Surrounding the release of Ray of Light, Madonna was experiencing two significant generational transits: the Neptune square (90 degree aspect) to its natal position and the Uranus opposition.(see chart) The combined effect of Uranus and Neptune transits can be as otherworldly, cosmic, and mystical as a potent Pluto transit can be passionate, libidinous, and "sinful". As the Pluto transits of the early 1990's took Madonna down into the boiling cauldron of seething instincts, the Uranus and Neptune energies lifted her way out into the heavens and beyond.

The Uranus opposition, occurring somewhere between the ages of 38 and 42 (depending upon one's generation) inevitably brings about major changes in one's life. Career, relationship, and family can go through major disruption and revolution. This certainly was the case for Madonna, as she had her first child just shortly after her 38th birthday, and with it, significant alterations in lifestyle and approaches to her career. However, as important and disruptive the outer changes can be during the Uranus opposition, an inner revolution occurs that has just as great an impact. Often the case with the Uranus opposition is that we find life as we've built it to that point either stifling or meaningless. The Uranus opposition can be a time of great questioning: "What's it all about?", "How can I make my life more meaningful?" and most importantly, "Isn't there something more?"

Uranus's energies always provoke us to seek new horizons, find new freedoms, and see beyond current limiting factors in our life. In this manner, the Uranus opposition was the great leveling agent for Madonna. She had gathered critical acclaim and commercial success in multiple entertainment fields and became one the great icons of the late twentieth century. Essentially, she had created a powerful and strong ego to help accomplish all there is to accomplish in the outer world. However, during the Uranus opposition, she realized that even with an abundance of fame and recognition she wasn't terribly happy, content, or fulfilled on the inside. The new horizon was inward.

As this search for more and inward questioning coincided with the generational Neptune square, much of her inner revolution was spent at integrating the archetype of Neptune, involved as it is with compassion, spirituality, and our innerconnection with all of creation. The material girl was transforming into spiritual girl. As she said of the time, right after filming Evita, "I just feel an infinite amount of compassion toward other people."(15) Madonna became involved with all things New Age, holistic, and non-secular. She began studying the Jewish mystical texts of the Kabbalah, turned in her rigorous workout routine for yoga, began integrating progressive New Age ideas into her belief system, and changed her wardrobe and look to include more Eastern-influenced attire.

All of her new found interests were funneled into the Ray of Light album. Biographer J. Randy Taraborrelli describes the album's contents: "The album's songs…spoke of ecology, the universe, the earth, 'the stars in the sky,' angels and heaven and surprising some observers, contained respectful references to God and 'the Gospel.' "(16) Songs like The Power of Goodbye spoke of the need of honoring the sacred in all things and Shanti/Ahstangi explicitly incorporated a yoga chant. By in large, critics were nostalgic for the smeltering drive and provocations of Madonna's earlier work, however, as Madonna successfully channeled the spirit of the times through the album, the public embraced Ray of Light with open arms. Reflecting on the meaning of Ray of Light, Madonna told Billboard magazine: "I feel like I've been enlightened, and that it's my responsibility to share what I've learned so far with the world."(17) As Uranus and Neptune moved on, once again Madonna shed another persona and layer of evolution and the rays of light that were responsible for her temporary awakening receded.