What is Saturn Return? Your survival guide to navigating it

You might have heard all about your Saturn Return, a period of unrest that happens in your late 20s, when the planet Saturn in the sky aligns with Saturn in your birth chart. But what does it actually mean, and how does it impact your star sign? Here's your handy guide on surviving (and thriving?) during the astrological event, and who might be going through their Saturn Return soon.

It's a sad truth that many people start to feel a little bit unnerved in the run up to their 30th birthday. You know the drill: cocktails and tears, hi-vis mirror analysis and doomsday commentary that we’re “getting OLD”. If you've been there and made it out the other side, then you know. If you're yet to turn 30, you may still have a potential pre-30 freak out in your late 20s all to look forward to.

We all know, objectively, that 30 is not "old". It's young AF and you still have your whole life ahead of you, with so many opportunities and options. But the freak out is real - and it’s actually not our fault that we get swept up in it. It turns out we can blame the stars for this period of unrest, specifically The Saturn Return - and it's all down to your natal Saturn sign (which you can find out on the table below).

Your birth chart is basically a snapshot of where all the planets were in the sky when you were born, importantly in what sign and house. Some planets move really quite quickly through the skies, because they’re closer to us, like the moon (albeit it’s a satellite) and Venus or Mercury. The outer planets, those that are further away, move a lot slower and can take years or decades to move into different signs. One of those planets is Saturn. It takes around 29.5 years for Saturn to complete one full orbit around the sun and return to the spot it was at when you were born. This ~homecoming~ is called the Saturn Return, and it's a momentous astrological event in your life cycle.

Saturn will return again for you in your late 50s and, again in your late 80s. But it’s not all bad, and it’s something that happens to everyone. You’re not alone.

Saturn is the "task master" planet - it rules Capricorn, who are the most ambitious, hard-on-themselves and conscientious people around. Saturn’s like a Tiger Mum, a cruel-to-be-kind coach who takes us apart in order to rebuild us leaner, meaner and ready to get some! Saturn’s presence means life lessons are going to be issued. So you better be ready to grow up.

During the Saturn Return you will face down your demons. You'll reflect on your path so far and whether it has been worthwhile and good enough. All the wrong turns and missed opportunities you’ve endured in the preceding 30 years seem to resurface (hence some people can feel low around this time). But you’ve got to focus on the lessons and not the past, because your mistakes do not define you. Saturn is here to make you acknowledge, understand and process your negatives so they don’t bother and trip you up anymore. That's no bad thing, frankly.

It also serves to help you acknowledge that time and opportunity are not endless, and that youth fades (gulp). You’re not bulletproof and you’re not immortal. You have a bag of tools, a book of rules and ticking clock… get to it, get busy living, don’t waste time. Saturn says, "Get serious about your life and take control of where it’s going."

Heed this task master of astrology, people, and you can change your life, for the better.

All those with Saturn in Aquarius in their birth chart would’ve experienced a Saturn Return from 2020 through to March 2023, so they’re through and clear now. Specifically, those born between 6th February, 1991 and 20th May, 1993, along with 29th June, 1993 and 28th January 1994.

Whilst those born in the early 1960s experienced their second Saturn Return, and those born in the early 1930s went through their third. Saturn in Aquarius adopts the traits of the water-bearer – truth, innovation, community, progression. Perhaps you have re-evaluated your contribution to this world? Perhaps you are inventing or leading a progressive change in your community?

All those with Saturn in Pisces in their birth chart are currently undergoing this shift. This return promises to be quite fickle, emotional, and linked as much to spiritual growth as practical issues. Those born between:

• 1st May, 1993 and 30th June, 1993
• 28th January, 1994 and 7th April, 1996

will be going through their first Saturn Return, while those born in the mid-1960s (1964 - 1967) are experiencing their second Saturn Return, and those born in the mid-to-late 1930s (1935 to 1938) will be going through their third.

Some astrologers believe that a Saturn Return lasts from the moment Saturn enters your natal Saturn sign to the moment it exits, which means the current ‘returners’ will be experiencing the weather of this cosmic cloud until 13th February, 2026.

Roll up, roll up! All those with Saturn in Aries because as soon as Saturn has passed by Pisces on 13th February, 2026, it shifts into Aries. So, people born between

• 7th April, 1996 and 9th June, 1998
• 25th October, 1998 and 8th February, 1999

will be going through their first Saturn Return, while those born in the late 1960s (1967 - 1969) are experiencing their second Saturn Return, while those born in the late 1930s and first few months of 1940 will be experiencing their third return.

Saturn in Aries is passionate and determined, focused on teaching you lessons about independence, ambition, and competition. Life IS a game, how do you play it?

If you’ve been telling *cough* kidding yourself that you want one thing from your life, but actually, truly want another, you’ll realise it now. Big questions will come up like

• "What do I contribute?"
• "What is my legacy so far?"
• "What role do I want in life?"

They'll nibble at you and, if you let them filter down into your subconscious, you’ll find the answers do come forth. Maybe when you least expect it.

Schedule regular quiet time, at the start and end of each week (the regular pulse of this will help train your subconscious to show up with its insights at this time), with a truth-revealing crystal like Amazonite or even (if you’re super brave, because it’s super powerful) Moldavite can help to accelerate your insight into who you’re becoming, driven by what roles really inspire and attract you.

Lie down, hold your crystal in your left (i.e. receiving) hand, and take deep breaths. Relax and release the humdrum thoughts of the day ahead or behind you. Imagine that you’re interviewing yourself, maybe at your next Saturn Return (i.e. you’d be approaching 60). What would you like to have told your interviewer that you’d achieved or become in life? What would you like to be known for, and as?

For your own personal life forecast and analysis, using the tarot, visit Kerry's TarotBella page.