Saturn Retrograde via Transit and in the Natal Chart

Saturn is the planet we associate with time, karma, hardship, commitment, structure, work and limitation.  When Saturn turns retrograde it brings into focus all of those “RE” words. Reorganize, Reconsider, Revamp and Review where we are investing our time and energy. Are we receiving a return on our investment? Are we still committed to this person or project? We may look at our professional and personal relationships and begin to ask ourselves, am I still invested here? Am I receiving a return on my investment? Is this how I wish to spend my time? Where do I want to place my energy? It is a time to realign and release (other RE words) what is no longer serving you as well as people, places and commitments you have outgrown.

Saturn is retrograde about 4 ½ months out of the year. Planets caught on a Saturn Retrograde degree will experience hardship, karmic lessons and delays. When Saturn turns retrograde it is asking us to slow down, be deliberate and reassess our responsibilities and obligations.  Saturn transits including Saturn Retrograde can help us set boundaries, if we have been over giving or allowing others to take advantage of us Saturn transits will ask us to draw our line in the sand. Saturn also governs boundaries; if a boss, a lover, a friend or a family member etc. has been overstepping their boundaries with you now is the time you will likely declare: not anymore! Saturn represents the line in the sand.

As with all retrogrades, it is not an ideal time to start new projects or career endeavors. It is time to go back and reflect on what you can do differently or how you can improve things you have already started meaning a career, project or relationship.  It is difficult to plan a perfect wedding date, but I would be reluctant to get married during a Saturn Retrograde period as well with this being the planet associated with commitment.

Saturn Retrograde via transit asks us collectively to

• Release perfectionism
• Draw our line in the sand.
• Review of our commitments
• Reconsider our obligations.
• Work smarter, not harder.
• Become your own authority.
• Reassess our limiting beliefs.

Random Saturn Retrograde Notes:

Expect challenges at work.

Respect yourself enough to tell others no

Set the bar for how you expected to be treated.

This is not really the time to launch new business enterprises.

It is not uncommon to resign from a position or place of employment.

If I had a theme song for Saturn Retrograde it would be Beyonce: Break My Soul

Expect delays and setbacks related to career advancements and opportunities.

Saturn retrograde can put a spotlight on where we have limiting beliefs, are defensive and pessimistic; be open to exploring the root cause of these behaviors.

Saturn Retrograde in the Natal Chart

Saturn Retrograde in the Natal Chart is one of the most challenging Retrogrades to be born with along with Mars Retrograde. In my personal opinion. Saturn Retrograde takes all of the hardship, structure, defensiveness and limitation and turns them inward. It makes for a person that is very hard on themselves as well as self-critical. They likely struggle with limiting beliefs or just a general feeling of unworthiness. Even if they are very successful or accomplished the native often carries with a sense of never being or doing enough. This is also one of my markers for having a father wound (as always, the entire chart must be considered)

Saturn Retrograde natal psychological makeup is built upon fears, compressed anxieties, inadequacy and an all-pervading sense of personal unworthiness, feelings of self-doubt and inferiority are more inwardly experienced than is apparent on the surface – Astrologer Bil Tierney

When a planet is retrograde in the Natal Chart all of the energy is internalized; if you are close to someone with a heavy Saturn or Saturn Retrograde and you do not have these aspects it can be quiet challgneging as they can project their limiting beliefs onto your ideals, dreams and hopes for the future. Do not take this personally recognized this person is living with a distorted view of self- and fragmented self-concept; this is a placement for embodying the belief that life is hard and nothing comes easy or perhaps they are not good enough. That inner belief then gets projected externally. The person with Natal Saturn Retrograde has to work through the false belief that they are not worthy of good things as well as the propensity to seek external means of filling the void – for instance accumulating a certain amount of wealth, obtaining another degree or seeking another promotion. These things are all fine but when using them as a barometer to measure our worthiness, which is inherent there in itself lies the problem.

“He can be overly self-critical and plagued with personal guilt whenever he fails to live up to his demanding expectations of himself, he becomes overly sensitive to any sense of lack or deficiency he perceives in himself” Bil Tierney

“The individual needs to freely accept himself as he is even in his shadow parts without emphasizing a sense of shame, self-rejection or personal disappointment. He can be morbidly self-judgment;”- Bil Tierny

When working with clients that have Natal Saturn Retrograde it is important to work thorough the feelings of limitation. These are the clients I advise: you don’t need another degree, promotion or certification, what If you just accept you are worthy right now just as you are. It is important to peel through the layers of the critical inner voice that is Saturn Retrograde and embrace who you are, as you are right now in this moment.

It is important to peel back the layers of self-condemnation as well as the false belief that reward and success must be hard won. If we look at social media, you can plainly see people are successful from all avenues of life with all levels of education that are doing what they love to do! It is imperative to recognize the blocks we experience are often internal. How can you peel back the layers? How can you accept you are worthy right here and now just as you are?

Often with Saturn Retrograde the father imprinted on the child a feeling of unworthiness or the false belief that worth is something that needs to be earned. That limiting belief does not have to be your reality. You are worthy of your own love and have high regard. It is time to embrace self-love and self-approval!