A Saturn Return is when is when the planet Saturn returns to the same position as when you were born. This generally takes about 28 to 29 years. Saturn is famous for being the planet of structure, discipline, limits, & work. Traditionally, Saturn has been viewed negatively, especially when compared to more "fun" planets like Jupiter and Venus. You can think about a Saturn Return as being like a cosmic report card, impersonal, factual, and accurate, where the universe makes the quality, nature, and effectiveness of the structure you have built for your life over the first 28 years, obvious and immediate for you to learn from.

Due to how the planets move, usually this will be a three part transit. Phase one is when Saturn reaches the exact degree and minute of it's position in your natal (birth) chart, when you first get the news about what is and isn't working. Phase two will begin when Saturn retrogrades back across that same point. This is a perfect time for honest reflection and action. Phase three will be when Saturn goes direct, and passes over the same point for the final time. This is usually when you will see the result of putting in necessary changes and being more responsible, and can make additional positive changes.

How a person reacts to the events of a Saturn Return will depend on how detached they can be from feelings of personal inadequacy, or life problems revealed, because they haven't been sufficiently aware of and responsible for the fundamental structure of their lives. Saturn usually involves elements of external authority figures, organizations, and social needs, like a stern parent or maybe the police or one's unsatisfied partner, and depending on how a person's Saturn is related to other elements in a person's natal chart, it can range from being a time of hard work, honest self-evaluation, and valuable learning, coupled with appropriate changes and adjustments, to a miserable experience, when it seems like the world is telling you all the ways you don't measure up, your self esteem is low, and it becomes painfully obvious that there are areas of your life that haven't received sufficient responsible attention.

Energy can be low, and health problems can appear related to the bones and teeth. For example, someone who in their youthful enthusiasm has been lifting heavy objects without good body mechanics, could develop back problems, feel bad about it, and get depressed. That is until they switch their focus to understanding the cause of the problem, take appropriate healing measures, and learn how to lift properly. Saturn doesn't particularly care about how you feel, but is always there to show you what's not working, which gives you the opportunity to stop doing what's not working, and shift to what will work productively.

Someone with a job may be asked to work more or take on new responsibilities. People who have put in responsible effort into their career path may get recognition for a job well done (an "A" grade.) Someone who hasn't been serious enough about developing a way to support themselves financially, or a career or activity that gives them the satisfaction and benefits of being productive, may have a serious case of "slackers remorse" (a "D" grade), and realize they need to put in some overdue effort to catch up.

The good news about a Saturn Return (and actually any Saturn transit), is that it's a time where hard work, discipline, and being responsible will pay off, and key lessons can be learned. Probably one of the most important is that this will be about your actual life needs for structure and responsibility. It's not about meeting someone else's standards, or feeling inadequate if you don't measure up, but honestly taking responsibility for your life and actions, and deciding what's essential to you. For example, maybe you didn't go in the career path your parents wanted, but worked hard learning to master the guitar, payed your dues, and your band is putting out your best, most professional CD to date, and getting some overdue recognition, and your parents tell you that they can see how you followed your own path responsibly, and now can understand. Or maybe they still don't, but it doesn't get to you, because you can see that it's working out.

Saturn aspects can bring the learning and experiences that come with being older and hopefully wiser, and connect you with valuable advisers and teachers. And, if you pay attention and make the most of it, your second Saturn Return (at about 58 years old), will be even more productive and valuable.