Working Through Saturn Transits
In astrology, the planet Saturn represents an archetype of scarcity, age, fear, restriction, maturing, and accepting reality. Historically, Saturn transits were feared for their ominous meanings due to the simple, repetitious nature of daily life in those times. Transformative experiences were viewed as ultra-chaotic and often misunderstood. This is why many ancient interpretations of Saturn transits come with sinister translations.
A perspective I’ve gained through my own life experience, as well as something reiterated often by one of my favorite astrologers Jessica Lanyadoo, is that difficult transits bring with them the most elevation, expression, and evolution. One of the most “feared” (or should I say revered?) Saturn transits is Saturn conjunct Saturn, aka your Saturn Return.
Saturn's returns to the place it sits in your natal chart mark a significant maturation period. It’s a time you’ll have to reckon with the results of your actions whether they be heavy consequences or newly-earned knowledge. In this two-to-three-year phase, the lasting impact of your choices will be more noticeable. Morality and mortality influence these cycles which occur every 29 years.
Saturn Activates From Its House Placement
Look to where Saturn is placed in your birth chart. Here is where transformative energies will play out in this cycle. If you’re a third-house Saturn (like me!) then you’ll predictably experience revelations and changes around third-house themes. The Third House contains the pattern for siblings, communication style, local community, coworkers, writing, and partnerships. Learn more about this house and all others in this post.
Oftentimes, these transits make us question it all. You may find yourself abandoning projects, reconsidering relationships, changing your “look” or changing your career path. Literally, everything comes into question. It can be a depressive time, especially when other aspects and transits come into play. Patience with the process, but also presence, is highly recommended.
Saturn Transits Beckon New Growth
Saturn Returns aren’t the only intensely metamorphic of the Saturnian transits. In fact, you may find Squares and Opposition even more intense. Though it may be some time before you experience these transits because of how slowly Saturn moves through our celestial system. Saturn Returns bring push-and-pull energies, as told through your birth chart. When planets like Mars and Pluto are also involved in Saturn transits, additional pathways for life-changing experiences open. Tensions and pressure yield hard-earned results, but they may in fact be hard-earned.
Tips For Surviving and Thriving During Saturn Transits
Some of the ways I’ve been preparing for and soothing the experience of these heavy Saturn experiences include:
Journaling daily, or almost daily. I find it very helpful to release my thoughts onto paper.
Tracking my other transits. Keeping a heads up on my days and weeks makes me feel more grounded.
Taking rest days. I’ve come to appreciate the power of Sacred Rest, and how our need for rest goes far being sleep.
Purging old “stuff.” If you’re holding onto clothes that don’t fit or behaviors that aren’t healthy, it’s time to let release.