THE SATURN RETURN
What we don't make conscious will show up as fate
Emma Watson recently publicly mentioned an astrological cycle known as a Saturn Return. Astrologers should be very grateful to her for this mention on Instagram, because that single post spawned a tsunami of articles which have helped awaken the public to the subject of planetary life cycles.
As an astrologer, however, I feel it’s important to point out that a Saturn Return is not the full story behind Emma's recent 'realisations' and revaluation of her life. She's had a lot of major transits occurring in the past few years, as have other people of her general age (32/33) - Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift to name just two.
So later I'll look at the other cycles. First though, let me tell you all about the Saturn Return.
In astrology, Saturn is the planet which correlates to the structure and framework of our lives. It’s also the planet that we associate with the maturation process.
"There is beauty to be found in the changing of Earth's seasons, and an inner grace in honouring the cycles of life" ~ Jack Kornfield
As the name suggests, a Saturn Return occurs when the planet Saturn returns to the same position around the 360-degree Great Circle of the Ecliptic (the apparent path of the Sun as viewed from Earth) that it occupied at the time of our birth. This takes approximately 29.5 years, but due to the non-uniform travel the Return can happen at any time around the age of 27 – 30. The exact age it occurs is dependent upon our date of birth. 28 is the average age.
Emma Watson's Return occurred in 2020, just shy of her 30th birthday. Her Saturn is located at 295 degrees of celestial longitude, which is 25 degrees into the division of the ecliptic known as Capricorn. This is a sign, not the constellation. Western tropical astrologers no longer look at the zodiacal constellations.
You may be familiar with the notion of 7-year cycles: 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, 63, 70, 77, 84, etc.
The concept of 7-year cycles actually arises from the division of one Saturn cycle into 4 phases. Unfortunately, referring to 7 years plus a fraction (an average is around 7.36yrs) doesn't quite land on the ear in the same way, so it has always been rounded down to 7.
Further on in this article you'll find a link to determine the exact date of your Saturn Return, and the, roughly, 7 year phases in between.
In astrology it is thought that we don’t truly enter adulthood and 'come of age' until we have reached the milestone of one complete 4 x 7 year Saturn cycle.
Starting from when Saturn begins to move towards a return to its natal position, which can be a few months prior to exactitude, many will feel a new phase of their life is imminent. Just as a flower has natural stages of unfolding or the Moon goes through phases from New to 1st Quarter etc., at this juncture we feel a natural urge to lay down plans and define our life for the next stage of our future.
Interestingly, if we don’t follow our inner prompts to do this, we often find that change is foisted upon us. An outside event can occur which forces us to re-evaluate where we are heading.
As the Psychologist, Carl Jung once famously said:
"When an inner situation is not made conscious, it appears outside as fate"
Before I tell you more about the Saturn Return...
It is important to understand that planets don't cause things to happen, rather they are synchronous with events happening.
Before the invention of telescopes, only five planets were visible to the naked eye: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. With the addition of the two ‘lights’ - the Sun and Moon - that’s a total of seven.
Saturn was the furthest planet our ancestors’ eyes could detect, and its distance from Earth means its travel is far slower than that of Mercury or Venus. Both of these planets have always zipped at speed across the celestial canopy compared to the ponderous movement of Saturn.
As such, the planet Saturn became associated with the passage of time.
The word Chrono is the latinised form of the Ancient Greek word χρόνος, khrónos, meaning “time”. Along with its neighbour, Jupiter, Saturn is known as one of the Great Chronocrators. The regular, highly visible, conjunctions of Saturn with Jupiter marked out 20-year periods of time.
You might recognise that if an ailment is long lasting we call it Chronic. Someone who has aged may be called an Old Crone. Plus, of course, there's the word Synchrony: Syn=with Chron = time. All are linked to Saturn.
It is the Sun which gives us life, and without the Sun, Moon and planets we would have no measure of time.
In the Northern hemisphere, because the Spring Equinox occurred against the backdrop of Aries, and the equinox marked the start of longer, warmer days, the sign of Aries (ruled by Mars) became linked to the first shoots of new life 'springing' up through the soil. Spring saw the birth of new life.
By December in the annual apparent cycle of the Sun though, things were very different.
At this juncture the Sun was observed to reach the solstice and begin travelling into the final quarter of the year, and through the 10th division of the circle of the ecliptic (when measured from the Spring Equinox). This Winter period was when the land was barren, food limited and the weather was cooler or cold. The 10th division of the zodiac is Capricorn, and it was seen to be presided over by the planet Saturn.
As this was a time when the nights were long, conditions were harsh and things had died away, Saturn became synonymous with loss, lack and melancholy. It correlated to cold, severe and life-taking conditions. Unsurprisingly it was seen as a form of Devil or Satan (whereas Lucifer is a name derived from Venus, but that's another story). However, it was realised that with patience, things would be reinvigorated in the Spring.
Meanwhile in the daily passage of the Sun, which rises to a position of maximum strength and visibility (at this same top of the chart wheel position), the Saturn-ruled Capricorn division known in astrological language as a 'House' became linked to fame (glory), accomplishment and the pinnacle of status. It's also linked to the person who we feel we look up to the most or who had a shaping effect on our life - that's why it can either link to the Mother or Father.
This is how the entire language of planetary symbolism, i.e., astrology, came about. It was born from the study of cycles and celestial geometry; the continual observation by our ancient ancestors of the rise and fall of the Sun, Moon and planets. Both the annual cycle and the daily cycle of the Sun and planets held symbolism, and over time the symbolism was amalgamated into one body of wisdom. When telescopes were invented, for example, the rings of Saturn were noticed and the planet gained further symbolism relating to boundaries and limitations.
The perceived nature of the planets in the heavens and their positions and movements became embedded in myth, allegory, legend and language. In our modern Information Age it may not be fully appreciated that only a small percentage of the population could read and write until after the late 17th century.
In ancient Egypt, literacy was largely limited to the ruling classes and religious elite. In ancient Greece, it was primarily only male citizens who were literate. During the Middle Ages in Europe, education was restricted to members of the clergy, wealthy merchants and the nobility.
So, in ancient times symbolism and story telling were a way of imparting information to the tribe and then to the masses. Planets became personified in Gods.
Eventually, everything on Earth had a stellar counterpart. An entire lexicon of 'as above, so below' symbolisms, correspondences and correlations came into being. This was continually expanded upon, especially when Uranus, Neptune and Pluto were discovered in 1781, 1846 and 1930, respectively.
So, to refer back to Jung, around the age of 27-30 the inner situation (the soul or subconscious) prompts us to start laying down a framework for the future and to regulate our life. For both men and women, it is common to feel concerned that ‘the clock is ticking’.
While Nature (of which we are a part) moves in four seasons, the Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter divisions of human life are defined by our age. Luminaries such as the Greek Philosopher, Aristotle, often made mention of this.
Around the Saturn Return we hear of people deciding that the time feels right to settle down and make a serious commitment to a partner, and/or to start a family. Many will find themselves engaged in a property purchase; a literal framework for the relationship and family. For most people in modern times this often means taking on debt and committing to long-term repayments - with all the attendant responsibilities that brings.
Others may find themselves offered (or applying for) a new job or promotion with increased responsibilities. Some will experience all of the above, and the life and social status slowly begins to take a definite shape.
As I say, it should be a relatively easy transition that we feel naturally inclined to pursue. However...
...it is much deeper than that
All of us are here to learn and grow. To quote the Jungian analyst and astrologer, Liz Greene: "Psychology has demonstrated that there is within the individual psyche, a motive or impulsion towards wholeness or completeness."
The Saturn Return has gained a difficult 'malefic' reputation because a good number of people will find themselves tested at this time. It's quite common to hear of people experiencing failure, rejection or loss. This may be linked to status, reputation or parental situation, and can be upsetting, destabilising and depressing. It may appear to have come from nowhere, but is part of the maturation process.
Life is not about what we do or have, but who we are and may become if we lay the right foundations.
The transit prompts us to look at the structure of our life. Are we supported psychologically? Are our values, morals and boundaries in good shape? Are we 'shaping' our life in a way that will support us on every level, physically, mentally and spiritually?
For those who may already have enjoyed great success, or found themselves taking on authority and responsibilities (or fame) at an earlier age, or who have had little time to consider who they really are as an individual, the first Saturn Return may feel like a time of crisis.
There can be conflicted feelings, inner turmoil and anxiety. There can even be fear. All this is common at the Saturn Return. Ultimately, we are strengthened through adversity and however difficult it may feel, everything is working out for our benefit. Pain, restriction and discipline shows up as a means to facilitate greater consciousness and fulfilment.
"Man creates his world all the time according to the thought patterns he generates, and he brings about a reality which is an outer expression of these patterns... He does not consciously create these circumstances; it is the larger self, the total psyche, which is the dynamic energy behind the individual's unfoldment" - Liz Greene
Decisions made in one's early twenties (or even earlier) might no longer 'fit' by the time of the Saturn Return. Earlier choices might now feel restrictive resulting in a need to take back control of one's life, re-define it or even simplify it.
The main questions to ask oneself should be: 'What do I want to commit to?' and for those to whom events outside of their control have happened or who feel thwarted by events: 'What is this trying to teach me?'
A classic example at a Saturn Return is someone who married young, or who has been in a relationship since a young age. It may now hit problems. This is often an outward manifestation of inner concerns. Perhaps life isn't shaping up in quite the way they had expected, and/or now feels too restricting. There may be conflicting worries as to whether this is the person they want to grow old with; whether they are truly ready for the responsibilities of children, a house and picket fence etc., etc.
Some may even divorce and enter into a second marriage. Others may have been unconsciously avoiding commitment or trying too hard to control others. Whatever the situation there is an opportunity at the Saturn Return to bring the unconscious to the light of awareness via some serious work in solo therapy or couples counselling sessions. This can help to define and shape the expectations, boundaries and shared responsibilities in a present or future relationship.
The Saturn Return is linked to realistic appraisal, overcoming fears, and constructing a supportive environment. It's interesting to note that the spine is linked to Saturn and when people feel unsupported they can often experience back issues.
It is also very common during a Saturn Return to have greater than normal contact with authority figures: parents, police, courts, bosses, professors, mentors, elders, organisations or people who carry some gravitas. Grandparents may need carers or depart the world, bringing up feelings of loss and contemplation of the passage of time for the person experiencing their Saturn Return.
If someone has been a party animal in their early adulthood, and perhaps indulged in too much drink, drugs or gambling, the Saturn Return is the time one can more easily bring discipline, regulation and self-control to bear on any excesses.
Overall, this is about defining the life path for the next block of four 7-year periods. The primary goal is to take responsibility, accountability and considered, deliberate steps to ensure that we are being truly authentic and ‘on purpose’ in what we do with our time on this planet.
"Each, delay, disappointment or fear may be utilised as a means for greater insight into the mysterious mechanisms of the psyche" - Liz Greene
THE SECOND SATURN RETURN
Cycles, by their very nature, repeat. After the first Saturn Return, around 29 years later at 57 (or around the age of 57-60) Saturn comes around to the position it held at our birth again.
At this juncture some who were around 40 when they had their last child may suddenly find themselves with 'empty nest syndrome' around the age of 58.
Those who had children earlier in life may become grandparents at this juncture. For all, including those without children, the framework of life is once again reshaped and redefined.
Whereas the period after the first Saturn Return is about steadily ascending a life path in a sure-footed way, at the second return, just as at the first return, there can be failure, rejection or loss - perhaps even some fall from grace linked to the status or reputation. As before this is a sure sign that there's some inner work to do, and things to be brought from the unconscious to the light of consciousness.
For many though there may just be a keenly felt sense that the pinnacle is near, and the working life will soon draw to a close or change its form in some way. Like at 27-30 some may get a major promotion around 57-60. For others this second 29.5 year phase may be the time when accolades or a lifetime achievement award will be bestowed. Those who have reached the top of their profession are honoured and respected for their achievements and one's reputation can have 'stature'. You may be seen as an expert or authority in some way.
The second Saturn Return is, again, all about time. There will be some people for whom time may be perceived as having been lost or squandered, or they may feel a bit 'cast aside'. Melancholy can set in, and this is another juncture where the marriage commitment may be tested if unconscious fears and concerns aren't brought out of the shadows.
There will undoubtedly be a recognition that hair has thinned and greyed and the battle against wrinkles is failing. It becomes clear that 'time waits for no man' and so a realistic, graceful acceptance of the natural ageing process is needed.
It is the juncture where once again one can consciously establish a new framework, this time for the 'autumn (or afternoon) of our life'.
Retirement used to begin around 60. Nowadays, in many countries the pension age has risen, and people are still very active in the workplace for another 7 years or 14 years more.
Many actors, musicians and other creatives continue writing and performing well into their 70's. Many Statesmen (and Presidents!) are over 70.
In this phase, the reality for all, however, will be that measures may need to be taken to tend to ageing knees, teeth and bones (our skeleton is our physical framework, and so is Saturn ruled). Yoga is a very Saturnian pursuit that can help to keep us supple at any age.
If leaving the workplace, this second Saturn Return is a good time to consolidate all the experience accrued over the decades, and figure out (or seek counsel) as to how to put it to good use in the coming years.
At the first Saturn Return we can look to receive wisdom. From the second Saturn Return, ideally one should be planning on giving back in some way - perhaps, consultancy, mentorship, authoring, coaching, tutoring, guiding (tours etc), politics, etc.
Those who live long enough will experience a final Saturn return at around age 86 -88.
"A human being would certainly not grow to be seventy or eighty years old if this longevity had no meaning for the species. The afternoon of human life must also have a significance of its own and cannot be merely a pitiful appendage to life's morning" - Carl Jung
Much has been made in the media of actress Emma Watson's Saturn Return. She attributes huge recent transformations in her life to this event. But the Saturn Return is only part of her story. There has been so much more astrological activity that has contributed.
Why Emma Watson's Last Few Years Have Been So Transformative - and maybe yours too.
Emma Watson is an Aries. As such, astrologers look to the position of Mars at the time of her birth because this planet correlates (we call it rulership) to the sign of Aries.
Mars in Emma's birthchart is in the sign of Aquarius, which is co-ruled by Saturn and the modern planet, Uranus. In Emma's birthchart both of these planets are in the sign of Capricorn - ruled by Saturn.
Emma Watson 15 April 1990, 6pm, Paris. Note this is a Sun on 1st chart
Emma Watson 15 April 1990, 6pm, Paris. Note this is a Sun on 1st chart
Furthermore, Emma's Sun is in exact square to Saturn and, if her birthtime is accurate, Saturn sits on the exact midpoint of her Moon and Mars.
Emma's chart therefore has an incredibly strong Saturnian signature. I'm not going to delineate her entire birth chart, but I can tell you this means she will always feel any transit to Saturn more keenly than most. Also Emma's Saturn is at 25 degrees Capricorn, and she has a number of planets at 25 degrees. Therefore any transit to Saturn will trigger all the other planets at 25 degrees too.
On top of Saturn being at 25 degrees of Capricorn at Emma's birth, the fact that the year of her Saturn Return was 2020 is of particular importance. Here's why...
When we experience a Saturn Return, for many it's a slow process that can last for well over a year. This is due to an astronomical phenomenon known as Retrogradation. All planets except the Sun will appear to go into reverse motion at regular junctures in their cycle. This is an optical illusion caused by the differing orbital speeds of Earth and the planet.
Retrogradation causes there to be three conjunctions. The first forward pass of transiting Saturn to the natal Saturn, and then a second in retrograde, and a third pass, again in forward motion.
This explains why it is so difficult to say precisely when someone's Saturn Return will occur. To find out when yours is though, and when all the phases in between will occur, use this SATURN RETURN CALCULATOR
In late January 2020, when Saturn returned to Emma's natal position, it stayed for only 8 days then in May 2020 Saturn stationed in Aquarius and went all the way back (due to retrogradation) to that exact degree of 25 Capricorn in September and October 2020. Here it slowed down and stationed to go direct. This meant it stayed at 25 Capricorn again, this time for 56 days.
Note: Because Saturn stationed at 25 degrees 20 minutes and Emma's exact Saturn degree is 25 degrees and 02 minutes, the computer software on all the sites I have tried have not picked this up. This is because they are programmed to only look for the exact return to the degree and minute. Patently, Saturn returning to 25 degrees Capricorn for a further 56 days is significant, but was missed. This is why you need an astrologer and not a computer! That said the service I have linked to is as accurate as can be for most people.
What all this means is that Emma's Saturn Return would have been particularly intense. By 2021 though it had completely moved on. Her return was over.
There was far more going on for her at this time too. Some form of change and 'transformation' would have already been underway in 2018, early 2019, with the passage of both Saturn and Pluto over her natal Uranus and Neptune. These are particularly significant and weighty transits.
Also, Emma's Saturn Return beginning in January 2020 was significant for yet another reason. This was the year of the pandemic.
Many astrologers had predicted that some tumultuous world event would occur in January 2020, and a good number had even predicted the arrival of an epidemic or pandemic.
It could be seen in advance that, starting around mid January, and intensifying in the March of 2020, we were going to witness one planetary conjunction after another, including the start of a new 33-year cycle of Saturn and Pluto.
It just so happens that the transiting planets Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto were all conjoining with the Sun at 22 degrees of Capricorn in January 2020. This degree was just 2.5 degrees off Emma's Saturn.
One by one in early 2020 all these planets would have begun conjoining Emma's natal Saturn.
So, as well as a particularly intense Saturn Return, Emma was also experiencing a conjunction of Jupiter to her Saturn, and a lengthy Pluto to Saturn conjunction, all in square aspect to her Sun. Plus, transiting Mars was moving in too, and transiting Saturn (which we've ascertained is strong in Emma's chart) was just about to change signs for the first time in three years.
So whilst undergoing her Saturn Return (in which, like billions of others, Emma would have been forced into a period of semi-isolation and contemplation), Pluto continued to go backwards and forwards over Emma's Saturn until late 2022. Pluto to natal Saturn is a humdinger of a transit.
Then, yet another powerful transit was occurring!...
... This was transiting Uranus opposing her natal Pluto.
Emma, by virtue of her birthdate, had been singled out for a veritable onslaught of heavy, transformational transits. This Uranus to Pluto transit, however, is one that Emma shares with other people of a similar age (32/33). It has been occurring three times since 2022 and is only ending for Emma now (May 2023).
Taylor Swift, and a whole host of others, some of whom are listed below, have been feeling it and they will continue to feel it according to the exact degree of Pluto in their chart. You may have been having this significant transit too if you are this age.
The celebrities who will have been experiencing this Uranus opposite Pluto transit are: Emma Watson, Taylor Swift, Kristen Stewart, Liam Hemsworth, Austin Butler, The Weeknd. For those with Pluto at, or under ,17 degrees of Scorpio, the transit is over for you. You'll still be feeling it though, as throughout 2023 Uranus will stay within a few degrees of opposition to your natal Pluto. It has likely shaken up your world and relations with others a little.
Those whose Pluto is 18-23 degrees of Scorpio, you are either in the thick of the Uranus opposite Pluto now, or are just about to feel it: Rita Ora, Louis Tomlinson, Travis Scott, Emily Ratajowski, Ed Sheeran, Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Pixie Lott, Joe Sugg, Dylan Penn are some. Obviously there are many more celebrities and non-celebs who were born in the early 1990's. Click here to read one good, online interpretation of Uranus opposite Pluto.
Dates on the left are birthdates and position of Pluto. On the right is where Uranus is now. So 18 Scorpio opposes 18 Taurus
Dates on the left are birthdates and position of Pluto. On the right is where Uranus is now. So 18 Scorpio opposes 18 Taurus
You can check the degree Saturn and Pluto were at when you were born here. Obviously, every chart is different, so ideally a personal reading should be sought or a computer generated chart analysis purchased from a site of your choice. However, I do hope this has given you some insight into the Saturn Returns and the concept of cycles, as well as the complexity of astrology. It's a fabulous tool to help time life events and to facilitate deeper self-awareness.
Remember:
Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes - Carl Jung
The major keywords and ideas associated with Saturn are: control, planning, structuring, committing, patience, responsibility, reputation, restriction, regulation, gravitas, skeleton/bones, authority, realism, form, fear, framework, time, parents, seriousness, solitude, boundaries, depression, loss, limits and discipline (including sobriety), wisdom. Any shade of grey through to black. Museums and places associated with history (time), or things which are old, or the elderly, are Saturnian.
Please also note, outside of the personal birthchart, you can have a Saturn Return for anything. For example a company formed today will have to redefine itself around 28 years. Whatever your age, any relationship or career can reach a turning point after approximately 7, 14, 21, 28 years etc.
Governments and leaders can reach turning points every 7, 14, 21, 28 years from the date of election too. Saturn defines the life periods of any entity.
Thanks for reading.
My ebook is: The Secret Work of an Age. In this I discuss the Age of Aquarius and reveal ancient wisdom secrets.
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