7 Stages of Saturn Return
Tags: Saturn, Astrology, Transformation, Growth

I recognize that Saturn Return can be a difficult process so the following is an outline of Saturn Return’s phases from beginning to end. Saturn typically returns to his original position every 27–29.5 years and lasts 3 years. Saturn returns two times in a lifetime (based on the age of death).

However, this is not a hard and fast rule. The best way to track his cycle is to ensure you’re actively engaged in planetary transit tracking. There are a ton of free apps out there to help you with this. Check out where your Natal Saturn is and compare that to the current Saturn transits. You can use an Astrologer to help you with this as well.

Got it? Cool. Let’s get into the nitty-gritty.

I consider Saturn to be the cop of the Zodiac. He rules boundaries. This makes Karma, time, adulthood and the material world his domain. Checks and balances baby! When he returns to his original position, he’s here to help us become aware of our boundaries and the areas we’ve attempted to cut corners.

Whatever is built on unstable ground will crumble, which is totally a good thing. However, destroying what no longer works in order to rebuild can be a difficult feat. Although his archetypal appearance is a critical part of achieving our goals, he forces us to take a hard look at reality. Thus, if we’ve operated from a place of co-dependence, immaturity, recklessness or unawareness he comes in to ensure we own up to our shit.

We do have the option to ignore Saturn’s calling, but this usually results in a life of dangerous contentment. You know, the person with Peter Pan Syndrome, the one who settles for an unhappy life or the one who continues to repeat the same patterns?

Yea. Let’s not do that.

If we choose to listen to the call of Saturn and complete the work necessary to achieve our aims, then he rewards us with a great deal of stability and a life of abundance. This doesn’t mean that life will be easy, but it will be a hell of a lot more rewarding.

The following is a list of the phases I have broken down based on my own experiences as well as the experiences of my clients. My hope is that you can reference this guide in order to help you work through the process with clarity and reflection.

Regardless of whether or not you are going through a Saturn Return, this list can be applicable to times of transformation and unease in general.

Saturn Return Process:

Phase 1: A Whisper

When Saturn begins to wake you up. During this phase, you may start to experience the soft whispers of Saturn. This could be through intuitive inklings. For instance, you may not feel as fulfilled as you normally would during regular activities or around certain people. In Phase 1 you can ignore Saturn’s call more easily because he’s just beginning to make himself known. However, it is best to start gaining awareness of his whispers.

Phase 2: A Nudge

As he moves closer to your natal position Saturn’s whisper becomes more a nudge. Those intuitive nudges become more noticeable and you may experience external events that make you feel uncomfortable. In these situations, you may find yourself triggered by certain experiences and there may be a physical repulsion towards people, places, things or activities that encompass your normal way of life. During this phase, it’s easy to brush away the nudge and totally fine. However, as the nudge becomes stronger, you will soon be unable to bat away its force.

Phase 3: The Push

The next part of Saturn’s arrival is the appearance of signs in the physical world. You may start to notice certain media images, conversations, insights or dreams that you hadn’t experienced in the past. These types of occurrences are likely to insight a feeling of curiosity and begin to push you out of your old life. You may notice the gaps in your current reality and the need for a change. During this phase, it might as if a heavy hand is colliding with your Ego. Pay attention to the external environment in order to understand what Saturn is foretelling.

Phase 4: Screams

At this point, Saturn is ready to make his presence known. He’s tired of your antics and must be heard. Depending on the specific medicine needed (which house he’s in), you might experience illness, financial hardship, family breakdowns, sexual confusion or death of someone close. This experience is likely to cause you to reexamine where you are in your life. Although this phase can annoying as hell, it’s a good time to practice your listening skills. If Saturn is screaming at you, then it’s best to be aware of his message. Otherwise, you are likely to encounter some pretty severe backlash in the form of unwanted external events. The point is, regardless of how much we try to ignore the screams of Saturn he always finds a way through. Thus, it’s best to work with him — not against him. Changes that occur may seem rather drab but are in our best interest. Regardless of how scary Saturn may seem, he’s just the daddy figure we need to help us shift into a greater sense of independence!

Phase 5: Burn it ALL Baby

There’s no doubt that Saturn is here and ready to rock your world. At this point, you’re tired and desire change. Saturn burns what no longer serves to the ground. This is when you can work as a team with this archetype and say “fuck living an inauthentic life” because you want to be happy and stable. During the fire phase, it’s important to allow the burn to come. Trying to avoid the inevitable will only slow your process of transformation — ain’t nobody got time for that! Get ready to burn away outdated coping mechanisms and patterns! During this phase, it may seem like the world around you is melting and that’s because, well, it is. This melting process is part of the transformational shift that you are totally ready to make and Saturn is here to usher in this new way of serious tough love. Although I’m not a huge fan of tough love, I do recognize its necessity at certain points in life and this is one of those times. Let the shit you no longer need burn. You can mourn it, you can cry, you can beat up your pillow…just don’t hold onto it!

Phase 6: Insight

Once the unstable aspects of life are burned to ashes, it’s time to contemplate why it occurred in the first place. This is the processing phase. Therapy, meditation, yoga and complementary tools can assist with awareness. This is a crucial period because it ensures that you do not repeat old patterns. Okay, so you mayyyy still repeat old patterns (the brain takes time to rewire, after all), but this period ensures you develop the heightened awareness necessary to shift them once and for all. As they say, the first step to change is awareness and you’ve likely been hit with the mother of all awareness shifters during the entirety of this Return.

Phase 7: Heal

After you’re aware of the patterns which have kept you in a space of instability and unhappiness you’re ready to heal. Be easy with yourself and know that life will naturally start to click into place. You are rewiring your brain, your body, and your life. This doesn’t occur overnight and it’s important to give yourself the time necessary to work through the process. Due to the nature of society, you may be tempted to push through this phase. However, try your best to be gentle with yourself to make the most of this time. Learn to sit still and enjoy the process of the transition into adulthood. Acknowledge any desire you have to race through the healing phase and gain awareness of your process. Where do you feel impatient in your body? What is the root of impatience? Does it stem from your desire to “be happy already”? Pay attention to what comes up for you throughout this period and give yourself the self-love you deserve.

Phase 8: Rebuild

Now you have the opportunity to build the life you truly desire. Take a risk and try new activities, make new friends and do the opposite of what you’ve done in the past. This is a fun period of exploration. What do you enjoy and how can you bring it into your life in a solid way? This is an exciting time of discovery, exploration, and development. The world of possibilities awaits and it’s time that you grab those mofos by the balls…or vagina. Whatever you’re into, just grab it. Do you know what I mean? HA. Anyway, seriously, now is the time to follow what you truly desire and develop solutions in order to accomplish the goals. I’m talking about visualization, strategy, and action. Busting through this period with an objective, committed and consistent approach can ensure that you manifest the life you want tenfold.

Change can be scary, but Saturn is here to help you ensure you live the life you truly desire. Work with Saturn and you can transform out of what no longer works and manifest a reality that fits your dreams! You’ve got this boo boo!