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Saturn Retrograde ~ January 13 to May 30, 2010


Saturn stations on January 13 to join Mercury and Mars in retrograde motion. As with any retrograde planet, Saturn's retrograde period, from January 13 to May 30, 2010, turns our focus inward. Saturn, the taskmaster, teaches us lifelong karmic lessons. His approach is thorough through accepting our realities and applying disciplined, practical and hard work to rise above what limits us and be a success in our endeavors.

In the sign Libra, Saturn's focus is on our significant relationships and the obligations that come with our commitments to them. It is the less romantic approach to love but with the lesson learned comes longevity and strength of union. The same holds true for other platonic but committed partnerships. Despite personal difficulties, hurdles to jump over, broken pieces to pick up and sweat poured from the hard work, this relationship (with a best friend, business partner, parent, sibling, etc.) endures.

From April 7 until July 21, Saturn returns to Virgo. He will not transit Virgo again for another 29 or 30 years. This is a last look for us all at Saturn's lessons of the past two and a half years, while he was in Virgo. For some of us, this period might also be reminiscent of the days and events of October 2009. Tie up any remaining loose ends. Perhaps for most of us, it will be a sigh of relief as we take stock of where/who we were prior to 2007 when Saturn first entered Virgo. How far have we come?! Those with Saturn, the Sun or Moon in Virgo natally and within the last degrees of Virgo may feel the affects of Saturn's return to Virgo more so than others.

While Saturn is retrograde, we may find it difficult to move forward with our plans, especially until mid-March when Mars (action) is also retrograde. Don't be frustrated. Consider that things are not moving forward as quickly as you'd like because, despite what you might believe, you or the situation may not be completely ready to move ahead. Take the opportunities presented to you, limit actions, take smaller strides, and leave negative thinking/energies behind. Saturn's actions and steps may be measured, but they are effective and successful.

For me, as a late-decan Virgo-rising, part of this period will be reminiscent of Saturn's entrance to my natal 1st house last fall, right after Saturn conjunct with my Pluto. Since my house angles are all within the last degrees of mutable signs, Saturn's conjunct to Pluto and entrance to my natal 1st house was a very loud and jarring arrival that affected more than one facet of my life, which I continue to work with. This retrograde period might be one where I become aware of what I may have missed the first time since I may been too frazzled then.

How might Saturn's direction change and return to Virgo affect your life? Look to the house/s occupied by Libra from zero to 4 degrees and Virgo from 27 to 29 degrees. Then, match the signs and degrees with house cusps on your birth chart. Use the list of zodiac signs below to identify the Virgo & Libra zodiac signs on your birth chart then click here for a brief explanation of Saturn transiting those houses.


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For those without a birth chart, you may use your Sun sign or Rising/Ascendant sign, if you know it. Look for them below then click here for a brief explanation of Saturn's transit in those houses. The first house listed reflects Saturn's transit in Libra; the second house listed marks Saturn's return to Virgo from April 7 to July 21, 2010.
  • Aries-Sun or Aries-Rising ~ 7th and 6th houses
  • Taurus-Sun or Taurus Rising ~ 6th and 5th houses
  • Gemini-Sun or Gemini-Rising ~ 5th and 4th houses
  • Cancer-Sun or Cancer-Rising ~ 4th and 3rd houses
  • Leo-Sun or Leo-Rising ~ 3rd and 2nd houses
  • Virgo-Sun or Virgo-Rising ~ 2nd and 1st houses
  • Libra-Sun or Libra-Rising ~ 1st and 12th houses
  • Scorpio-Sun or Scorpio-Rising ~ 12th and 11th houses
  • Sagittarius-Sun or Sagittarius-Rising ~ 11th and 10th houses
  • Capricorn-Sun or Capricorn-Rising ~ 10th and 9th houses
  • Aquarius-Sun or Aquarius-Rising ~9th and 8th houses
  • Pisces-Sun or Pisces-Rising ~ 8th and 7th houses
Unsure if you have natal planets/house planets at these degrees of Libra and Virgo? Cast your own birth chart for use as reference -- birth date, time, and place required. Schedule a session or request a quote for a personalized reading. Or cruise on over to the AstroCreeps and TarotFreaks Forum* to start or join a discussion.

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"Stately Saturn" - Photo credit and copyright to NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute.

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