Originally published in the Astrological Journal Vol XXXII, No.1 (Jan/Feb 1990), and now included in Maurice's book ‘Astrological Essays’. Many thanks to Maurice for permission to reproduce the article

One of the most intriguing mysteries connected with the Great Fire of London has, at last, been solved.

Between the ages of 42 and 59 there is a revolution in women’s lives that doctor’s call menopause. Astrologers have three names for it: the Uranus Opposition around the age of 42, the Chiron Return at 51, and the Second Saturn Return around 59. These three stages that span the entire menopausal experience are the rites of passage into our wise woman years. Like any journey they have their merciless moments of drama as well as quiet epiphanies. But how might menopause be different if these times came with an instruction manual like some of us received when we turned 13? “This is menstruation! Welcome to Becoming a Woman.” How might it be different if we did get a menopausal map?

Under Pluto in Sagittarius, possibilities seemed dazzling – and to some, the dazzle was the allure. That quality came from the fact that Sagittarius is a Fire sign – fire signs are all about the idea and ideal, and Sagittarius in particular - the image and theoretical benefits of adhering to the greater idea(l). Pluto in Capricorn changes this dynamic by grounding life in stark reality. The goal becomes the aim and being able to produce more important then the packaging. Methods, practicality, productivity, consistency and value for the effort and money will become functional benchmarks. Demands for quality will challenge the Pluto in Sagittarius urge to splurge and emphasizing ‘having it all.’

With Pluto in Capricorn, concerns and conversations around the World, in your home and head are going to come back, time and time again, to two key ideas: what works and what is real or the reality of the situation. No more will life be filled with ideas, grand plans and imaginative theories without someone asking ‘exactly how are you going to do that?’