The seven stages of human life is a concept first devised by the ancient Greek philosopher Claudius Ptolemy. Ptolemy believed that the structure of the universe is dominated by spheres and therefore associated the classical planets with stages of life. The association of each planet and stage of life relates closely to the speed of their movement around the zodiac. The fastest sphere is associated with birth, and the slowest is associated with the last years of life.
Infant
The infant stage corresponds to the first four years of your life. The moon is the obvious choice for this stage given its quick speed around the earth. During this stage of life, you develop many of its characteristics more rapidly when compared to other life stages.
Childhood
The childhood stage of your life cycle, defined as ages 4 through 13, is represented by the the planet Mercury, the second quickest planet. During this time, you develop your personal intelligence and character.
Teenager
Ptolemy defined the third cycle of life as the teenage years and early adulthood. This cycle encompasses ages 14 through 22 and is represented by the planet Venus. Often times this stage of life is associated with impulsive activity towards love, lust and expression.
Young Adult
The age of 23 begins the young adult cycle of life. During this stage, many are inclined to act in a more mature manner and make decisions that are formed more on logic than impulse. Ptolemy chose the sun to represent this stage of life.
Adulthood
When you reach the fifth decade of your life, you have reached what Ptolemy believed was the mature adulthood stage. Ptolemy believed that at this stage, people are prone to feel as though their life has passed them by. The planet Mars is used for this life cycle.
Retirement
Once you reach the age of 55, you enter into the stage of life represented by Jupiter. This stage correlates to the time in which you are able to develop a sense of wisdom and perspective. The largest planet of the solar system, Jupiter represents the move away from manual labor and into a life of more leisure.
Elderly
Saturn, the slowest of all the planets, represents the last stage of life, which begins at age 67. This stage finds people cooling their pace of life, their desires and need for adventure. This stage of the life cycle goes until you reach the end of your existence.
