Saturn returns and returns again…
Fuelled by the abundance of astrology info on TikTok, younger people are now suddenly across a scary sounding life event - the Saturn Return. Since we all experience them at age 29, they’re easy to identify and easy to blame for that bumpy bit of life when adulting becomes a necessity. But what are they exactly? What impact do they have?
A birth chart is a snapshot of the sky at the moment you’re born. Every planet is in a ‘degree’ of the Zodiac. In this example, we can see Saturn sitting at 22 degrees of Pisces.
As the years go by, the planets keep spinning in their orbits. Some (like the Sun), complete the circuit in a year. Further out, the planets take much longer. Saturn takes about 29 years to complete a circuit. So each year, when we say ‘Many Happy Returns’, we’re talking about the Sun returning to it’s natal position in the birth chart. A ‘Saturn Return’ is the moment when Saturn transits all the way back to it’s starting position. This happens at age 29.
A planetary return brings a restart energy in your life, that involves the themes represented by the planet. A Solar Return (your birthday), celebrates YOU, your core expression and vitality. A Saturn return taps into Saturnian themes of work, effort, maturity, tests and commitment. At 29, you’re being asked to grow up, accept responsibility, make commitments and lean in. Are you following your dreams? Have you been working towards goals? Putting in effort? Is your life on track? A Saturn Return is a reckoning point, where you’re rewarded for effort and maturity, (promotions, marriage, kids) or punished for slacking off. If you’ve avoided study, or working hard, then this can be a point where you’re called out, and life suddenly looks even harder, as your peer group starts to mature and you’re left behind.
And it’s this slightly ominous tone that probably explains why Saturn Returns have gained a reputation amongst younger social media users. It sounds kind of scary and unwelcome. #adulting #fail
But chin up folks, remember that Saturn is the planet of realistic reckoning. He can punish, but also reward. Been studying to be a surgeon? You’ll probably qualify about now. Been forming an important relationship? It might be time to marry. Been building a business? This might be a tipping point where you find success.
Saturn is about maturity, and a Saturn Return is definitely a moment to ‘grow up’.
But in news that may shock the younger crowd, you’re not the only people impacted by a Saturn Return. In fact, Saturn keeps returning throughout our life and each time it brings similar themes of reckonings and maturity.
At age 58, we have our second Saturn Return. This is about maturing into being an ‘elder’. Not sexy in our agist society, but it’s about being rewarded or punished for your work throughout mid life. Did you save enough for retirement? Take care of your health? Accrue knowledge and learning? Congrats, you’re in for a happy next phase, full of wisdom and comfort. Did you slack off? Make crap financial decisions and hang out with toxic people? Your future might not be so rosy.
And what about the third Saturn return? This happens around age 87, so is only something that we’re experiencing commonly now that longevity is increasing.
Traditionally the Saturn stages reflect the ‘maiden/mother/crone’ pattern. But there’s no reason why you can’t experience the same themes of reckoning at age 87 and then continue into the next stage. This can be a time of aging and restriction (Saturn themes), but also a time of celebration and recognition. Take our example chart - it belongs to author Dame Jilly Cooper, who’s 1988 classic ‘Rivals’ has just been rebooted into a hoot of a TV show. Now a historical drama of 80s excess, it’s a bonkbuster romp that highlights Cooper’s skill as a storyteller, and celebrates her life experience. And I’m sure she’s riding this wave of success and having blast. We can expect more from Cooper in coming months - the return isn’t exact until 2025. I’m sure the success of this series will see all her books put into TV production. Well played Jilly - a lifetime of work and effort is rewarded.
And there you have it, Saturn Returns are nothing to fear - they can bring both challenge and reward - it all depends on how you’ve been using your Saturn and what foundations you’ve been laying down over the entire cycle.
Other celebrities experiencing Saturn returns….
29
Timothee Chalamet, Dua Lipa, Kendall Jenner, Justin Bieber
58
Adam Sandler, Patrick Dempsey, Ben Stiller, Courtney Love
87
Jack Nicholson, Dustin Hoffman, Jane Fonda, Warren Beatty