age and would be unique to your personal astrology chart.

Second, at key ages, Uranus by transit will trigger its own placement in your birth chart. This highlights a series of years where you are more likely to reinvent yourself or think outside the box. In this article I will highlight these ages of Uranus: the birthdays around which Uranus will trigger itself.

Ages of Uranus

Uranus takes 84 years to make a complete circuit of the zodiac, known as a Uranus return. However, you don’t have to wait that long to feel the stirring in the soul that accompanies a Uranus transit.

During this time Uranus will make key angles, known as aspects, back to its zodiac position at birth. These aspects vary and include a 60-degree sextile, a 90-degree square, a 120-degree trine and a 180-degree opposition.

Each aspect carries its own vibration, like a specific tune. It calls to your heart in a particular way and cries out for certain kinds of change. When the same aspect repeats at a later age, themes from the earlier age can reappear.

The table below outlines the ages of Uranus:

Age Uranus aspect

13–15 sextile

20–22 square

27–29 trine

42–44 opposition

55–57 trine

63–65 square

69–71 sextile

Sextiles and trines: welcome change

A sextile or trine aspect, like those Uranus cycles active at ages 13–15, 27–29, 55–57 and 69–71, are considered flowing aspects. This indicates change that is relatively easy to implement. These may be ages where you consciously choose something new or have the confidence to pursue a personal passion.

Teen years, late 60s and early 70s

The sextile of transit Uranus to natal Uranus links the ages of 13–15 and 69–71. This is an aspect of adolescence and discovery. These are ages to push a boundary or choose a path for yourself that may be different from the expectations of others. A sextile represents the energy of a teenager: curious, rebellious and a little uncertain. The need to experiment is obvious at 13, 14 or 15, but is equally important — if less expected — at ages 69–71.

The Uranus sextile is a call to reconnect with that hungry teenager, the one who wouldn’t take no for answer and who wanted to live life on her terms. An interest from your teen years may resurface in the late 60s/early 70s. The spirit of discovery — or rediscovery — can enliven life at this age, similar to the thirst and enthusiasm of your teen years.

Late 20s and mid-50s

The trine of transit Uranus to natal Uranus links the ages of 27–29 and 55–57 and is a deep call from the heart to be more authentic. Since a trine indicates an opportunity, these may be ages where you receive an unexpected but exciting invitation or offer. You may get the chance to develop a gift or more fully explore your talents. This may throw existing plans into chaos, but the flowing energy of a trine suggests you make this choice willingly or that you may have sought out this chance to shake things up.

Changes at work, within your professional life or regarding life direction are especially common under a Uranus trine. An opportunity you missed out on in the late 20s may return in the mid-50s so that you get a second chance at a personally meaningful career path.

Squares and oppositions: shocks and the unexpected

A square or opposition aspect, like those Uranus cycles active at ages 20–22, 42–44 and 63–65, are considered tense or challenge aspects. This indicates change that may have a jarring, unexpected or shock-factor component. You may not see change coming, or you may be in a position where you have to make a fast choice as a result of a change in circumstances beyond your control.

Early 20s and early 60s

The square of transit Uranus to natal Uranus links the ages of 20–22 and 63–65. A square is an aspect of adjustment and frustration. During this cycle you may be unsettled and uncertain, perhaps more clear about what you don’t want than what you do want. Pay attention to what angers or irritates you: these feelings are signs as to what you need to move away from. Doing so will provide clues as to what to move towards.

During a Uranus square your deepest desires may seem odd or catch you by surprise, as if your conscious self is awakening to the individual truths buried deep in your heart. What you want may not be what you expected.

The Uranus sextile is a call to reconnect with that hungry teenager, the one who wouldn’t take no for answer and who wanted to live life on her terms.

At these ages you may realise you need to change your plan, like undergoing a course correction. Any change that occurs now can be dramatic or have unpredictable results but you must forge ahead anyway. Under the call of a Uranus square, truths become clear, even ones that may require upheaval to manifest. A square aspect from Uranus is an ideal time to play “pick-up sticks” with life and throw cautious plans into the air.

As the winds of change beckon you forward, these are ideal ages to make a radical, surprising and yet totally right-for-you decision. This can have to do with study, charity work, career, your living situation or within your closest friendships, relationships or family dynamics.

Uranus at midlife

The opposition of Uranus, in the early 40s, is one of a trio of midlife transits that correspond with the experiences described by Jung’s theory of midlife crisis. This is a tipping-point influence and a complete reorientation of your existence may be required.

If you have lived an authentic life and periodically made choices that might have caused a bump in the road but meant you lived your truth, this opposition may be less dramatic. If you have sacrificed the wild dreams in your heart or pushed down the deepest desires in your soul to please others or conform, this can be a turbulent period where you make a series of fast-paced choices to reorient life so that it better reflects your true self.

At the midlife Uranus opposition, you must ask honest questions and answer bravely. Question everything — responsibilities, routines, requirements — and challenge rules or expectations. Anything is possible and the most unexpected but exciting of adventures can begin, for those who dare. During the Uranus opposition you crave what’s exciting, real and enlivening and will want to move away from anything that’s restrictive, bland or stagnant.

Working with Uranus

Initially, Uranus’ orbit was impossible to predict. Similarly, when you are in a Uranus cycle, you might find it difficult to plan too far in advance. In practice, clients benefit from focusing on the short term rather than the long term during a Uranus cycle. For instance, rather than trying to make plans for the next 12 to 18 months, focus on what you want for the next three to six months. There is an immediate quality to Uranus and having the flexibility to adapt will help you make the most of any unexpected opportunity that arises.

When Uranus is active, you won’t want to follow the rules and will instead prefer to set your own guidelines. Honouring traditions, meeting expectations and conforming won’t appeal. Others may describe you as rebellious or revolutionary, or tell you you’re making an out-of-character decision. If so, you’ll know you’re on the right path to happiness and success.

If you know you have a Uranus cycle coming up, you can create space for Uranus by starting with small changes. Switch your watch from the normal wrist to the unfamiliar one. Carry your bag over the opposite shoulder. Take an alternative route to work. If studying, take a class outside the area of your primary focus, just for fun. Change an established routine and see how doing something differently sits with you.

If love and relationships are a focus, take on a role you don’t normally play. If you usually wait for the other person to make the first call, instead take charge and organise a date or initiate intimacy. If you normally make the first move, hold back and experience a new side to dating and relationships.

Uranus is inherently entrepreneurial so, if career topics come up for you during a Uranus cycle, consider striking out on your own, as in going freelance or working independently as a contractor. You might even take a risk to start your own business or create a second income stream. You may not find a whole lot of role models — but that’s the point. Under Uranus you need to forge a new path, one that others have not yet walked.

Think big

The ideal motto for Uranus, at any age and in a decision relating to any topic, is this inspiring quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

During a Uranus square your deepest desires may seem odd or catch you by surprise, as if your conscious self is awakening to the individual truths buried deep in your heart.

In the world of astronomy, one breakthrough led to another. In their efforts to track the historical path of Uranus, and discovering many anomalies in the recorded sightings, astronomers were forced to again open their minds to another wondrous idea, that of a second large planet even further into the solar system: Neptune.

Astrologically, Uranus represents any chance to dive into the world of the unknown, to explore, discover and push the boundaries. Like an 18th-century astronomer, you too may find that taking one brave and bold step forward leads to discoveries, excitement and breakthroughs beyond your wildest dreams.

As you contemplate your next Uranus age, consider how you could be a trailblazer. Like Sir William Herschel who, as Dava Sobel writes, with his discovery of Uranus in 1781 was “hailed as the first man in history to discover a planet”, a Uranus trigger is a call to blast your way into a new reality. What brave, exciting dream will you dare try?