They say life is a “journey”, a “school” and is here to teach us “important lessons”. But why?
Have you ever considered the possibility that the lessons we learn and wisdom we accumulate in this life, extends into other lives? Is it perhaps possible that our life is not the only journey of experience, advancement and maturing – but the whole of conscious existence is?
Is it possible that reincarnation, also known as metempsychosis, is responsible for the tremendous range of world views, instinctual drives and essential life decisions we make?
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What makes us so different from one another? What makes one person wise beyond their years, another driven by power, and another childlike, despite their age?
Regardless of whether you believe in, or entertain the possibility of reincarnation or not, you will find that the following Soul Ages theory applies to the vast variety of people in your life.
Table of contents
What Exactly is a “Soul Age”?
According to the Soul Age theory, man doesn’t have simply one shot at living and learning. He has multiple lifetimes in which to grow, learn and mature.
Soul Ages are based on the different levels of advancement a soul obtains throughout its reincarnational journey (inspired by the Michael’s teachings framework). As a person progresses through the hierarchy, paying off karma as he or she advances, it is said that he or she is free to return to universal and infinite consciousness at the end, achieving final liberation.
Some call this the state of “nirvana”, others “heaven” and others “paradise”.
The 5 Soul Ages
Understanding the different levels people exist on is a useful way of developing empathy, understanding and insight. Also, these are all essential keys to enhancing the connection we have with our souls through inner work.
Below are the 5 Soul Ages in order from ‘beginner’, to ‘intermediate’, and then to ‘advanced’. You’ll also discover the sixth Soul Age which transcends all others: the Elder Soul.
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1. Infant Souls
Primary Focus: Being alive.
Lessons To Learn: Basic life skills, survival, mortality, physicality.
Age Comparison: 0 – 4
Key Characteristics: Raw, untamed, playful, excitable, unsophisticated, tribal, cautious, childlike, group-reliant, hunter-gatherers.
Also known as Newborn Souls, these people are often perceived by others as being ignorant, childish and innocent to the complexities of life. Possessing a very simplistic understanding of life, and a genuinely guileless approach to the world, Newborn Souls find it hard to adapt to ‘civilized society’. Instead, they prefer familiar clans, tribes and groups of people in wild, untamed environments. If this sounds like you, take the Infant Soul Test.
2. Baby Souls
Primary Focus: Belonging.
Lessons To Learn: Social structure, rules, roles, human relations.
Age Comparison: 4 – 13
Key Characteristics: Compliant, regimented, dutiful, role-defined, absolutist, disciplined, traditional, strong values.
Also known as Child Souls, these people seek to make meaning, order and stability out of the chaotic and uncertain nature of life. Perceived by other people as being clean, modest and rigid, Child Souls tend to be very conservative, religious and rule-bound. The Child Soul’s beliefs and senses of self are defined by their culture and traditional moral or religious system. If this sounds like you, take the Baby Soul Test.
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3. Young Souls
Primary Focus: Independence.
Lessons To Learn: Personal-advancement, free will, personal-achievement.
Age Comparison: 13 – 29
Key Characteristics: Ambitious, competitive, innovative, material gain, enterprise, freedom, individualism, self-centered, self-expression.
Also called Teenage Souls, these people often live by the maxim “my way or the highway”. The Teenage Soul, similar to an adolescent, seeks independence, social status and material gain. Essentially, these people are agents of change and are responsible for many of the greatest advancements in the world. Driven and externally focused, Teenage Souls tend to be “workaholics”. If this sounds like you, take the Young Soul Test.
4. Mature Souls
Primary Focus: Interpersonal harmony.
Lessons To Learn: Empathy, psychological stability, interdependence, self-awareness, relationships.
Age Comparison: 29 – 55
Key Characteristics: Sensitive, inquisitive, neurotic, diplomatic, introspective, egalitarian, cooperative.
Also known as Adult Souls, these people enter life seeking interpersonal and psychological harmony. Adult Souls are often perceived as being neurotic but caring. Focusing on the inner world, these people often struggle with the complexities and subtleties of life. The mature soul is liberal, relationship-orientated and visionary. Life is no longer about survival, role-filling or material gain for the Adult Soul, but about understanding, empathy and camaraderie. If this sounds like you, take the Mature Soul Test.
5. Old Souls
Primary Focus: Spiritual fulfillment.
Lessons To Learn: Non-attachment, autonomy, wise counsel, spiritual awareness.
Age Comparison: 56+
Key Characteristics: Solitary, spiritual, detached, philosophical, humanitarian, tired, unmotivated, empathetic.
Right at the end of the reincarnational cycle comes the Old Soul. Having already experienced the previous 4 stages of existence, the Old Soul has a well-rounded knowledge of society, relationships and the world at large. At this point, the Old Soul finds day to day life very uninteresting, and little can surprise or compromise their self-assurance. Relaxed and philosophical about life, Old Souls radiate depth, calmness and wisdom. The Old Souls focus is on self-actualization and self-fulfillment. To the Old Soul, life is an interconnected tapestry – one of which they strive to become One with. If this sounds like you, take the Old Soul Test.
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6. Elder Souls
Elder Souls are the completion of the Soul Age cycle. An Elder Soul is an Awakened Being who has gone through a spiritual awakening and reunited with and embodied his or her True Divine Nature. In our society, we often refer to Elder Souls as “enlightened” or “spiritual Masters.” Read more about Elder Souls.
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Although most people don’t fit strictly within each category, often overlapping others, many people tend to inhabit one Soul Age more than the other.
Which Soul Age are you? I’d love to know below!
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83% mature soul, and 82% old soul. What’s that mean?
You are in transition between both soul ages Cathy. :)
I scored 98 of 100 and I already knew I was a mature soul….was just checking… Ty for ur articles they r truly on point…
My pleasure Jenn!
I got here because i have never felt like who i truly was belonged, i can have discussions with adults about very complex topics. I have debates and discussions. I want to learn as much as possible i’m very open to things and i am very mature for my age. I’m 12 and i have never felt like i belonged in my age group. I have created this ‘alter ego’ for school and social events to get by. My father calls me an old soul, and i wanted to do some research. I found this website and I took the old soul quiz and read up on the old soul. I feel like i belong somewhere. I feel like i am not strange and not alone. Thank you for that.
It can be especially hard when you’re young and trying to find where you fit in. But I’m so glad this site can help you Kendal! There are many others out there like you. :)
I know that this test was made by someone. Whether it’s real or not, my soul could only tell. Although I definitely, intuitively knew I am an old soul, I am still surprised to have gotten a 100% rating on this test. Is this even possible? What does it suggest?
Yes, it is possible. If you scored this on the Old Soul test, you operate solely in the Old Soul consciousness — although if I were you I would take the other Soul Age tests, particularly the Mature Soul test. It’s common to share a variety of attributes from different soul ages.
I did take the Young Souls and Mature Souls tests. The results led to the Old Soul label. I got 48% in the Young Souls Test, and 86% in Mature Souls Test. I don’t want to take the Baby and Infant tests; the trend is already there. It’s really interesting how this trend looked irreversible. What’s your further idea? I’m 27. Thanks!
That’s great Ron. :)
I’m not sure what trend you mean though? That of transitioning between stages?
its possible Ron. I too got 100. … I think sometimes people are volunteer souls, too, and are older than old, but incarnate with an old consciousness (by age 25-35, if its going to happen, usually, from what I gather). … the fact that you didn’t write a novel here (as I am starting to do – gah!), and you are humble enough to ask … implies you are probably 100%, I think ;) or thats my guess… blessings to you
I’ve heard that the youngest are interested in having, the next in doing, and the third in being. But really these are in all of us and our lives and growth is not really so linear. The Tibetans have a saying, ‘he who has wisdom has all the teachings’.
Really we incarnate in each life and take on karma which I think just means we get conditioned with the present days energy of culture and beliefs, and we even develop our pain-body (aka desire body)in part by being around the pain body of our parents.
So two things happen in a life: 1. We ‘recapitulate’, which means we recall or express more of the Soul/Wisdom that we have gained in past lives…and 2. at the same time we are healing/transmuting our ‘personality overlay’.
FYI I am finding flower essences helpful (google Flourish Formulas) and I hear that homeopathy can also be very helpful for balancing our unique constitutions. Chi gong has been very powerful for me when done consistently and with a good diet, etc.
Some interesting ideas here Donovan. Thank you also for your suggestions! I haven’t personally tried flower essences yet, but Chi Gong is one of my favorite types of moving meditation to do in the morning.
Thank you for commenting!
First off thank you for the great content you create, it is enjoyable to read! So as of about 3 months ago I had what has been called a “dark night of the soul” experience, or mid-life crisis/4th monad. I am 26 and believe my soul age was being acted out as somewhere in the young age. I grew up in the Bay Area where as I read is dominated by young/mature souls. Anyways after this sudden experience, I guess I would even call it an emotional breakdown, I felt as now I am an infant soul. Life in general is now overwhelming, I had to quit my job and just don’t feel anything like I used to feel, energy wise and personality wise. If this is the case I would love to develop into at least a baby soul to feel more capable and able in this world. Do you have any tips for infant souls living in mainstream society? I live in a community on the central coast, not in the bay area anymore. Any advice at all would be extremely helpful, thank you so much.
Chris
Hi Chris, thanks for reaching out. :)
Infant Souls usually progress into a stage of outer-reliance — in other words, to find solace and balance in life they lean on some kind of external force, whether it be God, Shiva, enlightened men and women, and the many other illuminated ones in life. It is not always necessary that you lean on something outside of you, but it does immensely help for those in need of stability and guidance. You might like to follow a guru or Master. Read their words, follow their work, and become a disciple. This is one of the best ways to get your life back in working order, and progressively, you will learn and discover more about yourself. Reading the work of Sol and I can assist you, but don’t stop there — explore modern day guru’s/spiritual movements that appeal to you.
I hope this helps!
Hey Aletheia,
Thank you for the quick response back, I will integrate your suggestion into my daily life and see how it goes!
Chris
Best wishes Chris! :)
It’s quite intuitive, and a rather fresh take on reincarnation/afterlife. I’m not one to outright deny souls or fantastical theories just because of occam’s razor but assuming there is an objective infalliable reality only one theory must hold weight. As such I must ask how you came to these conclusions? Hinduism and Buddhism, to the best of my knowledge claim that all souls are eternal, without beginning or end(Save for nirvana). The concept of old and young won’t hold water then(Even if some souls are AHEAD of others in the eternal cycle; unless of course the way time works is very different). I’m fine with the source of these conclusions being introspection or visions, but even then a scientific approach should be taken to eliminate the wrong theories. Can you please elaborate?
P.S.: Love the article, this is a pretty new approach, I’ll surely put more thought into it. :D
What would you like me to elaborate on Harbinger?
I score 88 on the old soul test and that seems to be fitting. I have often been told that I have “an old soul” from family members to complete strangers offering that observation. I certainly feel like an old soul, particularly feeling alien in this world and longing to go home. I don’t think I have any problem fitting in and am generally well liked and well received by most people, I just prefer to be left alone (sounds bad to say that a bit lol). anyway thanks for helping confirm what I already believed…I am an old soul 37 years old now but feel like i am 80 and have since I was a teen.
The part about just wanting to be left alone — I feel that as well, haha. It sounds very brusque, but it is a legitimate feeling. Glad this article could clear things up for you!
I scored 78 on both the Mature and Old Soul tests.
Thank you for taking them. :)
I have just taken the old
Jumped the gun there, I have just taken the old soul test and scored 84, which was a little bit of a shock as I’am 33 but the things that describe my personality describes me perfectly. It also explains a lot about difficulties growing up and being unable to relate to the other children and feeling, ashamed to say, they were beneath me. It just goes to show I must have been here many times before
I’m not sure about “beneath,” but yes, I can understand that feeling of not quite being on the same wavelength. :)