News outlets are reporting that suicide rates for individuals aged 40-59 jumped over the last decade. The most pronounced jump was in the age groups from 50-54 and from 55-59 years old but there was also a big jump in suicides for those aged 60-64. (Full report from the CDC here.)
Astrologically, this age group corresponds to the Pluto in Leo generation. Leo is the sign that needs to feel special, and no age group has been as determined to be special as the Pluto in Leo generation of which I am a member. Obsessed with youth and the need to stay relevant, we didn’t trust anyone over 30 when we were young, and refused to grow old (a determination which as I wrote a few years ago has resulted in a tremendous increase in disabilities among this age group.
The baby boomers also demonstrated an increased suicide rate in adolescence: “The baby boomers also experienced higher suicide rates during their adolescence and young adulthood, doubling the rate for those age groups at the time. Their suicide rate then declined slightly and stabilized, before beginning to increase again in midlife.”
The sign of Leo is all about learning to celebrate the Self and find authentic avenues of Self-expression. Pluto in any sign tends to bring out the obsessive and self-destructive qualities of a sign and necessitates transformation in the areas that are governed by that sign. Pluto in Leo tends to regard everything as a mirror – failure then has the potential to become a rejection of the Self and not just a momentary obstacle.
Without more data it’s difficult to generalize, but the fact that this age group has such a pronounced suicide rate at vulnerable times of life seems astrologically significant.
When your dreams are larger than your reality can hold, you are more prone to disappointment. The suicide rate is still relatively small, but the increase in this age group demonstrates the desperate need we have in our society today for a perspective that encompasses something greater than the worship of Self.
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This doesn’t surprise me. One of the challenges for fixed signs is not being able to see options, unlike cardinal & mutables. I doubt if this trend will change either as more hit retirement & realize they are so poorly prepared for it. :-(
@Diane…what’s really distressing, are the ads and commentators on some TV programs, who are almost handing out a guilt trip, for living too long…as if you live past the age of retirement, you weren’t worked long or hard enough…so, they are considering extending the retirement age, to 70-72, to milk out the last vestages of ability, from them. Plus the fact that the job mkt makes older workers feel they should move over and make room, for younger workers. Many employers like the fact that they can hire 2-3 less skilled younger people, for less or no benefits, to replace an older experienced worker, who costs them more money as they age (some insurances are co-insured by govm’t and employer contributions) One big hospital bill against this type of insurance, can cost an employer more than they can make up, maybe ever. I’ve personally, seen one company maintain the same board of directors, in various positions, take bankrupcy and “re-structure” under a new name, 4 times in 7 yrs; to unburden themselves from claims against them. The employees have to resign and be rehired by the “new company” under whatever provisions the employer deems most efficient, to stay in business; which never benefits the employee. As long as they can circumnavigate around these things, they will, but long story short, someone has to make up the difference…and that’s been the medical end, which increases prices for everyone, across the board. Keeping an aging employee, for very long, will necessarily cost everyone more, thru increased health issues, so they get tossed into the govm’t Medicare system and that’s another battle in itself; too long to go into, here. Main thing, stay healthy and retire while you can maintain health. Maybe take a part time job, because they’ve got it figured out, how you won’t leave earth with anything left behind…that’s for sure. Living here, will cost you, one way or several, before it’s all said and done…and we’re getting less say in it, all the time!
Re my post, above…@Diane…
I meant to say, that all this “belt tightening” might well be attributed to Pluto in Cappy, in its natural 10th house placement of careers; squaring self/home/relationship houses…or the Scrooge-like mentality…having people live in the two extremes of Dickens time…the haves and have-nots.
Great post Lynn! I’m a numerologist. I have looked at a lot of the Blueprints for the generation which astrologically correlates to Pluto in Scorpio. For about 4 – 5 years I see considerable emotional unbalance which could very well be reflective of suicide, addictions or acting out in other ways. I’d love to hear your astrological view on this generation.
The Pluto in Scorpio people feel everything very intensely, and right now with Saturn going through Scorpio this generation may find themselves going into dark places. How well they handle that will of course depend on the rest of their chart.
That should make Gen-X happy, they keep wishing we would just go away and die anyway because It’s All The Boomers’ Fault.
no matter the reasons, suicide is disturbing. it is interesting to look at life through the astrology. Helpful.
Thank you.
Another insightful article, Lynn. Thank you.
I also found it rather sad that elsewhere in the CDC report, they noted that suicide (all ages) accounts for more deaths that auto accidents in the U.S.
Thank you for a very interesting article! I like articles on the Pluto in [sign] generations. As one born at the very end of Pluto and Leo, I can agree with that. I see my fellow Pluto in Leos fighting old