Our late 20s are a fast-moving time. The years before one turns thirty can be some of the most stressful, chaotic, and full of life changes. Just ask Gwen Stefani, who penned an entire album about it, or Adele, who got a tattoo to mark the difficulties of her Saturn return. It turns out that pandemonium is caused by an astrological component. Every person experiences a Saturn return as they approach the end of their third decade. It is a significant planetary occurrence in astrology that heralds a time of profound transformation, ushering us out of infancy and teaching us lessons about maturity.
Saturn takes approximately 29.5 years to complete one full orbit around the sun, so the phrase “Saturn return” literally refers to Saturn returning to the exact position in the zodiac where you were born. Everyone has their first Saturn return between the ages of 27 and 30, as this is when Saturn aligns with its position in your birth chart for the first time. These years are frequently marked by a great deal of upheaval — think break-ups or marriages, changing careers, moving to a new city, or simply coming to terms with the changes you must make in your life.
Saturn’s Astrological Influence
Saturn is associated with tough love and hard work in astrology. It is symbolic of accountability, discipline, boundaries, structure, patience, and maturity. All of these aspects of your life will be tested during your Saturn return. Saturn is known as the zodiac’s great teacher, so when it completes its first full orbit through your birth chart in your late twenties, expect some harsh life lessons — and some major growth.
Saturn returns have the ability to shake up the foundation of our lives, exposing our weak points and immaturities because Saturn is the planet associated with structure and maturity. It can be frightening and overwhelming to suddenly have to deal with the messes we made in our teens and twenties, but the blessing in this chaos is gaining a newfound ability to step into our own power. This means we can begin to fill the gaps in our lives and take more mature and powerful responsibility for ourselves.
When Will Your Saturn Return Begin?
If you’re approaching 30, you’re probably in the midst of your first Saturn return (it typically peaks at around 29 years but can be felt before and after that, too). Many astrologers believe that your Saturn return begins when Saturn enters the sign it was in at the time of your birth, which means that some people may feel the effects a year or two sooner than others. Some astrologers, however, do not consider someone to be in their Saturn return until transiting Saturn approaches the exact degree of their natal Saturn, which necessitates a more precise calculation.
What Happens When Saturn Returns?
When Saturn re-aligns with your natal position, this new beginning can trigger a full-fledged reckoning and crisis point. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed by personal issues and responsibilities during this time, but it’s also an opportunity to learn from past mistakes and confront these challenges head-on.
If you’re living your life in an unauthentic way (for example, staying in a toxic relationship or a dead-end job), listen to the voice inside your heart that is screaming for change. While taking a leap of faith can be frightening, your Saturn return asks that you put in the effort necessary to be true to yourself.
Saturn, the planet of patience and diligence, frowns on shortcuts or temporary fixes. In other words, the more we suppress the inner turmoil that arises during our Saturn returns, the messier things will become. These times also require us to step up when it comes to dealing with adult responsibilities. Is it finally time to get a credit card? When is your next therapy appointment? Start that company? Should I quit my job? Say yes to the gown. Whether you’re on the verge of committing to something or abandoning it, your Saturn return asks you to be mature and focused in your decision-making — and to brave the internal struggles that come with such life-changing decisions.