Image via Wikipedia
When the planet Saturn returns, watch out – strong life lessons may be about to pop-up.
Called the “taskmaster planet,” Saturn returns to the degree it occupied at the time of your birth every 29 years. During the three-year period surrounding this date, Saturn shines a light on any areas of your life that are out-of-sync.
Challenges may suddenly become the order of the day. As daunting as it may sound, discomfort, unrest, and challenges are important wake-up calls telling you something’s amiss.
Saturn is gifting you with a wonderful chance to reshape your life in accord with your true wishes and goals. With his help, you can become stronger, wiser, and more capable. The key is to be willing to looking at life’s struggles as lessons, learn from them, and adjust your path accordingly.
Seasoned astrologer Susan Miller explains Saturn in this way:
“Saturn is the planet of concentration, permanence, tangible rewards, tenacity, ambition, and productivity. This taskmaster planet also rules caution, delay, constriction, limitation, responsibility, rules and regulations, pain, fear, authority, discipline, control and denial.
Before you say, “Ugh!”, consider this: Without Saturn, we would see little or no progress. We live in a tangible world, and Saturn urges us to deal with reality. Without Saturn we would have no gumption, no standards, or controls, no structure – just chaos.
Saturn, the Great Teacher planet, brings maturity and teaches us the value of patience and sacrifice.”
Saturn, Uranus, and me
In my own life, unrelenting challenge has been the theme for a decade. But, I can’t blame it all on Saturn! Uranus also danced into my sun sign for 9 years. He enjoys breaking rules, demolishing patterns and structures, and creating sudden – even drastic – change. Gee, thanks Uranus.
It has been one heck of a time. I’ve felt overcome by challenges, suffering, and pesky emotions. Treading water – barely. Gasping for breath. Hanging on for dear life. Hardly the triumphant heroine!
But true to task, the resulting lessons – thanks to Saturn – have been profound and life-altering indeed. Here I share just two of the most potent ones.
Potent life lessons from Saturn
1. Frustration and anger harm only you
Imagine living in a small community, in a rural area, and foreign country. Then having your health go bonkers. That’s what happened to me.
Not speaking the native language, I was wholly dependent on others for assistance. Thanks to the planetary conspiracy, miscommunication turned out to be the norm. The fulfillment of my medical requests were frequently delayed or, even worse, obstructed. Some of the medical mix-ups were downright bizarre.
It often proved impossible to get the simple food I needed for a digestive system in total disarray. Our meals were prepared by others. Each mealtime became a trigger for an emotional storm. Don’t get me wrong – the food was great, but most could not be eaten by me. I felt driven into frustration and despair with every indigestible culinary delight.
There for a purpose, I was not about to leave. So this drama went on day-in and day-out…for a very long time. I was constantly churned up, frustrated, and annoyed.
One day, I was walking back to my place after another inedible meal. My mind was in a tizzy of frustration and resentment, a full dialogue of righteousness and recrimination taking place in my head. A scene that had already taken place uncountable times.
Out of the blue, I instantly woke up.
How can you describe the remarkable moment when you suddenly see an obvious truth? One that had been fully hidden just a second ago!
The big “ah-ha” was as simple as this: the constant sense of frustration and the repetitive, negative thinking – mostly in my mind, occasionally emitting from the mouth – were only harmful to me. The negativity was making me constantly unhappy, complaining, and unpleasant. No doubt it was eating away at my sensitive gut too.
I was living 24/7 with a negative person – ME!
On the spot, I decided enough was enough. I might not be able to change the circumstances, but I could change me. I didn’t become a paragon of patience overnight, but I immediately got a good start. The change that slowly took root in my disposition became readily apparent and appreciated by all.
Ironically, as my inner landscape changed, my outer landscaped also greatly improved. Obstacles began to diminish, clear communication ensued. On top of feeling so much happier myself, I began to genuinely feel more empathy and understanding for my previous “foes.” Just being more spacious seemed to magically circumvent obstacles before they grew.
It’s true – habits die hard. I haven’t fully eliminated anger, frustration, and blame from my repertoire. But, happily they are no longer the leading stars in my life.
“Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.” -Mark Twain
2. Befriending impermanence
Have you noticed there’s almost always an automatic denial when the possibility of death touches us in some way?
In her spellbinding book, Naked in Eden, Robin Easton describes this perfectly when she says to herself, “No! Not Dad.” Recently, actor Michael Douglas responded to his diagnosis of throat cancer in the same way, “No, not me.”
We live most of our life denying the possibility of death. It never occurs to us that embracing impermanence could actually transform our lives.
Have you ever had a moment when you thought you might be dying? I did thanks to my planetary friends. More than one. Alone, in the night.
In the aftermath of those moments, I decide I needed to face up to death. These mini-shocks made me see how deeply attached I am to this body, this identity, this life, and all the plans and ideas that pile up in my head. Yet, I know, it’s this very attachment that brings suffering and pain.
How could I use these close encounters to remember dying and unravel my strong attachments now? How could I use this awareness to meet death with confidence, fully prepared?
It’s certain we are going to die, we just don’t know when or how. It might be much sooner than we think.
“Memento mori” is a Latin phrase that Christian monks repeat to help them “remember dying.” What benefit could there be to remembering dying? Here’s the short list.
Recalling our own mortality, wakes us up. It helps us live fully in the present moment and appreciate this gift of life. It reminds us that there is no time to waste. It’s an impetus to getting our priorities straight. It prompts us to express our love right now as there may be no tomorrow. It sparks us to drop negativity, anger, aggression, self-recrimination and other self-limiting emotions. Most importantly, it underscores that we are not this physical body – it’s only a temporary hotel.
“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” -Teilhard de Chardin
With its tremendous transformative power, I wish I could bring impermanence to bear on each and every moment of my life!
The potential of the Saturn return
Image from Wikipedia
The Saturn return occurs at the ages of 27-30, 58-60, 86-88.
Saturn doesn’t create problems, it just shines a light on them. If you have been living your life on-target, these may be times of fruition and further clarity. But if your life is out-of-sync, it’s likely to become obvious and uncomfortable when Saturn returns. The issues that arise typically relate to time, structure, responsibility, power and accomplishment.
Remember, it’s a chance to take a fresh look at your life. In these periods, take some time to examine the structures you have created to determine if they are serving you well. If not, here’s your chance to reset your course in a more fulfilling direction.
Do you recall the Saturn returns in your life? Do you have a life lesson to share?
If you liked this article, please share it with others. Thanks so much! Sandra
How can you describe the remarkable moment when you suddenly see an obvious truth? One that had been fully hidden just a second ago!
My answer: I describe this as a “miracle” or a shift in perception.
It’s no coincidence you bring up anger and I was sssssssssoooooooo angry at someone today. I spent a couple of hours shining light on it and now I’m going to grab my miracle.
“Miracle” is the perfect word to describe it. Thanks! We’re so lucky as human beings that these miracles happen all the time. We can change! It’s so glorious.
Dear Sandra,
thanks for letting us in on your personal inner journey. There is a lot i am taking from this post.
– Saturn is gifting you with the wonderful chance to reshape your life according to your TRUE WISHES.
— AS MY INNER LANDSCAPE changed, my outer landscape also greatly changed.
— it is a chance to take a fresh look at your life
Thanks once again.
by the way in Indian astrology we have the planet Shani that is ruled by the God Shani Dev or the Lord of Karma. Indian usually perform various rituals to appease him.
v
Hi Varuni,
Karma is also seen within the scope of Saturn, so very like Shani in Indian astrology. You really highlighted important lessons from this post. :) One point that struck me is how if we are living on purpose, there’s no need for a big shake up. But sometimes we need the big shake up to live life on purpose! It’s all perfect.
Hugs to you, my friend.
Sandra,
I had a similar epiphany many years ago, and from what looked like the worst experience of my life was born a life I love. That time in my life taught me that everything offers up both a challenge and a gift – just like Saturn.
Welcome Sandi,
I love the word “epiphany.” It perfectly describes the shift. Thanks for sharing your life experience. I agree with you – all of life is about mini-Saturns and the constant opportunity for growth. Saturn seems to come in a kick up a storm only when we are not staying tuned in to and growing from these opportunities that abound around us.
It was so nice to visit your blog. I appreciate your approach of asking the right questions at the right time! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.
Great post, Sandra. Thanks so much for sharing your story. I realized my own negativity about a year ago, and have been actively working to detach myself from things that were causing my frustration and pain. It’s funny that though I have traditionally been quite skeptical about planetary influence, I am more open to it now. The last two Mercury retrogrades have definitely coincided with turning points in my life. I just went to read about it and those times definitely happened with Mercury retrograde during my zodiac, Taurus.
I’m definitely more aware of areas my life is out of sync. I still see the remnants of an old, more negative me in my friends. I am changing quickly, perhaps growing faster than my friends. I have experienced a good amount of friction because of it, and am finding ways to accommodate my changing relationships. Perhaps Saturn is shining a light. :]
Like Sandi said, ‘everything offers up both a challenge and a gift’. Thanks so much for sharing this!
Hi Lynn,
I see so much wonderful transformation in you via the writing on your blog. You are a great inspiration to me. I feel it’s a huge step when we can acknowledge our negativity, as you have, and a springboard for moving forward. It’s interesting to hear the friction you are noting in relationships. I’m happy to see that you are finding good ways to work with this!
I’m not an avid astrology follower, but, like you, over time I’ve found a resonance that occurs repeatedly. I find astrology often provides a kind of clarity that helps take the edge off hard times. It’s interesting that many ancient wisdom traditions have forms of astrology including the Indian, Tibetan, and Chinese traditions.
Thanks for sharing your insights.
WOW!! Oh dearest Sandra, this is amaaaazing!! You KNOW I relate to this and have been through the “embracing death” thing. I am sooooo moved by this very honest sharing. I just chewed my way through it. You moved me to tears, made me chuckle because I could relate. You were so honest and open here that I feel I know you better. And what I see is so beautiful because you are laying your soul right out there for all to see. I really admire that. It makes you irresistible, like a magnet. I doubt there’s anyone alive who can’t relate to both of these experiences you share here. I felt more human just reading them. :) Thank you thank you thank you!!!
Like Varuni said, there is lot I am taking from this post. I think the biggest thing is that you give me, give us all, permission to be ourselves, to be who we really are. That is one heck of a gift, because you give us FREEDOM!
I too have had those ah -ha! moments, and write more about them in my sequel to Naked in Eden. And one is very much like yours, in that I realized when I “ranted” and “raged” at the world, I did myself more harm than anyone else. Actually, it was almost comical, because one day I realized the person/people I raged at were oblivious to my raging. They didn’t even see/”get it”. LOLOL!! :)
I am SO glad you shared all this with us. You are so beautiful and empower those around you, just by being who you already are. Isn’t that amazing. YOU are amazing.
Much love,
Robin
Oh my dearest Robin, you are the master of embracing death, the queen of courage, and the one who communes with the fairies of the forest. I am loving your story and learning so much from your book – Naked in Eden. [I rarely read books anymore so it means a lot when I say this.]
Your are a special being and your appreciation means so much to me.
Isn’t it too funny the way others can be almost oblivious to our raging. Almost like they write us off – “Oh, it’s just the raging one again!”
I am totally not the perfect human being – but I think we can all love and support each other in our imperfections because we are perfect in our true nature.
I agree with you – authenticity is where it’s at!
Thanks for your kindness and for taking the time to comment.
Hi Sandra,
Interesting post. It was cool to learn more about Saturn.
When I was 15, I had a near death experience and as a result, I became keenly aware of how life can end in a second. So as result, I decided to live my life on full throttle. My spiritual journey toned my intensity a bit but I still view life as this precious journey.
So it is so important to live life consciously and to make choices that reflect our truth. When we die, we take nothing with us except our actions and how we lived. I want to be able to leave with no regrets at all.
You are so right Nadia, what matters at the moment of death is our actions in life and how our mind is at that moment! May we all live in love.
Memento mori… I love that.
I have frequently reflected that remembrance of death (and therefore, impermanence) is essential to fully enjoying life. Otherwise, you get the limited, distorted vision of reality we are trapped in most of the time- the one that says that “this is all there is.” I’m all for embracing the present moment and living from that perspective, but it can be difficult to appreciate the now if you don’t realize that reality runs deeper. Much deeper.
Awesome post.
Welcome and thank you so much, Travis. I love what you are up to in your life and on your blog, Thinking Spirit. Young people like you give me so much hope and encouragement. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment. So glad to ‘connect’ with you.
Hi Sandra…..
It’s as if your perception of not being able to communicate who you were in your new environment was the real cause of your ailments. There was a disconnection not only of language, but of heart.
We often associate the need to express words in showing how we feel. But when we move beyond the words, or embrace the words we do use, we came to life from our death beds. When you discovered the truth of the situation, you began to express authentically that which you felt through all of your actions.
Now, when I do feel pain, I see life at the core of its dense message of mis-alignment. Pain can be our friend who whispers the way and passage back to love and the heart of all that matters.
Welcome! This is so beautifully said, “Pain can be our friend who whispers the way and passage back to love and the heart of all that matters.” I think you are right about the disconnection! Thanks for taking a moment to share your insight and wisdom.
Hi Sandra, what a story about your experience in a foreign culture! I’m glad things are more stable now.
This was interesting about Saturn, as the most tumultuous year of my entire life occurred the year I turned 29. My misery did help me realize that I needed to make some big changes, though. I did end up meeting the man that became my husband (and still is!) and I left the social work field 2 years later.
As far as awareness of death, I drowned when I was 13. The weird thing is I’m an excellent swimmer and it was in 4 ft of water in a pool. No one knows why it happened or how I avoided any permanent damage from being underwater for 15-20 minutes.
I had another scare last year, but not of death, of being permanently disabled for decades. I worried I would be trapped in my house like my grandmother was. Fortunately, I am doing much better and I can even do light exercise. It has been hard to let go of the expectations for myself and concentrate on wellness.
Jennifer,
I’m am continually amazed by you and so happy to have connected with you in this vast world of the internet! 29 is definitely the big year for Saturn return. I’m glad you were able to redirect yourself positively. Your tale of actual death is amazing! I’m so sorry you recently encountered another big scare last year. I really hear you when you say how difficult it is to let go of expectations of yourself and allow yourself to focus on wellness. I’ve been thinking about that quite a lot as I’ve been reading Naken in Eden. Robin didn’t go to the rainforest to heal or to awaken, but this is what happened. She allowed herself the time and space to just be and she was also in a nourishing environment (for her) and open to looking into herself. I often see in myself how hard it can be to give myself that time and space. I really appreciate how this is a challenge for you, too. But I know you are also living consciously and simply being aware of this is a huge step forward. It was really good to hear from you.