What you need to know about your Saturn return, according to an astrologer

“If you can rise above the immediate discomfort, there is some wisdom to be gleaned.”

It’s easy to think of astrology under the guise of some generic weekly horoscope or a Co-Star daily affirmation. The truth is, the zodiac has been a part of various cultures for centuries. Beyond romantic compatibility (asking dates to text their mums ‘What time was I born?’), knowing your birth chart can help you develop a better understanding of yourself and those around you.

The transition from your twenties to your thirties marks the beginning of adulthood, and a fully developed prefrontal cortex (allegedly). But it also signals the start of your Saturn return and for some, it can prove to be a pretty tumultuous time. Naturally, as someone in their mid-twenties, I had to find out more.

Interested to hear how others navigate the world? Head to our Life section.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, if you’re unfamiliar with all things astrology, to find out when your Saturn return is you’ll need to know your time of birth. Then you cast your chart and find out which astrological sign Saturn is sitting in (there are lots of helpful resources for this online). Below, astrologer, meditation teacher and journalist Emma Vidgen explains how you can navigate this transformative time and what it means for each specific Saturn placement.

Firstly, what is a Saturn return and when does it happen?

Saturn return refers to a specific period when the planet Saturn returns to the same place in the sky as it was when you were born. Saturn takes about 29.5 years to complete its cycle through the zodiac, meaning we have our first Saturn return around 30.

Because Saturn retrogrades (like Mercury – all planets do)… they can be useful points to look at for timing, think ‘X marks the spot’ – this is as intense as things will get. But really, you’ll probably feel the influence of Saturn as soon as it moves into your natal Saturn’s sign, where it will stay for around two and a half years. Fun fact: you’ll have another one in your late fifties, and if you’re lucky enough to live into your eighties, a third one then!

Why should we care about our Saturn return?

It’s a period in your life… that you’ll look back on in years to come and likely describe as ‘character building’ but at the time, it can feel like a hard slog. If you can rise above the immediate discomfort, there is some wisdom to be gleaned – it’s all about clarifying what you want, getting serious (it may be about an interest, a career change or a relationship), and taking responsibility. This is your time to let go of what doesn’t serve [you], get comfortable with saying no and make your own way in the world.

What does Saturn represent in astrology?

Saturn (and by default, Saturn returns) gets a bad rap in astrology. [It’s] a planet synonymous with fun… but all the hard work it asks of you is for your own good. It’s also about mastery, patience, maturity and ultimately, greatness. Like a stern grandparent, it wants you to ‘learn a lesson’ and discover firsthand that shortcuts are rarely a good idea.

Keeping that perspective and approaching your Saturn return as a kind of hero’s journey scenario can help when you’re in the thick of it. It chooses you (you don’t choose it!) so you’ve just got to go through it.

How can we face our Saturn returns head-on?

Accept that you can’t choose how it’s going to challenge you… it chooses for you. Look for ways to introduce more structure into your life. Get a routine, create a schedule, create order. Saturn has a lot to do with clarifying what you don’t want so when things start falling away, don’t flail around and try to hang on too tight. Trust that whatever is leaving was not meant to come with you in the next chapter.

Get clear on your goals – Saturn loves goals… the longer term, the better. Commit to something. Whether it’s getting serious in a relationship, quitting vaping or going back to uni, ’We can do hard things’ would be Saturn returns’ manifestation as a bumper sticker.

Lastly, can you give us a rundown of some key themes for each Saturn placement during their return?

Pisces: Self-reliance and emotional resilience.
Aries: Autonomy, leading, patience.
Taurus: Security, change, material things.
Gemini: Self-expression, ambiguity and learning.
Cancer: Emotional security, ‘saving’ other people, overextending yourself emotionally.
Leo: Being seen, gratitude, creativity
Virgo: Being ‘enough’, supporting other people, ‘fixing’ situations and relationships.
Libra: The desire to be liked, pandering to other people’s wants and needs, running your own race.
Scorpio: Control and power, especially in emotionally charged environments.
Sagittarius: Freedom, self-determination and independence.
Capricorn: Work, the need to achieve and making things harder than they need to be.

For more astrology info and to find out where Saturn sits in your birth chart, head here.