Planetary Maturation: What You Probably Didn't Know

Ever rolled your eyes at advice from your elders, secretly convinced you had it all figured out? Armed with a bachelor's degree and the unwavering confidence of youth, in my early twenties, I thought I knew everything. Little did I realize that the universe had its timetable for our capabilities through a series of "planetary maturation ages" that shape our journey. While those older and wiser adults had navigated most of these cosmic milestones, I was just starting out with only two under my belt: Jupiter and the Sun. Perhaps, like many of us, I wasn't yet the most knowledgeable, courageous, or resilient version of myself. It's a humbling truth: the older we get, the more the planets reveal just how much there is to learn.

All of the visible planets, along with Rahu (aka the North Node of the Moon) and Ketu (aka the South Node of the Moon), have an age of maturation that is the same for every person. During the time in which a planet matures, we’re finally able to use that planet to the highest level possible based on its strength in our astrological charts. The year before a planet matures is important because this is when we’re understanding the planet’s needs and abilities, and we can get some deep insights about it. For example, when Saturn matures at 36, there’s something significant that we’re learning to let go of or detach from between the ages of 35 and 36.

Planetary maturation shows the maximum potential for that planet in our chart. Just because Jupiter matures in a person's chart, it doesn’t mean they’ll be as wise as Biblical Solomon. It just means that we can use that planet to the highest level indicated by our natal chart. We want to analyze the lajittaadi avasthas in one’s chart to see how difficult or easy that planetary maturation will be and if the planet will be able to produce auspicious results in his/her life. Let’s say you have an exceptional Sun in your natal chart. Around 21 years of age, when the Sun matures, you may become successful and begin a solid career path.

Planetary Maturation Descriptions

• Jupiter matures at 16 and this is when we can understand deep philosophical/spiritual wisdom and make good judgment calls, depending on Jupiter’s strength in the chart. Biologically, puberty for girls ends between the ages of 15 and 17. This shouldn’t be a surprise since Jupiter represents children, astrologically speaking. However, with an afflicted Jupiter, a person may receive some philosophical/spiritual advice that isn’t beneficial for their path, or they can have some issues with their children.

• The Sun matures at 21, and this is the time we learn to be responsible and dutiful. Also, we’re able to run our own kingdom during this time, just as long as we have a decent Sun in our chart. Ideally, we have enough life experience to have confidence in our actions and have a vision for our lives. But if the Sun’s afflicted, a person may have some conflicts with an authority figure or may not be on a career path that reflects the essence of who they are around 21 years of age.

• Maturing at the age of 24, the Moon shines a light on how we become capable of seeing how we feel about our lives and what’s in our lives. Also, this is the time when we’ve developed enough emotional maturity to know when our needs aren’t getting met, and we consciously change our course to find inner fulfillment. However, when we have an afflicted Moon, we may become depressed or experience emotional lack because we can’t envision a better future.

• Venus matures when we’re 25 years old, and this is when we’re able to make the best lifestyle choices because we have an idea of what we need for life to be worthwhile and convenient. These are things we can get from the world that are fulfilling, such as relationships, vacations, a car, investments, and so on. With an afflicted Venus, around this age, a person may encounter an event that can be painful because a person’s low self-worth or poor lifestyle choices may be revealed. If we choose a partner who calls us names/ignores us, and we stay in that relationship after they mistreat us, then deep inside, we most likely feel we deserve the disrespect. Or, if we work long hours without taking enough breaks, then our body gets ill, reflecting our poor lifestyle choices.

• Mars maturation at the age of 28 has to do with the way we handle life’s problems, how to fight for what we want, and to have restraint when needed. Not every battle is worth fighting for, and we’re generally tested with something frustrating. With a strong Mars, a person will overcome some kind of challenge or problem. Further, Mars is the planet of emergencies, so for some, this may be the age when someone encounters an emergency or a near-death experience. If Mars is afflicted, some die around the age of 27 or 28 because they weren’t able to use their Mars successfully. Could this be why so many celebrities join "The 27 Club"?

• It’s not until the age of 32 that Mercury matures. This is when life can start working out for a person because they have tried and tested enough things to see what works, and they’ve developed a repertoire of useful skills, if Mercury is auspicious in one’s chart. Also, around this age, a person has reached their maximum potential for their communication skills and their learning capabilities. If Mercury’s afflicted, life may seem stagnant and unfair, and they’re left wondering what to do with their abilities. Opportunities may seem bleak. For example, a person may be ready to have children, but there are no partners who are a good fit with whom they can procreate.

• Saturn matures at 36 years of age. This exemplifies the period where we’ve found ways to survive in this difficult world and take care of what we’re responsible for. Also, when Saturn’s auspicious in a natal chart, a person’s able to detach from the unfortunate things in life that he/she has no control of. An individual with an afflicted Saturn may have a hard time letting go of the past, find it difficult to carry lots of burdens, and endure pain.

• Rahu matures at 42, and this is when a person realizes that what they were comfortable doing for the first half of their life is no longer working because they need to explore Rahu’s house. They need to embrace something new, and this new thing is shown in the house in which Rahu is placed. When Rahu’s Lord and/or Saturn are afflicted, an individual can face turbulent events in life and can find himself/herself stuck in a rut.

• The last planet to mature at the age of 48 is Ketu. This is a time when a person has lots of deep personal/spiritual realizations, understanding, and self-acceptance. They’re able to have peace with the first half of their life and can move freely between the Rahu and Ketu houses with a balanced perspective. When Ketu’s Lord and/or Mars are afflicted, a person may not realize a lot of spiritual growth, may be stuck in their egocentric ideas, and become bitter about how life was unfair to them.

The steadfast conviction of my early twenties, so quick to dismiss what it couldn't yet comprehend, has softened with the awareness of my journey through the planetary maturation ages. This ancient knowledge teaches us one of many cosmic lessons: Without haste, the universe doles out the powers of the planets' wisdom, resilience, intelligence, and other auspicious planetary qualities only when we're ready.

If you feel comfortable, please write in the comment section some of the events that transpired around your planetary maturation periods. What's the next planet to mature in your chart?

Greetings! I'm Gina, a California native who has been voraciously studying astrology since 2018. I use Tropical Vedic Astrology and cartomancy as my main vehicles in my cosmic quest for profound spiritual understanding and healing. 

I hold a B.A. in Psychology and an M.S. in Marriage & Family Therapy. With over fifteen years of counseling and teaching experience, I've always enjoyed listening to people's stories and helping them on their path.

If you want to discover who you are on a deeper level, download my free ebook today: https://www.hercosmiccrown.com/offerings

The content on this page is to be treated for entertainment purposes only and should never replace professional advice. Her Cosmic Crown uses astrology and the cards as a tool to help with guidance, providing advice during readings. We will not be responsible for the decisions you make after a reading. Greetings! I'm Gina, a California native who has been voraciously studying astrology since 2018. I use Tropical Vedic Astrology and cartomancy as my main vehicles in my cosmic quest for profound spiritual understanding and healing. 

I hold a B.A. in Psychology and an M.S. in Marriage & Family Therapy. With over fifteen years of counseling and teaching experience, I've always enjoyed listening to people's stories and helping them on their path.

If you want to discover who you are on a deeper level, download my free ebook today: https://www.hercosmiccrown.com/offerings

The content on this page is to be treated for entertainment purposes only and should never replace professional advice. Her Cosmic Crown uses astrology and the cards as a tool to help with guidance, providing advice during readings. We will not be responsible for the decisions you make after a reading.