Will the mystical power of 42 change Meghan Markle’s life after her birthday today? Age is believed to have special properties…at least according to cultural conspiracy theorists

Meghan Markle turns 42 today, reaching an age thought to have special qualities — at least according to cultural conspiracy theorists.

Why is 42 so special? It begins with the cult novel series The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy, which proclaims that the answer “to the ultimate question of life, the universe and everything” is 42.

Several sages have also noted that 42 is an important milestone in a woman’s life, as it is two times 21. I’m 42 too, and when you start digging into this number, its meaning pops up again and again.

Coldplay’s number 42 is about life and death. It’s featured in numerous movies and TV shows, from Doctor Who to Finding Nemo to Supernatural. Google HQ in San Francisco and Cern’s Large Hadron Collider in Geneva have both named office complexes “42.”

But is it all just a global nerdy joke inspired by Douglas Adams’ books? Well, maybe – but what about all those 42 cases that happened before the books were published?

You might feel differently if, of course, you were the Duchess of Sussex – world famous and happily ensconced in that mansion in Montecito with her Duke and her children

Gutenberg’s 42-line Bible was the world’s first modern book—and in it, 42 is the number of generations between Abraham and Jesus. Forty-two is woven into Alice In Wonderland, published in 1865.

The original book had 42 illustrations, plus Rule 42 of the King of Hearts: “All persons over a mile in height must leave the field immediately.”

Perhaps the clue to this meaning lies in our own bodies. Another creepy fact: Donated blood only lasts 42 days.

So, is 42 an age of magic and mystery? I admit I was skeptical when this idea was first presented to me. My first half of this milestone year has been spent arguing with my three small children and desperately encouraging them to eat something that isn’t beige.

I am also pregnant with my fourth, knuckle and permanent elastic waist clown pants.

As I watch the potato-shaped person in sweatpants in front of me in the mirror, I wonder: Is this woman really at the peak of her life?

You might feel differently if, of course, you were the Duchess of Sussex – world famous and happily ensconced in that manor house in Montecito with her Duke and her children.

Despite the setbacks she has suffered lately in her broadcasting career, she could happily celebrate her 42nd birthday right where she is.

But whoever you are, there is a certain balance that is achieved at 42. Your 20s and 30s are often about “the busyness” — the vague, but persistent urge to prove yourself in all sorts of ways.

When you’re in your 20s and 30s, you think it might be possible to get really good at yoga, marry a prince, start philanthropy. With youth comes opportunity – but with opportunity comes pressure. You often cannot enjoy the ride of life because you worry about where you will end up.

Then 40 hits and with that comes the realization that you’ve passed much of the pursuit.

Despite the setback in her broadcasting career she has suffered lately, she could happily celebrate her 42nd birthday right where she is (Pictured: Prince Harry and Meghan at their wedding in 2018)

So, Meghan, while I won’t claim that “life begins at 42,” it’s a pretty good place to be in my experience. Congratulations!

You will never become a chess master. You’ll probably never grace the cover of magazines (unless you’re Meghan, of course), play pro football or play ping pong or tiddlywinks.

For some, there are less shallow realizations: You may never find your “passion,” or you may defeat some of the demons that have haunted you for decades.

While this is painful at first, it can also be liberating. Turning 40 itself can be a bit of a shock to the system – but by 42, you’ve only hit your 40s.

In my experience you don’t care so much anymore about what you achieve, how you come across, what the scale says. You enter a phase of life where you appreciate the little things more.

At 42 you know who you support and who is fake. I’m pretty sure Meghan gets this.

At 42, you know what you like, which invitations to decline and which to accept.

At 42, you know what suits you and what doesn’t — again, the elegant Meghan definitely ticks this box — but if you want to wear a pair of hip-inflating culottes, you’ll damn well wear them.

When you’re 42, you’re probably a little overwhelmed with heartbreak, bereavement, major disappointments – and hopefully you’ve learned that life goes on.

Winter passes, spring returns, the planet continues to turn.

And at 42, hopefully, you still have the vistas of new decades ahead of you, new territory that you can step into armed with confidence about what’s important and what’s not.

So, Meghan, while I won’t claim that “life begins at 42,” it’s a pretty good place to be in my experience. Congratulations!