Saturn turns retrograde [20 Capricorn 31]
– April 30, 2019 (01:54 GMT+1)
Saturn, the planet which represents time, authority, responsibility, discipline and limitation turns retrograde this week. Nothing unusual there. All the slower-moving planets turn retrograde once a year for a few months at time.
If you have planets/angles at the degree where the planet is turning, you often feel or notice that particular planet’s presence in your life more acutely. You may be aware of a turning point in the area of your horoscope where the planet is changing direction.
Retrograde planets turn your attention inwards. The work takes place on the inside ready for when the planet turns direct. In Saturn’s case, this happens on September 18, 2019. Saturn will retreat back to 13 degrees Capricorn 55.
Notice if you run into a roadblock early this week. Consider where things aren’t working out the way you want them to. Is it time to stop or dig deeper as more work is required?
Saturn conjunct the South Node
What is unusual about this retrograde phase of Saturn is the placing of the South Node. The Nodes are karmic points in astrology. The South Node represents your comfort zone, your habits, where you retreat to when life gets tough. Sometimes, it indicates what’s not good for you and what you’re working towards releasing or letting go.
Keep these symbols in mind because, as Saturn turns retrograde, it does so conjunct the South Node in Capricorn. Also, Saturn will keep pace with the South Node as they retreat through the zodiac side-by-side. They only part ways when Saturn turns direct in September 2019.
What Does It All Mean?
This is unusual symbolism. When you look at the meaning of both symbols, in some ways, they represent opposite archetypes. Saturn’s nature is relentless, stubborn, determined. It can put immovable blocks in your way, obstacles that are solid or real. Whereas the South Node’s nature feels boundless, the places you fall in to or where in life you give in.
Here are a few ideas of how this might play out for you:
- You feel as if you’re going backwards and you’re stuck
- You’re learning lessons the hard way
- You’re falling into bad habits and feeling despondent
- You’ve run up against an obstacle and need to find an alternative solution
- You’re fed up of feeling stuck and you’re determined to do things differently
- You’re ready to let go of fear or doubt and release habitual behaviour
- Something in your life isn’t working out and you’re ready to move on
- You need more time alone and are seeking solitude and quiet
- You’re ready to step off the treadmill and stop working so hard
- An inner/spiritual path is calling you, one that’s less to do with work and materialism
Once you start playing around with the symbolism, you realise that this can mean more than one thing. There’s no absolute answer about what it means for you. It depends on you, your current situation and, perhaps, how strong you are feeling right now.
What this combination does call for is a reality check. Look deep within to see what’s holding you back and where you’re ready to learn, let go and move on. You may feel as if you’re stuck between a rock and hard place. Yet, with a shift in perspective, you might be able to see things differently.
Don’t force it if it doesn’t feel right. Be patient and consider your long-term options. This is the ideal time to draw up a plan that helps you tackle a sticking point in your life. Aim to stay on track until September when Saturn and the South Node part ways.
Here’s a reminder of the areas of your life where you’re most likely to feel the Saturn/South Node combination. Read your Sun sign and your Ascendant sign, if you know it:
- Capricorn – 1st house – personal goals/aims, physical body, image & self-perception
- Aquarius – 12th house – sacrifice, inner work, a spiritual retreat, caring for self & others
- Pisces – 11th house – friends, groups, politics, social causes, hopes & wishes
- Aries – 10th house – career & vocation, status & reputation, authority, future path
- Taurus – 9th house – travel, study, the bigger picture, life’s meaning & purpose
- Gemini – 8th house – joint finances & shared resources, taboos, all things hidden & mysterious
- Cancer – 7th house – relationships, both personal & professional, contracts, enemies
- Leo – 6th house – work & routine, lifestyle & health, service to others
- Virgo – 5th house – children & creativity, love affairs & luck, fun & entertainment
- Libra – 4th house – home & family, the past, your legacy, where you come from
- Scorpio – 3rd house – communication, siblings, neighbours, community, your voice
- Sagittarius – 2nd house – money & possessions, values & self-worth
Do let me know in the comments below how this is playing out for you. It brings the astrology to life when we see what the planetary symbolism coincides with in our own lives.
I have 13 degrees Capricorn rising and my birthdate is 4/12/52. I acquired a rescue kitten who was born around 4/5/12 who was very sick from feline herpes. It was touch and go for about 3 months as to whether he would live. His brothers and sisters all died. So from 2012 to June 18, 2019 I cared for him around the clock, cleaning his nose and feeding him pureed canned cat food. The connection between us was very soulful and I loved him like no other being on this planet. I had to put him down in June and I am still going thru such a deep process of grieving. I am planning on doing a painting of him. I have not painted in a long time and feel that it might help me.
I do think pets are one of our deepest soul-mate connections. Sending you best wishes at this challenging time and do allow yourself to grieve fully. Sally x
My Venus is 13.55 capricorn. Exactly the degree Saturn turns stationary in.. already felt the energy last year when it conjuncted my Venus. The man I’m involved in has sun at 13 cancer. So the transit is going to hit us both. My Venus is also in my 8th house. Not sure how this is going to play out?
It really depends on how your relationship is. When Saturn works well, it’s about commitment and is the glue that holds you together. When it’s tricky, it’s about endings and deal breakers in a relationship. 8th house rules money, emotional ties, sexuality and any hidden issues. The clues are there from when it was last on your Venus. Learn the lessons of the last connection and know it’s time to get real/work at love/refuse to give up. It could be the right time to make a joint financial or emotional commitment? Put the astrology into the context of your own life. Hope that helps 🙂
Wow I wish I knew my acendent etc ! I’m Sag, 13 th Dec 62. All I know is the you’ve nailed what I’m going through these past 2 weeks in particular last Friday when I back peddled out of a perm part time job after studying 6 months last year to qualify, now trying to keep free time for myself is next to impossible , I have 2 daughters that throw me into do or die, all part of parenting and I’m referring to L plates and P plates . I’m trying to juggle a casual job also and am amazed how I have shown my vulnerability and looked worthless when infact I’m such a good fit for the work I chose !! It was timing issues and also technical issues with mobile phone that created instability… agh
Do you have any idea what time of day/night you were born? Then you can start to pin down the Ascendant sign. It changes every 2 hours. Sending best wishes, Sally
Im a Sagitarius rising. My venus is at 18deg and will be conj by the transiting north node, by June 23rd. Tr Saturn and Plu are in my 2nd. Ive been staying away from my husband of 10 years and staying with my parents for the past year to complete a creative educational course. Had disagreements with him since 5 plus years with independent decisions. I stopped working 7 years back. When I met my husband I had disagreements with parents while living with them. And now my parents have helped me since my daughter was born. But still challenges with staying under their roof and not being independent.
Im 28deg cancer sun but dont know if Uranus will help when it trines my Virgo Mh at 11deg eventually.
If your Venus is at 18 degrees Cancer, Saturn will be opposing it all year, often a symbol of endings or taking a step back. It completes its transit in December 2019. Your partner would be Mercury in your birth chart, ruler of your Gemini Descendant. Uranus will help your career when it’s trine your Midheaven, in 2021. It’s hard to say more without knowing your whole birth chart and how the planets work together.