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This blog post goes along with Healing Thru Tarot Podcast Ep. 61: Navigating Saturn Returns + What the Saturnian Cards in the Tarot Can Teach Us

In this blog, we’ll discuss how to navigate those tricky Saturn Returns and we’ll explore what Saturn has to teach us by examining the Saturnian cards in the tarot. I’ll also share a custom spread to help you navigate your own Saturn return and Saturn transits so you can come out stronger on the other side. I’ve been wanting to do this episode for a long time now. So many people I work with come to me during difficult times in their life, and I’ve noticed that so many reach out around the time of their first or second Saturn return. And the first thing I do is to explain what a Saturn return is, so my clients can understand why they’re facing such opposition during this phase of life. We all experience these transitional periods, and I find the best way to cope during these times is to understand exactly what’s going on and what to expect.

So what are Saturn Returns? 

This is the astrological period of our life when the planet Saturn completes its orbit around the Sun, coinciding with the time of our birth. Every 27-29.5 years Saturn returns to the position it was in our birth chart in the same house, sign, and degree as it was when we were born. 

So, Saturn Returns occur for everyone around age 27 and a half to age 30, where our life goes one of two ways — we either take off soaring on our way to a successful, happy path OR everything crumbles around us, and we feel like we’re falling apart. For many of us, it’s the latter. 

Since it happens every 29 years or so, it will reappear around ages 28-30, then 58-60 as well ages 84 to 87ish if we’re blessed to make it that far. There’s a range of ages here because Saturn returns don’t occur at the same time or age as everyone else due to retrograde periods that occur every year. Just look at your birth chart to determine the time when Saturn hits that same degree as your natal Saturn to identify yours. 

We often feel the impact of this transition starting to unfold a few years before it begins — prior to the big 3-0 or the big 6-0. These times reflect a metaphorical rebirth, which is why it can feel so painful. They don’t call them growing pains for nothing.

Often these Saturn Returns will manifest as an earth-shaking crisis that will put us face-to-face with our deepest fears. These dark nights of the soul cause us to reflect on our lives and question the path we’re on. 

These tower moments can shake us to our core because prior to this we might have thought we had all our ducks in a row, but these wake-up calls serve as an opportunity to correct our course to put us on the path that we’re most aligned with. Saturn helps to nudge us back on the path we’re supposed to travel. It can feel unsettling to be faced with these moments when everything you thought you wanted comes into question, as you realize you are not who, what or where you want to be. The pressure that Saturn applies can feel insurmountable. Ask any Capricorn. Capricorns are ruled by Saturn. We usually have a love-hate relationship with this stern planet. 

During a Saturn Return, careers will take off — or completely flop. You’ll meet the love of your life — or bolt from the partner you thought you’d be with forever. These phases of life when Saturn bears down on us, can seem like a life crisis. Some call the 1^st Saturn Return the “quarter-life crisis” in fact. The reason you always hear everyone talking about Saturn Returns is because these are extremely pivotal time periods that will shape your attitude and outlook for the next 30 years.

Saturn is a strict teacher who’s able to firmly nudge us on track while forcing us to take accountability for our actions and mature almost overnight through life-changing circumstances that won’t seem like it at the time but could turn out to be blessings. Saturn snaps us out of the rut we’ve been in to live a more awakened and fulfilling life. There’s no hiding from Saturn. If you’re up to no good or avoiding what needs to be done, he will hold you accountable. He may gain our attention through pain and discomfort, but he always leaves us with a gift at the end if we lean into the transformation needed and put in the hard work. 

Each of the 3 Saturn Returns can bring different types of lessons. 

Let’s look at those. 

The first Saturn return in your late twenties is all about graduating to adulthood and stepping into a more responsible and mature role, correcting any mistakes you made when you were just getting your feet wet in the real world. You will discover just who you are as you explore your identity over this transit. You could experience a change in career, a shift in your educational interests, a change in your relationship status, and even a change in residence. Your life most likely will not look the same after this transit. You’ll certainly be a much different person due to the experiences you had over this period. Saturn, like Pluto, helps to remove what is no longer serving us be it jobs, people, outdated beliefs, or limiting mindsets. 

If you’re past middle age, think back to the time before you turned 30. Was there an event or series of events that stick out in your mind as particularly stressful? Can you see how that trying time shifted you to a better path than you were on? Can you see how you matured through that experience? 

Most people come out of these Saturn Returns as a more mature version of themselves with a clearer vision for what’s ahead for them.

The second Saturn return, as you approach 60, might have you thinking about what retirement will look like. You might be caring for aging parents, be an empty-nester now, or recently divorced and hoping for another chance at love. You might even suffer a health crisis. You’ll assess whether you think you’ve wasted some of your life chasing the wrong things, and it could end up being a time when you shift careers to a new field. You may even take up a new set of skills to broaden your interests to keep from being bored the next 30 years. You’ll ask yourself, “Do I still have time to chase my dream?” 

The third Saturn return in your mid to late 80s is about leaning into your creative and spiritual side and is about saying goodbye according to Aliza Einhorn. You’ll be reflecting on your life as you prepare to transition to the other side. But before you do, you have wisdom and sage advice to share with those who will listen. You’re the elder now with a vast array of life experiences under your belt. During this phase, you’ll have to choose how you want to spend your time now that you are most likely retired. And you’ll be focused on what your legacy will be. 

If you understand what Saturn’s here to teach us, you navigate this storm in a way where you can embrace the change that’s meant to transform you in glorious ways. We don’t know what we’re made of till we’re tested. Those opportunities blow the doors off what we’d previously thought was possible. If you can wisely steer yourself through those gusty winds, you’ll likely come out the other side not just stronger but braver and happier than you ever thought possible.

I was watching the Shaun White documentary a few months ago and was engrossed in the part where he didn’t medal at his 3rd Olympics in 2014 after winning Gold at the previous 2 games. When I saw all the opposition and struggles mounting against him after decades of dominance in the field, I knew it must be his Saturn return. And I was right. He was 27 and a half at the time of that Olympics and he had to fight through several years of conditioning and pushing himself to his limits to rise back to the top of the sport by the 2018 winter games when he was  31 years old. He pushed through that really rough period of severe injuries and failed training sessions to come back for a 4th Olympics and win the gold medal again with back-to-back 1440s. I remember watching it at the time because I lost my voice cheering him on! It just goes to show you that even the best of us can be knocked down by these planetary forces, but we rise again once the adversity has revealed the lesson we were meant to learn.

You can look at each of these Saturn Returns as milestones or a rite of passage, but one thing’s for sure, you won’t be the same after any of these transits, transforming radically, like a snake shedding its skin. It’s okay to mourn the loss of who you were before, but the world is excited to meet the new you! 

Tips For Navigating Your Saturn Returns

If you find yourself in a Saturn Return now or are approaching one, I’ve got some tips to help you withstand this storm and even thrive once you’re on the other side of it. 

Above all else, take Elsa’s advice and learn to Let Go - Don’t be afraid to release what no longer serves you. Saturn is pushing you to hold yourself accountable, so you’re going to be pushed the most where you aren’t taking responsibility.

Are you sticking around at a dead-end job just because it pays the bills? Saturn is going to force you out either through quitting or being fired. If you aren’t feeling challenged at that job, it’s not the right fit for you, and you’ll land somewhere that brings you more joy or more opportunity for growth. Staying in a place just because it’s comfortable isn’t going to fly with Saturn. Believe me, I know. Or maybe it is time to say goodbye to that relationship that’s fallen into a rut, or at least to work to change the relationship so you’re both happy. If you’ve been neglecting your health, Saturn will prompt you to build in self-care and change your diet and implement some healthier exercise routines to make your body feel better. But that might require a health crisis first to get your attention. 

Now matter how this Saturn transit manifests for you, it’s likely that you will feel like your world is turning upside down, but what’s really transpiring is that all the things you’ve outgrown or no longer desire, are coming loose so you can step into a revised version of yourself.

Remember, things fall apart so better things  can fall into place. 

Next, you’ll want to revise your expectations of how you thought your life would pan out or how you thought it should be at this point. Saturn Returns are all about exploration, learning, and deep inner reflection. Be gentle with yourself during this two to three-year period. Don’t hold on to anything too tightly and learn to embrace change. By the end of it, you’ll have a better picture of where you’re going and it’s likely different than you had envisioned it before this transit. 

Saturn Returns are all about self-reflection. Turning inward will help you ride the waves more smoothly. Let your imagination and your inner voice guide you. During this time, you will be asking yourself, “Who am I?” “What do I want?” Why am I here?” and “What can I do today that my future-self will thank me for?”

These choices will be presented as a crossroads. You’ll have to choose a direction to go. It’s a milestone where you are leaving your old self behind and entering a whole new phase of adulthood. 

When in doubt, turning inward always seems to help because that’s where we’ll hear the whispers of our soul. Our higher self has a higher vantage point than we do. You can trust that they’ll guide you through this maze to the other side. 

During this time, let yourself dream about your inner-most desires. That’s how our soul shows us glimpses of what’s meant for us. By visualizing yourself doing things that bring you joy, you can step into your future more gracefully. Our gut is our second brain. Learn to read your gut instincts to help you decipher the messages that are meant for you. Like constellations, those gut feelings will guide you to your true north. 

Really take the time during this period to reassess and reevaluate every area of your life. This is the time of your life to take stock of what’s working and what isn’t. Be honest with yourself and you will liberate yourself from all the baggage you’re carrying around. You’ll likely feel a whole lot lighter by the end of this transit if you’ve allowed yourself to dump that extra weight you’ve been needlessly carrying. Saturn’s applying pressure to get you to put in the work to improve your life. If you take a thorough inventory of everything in your life and make the necessary adjustments, then you’ll emerge on the other side with a clearer sense of purpose.

It will feel unnerving at the time because to force you out of your comfort zone, Saturn has to shake you up and allow things to crumble, but what Saturn’s really doing is directing you to the right path for the next 30 years, so you can stay in alignment with your purpose. The more you resist, the more it will hurt. Let go of the idea that you will be happy when you get your ducks in a row and throw out that nagging voice that says you should be farther along in life than you are now. That’s all about to change anyway with this transit. And keep your eyes on your own path, no one else’s. During this period of your life, you want to reflect on your own journey. Letting go and releasing your resistance to the unknown will help you glide into the next phase of your life. But don’t worry. You’ll get to where you’re supposed to be. Saturn will make sure of that.

Taylor Swift's Saturn Return

Taylor Swift certainly went through a very transformative Saturn Return, which hit around January 2019. That was the year she announced that she was going to start re-recording her previous albums after Scooter Braun bought Taylor’s label and acquired her master recordings. That same year she released her album Lover on her new label. And she underwent a massive transformation and surprised fans with 2 albums in 2020 during the pandemic, which were vastly different from her previous musical styles. Her metamorphosis through her late 20’s paid off since she’s in a whole new stratosphere now, becoming the most dominant force in the music industry. She showed us how to face those Saturn return challenges and turn them into gold or platinum I should say! Her next 30 years are certain to be dazzling!

Let’s explore Saturn’s influence through the tarot! 

In astrology, Saturn is regarded as the greater malefic, associated with hardship, restriction, discipline, boundaries and limitations, mirroring Saturn’s rings. Saturn also symbolizes responsibility, control, and ambition, He’s the father figure that teaches us about tradition, structure, responsibility, and authority. Saturn can bring delays and urge caution.

The Devil card in the Major Arcana is the card for Capricorn, which is ruled by Saturn. Capricorn is the sign of business, career, worldly success, and social standing. It's also the sign of property and material resources. The devil offers a glimpse at everyone's dark side, especially in regards to greed, corruption, and abuse of power. Saturn reflects our innate desire for structure and order, and in the Devil card its energy is reflected in a hard-working nature, which can easily descend into slaving along in dull routines, narrow-mindedness, and lack of growth. 

Saturn also rules and the 10th House of our birth charts – the house of career and social status, both of which come at great expense and sacrifice. 

Saturn is associated with the World card in the major arcana with the wreath around the figure in RWS, like Saturn’s rings. Although the World is a card of completion and achievement, being the last card in the tarot majors, the energy of Saturn suggests boundaries and limitations as well. In essence, this is as good as it will get. And there’s a warning for the need for self-regulation; and the need to maintain what has been achieved. 

Saturn is also linked to the following minor arcana cards: the 5 of Wands, 10 of Wands, 8 of Cups, 3 of Swords, and 7 of Pentacles. 

Let’s diver deeper to explore how Saturn influences these card meanings in the minors 

Five of Wands: Saturn in Leo (Lord of Strife) - These five solo figures in this card are trying to join forces but seem to be butting heads, quarreling, and going off in their own directions instead of uniting for 1 approach to their goal. If they want to make progress and accomplish anything as a group, they'll need the discipline and structure that Saturn can provide. This group must listen to each other’s ideas and overcome any misunderstandings before they can make progress together.

Ten of Wands: Saturn in Sagittarius (Lord of oppression) - In the 10 of Wands, Saturn's burden and sense of duty weighs the figure down and slows their forward motion and progress, which can put a damper on their hopes and dreams. This card often represents overwork and disorganization. But there’s also an awareness of self-limitations with this card and discipline and self-reliance that creates suffering.  Saturn can help with that by reminding this figure that their dreams and ideas can often take a lot work to organize and manifest.

Eight of Cups: Saturn in Pisces (Lord of Abandoned Success) - In this card, Saturn didn't have to work too hard to convince them to walk away. Having outgrown this area of their life, they have turned their back on the cups because there was no more growth available in this situation. And even though they are leaving this comfort zone, they're off in search of something with more soul fulfillment. This card is titled the Lord of abandoned success because it illustrates the act of deserting a dream or walking away from a responsibility. Other dreams will rise to take the place of what was left behind.

Three of Swords: Saturn in Libra (Lord of Sorrow) - The 3 of Swords often symbolizes sadness, melancholy, and emotional endurance. We see here that Saturn’s influence shows up as the heavy weight of grief, loss, or a painful lesson. This heartbreak could even be due to infidelity or divorce. Even though the person may feel stuck in this sorrow now, there will be an opportunity for wisdom, understanding, and maybe even forgiveness down the road.

Seven of Pentacles: Saturn in Taurus (Lord of Success Unfulfilled) - With Saturn in Taurus it will almost certainly force us to wait for an extended period of time before we reap the rewards from the seeds we’ve sown. Our hard work will pay off eventually, but we must have patience as the seeds mature. Here, Saturn serves as a patient taskmaster, teaching the value of determination and perseverance. In this card, Saturn delays gratification and the reward until they've been earned, forcing us to learn self-discipline and to allow life to run its natural course. 

Resources on Saturn, Astrology and Tarot

If you want to learn more about Saturn check out The Little Book of Saturn: Astrological Gifts, Challenges, and Returns by Aliza Einhorn and Tarot and Astrology: Enhance your Readings with the Wisdom of the Zodiac by Corrine Kenner. Information from their books was used to pull together this information for you today. Those are great astrological resources!

Navigating My Saturn Return Spread

Here's the 9 card spread I created to help us navigate those tricky Saturn transits, especially Saturn Returns. I'd love to see the photo of your spreads. Please tag me in your posts @healingthrutarot and please use #httsaturnreturnspread

Books and Decks shown in this blog or recommended:

The Little Book of Saturn, Tarot and Astrology, The Light Seers Tarot,  Rider Waite Smith Tarot, Soul Journeys Cards, Postcards from the Liminal Space (out of print), The Divining Sisters, The Call of the Cards, We Divine Three, The Threads of Fate, The Unbinding 

To listen to the podcast episode that goes along with this blog, Ep. 61: Navigating Saturn Returns + What the Saturnian Cards in Tarot Have to Teach Us, you can find it here

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Alexandra Steele, a clinical psychologist, stumbles upon a mystical store in downtown, Memphis, TN, where she encounters tarot cards for the first time. She doesn't realize it at the time, but this simple encounter will leave her life forever changed as she uncovers a world of past life connections to the cards and the craft of divination. This sparks an awakening that opens door after door of a long line of mystic and witch incarnations that run throughout her history. As she reconnects to these deep mystical ties, she begins to learn about her destiny, which is revealed as she starts to encounter coven sisters and foes from previous incarnations. Will her tendency to hide in the shadows and play small continue to hold her back or will the call of the cards lure her onto her destined path of a life full of magic and sisterhood?

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