When Saturn is Retrograde

When Saturn is Retrograde…

Saturn’s Yearly Retrograde Cycle

Overview

For the meaning of retrograde Saturn in a birth chart, see the Retrogrades in the Natal Chart page here.

Saturn is retrograde for approximately 4-1/2 months every year or approximately 38% of the time.

As such, it’s not uncommon for Saturn to be retrograde or to be born with a retrograde Saturn.

In the week or days (depending on the planet) surrounding a planet’s station, there can be some disorientation as our perspective shifts. This is the case for any retrograde, whether the planet is turning direct or retrograde. It’s important to note that retrogrades are about perspectives. Just as the backward motion of a retrograde planet is apparent rather than actual, the effects of retrogrades are on the way we see things.

In the week surrounding Saturn’s station as it turns retrograde, we can begin to feel the weight of our responsibilities quite heavily. We may feel a little disconnected from the purpose behind them, which can lead to a temporary drop in motivation. Pending decisions can also weigh on our minds. We may feel less energetic due to this motivation downturn.

This is all due to a change in our perspective. However, as we accustom ourselves to the shift, the retrograde cycle becomes an opportunity period for review and reassessment. Attempts to reconnect with the purpose of our structures, limits, and duties can aid this process. Slowing down makes sense. Expansion or additions to our existing responsibilities and projects can be stressful now. We need to reduce and simplify. Delays may occur now, but these give us the chance to correct our errors and refine our work.

We’re looking back to the ground we’ve already covered, and this can feel as if we’re moving backward (or simply not moving forward) when there can be very good reasons to recheck and review. We are likely to review and reconsider Saturn-themed matters: rules, structures, foundations, and traditions.

The areas of life affected by Saturn’s retrograde are those ruled by the house(s) that Saturn rules in our natal charts (where Capricorn is) and those ruled by the house in which Saturn is currently transiting. For example, if you have Capricorn on the seventh house cusp (in other words, you have a Cancer Ascendant) and Saturn is currently transiting your sixth house, then the areas of life most influenced by Saturn retrograde would be partnerships and negotiations (seventh house) as well as work, habits, routines, and health (sixth house).

Editing our current projects or returning to old projects can be very successful. Brand new major projects may not be favored. This is the time to simplify and restructure.

Saturn retrograde in Aquarius: This can be an excellent time for updating skills and knowledge or networking for practical or business purposes. If we’ve left a happiness goal or even a friendship undone or not done, this can be a time to return to it. However, we might also question the point or viability of particular associations to people or groups. We might edit or flesh out a project.

For the signs (the following horoscopes for Saturn retrograde in Aquarius are for the Sun and/or Ascendant in the sign):

Aries

Saturn retrograde in your solar eleventh house points to a shift in perspective, particularly related to your friendships, networking, and long-term happiness goals. A review of career or life path goals might also be in store. It’s important to recognize that you have enough time to resolve problems and that efforts to build and restructure are beneficial for you in the long run. Increases or expansion may lead to stress rather than joy right now, so do your best to tone things down and get what you have in place in better order. Focusing on current projects can be rewarding.

Taurus

This Saturn retrograde cycle prompts you to do some sorting or reviewing of current goals and projects or endeavors. You’re likely to feel a shift in perspective about your long-term goals, responsibilities, career, or life path. It’s a time to simplify rather than expand or increase in your career and with your reputation, as development or expansion can bring about undue stress. However, you’re in excellent shape for reviewing these issues and building upon current projects already in place or returning to unfinished endeavors. As well, consider reviving old studies or streamlining your approach to learning.

Gemini

During this Saturn retrograde cycle, you’re encouraged to slow down to consider your more extensive plans and goals. There can be a shift in your perspective of your responsibilities. This shift might feel heavy initially, and your responsibilities seem to weigh you down, but this feeling will subside. Plans or projects may stall, or you question your commitment to some of them, perhaps due to altered motivation levels or realistic assessments of the limits of time and energy. The months of this retrograde are excellent for editing or building upon projects already in place and less ideal for brand-new major or ambitious plans. Simplifying, building, structuring, and stabilizing efforts produce the best results at this time.

Cancer

Saturn’s retrograde initially encourages you to slow down and think about your priorities. People are especially prone to making errors of judgment now until they grow accustomed to the shift. This cycle prompts a strong period for review. While it can cast a heavy note during the week of its station, responsibilities are unlikely to increase at this time — they may only feel weightier temporarily. Areas of your life most affected by this shift in perspective are debts, support, emotional health, and your close relationships. You might need to reassess how much time and energy you can afford to invest in these matters, or you may be dealing with delays or refinements of plans. Once you begin to recognize the need for restructuring, simplifying, and stabilizing your life, you’ll have a stronger sense of the benefits of this retrograde cycle.

Leo

Saturn stations as it turns retrograde, and because you’re not used to this heavy energy, you could feel weighed down or disoriented temporarily. It’s best to take the time to think about your priorities, particularly related to partnerships and significant people in your life. During the months of the cycle, you’re changing your perspective about your responsibilities, reviewing, and editing endeavors or goals already in place. The key to working with it to your advantage is to remind yourself of the work you need to do to stabilize critical areas of your life, especially your relationships, work, and health, aiming to connect with this purpose. Simplifying rather than taking on additional responsibilities makes the most sense now.

Virgo

Saturn turning retrograde suggests the need to watch for errors. There may be strained relationships, or the weight of your work or health responsibilities can be heavier temporarily in the week of the shift. The cycle itself simply points to a shifting perspective on your routines, work, and health or romantic and creative life. It’s a better period for review and reflection than innovation, and while you may encounter some waning motivation or delays in any of these areas, you are in an excellent position to simplify, edit, and build what you already have in place. You might reassess commitments to specific programs, projects, or jobs.

Libra

While Saturn’s yearly retrograde is in Aquarius, your perspective on commitments related to romance, family, and creativity is likely to shift. This cycle is suitable for reevaluating, consolidating, or rebuilding key areas of your life. Once accustomed to the energy, you’ll find that things even out and are smoother as you give extra consideration to the limits of time and energy. You might return to a previous project and approach it in a new way now, or you might build a work-in-progress. Brand-new major projects may not take off quickly and might only serve to stress you out, as this is a time for conserving energy and simplifying your life, generally speaking. Aim to level things out.

Scorpio

Saturn’s yearly retrograde lasts several months, and while it’s in Aquarius, there can be opportunities to reassess, edit, and refine your commitments. Home and family matters may need some redoing or experience delays. Thinking about the long-term will help you understand the importance of this period. Reconnecting to the meaning of your commitments or responsibilities is a process, and you’ll get there soon enough. It’s a time for examining your intentions and expectations. Aim to simplify and work on projects already underway so that you can catch your breath.

Sagittarius

Saturn’s retrograde turn can lend some heavier or more responsible themes to the week. However, the retrograde cycle itself that lasts many months is an opportunity period for reviewing and reassessing your projects and commitments. Saturn is transiting your sector of communications and transportation, and these areas of life are most affected by the retrograde. However, finances are always ruled by Saturn in your solar chart, and they can play a role as well. This can be a checkpoint moment for certain learning, personal interests, communications, financial, and socializing activities. There can certainly be delays related to these matters, or you might return to an unfinished project rather than take on a new one, which is likely to be the more successful strategy. Simplifying and structuring your life makes sense now. Find ways to reconnect with the purpose or meaning behind the things you’re doing, as this will help you get back on track sooner.

Capricorn

Your ruler, Saturn, turns retrograde for many months each year. This is a natural time for you to review your obligations and reconsider personal plans. Some level of withdrawal is possible. During the first week of its retrograde, there can be some heaviness with financial matters. For best results, aim to sort, organize, and take things a step at a time. The cycle itself is healthy for reviewing your commitments and responsibilities, mainly related to your finances, business, security, self-worth, natural talents, resources, and comfort levels. There may be delays related to some of these things or a temporary pulling back from specific projects until you come to new conclusions. These shouldn’t be rushed as your perspective shifts. In a general sense and particularly related to money matters, it’s a better period for review and reflection than innovation.

Aquarius

Saturn’s retrograde turn suggests a need to slow down and think about your responsibilities and duties. Saturn’s retrograde cycle, while it occurs in your sign, signals a period of review. If you feel disconnected from the purpose of the responsibilities brought on by this Saturn transit to your sign, then this retrograde can effectively magnify the heaviness or weight of them, even if they haven’t changed or increased. In other words, your perception of your responsibilities can alter. It’s best to keep in mind the overall purpose of this Saturn transit–that you are learning to rely on yourself and get your life into order. Moderation helps now. Returning to a previous project may be particularly rewarding during this cycle, and is more likely to be successful than a brand-new one.

Pisces

When Saturn stations and turns retrograde, and it’s best to take it easy, consider your responsibilities, and work step by step towards your goals. During its months-long retrograde cycle, and it’s a natural time for you to review your obligations and reconsider your personal plans. Some level of withdrawal is possible now. You’re learning more deeply about your spiritual goals, tying up loose ends, or finishing long-term projects that have outworn their purpose. Saturn’s station can feel a little heavy as you sense that you’re switching gears, but in time, you will adjust to this shift, and you’re likely to welcome this period of review. It’s not an ideal cycle for launches of major long-term projects, but returning to complete old projects can be rewarding.

Saturn’s Yearly Retrograde Cycle

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