Saturn Return
There are planetary cycles we all share which mark certain milestones in our personal lives. When transiting planets make connections to our birth chart, something is stirred. The intensity and depth depend upon the nature of the connections and the planets involved. One planetary cycle triggering major life changes is our Saturn Return.
In a previous post on Saturn in Libra, I described Saturn as:
the taskmaster of the zodiac whose karmic lessons, once learned, remain with each of us throughout our lives. He represents reality, challenges, structure, foundation, obstacles, hard work, obligations, restrictions, and limitations. He is cold, distant, stoic, determined, persistent … all business. Saturn’s function, as he transits through signs and touch sensitive points and natal planets in our birth charts, is to teach us our life lessons and reward us, as we learn our lessons.
Saturn Return occurs approximately every 29 years. The first Saturn Return marks the beginning of our second life cycle. This typically occurs between ages 28-30 and ushers us into adulthood by requiring us to commit to something and work our butts off to make it a reality. We are asked to do something, create something; make what we dream about, a reality. Be a responsible adult. Some people get married, get divorced, end a long-term relationship, have children, go back to finish their undergraduate degrees, establish their own business, switch careers, relocate, etc. If you’ve gone through your first return, do you remember the events and issues faced during that time? Decisions made and actions taken during the first Saturn Return help determine the ease or difficulty of the second Saturn Return.
The second Saturn Return triggers the start of our third life cycle. This return occurs at approximately 58-60 years of age and reflects the transition from maturity to wisdom. It’s time to restructure life once again. This time, we are asked to determine what kind of legacy we want to leave. As we look back and take stock at the life we’ve led so far, what kinds of decisions did we make between ages 30-58? Those who have put things off or avoided dealing with things may find themselves facing the same or similar issues they were faced with during their first return. Have we continually grown on a personal level? What kind of older person will we be? An elder who’s respected and whose advice is sought after or the opposite? Our needs have changed, along with our goals. How do we plan to live the next half of our life?
If we live long enough, the third Saturn Return happens at around ages 87-89 and begins our fourth life cycle. By 87, we would have lived a life full of happiness, disappointments, achievements and failures. Managing health issues may also be a factor now and the humbling reality/acceptance that we may need help doing the simplest things — bathing, changing, eating. I’m not really sure what a third Saturn Return would represent. I have not had the pleasure of giving a third Saturn Return reading. Perhaps this is a time when we detach ourselves from the material attachments of this life, the identity that the self has attached itself with, and prepare ourselves for what comes next — a transition from this life into the next realm/next life.
I welcome comments on what your thoughts might be for the third Saturn Return or any of the returns.
Those currently going through their Saturn Return (born between 1982 & 1984; 1952 & 1954 and 1923 & 1925) have the extra tension brought on by the Saturn-Pluto square (2009-2010), the Saturn-Uranus opposition (2008-2010) and the Cardinal T-Square that links all three of these heavy players this year. Ouch.
“This Side of Saturn” - Image credit and ©jl4v6 via deviantart.
~ Article originally posted on my astrogrrl blogger site March 6, 2010.
Solar Return
The Sun ©SOHO/EIT Consortium
Every year the Sun returns to the same degree it was in at the moment of our birth, our astrological birthday, and triggers our personal (birthday) year. This chart is called a Solar Return, and one’s return can occur within 1 or 2 days from the actual birthday. To cast a return chart, the location (city and state for U.S. or city and country) where the individual will be during his/her birthday is required.
The Sun is the source of all energy and is life-giving. In astrology, the Sun represents the self we present to the external world, our vital life force, potential, ambitions, intentions, and unrealized/untapped inherent talents/skills. It is our conscious will, our volition that holds our soul’s purpose in this life. The Sun is our soul; the Moon is our heart; and the Ascendant or Rising is the ‘mask’ that the Sun wears.
The Solar Return chart is a powerful, insightful tool to help forecast what might be coming up, as well as ‘when’, from one birthday to the next. In a solar return reading, the return chart is also compared to the natal chart to add depth and context to the energies revealed in the solar return chart.
For instance, if in the return chart, the Midheaven is stimulated, the individual may change careers or establish a new set of future goals or maybe move to a new city. Upon comparison of the return chart with the natal chart, it might show the individual’s natural reaction/s to change and whether this is a help or an extra challenge for them for what’s to come. It might further show what type of vocation might satisfy the individual’s drive or soul; or whether the individual has natural gifts that’s yet to be discovered and can now begin to be developed.
Forecasting also provides time period/s or specific dates that might be of interest — extra challenges, a smoother run, possible opportunistic times, etc. This is a simplistic depiction of what a Solar Return reading is like. But as in life, there are layers and overlaps, and these are also revealed in the Solar Return chart, especially when superimposed over the Natal Chart. So, why not consider getting yourself a Solar Return reading on your next birthday? :)
Originally posted on my astrology blogger account, May 10, 2010.
