As he remains in retrograde motion, Saturn steps back into Virgo from April 7 to July 21 for a last look until another 27 years. During part of this period when he returns to Virgo, he is joined by Mercury and Pluto, who are also retrograde and introspective (Mercury - April 18 to May 11; Pluto - April 6 to September 14). Expect for an even deeper look within our core, as three planets turn their focus inward.

While in Virgo, Saturn retraces his steps from this past October 2009. Issues or events on or around that period may resurface while Saturn revisits Virgo. This does not need to be a period full of dread. It is simply an opportunity to resolve open issues, to take a final assessment of where things stand, or to reflect upon where/how things were then compared to now.

Saturn is the taskmaster of the zodiac, whose job is to teach us our life lessons as he transits through each sign of the zodiac. Although, he expects nothing less than commitment and hard work, he also believes in rewarding sincere efforts. It is also in our best interest to yield to what he teaches us, for what we do not bring forth to face head on comes back to us later as fate.

No matter where we are in life or how we've lived thus far, Saturn's transit in Virgo may have caused us or forced us to take a look at our health more seriously and change our lifestyle -- may it be diet/exercise or grooming or managing stress levels, etc. Some of us who tend to pick at the minutia of every, boring detail may have realized that sometimes seeing the bigger picture casts a light upon which details are truly important to deal with; this, in turn, help us worry less. Others may have learned the opposite -- commitment to a project or the bigger picture also means dedication to the many steps that must be taken to realize the ultimate goal; this gives our endeavors context and feasibility. There are also those of us who may have grown to the idea of service -- may it be caring for a family member or volunteering or simply becoming more involved in helping others out. The ones who may have shunned the idea of "routine" may have learned to find comfort and grounding in it during Saturn in Virgo.

Whatever your situation may have been regarding Saturn's transit in Virgo, honor these next few months by congratulating yourself for having learned your Saturn in Virgo lessons. If you have chosen to avoid or escape from what you know you needed to commit to and tackle, it's never too late to start making improvements upon the quality of your life. Saturn's lessons are never easy, but they are worth while with lifelong rewards for the hard work.

Saturn's return to Virgo occurs from 29 degrees back to 27 degrees. Late-born Virgos (September 19 to 24), third decan Virgo-risings or those with natal planets/house angles around 27 to 29 degrees of mutable signs may feel the effects of this transit more strongly than others. For all Virgos or Virgo-risings, this may be a very personal period where you reflect upon the major changes or life-altering decisions you've made within your self and your life's situations while Saturn was in your sign, beginning September 2007. For those who had their Saturn Return, kudos for having survived :) Take the next few months to tie up loose ends and make sure to give yourself credit for having worked out your return.

While Saturn is back in Virgo, Saturn will once again oppose Uranus on April 26, 2010. This will be the fourth of five occasions that Saturn and Uranus will perfect their opposition. This will also be the last opposition in Virgo-Pisces.

Saturn returns to Virgo on April 7 at 2:51 p.m. EST and re-enters Libra on July 21 at 11:10 a.m. EST, where he will remain until October 5, 2012. Saturn changes direction and begins forward movement on May 30, 2010 and will not retrograde again until January 2011.

For me, I am one of those third decan Virgo-risings with my natal Ascendant at 26 degrees of Virgo. Saturn's return to Virgo will come close to touching my ascendant and remind me of all the changes that I've made since last fall, since 2007 -- which proved to be improvements and which were a waste of my time but taught me lessons. The changes I've made helped bring me closer to my true self and living a life truer to what motivates me. From this perspective, it doesn't seem like I've made significant changes. I'm still just working with the same work ethic. I'm still a multi-tasker whose mind can't be still. I'm still equally silly and serious :) The difference is that now I'm doing something that I find true joy in and that I believe in. From that perspective, I have to take a deep breath because it's kind of big and scary to see all that's left to do, to master, to create, but also to enjoy.

How will this Saturn transit influence your birth chart? Look to the natal house/s ruled by Virgo. Match the signs with the house cusps on your birth chart. Use the list of zodiac signs below to identify the Virgo zodiac sign on your birth chart then click here for a brief explanation.



Click image to see larger

For those without a birth chart, you may use your Sun sign or Rising/Ascendant sign, if you know it. Look for your Sun and Rising signs below then click here for a brief explanation of Saturn transiting those houses.

• Aries-Sun or Aries Rising ~ 6th House
• Taurus-Sun or Taurus Rising ~ 5th House
• Gemini-Sun or Gemini-Rising ~ 4th House
• Cancer-Sun or Cancer-Rising ~ 3rd House
• Leo-Sun or Leo-Rising ~ 2nd House
• Virgo-Sun or Virgo-Rising ~ 1st House
• Libra-Sun or Libra-Rising ~ 12th House
• Scorpio-Sun or Scorpio-Rising ~ 11th House
• Sagittarius-Sun or Sagittarius-Rising ~ 10th House
• Capricorn-Sun or Capricorn-Rising ~ 9th House
• Aquarius-Sun or Aquarius-Rising ~ 8th House
• Pisces-Sun or Pisces-Rising ~ 7th House

Alternatively, you may cast your own birth chart for use as reference -- birth date, time, and place required.

Are you going through a Saturn Return or interested in finding out what Saturn's lessons are for you? Schedule your session for a Saturn Return or Saturn Transit reading. (Gift certificates also available). Have a question? Ask me here. Or maybe hop over to the AstroCreeps and TarotFreaks Forum* to join in or start a discussion.

What significance do planets, signs, and houses have in astrology? Planets have the function, the job to do. The style/manner they will use get that job done is defined by the zodiac sign they occupy. Where in our life the job gets done is determined by the house the planet occupies/transits. So, when Mars (aggression) is in Aries (bold), he is more assertive than when he is in Cancer (sensitive). When traveling through the 10th house (professional life), he may bring his confidence and motivation in matters relating to our career. While in the 11th house (friendships), we may be more inclined to having our social calendar packed with activities. Having the foresight for what may be coming up or receiving confirmation on what may be happening now are ways astrology can be beneficial ... as above, so below.

Related articles:

• Transiting Saturn in Natal Houses
• Saturn Return
• Saturn Retrograde ~ January 13 to May 30, 2010
• Pluto Retrograde ~ April 6 to September 14, 2010
• Mercury Retrograde ~ April 18 to May 11, 2010
• Saturn-rx Oppose Uranus ~ April 26, 2010
• Jupiter Oppose Saturn-rx ~ May 23, 2010
• Saturn Direct ~ May 30, 2010
• Saturn Re-enters Libra ~ July 21, 2010 to October 5, 2012

*Learn more about the AstroCreeps and TarotFreaks Forum.

Saturn image taken by Cassini featured in Time Magazine's 'Year in Pictures 2009' - Credit and copyright to NASA.