Every 29 years Saturn makes one orbit around the Sun and marks a rite of passage for us Earthlings that astrologers call (old soap opera music, please)...the Saturn Return. My understanding of what Saturn represents is our "innate responsibility", as opposed to the externally conditioned responsibilities defined for us as children by our parents, teachers and society at large.

BAD NEWS FIRST. The sobering truth about Saturn is that its natal placement points to an area of genuine defeciency. It's as if the Creator ran out of parts after He/She/It started and where you must not only manufacture the parts but also finish the work by the force of your own commitment and personal efforts. Saturn teaches us "what you get out of something depends on what you put into it." If you don't put in the work, the deficiency will breed feelings of inadequacy, insecurity, fear and failure.

GOOD NEWS. If you work hard to structure the experience here you will gradually gain the power and ability to manifest your intentions, not just in that house but across the board. Saturn is the Lord of Karma. It represents our ambitions and standards. When these standards are achieved, it yields success on your terms and breeds feelings of dignity, mastery and a sense of accomplishment.

Each SATURN RETURN differs by the lessons inherent to each sign and house and how that Saturn is aspected. The SATURN RETURN is a reality check point. A time of "truth and consequences", you will discover how much commitment you have shown or have neglected to show by the results of either. Natal Saturn represents an area where you must invest effort to transform your fears into commitments. Or remain taunted by feelings of inadequacy and a life lived in fear. Yes, it can actually be that black or white with Saturn.

EXAMPLE. My 11th House Saturn in Libra symbolized a longterm fear of crowds, groups and people in general until my Saturn Return found me totally alone and without friends. My lesson ? I had to make an effort to build and maintain my friendships if I was to have any friends. My fear of groups has been since transformed into an ongoing commitment to group dynamics in various fields.

posted in Astrology - 111 replies