SATURN’S 5-MONTH RETROGRADE PERIOD STARTS ON 17 JUNE 2023

SATURN’S 5-MONTH RETROGRADE PERIOD STARTS ON 17 JUNE 2023

Sorting out the possible from the impossible….

Saturn will station retrograde at 07°12’ Pisces (antiscion 22°48’ Libra) on the 17^th of June to station direct at 00°31’ Pisces on 4^th November.

Saturn is the planet of restriction and order which rewards hard work and perseverance. Pisces is known for its fervid imagination and intuitive compassion, it is also the sign of being gullible and goal-less, these two qualities being totally at odds with Saturn themes. Pisces brings to mind the victim and the martyr syndrome, as well as the escapist and the emotionally fragile which are themes almost ignored by Saturnian ambition and desire to lead.

In Pisces, the Saturnian “rigidity” and “sternness” might feel uncomfortable and the terror of losing oneself in chaos or in the incomprehensible could become very real. Abandoning boundaries and letting oneself “go” are definitely not Saturnian concepts. On the other hand, Saturn in Pisces could lead to a sort of compulsive self-sacrifice connected to deep feelings of guilt. Perhaps the secret of Saturn in Pisces is learning or accepting to be humble.

At the start and at the end of each retrograde period the planet gradually slows down almost to a halt. Mainly affected by this retrograde will be those charts having planets or angles between 09-0° degrees of the Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces).

For the Mutable signs at the above-mentioned degrees, this may be either a very rewarding or a rather trying time…as always it depends on you to direct the energy and how the planet is placed by house and aspects in your own chart.

When Saturn turns retrograde it will slow down the normal speed of everyday things in order for us to be able to develop better procedures and tactics in our lives. Saturn provides us with the rules and regulations with which we guide ourselves, our sense of responsibility and our limits. Saturn defines boundaries, so what better time than its annual retrograde period to determine the possible from the impossible in our lives? Look to the house axis that this retrograde involves.

In fact, this is an excellent moment to assess and correct any commitments that you may have unrealistically taken on, a time to refine any projects or consider any responsibilities undertaken in the past and also to process and overcome any fears we might have in that sector of our chart where Saturn is transiting. Saturn retrograde gives us the opportunity to say NO to the burdens that prove too heavy for us or to address fears that have been tormenting us. So, during this period, re-assess past responsibilities without taking on any new ones and likewise postpone any possible long-term commitments that might come now until after the retrograde period is over because you might just realize that they are, in fact, too heavy for you.

The Sabian symbol for 8° Pisces: “A girl blowing a bugle.” Indicating a call to participation in the service of the race, as an evolutionary crisis approaches.

For its antiscion point at 23° Libra: “Chanticleer’s voice heralds sunrise.” Indicating a creative and joyous response to lie processes.

“Fear of change is so often the result of imagined consequences rather than reality.” Richard Gerver, Change: Learn to Love It, Learn to Lead It

Bibliography

Rudhyar D. (1974) “An Astrological Mandala: the cycles of transformations and its 360 symbolic phases”. p. 187 and 273, Vintage Books Edition, Random House Inc., New York, USA

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