Saturn is sometimes viewed by many as a negative entity that causes us the pain and suffering that we experience in our lives. This is not entirely true as a lot of that is brought on through our own neglect of what the Universe is trying to tell us. Saturn is really our teacher (Or drill instructor, depending on how well you listen) who examines our maturity and choices in life. When you start going off your path into undesirable waters, Saturn will be there to help you get back on track. Granted it will most likely be not in the nicest of ways sometimes, but what do you expect from a planet that doesn't fuck around or take bullshit? So people end up hating Saturn because they loath the work they need to do within themselves (which by the way, is the whole reason you are here!). Saturn will give you the proper ass kicking you need to get set right. Saturn governs time, karma, wisdom, responsibility, discipline, money, status, old age, death and is of a masculine energy that rules 10th and 11th houses.
What is Saturn's Return?
Saturn completes a single orbit around the Sun every 29.5 - 30 years. When you were born, Saturn was in a particular house or sign like Gemini or Cancer. For Saturn to return to the to the sign that it was in when you were born is called Saturn's Return. This is noted in many cultures as a cosmological rite of passage. Why? Because these events are notes where big changes happen in peoples lives during this time and is even attributed in songs like "The Grudge" by Tool and "Saturn's Return" by No Doubt. I am sure there are plenty of examples of references to this phenomena in what particular genre of music you listen to.
When I was born, Saturn was midway through Scorpio, If you were to look today it's about midway through Capricorn, so I have already had my first one. When it comes back through Scorpio again, that would be my second Saturn Return and by that time I would be right around 58-60 years old. Thankfully that is a long ways off and I will have much learning and growing to do in the mean time.
Your first Saturn's return is really just about an ushering into adulthood where we have to take the training wheels off and do it for real. If you are in your late 20's to mid 30's and are questioning longtime friendships, your career, relationships, marriages and other significant life choices then you are probably feeling the effects of this event.
The second and possible third return's I haven't quite figured out yet but I feel at this time they are another chance to correct things in your life that need addressing if you didn't do everything the first time around. You of course do not have to wait for this event to make changes in your life. Every day, hour, minute and second is a chance to make changes. Listen to yourself and learn to listen and trust your intuition. It will never steer you wrong.
Love to all.
Photo Credits:
Hourglass - Nathan Dumlao
Bicycle - rawpixel