In a dark time, the eye begins to see.
~ Theodore Roethke
Pluto Enters Aquarius: Radical Transformation
March 23, 2023, 8:14am EDT
Pluto Enters Aquarius
On March 23, 2023, tiny Pluto enters Aquarius for the first time in well over 200 years. The last time, Pluto was in Aquarius from approximately 1778 – 1797. As the farthest planet from the Sun, slow-moving Pluto occupies each sign of the zodiac for ten to thirty years, the variation due to its elliptical orbit. Pluto will drift back and forth from Capricorn three times, before permanently settling into Aquarius from November 2024 until March 2043.
Archetypal Metamorphosis
In an archetypal sense, Pluto represents rebirth and the power of transformation. It refers to power than cannot be seen, that hides in the shadows and lurks in the underworld. It deals with the primordial instincts and the volcanic catharsis, represented by mythical figures such as Kali, Pele, and Hades. Its prime directive is to destroy whatever is in the way of total metamorphosis. In other words, it clears the decks to make room for new life. There are many examples of this type of energy in nature: the caterpillar that transforms into a butterfly, the lizard that re-grows its tail, or the seed that contains the blueprints for the tree. Pluto represents the unleashing of elemental forces far beyond our control, like a wildfire destroying the land and altering the ecosystem.
Humanitarian Ideals And Intellectual Freedom
Pluto in Aquarius focuses attention on the qualities of invention, discovery, and innovation. It sets the mythic foundations for the next generation, to prioritize humanitarian ideals and intellectual freedom. It also suggests the likelihood of seeing the problems that stem from indifference, not caring, and detachment continuing to rise to the surface, as Pluto reveals the dark face of Aquarius. These attitudes are what need to be purged in order for our society to have a future. This is a long, slow process. Pluto in Aquarius indicates quantum leaps in technology and a window to transform human impacts on the rest of the world. The question on the table for our society that remains is: can we face the old patterns that are creating the destruction and begin to participate in the rebuilding?
The Psychological Journey
On a psychological level, Pluto refers to the unconscious, the place that by definition exists just beyond our conscious view. It requires a shamanic descent into the inner world to confront the demons we banish to the far reaches of our shadow. From this hidden place, they pull the levers of power that control our behaviors. As long as they remain banished, they control us through bursts of envy, jealousy, resentment, and other difficult unacknowledged emotions. When we turn and face these un-integrated parts of ourselves, we take the first step on the road to acceptance. Once we surrender to the truth of our less lovable parts of self, we can actually begin to let them go. We begin to see that the purpose of being torn down is to be rebuilt in a new way. This is not a simple or easy process, but it is incredibly empowering.
The Transit Of Pluto
Wherever Pluto transits through our natal chart, it symbolizes a need for release and rebirth in that area of life. Depending on your life circumstance and natal chart, it may trigger feelings of helplessness and desperation in the area undergoing transformation. The hardest thing, but the necessary thing, is to surrender to the changes beyond your control. As part of the process completes, you can then employ your resources and your newfound energy to participate in the rebuilding process. For this reason, Pluto demands that we learn both the yin of release and the yang of active engagement. During Pluto transits, watch for power struggles within and without. Notice in yourself a desire for control. Examine your behaviors and be willing to ask yourself why you are truly doing something. Recognize that your ego desires that things stay the same. You may need to give up attachments to various parts of your ego, which can be quite painful and difficult. When you strip away the old shell, it frees up a tremendous amount of energy that can be put to use in a wholly new way. Ultimately, Pluto symbolizes breakthroughs and empowerment.
To understand more about where Pluto occupies your chart for the next 20 years, watch the AstroPath video below. Use your Rising (or Sun) sign to note what life topics this transformative shift involves.
Aries: Your community and groups of friends
Taurus: Your profession and social reputation
Gemini: Your worldview and capacity for critical thinking
Cancer: Your boundaries with the values of others
Leo: Your partnerships on all levels
Virgo: Your routines and practices
Libra: Your creative pursuits and relationship with joy
Scorpio: Your family life and home
Sagittarius: Your communication abilities
Capricorn: Your self worth and financial matters
Aquarius: Your self-development and self-image
Pisces: Your spiritual underpinnings
Act With Faith: Jupiter Into Aries
May 10, 2022, 7:22PM EDT
December 20, 2022 9:32AM EST
Jupiter: The Great Benefic
As the largest planet in the solar system, Jupiter represents expanding opportunities and widening horizons. It governs the higher mind, philosophy, religion, law and ceremony. Known as the great benefic, Jupiter symbolizes the source of optimism, abundance, and faith in our personal lives. As ever, the degree of consciousness brought to Jupiter determines its ability to search for truth, meaning, and well-earned insight. Unconscious Jupiter bloats into excess, entitlement, and self-righteousness.
The Classic Quest
Jupiter in Aries takes the desire for growth and makes it personal, focusing on the individual drive for self-fulfillment. It describes the classic quest of claiming your own path, which requires the courage and faith to learn through trial and error. This is the time to be daring, assertive, and fearless. Be warned that you might also slip into the territory of brash, reckless, or combative behavior in your haste.
A Year Of Independent Action
Jupiter revolves around the Sun once every twelve years, meaning that it inhabits one zodiac sign for roughly a year. Because of the retrograde periods, Jupiter dips in and out and Pisces three times in 2021 and 2022. Jupiter’s soak in Pisces symbolizes time for resting, grieving, or dreaming. Now, as Jupiter springs into Aries, consider what dream or ideal you want to take action on. Trust the healing that you have done, and advance the project that calls you most in the name of your highest growth. Read below to discover what area of your life benefits from the expansion of your self-awareness and independence.
Aries: Expand your personal development curriculum
Taurus: Dive deep to liberate yourself through radical compassion
Gemini: Take bold action to expand your role in your community
Cancer: Step into brave new territory in your professional life
Leo: Open your mind to new heights of inclusivity
Virgo: Increase your understanding of boundaries through sharing resources with others
Libra: Reach for a richer definition of the balance between autonomy and cooperation
Scorpio: Implement new and adventurous ways to promote your self-care and health
Sagittarius: Embrace your creative life with newfound enthusiasm
Capricorn: Expand your notion of family and home
Aquarius: Claim your power through your voice
Pisces: Affirm your self-worth through brave action
The Power Of Your Words
The Meaning And Use Of Mars Retrograde In Gemini
October 30, 2022 – January 12, 2023
Mars Retrograde: The Power Of Words
The planet Mars is about to enter a 75-day period during which it appears to turn around and retrace its steps from our perspective. This phenomenon happens roughly every two years, when Earth speeds by and creates the illusion of Mars slowing down, stopping, and moving backwards in its orbit. Due to its occurrence in the air sign Gemini, this Mars Retrograde places a heavy emphasis on the power of your words. Mars has occupied this territory since August 20, 2022 and remains until March 25, 2023.
The Meaning Of Mars
In astrology Mars symbolizes the development of will and courage, outlining how we assert ourselves, make decisions, mobilize our resources, and take action. In a natal horoscope, it gives us information about an area of life where we feel competitive, driven, passionate, and impulsive. On a global level, it represents the use of active power, typically being associated with the masculine in this patriarchal society. However each of us, regardless of biological sex at birth, holds Mars energy within their being. In the ego state, this planet acts like the god of war, representing basic survival, aggression, brute force, and violence. When used consciously, Mars activates the spiritual warrior energy of developing self-reliance, clarifying boundaries, and facing the world with fierce intent.
Gemini The Teacher
Mutable air Gemini flies in like a gust of wind that comes out of nowhere to stir things up. Gemini’s goal is to gather information from one source and deliver it to the next, for the purposes of networking, teaching, and storytelling. Like all the astrological components, it operates on a spectrum. In its most base form, naïve Gemini gossips and sees everything in terms of duality – black v. white, man v. woman, left v. right, or good v. evil. The problem with this mindset is that it draws battle lines, with each side believing in its own virtuosity and the other side’s evil, which perpetuates eternal war. It distracts us from doing the interior work of looking at our own human complexity and capacity for anger, hate, and violence. In an awakened state, Gemini encourages curiosity, which teaches us to be enthralled with learning, to develop the intellect, and to craft the twin communication skills of speaking and listening. It carries the archetype of the Teacher that we each seek in the quest of life.
How We Use Our Words
On a good note, Mars in Gemini adds significant power to our words and invigorates a voracious appetite for learning. Unfortunately, Mars isn’t particularly stable in Gemini, since it enhances the speed and anxiety of both. This exacerbates aggressive and thoughtless tendencies, resulting in turbulent, short-fused, and imprudent behavior. With Mars turning Retrograde, we are each being asked to overhaul how we use our words. A Retrograde planet always invites us to slow down, find some respite, and look inwards to the source of our motivation. It symbolizes the need for rest, retreat, and reflection. Because the modern world over-values action, we may experience feeling impatient and frustrated by the perceived lack of forward motion. With Mars Retrograde, take a deep breath so you can focus on maturing your internal drive and dealing with your impetus toward aggression or frustration. Allow a delay in action when you feel uncertain how to express yourself.
The Use Of Mars Retrograde
Mars Retrograde in Gemini is a great time to reflect on how you communicate. We live in volatile, polarized times, when what passes for communication happens from behind a screen, an alias, a gun, or not at all, making this symbol particularly apt. In a world with so many ways to communicate, we have lost the ability to verbalize our feelings, to discuss, to disagree, to listen and to hear each other out. It has never been more urgent to do this work, to learn about nonviolent communication, to talk with our neighbors, old friends, family members, and community. Taking the time to reflect on this might be one of the most important things that you can do right now. This is also a key time to reflect on and rewrite the inner narratives that keep us limited, fearful, and unable to follow through on our desires. As you read for your Rising sign (or Sun sign), bear in mind that this is a months long process, and that your experience in part depends on sensitive spots in your horoscope.
Aries: With Mars in your Third House of Communication, reassess your communication style to make sure you balance speaking up with listening to others.
Taurus: With Mars in your Second House of Resources, reevaluate your story about self-worth and money.
Gemini: With Mars in your First House of Self, rethink your overall narrative and consider where you need to develop a new plan for your self-development.
Cancer: With Mars in your Twelfth House of The Unconscious, reconnect with the hidden places in your psyche and find ways to express this deep questioning.
Leo: With Mars in your Eleventh House of Community, reassess your connection to your community and change the narrative about how you show up in groups.
Virgo: With Mars in your Tenth House of Profession, review the narrative about your work in the world and take action to make necessary change.
Libra: With Mars in your Ninth House of Worldview, revisit what makes up your viewpoint and strive to shift oversimplified thinking into critical thinking.
Scorpio: With Mars in your Eighth House of Shared Resources, review the assumptions you make about others and notice if you tend to overlook the complexity of others.
Sagittarius: With Mars in your Seventh House of Partnerships, reestablish deeper physical connection with partners and reframe your narrative about yourself as a partner.
Capricorn: With Mars in your Sixth House of Routines, review your routines that keep you physically healthy to include others and check for overdoing
Aquarius: With Mars in your Fifth House of Creativity, rethink how you play and have fun in your creative pursuits. Inquire about how you verbalize your love to others.
Pisces: With Mars in your Fourth House of Family, revisit your communication with family and review your narrative about your role in the family or your family line.
Please watch the video below for more information about where this Mars Retrograde lands in your own horoscope. The first part is for everyone, then you can skip ahead to your own Rising sign in the video’s tool bar.
The Luminaries: The Essentials Of The Sun And Moon
In ancient times, those who watched the skies noticed that certain heavenly bodies moved around beyond the relatively fixed patterns of the constellations. The movement of these bodies seemed to vary in speed, trajectory, and even in direction. The Greek astrologers of antiquity grouped them together, calling them planetes asteres, which translates into “wandering stars,” or planets. Early astrology developed around these seven “planets”: the two luminaries of the Sun and Moon, and the five visible planets of Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.
As the two luminaries, the Sun and the Moon are the most obvious and dominant objects in the sky. Astrological shorthand still refers to the Sun and Moon as planets. We know of course, that the Sun is actually a star, and without it, no life would exist in our solar system. The still mysterious Moon has various hypotheses accounting for its origin, but we know it revolves around Earth as our very own satellite. The term Luminaries suits these two central heavenly bodies, as it describes their dual roles as sources of actual and metaphysical light. They illuminate our skies, and also serve to powerfully illuminate our consciousness through the magic of astrology. In calling the Sun and Moon Luminaries, we elevate them to the high role of our most illustrious teachers, advisors, and emissaries.
In the natal chart, the luminaries represent the core foundation of the personality. The Sun symbolizes our Essential Character, incorporating our conscious purpose into the vitality that we shine outward. In complementary fashion, the Moon symbolizes the primary Emotional Need, describing internal feelings, receptivity, and intuition. These two powerful symbols draw our attention to the greatest struggles and growth in our personalities. Understanding how the two work together in sacred union provides a profound framework to better understand ourselves and how we relate to others.
Mercury Retrograde:
The Trickster Advises Rest And Retreat
Bad Rap
Mercury Retrograde gets a bad rap. “Mercury Retrograde” refers to the three-week periods that occur 3-4 times a year in which the planet Mercury appears to move backwards in the sky. This phenomenon occurs only from our viewpoint on Earth. These periods often strike fear into people’s hearts, due to their reputation for mechanical breakdowns, technological collapse, or delayed travel plans. And it’s true that these periods correlate with more than a fair share of these issues. However, we experience these problems partly because we live in a culture that fails to value contemplation or retreat, so we constantly overextend ourselves to the breaking point.
Relax
Not to worry! In general, retrogrades offer space to take a mental break from the constant grind and re-calibrate your inner compass. Start by taking a deep breath and relaxing. Ponder the idea of taking advantage of time to consciously retreat, rest, and review. Revisit your to-do list, and take special note of what calls your attention. Slow down and scrutinize your expectations with an attitude of observation.
Observe Themes
Each Mercury Retrograde period presents subtly different themes. Mercury itself refers to information transmission, and how we think, learn, speak, and listen. It also represents your mindset, emphasizing that you have a choice in the mindset you adopt. The sign Mercury occupies when it “turns around” infuses particular themes into the retrograde. Furthermore, when you apply the information to your natal chart, you can further elucidate and personalize the topics in your own life.
Mercury Through The Houses: What topics may arise in your personal life?
First House: Self, Self-Development, Self-Image
Consider factors that affect your basic identity, how you present yourself, and the first impression people seem to get of you, and what direction your life points in.
Second House: Finances, Resources, Self-Worth, Livelihood
Consider how you value yourself and the state of your finances. Tangle with the inherent resources you have and your ability to deepen unconditional self love.
Third House: Communication, Siblings, Short Trips, Writing
Consider your relationships with your siblings or very close friends and your communication style. Also think about how you move about in your daily life, the transportation you use.
Fourth House: Home, Roots, Lineage, Parents
Consider your relationships with your family, your ancestry and your physical home. Revisit your ability to find inner security, your “home inside the heart.”
Fifth House: Creative Expression, Risk-Taking, Children, Giving Of Love
Consider how you relate to children and their playful energy. Use this time to engage in deeply creative projects, the things you would do no matter what and take risks for.
Sixth House: Routine, Work, Self Care, Service
Consider the routines you have that keep you healthy. This includes fitness routines, therapy, nutrition and the like. Check in with unconscious habits and make sure you are taking the time you need to breathe. Revisit “self improvement” areas of life.
Seventh House: Partnerships, Marriage, Rivals
Consider all your partnerships in life, particularly regarding the balance between cooperation and autonomy. Review your sense of equanimity and interdependence.
Eighth House: Other People’s Baggage and Money, Shared Resources, The Occult
Consider the boundaries you need to cope with other people’s resources and intense emotional struggles. Review your rituals that support you in these shadowy areas.
Ninth House: Worldview, Travel, Higher Education, Religion
Consider the your life philosophy and what you might need to broaden it. Review your ability to open your mind and explore any gaps in your education.
Tenth House: Profession, Social Reputation and Contribution
Taking the long view, consider your professional life and any adjustments you want to make. Review prior aspirations and goals.
Eleventh House: Groups, Affiliations, Associates, Community
Consider your ability to contribute to your communication and the role they play in receiving love and support. Review your connections and your humanitarian viewpoint.
Twelfth House: Selfless Service, Transcendence, Suffering
Consider your ability to forgive and hold compassion for the suffering of others. Retreat and review your connection with a sense of wonderment or the divine. Take solitude.
Astronomy: The Journey
The superior conjunction with the Sun marks the beginning of Mercury’s symbolic journey. “Superior” refers to Mercury’s position on the far side of the Sun from Earth, and in direct motion. At this moment, the tiny winged messenger planet is completely invisible against the powerful rays of the Sun. It must clear the Sun by about 15º to pop back up in our evening sky. Soon after this point, Mercury appears to slow down, halt, and begin moving back toward the Sun, covering the ground it has already traversed. This second encounter with the Sun, always with Mercury in retrograde direction, is called the inferior conjunction. It marks the midpoint of the retrograde period. About a week and a half after the inferior conjunction, Mercury stations direct, and completes the third and final pass of the same zodiac degrees. At this point, it chases the Sun and when it catches up, the cycle begins again. From the astrology lens, when Mercury crosses through the same zodiacal territory, it provides us with an opportunity to focus on and wrestle with the various issues in our lives from the same vantage point. When viewed in this way, we gain the opportunity to revisit and reframe the narrative of our lives.
2023 Dates Of Mercury Retrograde:
April 21 – May 14 (15º – 5º Taurus)
August 23 – September 15 (21º – 8º Virgo)
December 13 – January 2, ’24 (8º Capricorn – 22º Sagittarius)
Stage | Meaning | 2023 Zodiac Points |
Superior Conjunction | The start of the cycle, Mercury appears to sit exactly behind the heart of the Sun (the cazimi condition), with Mercury floating on the opposite side of the Sun from Earth. Mercury in direct motion only during this conjunction | Mar 17 (26º Pisces)
July 1 (1º Cancer) Oct 20 (26º Libra) |
Visible in Evening | Once Mercury moves 15º away from the Sun, it becomes visible in the evening sky | |
Shadow
Pre-Period |
Mercury begins traveling through the degrees it will retrace during the retrograde period | |
Stations Retrograde | Mercury appears to slow down and then reverse direction | Apr 21 (15º Taurus)
Aug 23 (21º Virgo) Dec 13 (8º Capricorn) |
Inferior Conjunction | The midpoint of the cycle, Mercury again appears to sit exactly in the heart of the Sun. This time however, Mercury floats between us and the Sun. Mercury is always retrograde for this conjunction. | May 1 (11º Taurus)
Sept 6 (13º Virgo) Dec 22 (0º Capricorn) |
Stations Direct | Mercury appears to slow down and turn back to move in forward direction. | May 14 (5º Taurus)
Sept 15 (8º Virgo) January 2, ’24 (22º Sagittarius) |
Shadow
Post-Period |
Mercury wanders back through all of the degrees it has already gone through twice, for a third and final time in the year. This period finishes when it reaches the degree of the zodiac sign that it retrograded on. | |
Visible in Morning | Once Mercury again reaches that 15º departure date, it becomes a morning star, visible in the magical hours before sunrise. | |
Superior Conjunction | Cycle Starts Again |
We go through life. We shed our skins. We become ourselves.
~Patti Smith
Your Sun and Moon: Aligning Your Inner and Outer Nature
You undoubtably know your Sun sign, but how about your Moon sign? The Moon sign confers vital information about your emotional makeup and inner world. Getting familiar with both helps you to deepen your understanding about the motivation that fuels your behavior and actions. As you learn how these two personality components relate and function together, it helps you clarify your emotional drive, how you express yourself, and how you create relationships with yourself and others.
The Sun symbolizes the identity you shine outwardly others and your potential for being fully present. Some people strongly identify with their Sun sign, whereas others do not. This is because the Sun is just the tip of the iceberg in astrology. We are all far more than what the Sun alone represents. The Moon brings in a symbol for grappling with your reigning emotional need and your chief ego struggle. It traverses all twelve signs in a month, changing sign roughly every 2½ days. The Moon reflecting the too bright brilliance of the Sun is an analogy for being able to work with the emotional material the Moon represents. We must go inward to manifest the life that we want, a striving that only becomes possible by its softer light.
So much of Astrology is about relationships. Understanding the relationship between your Sun and Moon reveals how your inner motivations and your external actions align with each other. The degree to which you can ally the contemplative dimension of the Moon to the outer manifestations of the Sun illustrates your personal integrity. The more you work with the ego struggle via the lessons of the Moon, the more the fully awakened potential of the Sun becomes possible. Let’s talk briefly about the various relationship interaction by sign.
First, if the Sun and Moon are in the same sign, they fuse together in a natural synchronicity between your emotional and public life. Your challenge is to direct all that power appropriately. In contrast, when they are three signs apart, the Sun and Moon conflict through this stressful square configuration and you must work very hard to align the two different energies. This combination is well-suited to lots of personal growth.
Luminaries that are one sign apart shows the emergent nature of the signs, with each one essentially a remedy to the energy of the one before. Here a person is being asked to address a particular section of the zodiac in an evolving way. A two-sign separation indicates an opportunity that must be acted upon for productive expression. Four signs apart show a harmonious flow of understanding. A five-sign contrast expresses as awkward yet clarifying, and the requirement to make an adjustment to accept the challenge. Six signs apart, an opposition, is conducive to a polarizing awareness and sharp clarity. Addressing tension by working with both is mandatory for balance.
For example, on a personal note, I experienced a powerful revelation once I learned that my Leo Sun squares my Scorpio Moon. It gave me a meaningful context for accepting and balancing this daily struggle. Honoring both the inner Scorpionic desire for solitude and the Leo insistence on public recognition is a demanding study in self-awareness.
Elemental Understanding
I love the simplicity of the four elements and resonate with their rich imagery. The four elements form the backbone of the twelve zodiacal signs. We can see these forces play out in nature and in our personalities. Understanding how they interact can give us a deeper understanding of our relationships. How we express them relies upon our self-awareness, our path, and our intention for wielding personal power. Balancing them is a moving process, like walking back and force along a seesaw.
The four elements are:
The creative, assertive force of FIRE
The steady, building energy of EARTH
The intellectual, inventive vibe of AIR
The deep, emotional content of WATER
FIRE MEETS EARTH, POWERFUL AND EFFECTIVE
A volcano erupts across the sky after seething dormant for millennia
A potter molds clay, creating a fine porcelain vessel
An abundance of earth snuffs the flame into darkness
An abundance of fire scorches the earth beyond desert.
(Aries, Leo, Sagittarius inspires Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo)
(Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo stabilizes Aries, Leo, Sagittarius)
AIR AND FIRE COLLIDE, AN EASY EXPLOSIVE COMBINATION
Balanced, the hearth fire burns, community gathers around for spirited discourse
Or sheets of fire in a wildfire, taking thousands of acres, a cleansing process in the long view, destruction of the current paradigm
A fire being drained of air becomes smoke, blinding the eyes of all.
(Libra, Aquarius, Gemini aerates Aries, Leo, Sagittarius)
(Aries, Leo, Sagittarius ignites Libra, Aquarius, Gemini)
FIRE AND WATER STEAM
The geyser cascades shots of elemental brilliance from the earth’s crust
A natural sauna making sweat, passionate embrace
Water drowns the flame, dominates or
Fire scalds the bottom of the kettle as water disappears into steam.
(Aries, Leo, Sagittarius brings Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces to a simmer)
(Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces cools Aries, Leo, Sagittarius)
AIR AND EARTH, THE MAKING OF A CANYON
Wind whips across the spires of red Utah, pulling grains of sand into sculpture
The unbridled freedom of dust particles across the planet, or the deep earth canyon trapping air in a spiral dance
An ancient interplay between matter and energy, stillness and movement
The dust devil dances in the desert.
(Libra, Aquarius, Gemini dances with Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo)
(Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo grounds Libra, Aquarius, Gemini)
AIR AND WATER, SURFING THE WAVES OF HAWAI’I
Spray blows off the top, the inexorable power of water, the wind sprite dances
Sheets of rain blown upside down, a brief flouting of the natural order of things
Mental concentration meets the well of compassion
Or, unbalanced, mindless heart*, sensitivity without focus
Or heartless mind*, cutthroat cerebral control.
(Libra, Aquarius, Gemini lifts Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces)
(Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces surfs with Libra, Aquarius, Gemini)
WATER AND EARTH, SUCH A NATURAL ATTRACTION
Water penetrates the opaqueness of the Earth, loosening it
Continuing until the dam breaks, crashing towards the ocean to be swallowed
A marsh, riparian habitat, elegantly designed for filtration, the natural proclivity of the Earth to cleanse and renew
A mudslide in the Californian redwoods, saturation reached.
(Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces nourishes Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo)
(Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo anchors Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces)
*Concept taken from The Five Keys to Mindful Communication by Susan Gillis Chapman
The Infamous Saturn Return; The Cycles Of Maturity
The Saturn Return
Have you ever heard of the Saturn Return? Even if you know very little about astrology, you likely know your Sun sign. You may also know your Moon sign, your Rising sign, or have heard of the notorious Mercury Retrograde. If you know these topics, then the next on this list is usually the Saturn Return. You often become aware of it because some annoying person informed you about it during a tumultuous chapter in your life around age 28-29.
One Full Circuit Around The Sun
In a nutshell, the Saturn Return describes the motion of the planet Saturn as it makes one full circuit in its orbit around the Sun. This takes roughly 29.5 years from our point of view on Earth. In your astrology chart, this occurs when Saturn returns to the same zodiac sign and degree as at the time of your birth. Because Saturn is a slow-moving planet, you can consider the start of your Saturn Return to coincide with its first movement into the natal sign. In other words, if your Saturn is at 18º Scorpio, then you can consider yourself on Saturn’s notice as soon as it reaches 0º Scorpio. This places the Saturn Return in a broader context, which helps with understanding it as a process rather than getting caught up in a singular moment in time. The Saturn Return repeats this orbit, later signifying cronehood at 58-60, which presents a time of reflection on how you’ve handled the concept of authority in your life. Should you live to be 90, you experience a third one, marking a gift at the end of life.
What It Signifies
According to the doctrines of astrology, in its link to a full circuit around the Sun, it symbolizes the full ascent into adulthood. Probably very few of us buy into the social idea that adulthood actually occurs at age 18 or 21. The pre-frontal cortex of the brain hasn’t yet developed, which challenges the good sense decision-making ability. Think of yourself at that age and you will probably find it laughable that you thought you were truly an adult by then. When you search your feelings, you realize that age 27-29 seems a lot more accurate when describing the maturing process for a human being. Essentially, Saturn represents maturity and includes topics like responsibility, self-accountability, commitments, and self-discipline. It is a serious planet, symbolizing the very serious process of stepping fully into adulthood.
Saturn Experiences
What kinds of experiences can you expect to have during your Saturn Return? Consider what comes to mind when you think of adulting. It is often a critical point in the early profession, relationships commitments, breaking away from family of origin, starting a family, and other major topics. The person begins to step along their own track, depending on family traditions, mentoring opportunities, and education. Think about people you know at this age, in your personal life and in the news, and you will see how many people hit a crucial crisis or crossroads at this time. As you learn more about this, review it from the cyclical lens. When you go through the Saturn Return, you are both opening a new chapter of your growth and closing a preceding chapter. In other words, as you move forward into maturation, you must also close the door on the young, dependent, and immature part of your life. It is both. So often, Saturn Return stories involve break-ups, breakdowns, crossroads, pivots, and other major changes. You may often hear negativity associated with the Saturn Return for this reason. However, all of this occurs in the name of your growth, and growth isn’t easy, especially the worthwhile kind. Part of this is because our society does not emphasize growing up or taking responsibility. Saturn provides enduring lessons.
How To Use It
In astrology, let’s look at the different layers to help you understand more about the impact of this important time. First, understand the significations of Saturn itself. Think about the way in which you are being asked to step into adulthood that requires you shed some of your childishness or wounding of your first 29 years. Second, consider the zodiac sign it is in. The zodiac sign provides very specific lessons that you must learn, some obvious, some more subtle. Third, observe what astrological house your Saturn sits in. Each house represents an area of your life that will be most obviously impacted by the Saturn Return. This position of the planet of responsibility provides more information about your unfoldment over the long haul.
For example, Saturn in earlier houses (1-4) signify someone more on track with the “typical timing” of our society versus Saturn in later houses (10-12) indicating a longer road to professional fulfillment. Saturn refers to social fulfillment because it deals with the social aspects of being human, and the necessity of authoritative instruction so that we may learn our social purpose, which cannot be done alone or in a vacuum. It describes how and where we must meet society to do work within it. Fourth, understand what additional topics Saturn is responsible for in your astrology chart through the rulership scheme. In the astrology, Saturn rules Capricorn and Aquarius, so look to the houses that hold these signs in the cusp to expand your understanding. Fifth, observe what other factors in the form of planets are impacted by your natal Saturn. For example, if you have Saturn square Mercury in your natal chart, then Mercury will also receive the square from transiting Saturn, implying that your thought processes and communication style will also be impacted.
It is important to note that some people have very intense returns, while others are able to take it more in stride. This has to do with personal temperament, but also the way Saturn operates in your natal chart in general. To take the full deep dive, schedule a consultation with an experienced astrologer to analyze the additional components of Saturn. Getting a complete picture can help you understand a lot about your impact on society, your career path, and what things to let go of. Rather than getting concerned or overanalyzing, the best thing you can do is seek out practices to help you stay grounded, healthy, and resilient. Resilience implies self-acceptance, developing a support system, and finding way to be flexible and adopt a growth mindset.