You’re all clued up about your Saturn return. You brace yourself for Mercury retrograde (and triple-check all travel details and emails when it’s happening… right?). But what about Saturn retrograde? 

It might be that this is a retrograde you haven’t heard so much about, perhaps because it doesn’t have the same chaotic buzz around it as Mercury’s version. But Saturn retrograde can affect us, too, and the big news is that it’s happening right now. 

Here’s your need-to-know guide. 

All planets have retrograde seasons. This is basically an optical illusion that makes it look as though the planet is moving backwards from our vantage point here on Earth, due to orbital position and speeds. 

From an astrological POV, it means that the planet’s influence is blocked or even reversed while in retrograde. We all know about the infamous, meme-tastic Mercury retrogrades that occur several times a year to screw up our travel, technology, communication and commerce plans and schemes. Well, Saturn has one too, although it occurs far less often due to being an outer planet. Given this retrograde lasts for nearly five months, we’ve got plenty of time to really sit with it and use it to our advantage.

Saturn is an outer planet (like Neptune, Pluto and Uranus), meaning it is far from the sun and therefore has a very slow orbit, so its transits take a long time to unfold – years rather than weeks or months. It is the ruler of earthy, cardinal Capricorn (which gives you a clue as to its nature) and its tarot talisman is the Devil.

Saturn went retrograde on 17 June 2023 and will remain in retrograde all the way up to 4 November 2023. 

In case you want to get prepared for next year: in 2024, Saturn will go retrograde in Pisces on 29 June and will return direct on 15 November. 

Saturn is the planet linked to Capricorn, which we know is the hardest-working sign in the whole zodiac. Saturn is a task master, a disciplinarian, a worker bee. Saturn expects and then Saturn comes to collect. Saturn rings the bell that chimes: “It’s time to grow up and start adulting.” Karma, justice, discipline are all linked to Saturn’s powers. When Saturn is flowing, we’re all working hard, delivering and making headway in our studies, work or commitments.

In retrograde, we get a lengthy ‘break time’. Not to play as such (Saturn doesn’t let us off the leash that far…), but to reflect and reassess the status and trajectory of our ambitions, work, commitments and goals. Now is the time to reflect on where you are and how you got here. Now is the time to ask yourself what is working well and what might need adjustment or even switching out of the plan. Seek feedback, question yourself, measure results, assess wins and losses.

Saturn always wants us to value ourselves and our abilities. Waste not, want not. Saturn smiles when we appreciate that we need to do more with what we’ve got, with the advantages given, with the time left. Life is not forever and there are no guarantees, and no one is going to make our life happen for us. To each of us is gifted a bag of tools, a book of rules and a ticking clock. Saturn wants you to not just know or understand but to believe that you are responsible for your life. You have accountability for how this story turns out. Use it. Your decisions and actions shape and create the life you lead. Time and opportunity are not infinite. Youth withers (gulp). Health is not guaranteed. You’re not bulletproof nor immortal. It’s time to focus, recalibrate, get serious and start delivering and creating the lifestyle you want. It’s time to live well.

Carry on doing what needs to be done – the urgent and important – but carve away time to reassess and reflect on your trajectory, destination, position, and learnings. See this as a window of opportunity to redraft your plans, goals, schedule and priorities. See this as an opening to redesign your life. See this as a chance to align with who you really are, what you really want, and what you can really do.

You can’t be anything you want, but you can be everything you are. Get real and get busy.

Scroll down to your sign below to receive a little booster message to guide you through this transit.

Aries 

21 March to 19 April

Your energy and vitality are unmatched. You can make a success of anything, it’s just a question now of finding the right focus for it.

Taurus

20 April to 20 May

You were born to adult. Creating security, comfort, luxury and prosperity are your natural gifts. Lean into them.

Gemini

21 May to 20 June

Your youthfulness will never leave you. Your childlike wonder is eternal. You just need to find work you’re stimulated by.

Cancer 

21 June to 22 July

Listen to your intuition throughout this phase. You have a powerful inner sat-nav that can guide you to where you’re meant to build.

Leo 

23 July to 22 August

This is it. No dress rehearsal. You’re on stage, performing, and it’s up to you what kind of show it is. Make it one to remember.

Virgo

23 August to 22 September

Show others how it’s done! You are the most organised, mature, ready to ~adult~ sign going. You make this stuff look easy. Help others.

Libra 

23 September to 22 October

Your greatest test is having faith in being the ‘doer’ v the ‘done to’. Find your assertive voice and use it.

Scorpio 

23 October to 21 November

Don’t get stubborn and suppress feelings of discomfort. Use them as signals to guide you to what needs to change… and change it.

Sagittarius 

22 November to 21 December

Keep a sense of humour and you’re good. You always land on your feet – born lucky (ruled by Jupiter, is why).

Capricorn

22 December to 19 January

Saturn is your sign. This is child’s play to you! Set the example.

Aquarius 

20 January to 18 February

See this whole phase as a puzzle, a game, a problem to be solved and put your powerful intellect into play.

Pisces 

19 February to March 20

Get help getting your career goals lined up, your finances streamlined and your life admin under control… and you’re good to go. 

Kerry Ward, aka Tarotbella, is the creator of The Good Karma Tarot, The Crystal Magic Tarot, and Power, Purpose, Practice which releases worldwide on 7 September. The book will reveal your personal cosmic powers, your destiny and life purpose, and tailored practices to help you fulfil this potential. You can pre-order a copy here.

You can also catch Kerry at the Hotel Riomar, Santa Eulalia, Ibiza, for a Full Moon in Pisces evening including a tarot workshop, 1-1 readings, oracle readings, yoga flow and guided meditation. Book here.

Images: Getty