Saturn retrograde until 19/7/14

It is often said that planets become more emphasised when they are retrograde ie appear to be going backwards from the perspective of us here on Earth. Personally, I find that simply terrifying when it comes to Saturn- although many of you won’t share that fear.

The reason their action is emphasised is because it is internalised. We therefore feel it more. And if you have planets or chart points at 23 Scorpio, 23 Taurus, 23 Aquarius or 23 Leo- you will feel this one even more as Saturn stationed retrograde at 23 Scorpio for what has seemed like forever. His energy focused on this point for longer than usual…and Saturn never does anything by chance.

So, what can we expect from a Saturn retrograde? Well, more Saturn stuff of course, but with the prefix “re” inserted in front of the word eg re-structure, re-commit, re-focus, re-calibrate, re-trench.

Saturn rules the supports, structures, rules and responsibilities in our life. In theory, Saturn is the fun cop who says “no, it is time you went home young lady,” when every part of you is crying out to say yes. When Saturn is retrograde, he is sending you back to your room to think very carefully about what you are doing, goals you have started working towards and the commitments you have made. It is sort of like a planetary cooling off period when it is OK to re-assess and change direction or re-assess and say “no”. This is not the time to make new commitments or start new projects, but great to sort out just what you want out of existing goals. Re-prioritise.

Saturn retrogrades give you time to sort your shit out, get rid of any frustrations and re-think the viability of any promises you have already made. It’s a little like having a building inspector come through and checks your foundations and support structures. Yep, I’ve been watching a lot of The Block on tv lately.

The area of life Saturn is retrograde in is emphasised and needs defining. If it is the 7th, relationships will need to be defined. If it’s the 1st, you will be wanting to define yourself- this is generally a nice skinny transit- if Saturn transits can ever be described as being nice, that is. If it is the 2nd, money issues and values will come to the forefront. With Saturn in Scorpio in 2014, goals, fears and ambitions will be looked at intensely. Anything below the surface that is holding you back will demand attention- as will the skeletons that are in your closet. Saturn will demand that you look with maturity at this part of your life.

Regardless of where this is happening in your chart, Saturn, with a natural association with the 10th house and the ruler of Capricorn, will see most of us trying to define, or re-define career goals.

The structures that are built during a Saturn retrograde will stand you in good stead once he starts to move forward again.

Check out what is in your chart on or around 16-23 Scorpio- this is your area of focus. This is 9th house for me so my focus is around faith, experience, travel (both physical and metaphorical), viewpoints, learning. During this retrograde, Saturn will oppose Venus, trine my Sun and station direct exactly trine my Ascendant…I have a pretty good idea of what it is that Saturn wants me to get real about.

In terms of aspects:

• If you have a planet or chart point (such as Ascendant, Midheaven, Descendant or IC) at 16-23 Scorpio, Saturn will conjunct this planet/point during the retrograde period.
• If you have a planet or chart point at 16-23 Taurus, Saturn will oppose this point during the retrograde period
• If you have a planet or chart point at 16-23 Aquarius or Leo, Saturn will square this point during the retrograde
• If you have a planet or chart point at 16-23 Cancer or Pisces, Saturn will trine this point during the retrograde
• If you have a planet or chart point at 16-23 Capricorn or Virgo, Saturn will sextile this point during the retrograde