Saturn is the over-protective “dad” of the zodiac. It is sometimes called the lord of time, and it rules how you spend it, where you dedicate it, and what you do with it. It’s no surprise that this hardworking planet rules over Capricorn, lending the earth sign its famous drive. This discerning planet defines our limits and indicates where we’ll be met with obstacles in our life. Its placement in your chart exposes your restrictions, limitations, and fears. When Saturn is doing its job, this planet keeps you on track, keeping you from getting blown off course or wandering too far away from who you truly are.
Saturn goes retrograde each year for about 140 days and, as an outer planet, takes approximately two and a half years to transit each sign. The structure-loving planet teaches us tough lessons, so it can be a little intimidating to think about its retrograde motion. Does that mean it’s more difficult than other retrogrades? Not exactly. When Saturn glides backward, it revisits your recent experiences to make sure you’ve addressed all issues properly. If you’ve confronted your problems responsibly, Saturn will reward your hard work. But if you’re in brutal denial, Saturn will agitate those old wounds.
We experience three Saturn returns in our lifetime, moving us through significant phases: your first Saturn return (in your late 20s) encourages you to move into adulthood and may cause you to question your career, relationships, and how you define yourself. Later in life, Saturn returns to usher us into middle age (in your late 50s) and old age (in your late 80s).
Within the natal chart, Saturn represents the area of life in which we’re hardest on ourselves. It also reveals where — through hard work, patience, and practice — we can reap the most emotionally gratifying rewards. Curious about the placement of Saturn in your chart? Chat with a Sanctuary astrologer today to see how Saturn influences your unique chart!
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