My Saturn Return Story

What is Your Saturn Return 

If you were born around 29 years ago and have Saturn in Aquarius in your Natal Chart, congratulations! You're about to observe your first Saturn Return. You should have begun to feel the effect of your Saturn Return as soon as Saturn entered Aquarius on 3/21 at 8:58 PM PST and it will officially begin as soon as Saturn returns to the exact degree in occupies in your Natal Chart. 

The Saturn Return can be scary for some people because it's gotten a bad reputation but one's Saturn Return is a time of maturity when you face challenges that force you to finally grow up and take responsibility for your life -- whether you think you already have or not. Think of this as a test of your ability to adult, a time when you get the opportunity to put to use everything you learned before.

Pay attention to what happens to you, the things that stress you, the things that scare you, the events that challenge you when Saturn first enters Aquarius. This will give you an idea of what you can expect when your Saturn Return officially begins when it returns to the exact degree it occupied in your Natal Chart.

My Saturn Return Story 

I was born with Saturn in 3° Cancer and the 9th House. My Saturn Return unofficially began on 6/5/2003 when Saturn entered Cancer. However, it wasn't exact until 7/3/2003, which was three months before my 30th birthday.  It is important that I explain that in my Saturn Return Chart, Saturn occupies my 10th house of career, ambition, and profession; and as Saturn rules Capricorn, Saturn also ruled my 4th house of home, family, and living situation. This will be important as you read the story below.

At that time, I was still living in South Carolina and working as an Assistant Manger with Defender Services in the Springs Cotton Mills. However, that Summer we were told that the mill would be closing due to NAFTA and many operations moving overseas.  I was able to draw unemployment and in January 2004 I went to work for a Home Improvement company that shall remain nameless.  

At this new job I had to deal with a lot of homophobia and abuse, not only from customers but also from co-workers and management. Suffice it to say that I was not happy in this new job, but job opportunities then were few and far between.  As unhappy as I was - and I honestly believe I was suffering from depression - I tried to make it work. Unfortunately, I allowed myself to be influenced by some unscrupulous people.  Against all logic, and my better judgement, I participated in theft of both money and products. 

In November of 2004 the thefts where discovered and I was among a large number of people who were not only fired but also charged with theft. Instead of being arrested in front of everyone, I was given the opportunity to turn myself in to the police. So I lost my job, I was facing a jail sentence, and because I was fired I was unable to draw unemployment so I had no income. 

The judge allowed me out on bail (posted by a friend). Unfortunately,  without a job, I lost my home and had to move back in with my mother. I was eventually able to get a job in fast food. Ultimately, I was able to go through a process called Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI). As part of this program, I had to pay $700.00 in restitution and serve 100 hours of community service.  I did my community service at the local library where I cleaned shelves, re-stacked books, and helped people find information. The librarian was elated when she learned that I was a tarot reader and she actually spotted my service hours in exchange for a few readings. 

By December of 2004 I had fulfilled all of the terms of my community service and paid back all restitution and thus all charges against me were dropped.  In January of 2005 I moved to Beaufort, SC to live with a friend and start my life over.  There, I went to work for a major grocery store chain. In July of 2005, Saturn finally left Cancer and entered Leo. Even then I was unsure about my place in life and my life direction. None the less,  my troubles were not completely over. 

In August of 2005 the grocery chain I was working for went bankrupt and I lost my job again. However, because I was in a managerial position, I got a nice severance package and was able to draw unemployment. The friend I was living with in Beaufort happened to be in the Navy and was being transferred to NAS Whidbey the beginning of the following year. When my friend was transferred to NAS Whidbey in January of 2006 I move with him. As you can see, I was in a much better position this time. I had an income thanks to being able to transfer my  unemployment to WA State and thanks to my friend I had a place to stay. A few weeks after arriving in Oak Harbor, WA I was able to secure a job and a few month later I got my own apartment. 

So while I suffered all these losses, looking back I see that everything that I lost just opened the way for something better to take it's place. It really freed me to break out of a small-town life that I didn't necessarily want for myself but just happened to be living (like playing a character in a book or movie). I had bigger dreams for myself.  It was here in Washington that I really found myself and felt that my life truly began. I established myself as "Carolina Dean", I became a published author, and I found a certain amount of financial independence doing something that I enjoy. 

Looking Forward 

My second Saturn Return will occur in about 12 years around Aug of 2032 just before my 59th birthday. While I have not looked at the chart for this second return, I have a strong belief that by the time Saturn returns to 3° Cancer that I will go home again. 

How was YOUR Saturn Return?

Carolina Dean 

Saturn in Aquarius 2020

Saturn in Aquarius
3/21/2020 8:58 PM PDT
Natural Chart / Whole Houses

The Mythology and Symbolism of Saturn

So named after Saturn in Roman Mythology (and Cronus in Greek Mythology), Saturn is the father of Zeus and husband of Rhea. He was a god of agriculture, plenty, and renewal. He has become associated with time, and the passage of time, and can be seen in the figure of Father Time, with Mother Earth (his wife).

Perhaps the most famous mythological story associated with Saturn concerns him eating his children at birth whom he feared would overthrow him and seize power for themselves. In effort to save her latest child, Rhea secretly gave birth to Zeus and cleverly gave Saturn a stone wrapped in swaddling clothes in his place. Saturn ate the stone thinking it was his son. Later, Zeus would trick Saturn into ingesting an emetic forcing him to vomit out Zeus' brothers and sisters who were apparently unharmed. Zeus then overthrew his father, Saturn, and became the King of the Gods.

In the Tarot, Saturn can be seen in the Temperance card, which is a card of balance and harmony. This is often a balance born out of struggle. It is about learning and growing from our mistakes, finding the good in the bad, and the blessing in the bane. This is often a matter of experimentation and experience. In the Temperance card we can see an angel (Saturn) mixing two cups between which flows the water. In some respects this looks similar to an hourglass with the sands of time flowing through it. Within the flow of time we grow, change, and experience the ups and down of life through which we (hopefully) grow and mature. The only way out, is through....

In modern astrology, Saturn is a planet associated with discipline and responsibility. Transits of Saturn can feel like we have been chewed up and spit out but it is often for our own good. In this respect I see Saturn as a teacher very much like the character of Severus Snape in the Harry Potter books. Severus is a gruff, rude, rigid, and unyielding disciplinarian. He is countered by Albus Dumbledore (a kind of Jupiter figure) who is open-minded, benevolent, permissive, and generous. However, the thing that they both have in common is that they both care about Harry Potter, in their own way and for their own reasons, and they both want to protect him and see him succeed.

The Astrology of Saturn

Saturn is the 6th planet from the Sun in our solar system and as such it moves very slowly across the universe. It stays in each sign for about 2.5 years and takes about 30 years to make one full orbit around the Sun.

Saturn's mantra is I ACHIEVE and his basic urge is to bring order and stability wherever he goes. Some keywords associated with Saturn include, but are not limited to, the following: Discipline, Ambition, Boundaries, Caution, Control, Cynicism, Duty, Effort, Justice, Authority, Limitation, Responsibility, Reality, Prudence, Thrift, Reliable, Practical


Saturn in Aquarius (General)

* Saturn + Aquarius
* I achieve through groups and associations.

When Saturn is in Aquarius people are more impulsive, inquisitive, and loyal to their friends. They are more inclined to work in groups towards humanitarian goals and are more interested in political affairs. People's thoughts turn to the future with ideas of bring more stability and order to their lives and the lives of others and the place in which they live. This is a time when superficial friendships and associations can end and people give more of themselves to organizations and causes that in which they believe.

The house that Aquarius occupies in your Natal Chart is the area of life where you will try to bring more order and stability to your life in unconventional and imaginative ways.

* If your rising sign is Aries, Aquarius is your 11th House
* If your rising sign is Taurus, Aquarius is your 10th House
* If your rising sign is Gemini, Aquarius is your 9th House
* If your rising sign is Cancer, Aquarius is your 8th House
* If your rising sign is Leo, Aquarius is your 7th House
* If your rising sign is Virgo, Aquarius is your 6th House
* If your rising sign is Libra, Aquarius is your 5th House
* If your rising sign is Scorpio, Aquarius is your 4th House
* If your rising sign is Sagittarius, Aquarius is your 3rd House
* If your rising sign is Capricorn, Aquarius is your 2nd House
* If your rising sign is Aquarius, Aquarius is your 1st House
* If your rising sign is Pisces, Aquarius is your 12th House

Example

* Saturn + Aquarius + 4th House
* I achieve order and stability in imaginative and unconventional ways in the area of home, family.

With Saturn in Aquarius and the 4th house you could remodel, re-arrange, or relocate. In any case, you can expect to experience setbacks, delays, and blocks in your plans. Family relationships could also become a concern. You may address limitations that were placed on you as part of your early conditioning in life. You could be motivated to work on family issues now, take more responsibility within your home, or cut ties with a toxic family member during this transit. You may experience feelings of being alone and unsupported in life during this transit.

Aspects

Aspects, or relationships between planets, is another dimension of astrological interpretation that should be considered. For example. Let us suppose that you have Jupiter at 2° Aquarius, what this means is that Transit Saturn is applying a conjunction to your Natal Jupiter. A conjunction is a type of aspect in which the energy or urge of one planet blends with the urge of another planet in such as way that it is difficult to distinguish one from another. Let us break it down:

* Transit Saturn Conjunct Natal Jupiter
* I achieve melds with I expand

You're feeling more pessimistic now and find yourself in a position where you have to take off any "rose colored glasses" and be more realistic about your life. You feel stuck in a situation or mindset that is stifling or limiting in some way from which you cannot shake yourself free. You aren't confident in your ability to make sound decisions for yourself right now and will have to work harder to make the right decisions.

Ruler of the House

The Ruler of the House is another aspect of astrological interpretation that can be examined. Saturn rules Capricorn so the astrological house that Saturn occupies in your birth chart will have a profound influence on the ingress of Saturn in Aquarius. To interpret Saturn as a house ruler you have to ask yourself two questions. They are:

1) What house does Capricorn (ruled by Saturn) occupy in my Natal Chart?
2) What house does Aquarius (Saturn entering Aquarius) occupy in my Natal Chart?

For example, in my own chart Capricorn is in the 3rd House and Aquarius is in my 4th House. What this mean is that The Ruler (Saturn) of my 3rd house (Capricorn) is in my 4th house (Aquarius). This can then be expressed as "thought processes, communication, and self-expression serves family ties, culture, and tradition."

We can then extrapolate on this statement and say something like you have more conversations and gather information that helps you to feel emotionally safe and grounded. You write in order to feel more grounded. You draw upon your heritage and family tradition as source material for what you want to write or talk about.

How will the ingress of Saturn into Aquarius manifest for you?


Carolina Dean

Saturn Conjunct Pluto 2020

Saturn Conjunct Pluto 

1/12/20  8:59 AM Pacific 

Transit Chart 

Saturn Conjunct Pluto

The conjunction of Saturn and Pluto is an aspect, or relationship between planets, that occurs once about every 34 years, making it somewhat of a rare cosmic event from our perspective as humans. Though many of us have likely been feeling this conjunction for a while now, the conjunction perfects on January 12th 2020 at 8:59 am PDT when both Saturn and Pluto meet each other at 22° 46' Capricorn. 

A conjunction is a type of aspect in which the energies of the two planets become so blended that it is difficult to distinguish one from the other. Conjunctions often represent a new cycle, or beginning, new strength, focus, or emphasis. 

Let's break it down using our keywords, shall we?

Saturn + Conjunction + Pluto 

I achieve power and new beginnings through deep transformation 

When Saturn touches Pluto in this way you are forced to change some aspect of your life through discipline, restriction and hard work.  Usually what needs to change is something that no longer serves a purpose in your life, something that detracts from true soul evolution. The cosmic "reset button" is being pushed now and you can focus your discipline and will in order to make practical, yet powerful, changes in your life. 

Where 22° Capricorn falls in your chart is the area of life where you will be able to draw upon your own discipline and accomplish change and transformation through hard work. 

• If your rising sign is Aries, Capricorn is your 10th House. 
• If your rising sign is Taurus, Capricorn is your 9th House. 
• If your rising sign is Gemini, Capricorn is your 8th House. 
• If your rising sign is Cancer, Capricorn is your 7th House. 
• If your rising sign is Leo, Capricorn is your 6th House. 
• If your rising sign is Virgo, Capricorn is your 5th House. 
• If your rising sign is Libra, Capricorn is your 4th House. 
• If your rising sign is Scorpio, Capricorn is your 3rd House. 
• If your rising sign is Sagittarius, Capricorn is your 2nd House. 
• If your rising sign is Capricorn, Capricorn is your 1st House. 
• If your rising sign is Aquarius, Capricorn is your 12th house.
• If your rising sign is Pisces, Capricorn is your 11th House.

Example 

Saturn Conjunct Pluto in the Third House 

Through hard work and discipline I achieve deep transformation in the area of self-expression 

Before I begin my interpretation, I should mention that after taking a year-long "break" from my Reading and Rootwork practice I finally decided to retire as a Rootworker so that I can focus on my health and weight loss journey (Transit Pluto Trine Natal Sun) as well as allow myself more time to pursue my interest in and study of Astrology. 

The Saturn/Pluto conjunction occurs in my third house of communication, thinking, and self-expression. The third house also rules, in part, social media (along with the 11th). In addition, the Saturn/Pluto conjunction is making a trine (positive aspect) to my Natal Sun (identity) in the 11th House (again, friends and social media). I have a strong identity and presence on facebook and instagram as Carolina Dean due to my work as a Reader and Rootworker in the spiritual community. However, now that I have effectively retired, I find myself asking "Who am I, if not Carolina Dean?" Who am I in relation to my friends and followers if I am not your Reader / Rootworker / or Collegue? Will I still have their love and respect if  they think I have nothing left to offer them? 

For me, I feel like this conjunction is giving me the ability to re-brand myself online and form a new identity as an Astrologer --- the seeds for which I planted about a year ago. However, underlying this new identity, my core mission is the same. I am, and always have been first and foremost a Teacher. Now I have both the opportunity and ability to teach spirituality through the lens of Astrology. 

There is a lot to learn about astrology, like many esoteric and spiritual topics you can study a lifetime and still not know it all.  I have been reading Tarot Cards for 30 years and I am still learning new things about them each and every day.I've studied astrology off and on with long periods in between for about as long as I have been reading and studing the Tarot (for which I have a greater apititude). However, I like the challenge that Astrology offers me.  It is definitly going to take a lot of hard work and discipline to study this subject, absorb all the information and be able to translate it into a useful and practical tool for self-aweness and evolution of the soul as well as to gain the ability to teach the material in a useful and practical way for the benefit of others.  

Luckily the Saturn / Pluto conjuction making a trine (positive aspect) to my natal Sun seems to indicate that not only will my friends and acquantainces be helpful but that this reset or rebranding of myself and my self-expression is a positive step towards my ultimate mission in life and evolution of myself as a spiritual being and teacher. 

Where does 22° Capricorn fall in your chart and how will the great Saturn Pluto conjuction manifest for you?  

The Rootworker Formerly Know As Carolina Dean … 

Saturn Retrograde

Saturn stations retrograde in 20 degrees Capricorn on Monday April 29th, 2019 at 5:54 PM (Pacific). What this means is that, from our perspective on Earth, Saturn will appear to slow down, stop, and move backward across the sky. This will continue until such time that it slows down again, stops, and then slowly moves forward again.  

So named after Saturn in Roman Mythology (and Cronus in Greek Mythology), Saturn is the father of Zeus and husband of Rhea.  He was a god of agriculture, plenty, and renewal.  He has become associated with time, and the passage of time, and can be seen in the figure of Father Time, with Mother Earth (his wife). 

Perhaps the most famous mythological story associated with Saturn concerns him eating his children at birth whom he feared would overthrow him and seize power for themselves. In effort to save her latest child, Rhea secretly gave birth to Zeus and cleverly gave Saturn a stone wrapped in swaddling clothes in his place. Saturn ate the stone thinking it was his son. Later, Zeus would trick Saturn into ingesting an emetic forcing him to vomit out Zeus' brothers and sisters who were apparently unharmed. Zeus then overthrew his father, Saturn, and became the King of the Gods. 

In the Tarot, Saturn can be seen in the Temperance card, which is acard of balance and harmony.  This is often a balance born out of struggle. It is about learning and growing from our mistakes, finding the good in the bad, and the blessing in the bane. This is often a matter of experimentation and experience. In the Temperance card we can see an angel (Saturn) mixing two cups between which flows the water. In some respects this looks similar to an hourglass with the sands of time flowing through it. Within the flow of time we grow, change, and experience the ups and down of life through which we (hopefully) grow and mature. The only way out, is through.... 

In modern astrology, Saturn is a planet associated with discipline and responsibility. Transits of Saturn can feel like we have been chewed up and spit out but it is often for our own good.  In this respect I see Saturn as a teacher very much like the character of Severus Snape in the Harry Potter books. Severus is a gruff, rude, rigid, and unyielding disciplinarian. He is countered by Albus Dumbledore (a kind of Jupiter figure) who is open-minded, benevolent, permissive, and generous.  However, the thing that they both have in common is that they both care about Harry Potter, in their own way and for their own reasons, and they both want to protect him and see him succeed.   

When Saturn stations retrograde, we begin to (re)think about our responsibilities,  (re)assess our limitations and (re)evaluate our goals.  Saturn retrograde calls on you to take a look at where there is imbalance in your life and how to bring back that balance.  Is your love life suffering because you devote so much time to work? Is your work unsatisfying because you play too much? To create and maintain harmony will take some give and take or practice and experimentation to figure out what works best for you. The area of life that Capricorn falls in your Natal chart is the area of life where the most action will take place. 

For example, Capricorn is in the third house in my natal chart. Saturn is transiting the house which deals with how I think and process information as well as how I connect with others. For me, Saturn Retrograde brings the opportunity to re-assess how I process and exchange information with others. This can be in terms of conversations with others as well as through electronics means such as emails, and posting information to social media.  The catalyst for change can be difficult or strained communications with others. If I learn my lessons well, I will be able to put to good use what I have learned -- through practice and experimentation. 

The Big Picture 

It is interesting to note that Saturn Retrograde makes a conjunction to the South Node, an Opposition to the North Node and applies a conjunction to Retrograde Pluto.  I see this playing out as people being called to be held accountable for their past thoughts, words, and deeds. They will be transformed - for better or worse by their response and reaction.  This will play out in our individual lives (look to the houses they occupy) and in the world at large. 

With many candidates making their bid for the American presidency, I see this playing out with Joe Biden and his past involvement with the Anita Hill Trial as well as accusation of improper touching / sexual harassment of several women; with Pete Buttigieg's  police racism scandal and his stance on voting rights for felons, etc... We will see this pattern play out with many famous and political figures over the summer and into the fall.  

Saturn will station direct on September 18th, 2019. 

Carolina Dean