Saturn Retrograde in Pisces ♄ 2024

artist: Mia Ohki

June 29 – Nov 15, 2024

Planets in retrograde are not actually spinning backwards – it is an optical illusion as seen from Earth. Backwards motion appears to happen when Earth passes slower moving planets in the outer solar system. In astrology, this illusion manifests as a “backwards” functioning of the planetary roles. Click here to learn more about retrograde.

Saturn is the engineer and architect of the solar system. Saturnian energy is objective and resourceful. This planet is associated with institutions, finance, and infrastructure. Saturn moves slowly and deliberately, especially during the 4.5 months of the year that it is retrograde.

Saturn entered nebulous Pisces last year on Mar 7, 2023. This transit has proven to be a dense, hazy wave of confusion, as all liminal periods are. We are caterpillars dissolving into goo, preparing for a transformation that has yet to arrive. There is no escaping this process. And now Saturn Retrograde in Pisces is here again to look even more profoundly into the depths of our unresolved spiritual and emotional work.

Entering this retrograde feels like being a mermaid, caught, twisting and turning in a rough net. But now, thanks to a little bit of experience, we know what we need to do, how to cope: music, dance, art, rest, trust. Deep trust in ourselves, there’s no other way. Saturn in Pisces will take us to new levels of honesty with ourselves. Emotional and spiritual freedom will follow, as they always do. Facing ourselves has never been harder or more important. We need more humility, more grace, more empathy.

Saturn in Pisces is a preparatory stage, or rather the final chapter. Old patterns are ending, transmuting, receding into the riverbed. Those who try to “plan” their way through Saturn Retrograde in Pisces will be confronted by mysterious forces again and again, with plans foiled, heart shocked back to life. We are living moment to moment now. Many voices fill the air, many pathways beckon. Pisces dances in vivid color, inviting us to try it all, to sample pain and pleasure, delusion and ecstasy.

Pisces deflects and evades until the last possible moment. She has mastered this art and will try to seduce us to practice it with her. It’s going to get uncomfortable. Again. Especially around work / how we choose to support ourselves / concepts of stability and security. We have to face ourselves, our most visceral fears and insecurities. When you feel the impulse to run, breathe deeply and ask yourself the hard questions. Trust me, the faster you try to swim way, the stronger the whirlpool becomes.

Saturn Rx in Pisces will teach us how to trust ourselves and, inevitably, a higher power too. The two remaining years of Saturn in Pisces will continue to be a turbulent yet reflective time. Accept this and save yourself heartache. It’s not a time to push or force; we’re collectively making sense of the last 27 years. That’s a long time. Take it easy, stay cool.

Aug 19 + Dec 24: Saturn square Jupiter in Gemini. This square last occurred between Aug 2015 – May 2016 when Jupiter was in Virgo and Saturn in Sagittarius. This square is all about confronting our personal conception of how capable we are. Saturn rules duty and responsibility. Opportunities will come our way but the question is: am I ready to take it on? Saturn’s influence (read: pressure!) indicates a period of major growth. This is an excellent time to take risks, start something new, and/or enter into a new career. We will exit these two rounds of squares (in late December) feeling more mature and more prepared to handle the inherent difficulty of life. In other words: adulting!

I was born with Saturn Retrograde in Aquarius. To find your Saturn sign and whether this planet was direct or retrograde when you were born, click here.

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