The Mastering Of Self: The Ultimate Guide To Your Saturn Return
A Saturn Return is your entry into adulthood and one of the most important astrological transits on your journey of self-growth. It comes around every 27 to 29.5 years and signifies a time when major life changes and transformations happen, which set you up on the path and legacy you build for yourself in life. Although Saturn Returns have often had a negative connotation, your Saturn Return isn’t something to fear, but rather something to work with. It is your rite of passage into the next level of your life and although challenging at times, it’s also that time in your life when you look back and see how things changed for the better for you.
What Saturn Represents in Astrology
Saturn is like the parent that wants to see you do well but will give you the tough love when you need it. It seeks to break down any falsities and replace them with truth, and something stable enough for you to build upon. Saturn is known as the Lord of Karma in Astrology, it teaches, enforces, and brings justice. Saturn asks you to view the systems you have built for yourself and walked on in life and to see if these foundations support the growth you intend for yourself.
What Happens During Your Saturn Return
A Saturn Return is divine intervention and through what falls or transforms, new blessings become. Saturn is known as the great taskmaster in Astrology and a lot of growth and experiences that force you to mature tend to happen during this time.
Your Saturn Return is your checkpoint in life where the universe is like, “Okay, let’s take some time to get to the bottom of things right now and to figure out what is going to serve you in the long run.” This is a key time in your life to build new systems and structures for yourself, think long-term, and master your reality.
How To Know When Your Saturn Return Is
When it comes to when to expect your Saturn Return and how to prepare and move through this time, it is important to note your Saturn Return begins the day Saturn moves into the sign it was in at the time you were born. Saturn is currently in the middle of its transit through Aquarius, and if you have Saturn in Aquarius in your birth chart, you are going through your Saturn Return right now.
Another important date of your Saturn Return is the day(s) Saturn is at the exact degree it was at the time you were born and shows you the more critical times of your Saturn Return. You can look up the exact date(s) of your Saturn Return by running your birthday information through a free Saturn Return Calculator.
To dive even deeper, by looking up your birth chart through a free online Birth Chart Calculator, you can find out what house Saturn is placed in your chart, and see which area in life specifically your Saturn Return will be influencing.
See below for what Saturn Returns through each house signifies.
What Saturn Return Through Each House Signifies
SATURN RETURN IN THE 1ST HOUSE
A Saturn Return in the 1st house is asking you to look at the inner foundations that build you and your sense of self. Does your view of the world and how the world views you add up with how you want to move through life and be perceived? Movement is critical for you during this time, as getting your body moving and strengthening your connection to the self is what Saturn is here for. There could be physical changes you are seeing at this time as the 1st house rules the physical self, and overall your Saturn Return is very personal and all about your personal growth, goals, character, and evolution. Self-confidence is key for you right now.
SATURN RETURN IN THE 2ND HOUSE
A Saturn Return in the 2nd house is a time of challenges and breakthroughs when it comes to your financial world. The 2nd house rules income, assets, the material world, and your value systems; and Saturn is asking you during this time to balance the books, make sure you are spending with your future in mind, and will also be opening up new avenues for you for earning as well. You could feel more pressured to obtain assets and “have it all” right now. And there also tends to be more situations in life where big purchases are necessary in general with this energy. Saturn is here to help you build a sustainable path for yourself financially in life and to make sure you are valuing yourself in the process.
SATURN RETURN IN THE 3RD HOUSE
With your Saturn Return occurring in an area of your birth chart having to do with communication, transportation, neighbors, siblings, and your immediate community, there are a lot of different areas of life Saturn will be highlighting. During your Saturn Return, you are seeing the interconnectedness of it all, and this time is all about intentional movement and communication. Extra precautions should be handled with transportation and technology, and not rushing things here is key. Saturn is here to rebuild your sense of connection and community and help you find your voice.
SATURN RETURN IN THE 4TH HOUSE
A Saturn Return in the 4th house is all about your emotional and physical foundations in life. Saturn is highlighting your inner world and asking you to take a look at your support systems in life and create boundaries if necessary. The 4th house rules the home, family, your roots, tradition, and inner nourishment in life; and with Saturn moving through here, changes are happening in the home and within. This is a deep time of healing for you, especially when it comes to childhood wounds and experiences of the past. There could be some distance and unsteadiness you are feeling when it comes to laying down roots or feeling a sense of home and family, and Saturn is here to help you build that. Your Saturn Return is all about unpacking and rebuilding.
SATURN RETURN IN THE 5TH HOUSE
Your Saturn Return is all about finding your happiness and committing yourself to pursue it. The 5th house rules romance, children, creativity, hobbies, and entertainment, and with Saturn the planet of tough love moving through the house of joy, this can put a damper on things at times. This transit is all about speaking up for yourself and from the heart and expressing your creativity. Saturn energy is more serious and your Saturn Return is about recognizing those moments of discontent and finding new ways to heal the inner child and seek out your happiness. Self-expression is key for you right now.
SATURN RETURN IN THE 6TH HOUSE
With a Saturn Return in the 6th house of health, work, daily lifestyle, and routines, your health is the priority right now. Saturn is making matters of well-being more pressing during this time and will be showing you the importance of a daily routine that you can stick to. Changes in your working life are also happening now, and what your everyday environment looks like is transforming into something you can see yourself doing for the long run. You may feel like you have to work harder than usual during this time and Saturn is helping you find the balance between service to others and service to yourself.
SATURN RETURN IN THE 7TH HOUSE
A Saturn Return in the 7th house brings things to the forefront when it comes to love, relationships, marriage, business partnerships, and your relationship to your finances as well. This Saturn Return seeks to bring change within your personal relationships and to provide you with the stable ground for love to grow on. This transit will be helping you define what you want/need in love, your view on commitment, and whom you want to build this sense of partnership with. Relationship challenges are likely during this time, but meeting people that provide you a greater sense of emotional satisfaction and stability is the purpose of this transit for you.
SATURN RETURN IN THE 8TH HOUSE
With the 8th house ruling shared finances, taxes, debt, intimacy, death, rebirth, sexuality, intuition, and all things taboo, you are experiencing a deep inner awakening during your Saturn Return. Saturn is making you aware of anything that’s been blocking you off from feeling the vulnerability, commitment, and intimacy you are looking for in life, and helping you overcome some emotional fears. Saturn is pushing you to be a little more fearless during this time and to have the courage to confront some emotions that have been buried down until now. Your Saturn Return is all about shadow work, healing, and spiritual growth.
SATURN RETURN IN THE 9TH HOUSE
Your Saturn Return is a time of exploring the mind and what growth can occur through keeping an open perspective. The 9th house rules travel, adventure, higher education, and philosophy, and this is where Saturn is shaking things up for the time being. There can be a delay in educational pursuits during this time or more pressure to learn in general. Travel should be taken carefully during your Saturn Return as these are instances where Saturn will be more active in your life and can be challenging. Overall, you are learning the importance of connecting to your higher self right now, and are learning about self-mastery and trusting your own path in life.
SATURN RETURN IN THE 10TH HOUSE
The effects of your Saturn Return tend to be more public than most. A Saturn Return in the 10th house is here to help you build new systems of success for your career. The 10th house rules your professional and public life, social status, skills, talents, where you shine in life, and also your reputation. With Saturn moving through here there can be some delays when it comes to reaching goals and you may feel like you have to overcome a lot on your professional journey to get to where you want to be. Saturn isn’t here to put a halt to your success in life, it’s here to make sure you are personally aligned with what you are doing in your career, and if not, to make the necessary changes so you are following your soul purpose.
SATURN RETURN IN THE 11TH HOUSE
With a Saturn Return in the 11th house of friendships and community, you are finding your people during this time. This time in your life can feel a little more isolated than usual and Saturn is urging you to reach out, connect, and build your community during this time. Saturn is helping you shine in your authenticity during your Saturn Return, and guiding you towards ways you can show up for not only your community but your personal aspirations and goals as well. With the 11th house also being the house of manifestation and making your visions come to life, this is a good time to learn more about manifestation and your gifts as a creator.
SATURN RETURN IN THE 12TH HOUSE
A Saturn Return in the 12th house is a time of healing, understanding what’s below the surface of your life, and releasing yourself from the past. The 12th house is the last house of the zodiac wheel, and rules endings and all things hidden. With Saturn in the 12th house, you’ve been on a life journey of being your biggest supporter in life, rather than catering to self-sabotaging behavior. This is a good time to see a healer, therapist, astrologer, etc., and to get serious about your healing journey and mental health. If you’ve had any challenges with addiction, Saturn will be addressing them during this time and helping you overcome them. Your Saturn Return is all about doing the inner work.
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Tayler Barakat is a Mystic who has studied Astrology for over a decade. She does intuitive astrology and tarot readings for people all over the world, and her work focuses on healing and empowering individuals. Follow her on Instagram @taylerbarakat_ and check out her website www.listentothevirgo.com.
This article is sponsored by Hulu.
UnPrisonedhas returned for its highly anticipated second season, delving deeper into the complex dynamics of the Alexander family.
The series premiere comes a year after its debut season garnered rave reviews from fans and critics and earned record-breaking ratings for Hulu's Onyx Collective brand. UnPrisoned's success can be attributed to its raw, relatable themes and comedic appeal.
Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan's life, the show follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a therapist and single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) --who was released from prison-- moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).
Throughout UnPrisoned's first season, viewers witnessed how Edwin's incarceration deeply affected Paige's life and relationships. In the series, Paige unpacks her trauma through interactions with her inner child and her online followers. Meanwhile, Edwin is overcoming specific struggles with his own past that led to his life of crime, including a dysfunctional upbringing and his mother's arrest. As the Alexanders attempt to reconcile, new challenges arise.
This new season promises to further explore their unconventional family dynamic. Here are several compelling reasons why season two of UnPrisoned should be on everyone's watchlist.
The Alexander Family Life Is Still In Shambles
UnPrisoned's second season resumes where the series left off, with Paige grappling with the fallout from her troubled therapy practice and Edwin navigating life independently after moving out. Meanwhile, Finn faces his own challenges. The teenager is battling anxiety and seeking information about his father—a topic Paige avoids discussing.
The Alexander Family Are Attending Therapy To Resolve Their Underlying Issues
Amid the chaos in their lives, the Alexander family decides to mend their bond by confronting their past traumas. They seek professional help and attend therapy sessions with a “family radical healing coach,” played by John Stamos, a new cast member. This collective effort aims to unravel the complexities of their shared history and strengthen their relationships.
The process of unraveling each character's internal conflicts and their potential impact on future relationships may clash with Paige's textbook therapy approach. While Paige is used to being in the therapist's seat in both career and family, this forces her into the unfamiliar role of a patient during therapy sessions. This shift would compel her to look in the mirror and try a radically different approach.
The Alexander Family Learned A Big Lesson During A Therapy Session
In therapy, the Alexanders are tasked with addressing their individual traumas to salvage their remaining relationships. One of the family therapist’s eccentric suggestions was an exercise involving a family wrestling match. During this session, Paige faces tough questions about her refusal to share information about Finn's father.
While it's unclear whether this scene is reality or fantasy, the image of the family duking it out in the ring certainly makes for hilarious yet compelling television.
Paige Tries Dating Again Following Failed Relationships
Amid her life's chaos, Paige decides to step back into the dating field. However, her many attempts have left her with mixed results. The dating apps have turned out to be a fail, and an outing with her ex Mal (Marque Richardson), who is also her father's parole officer, doesn’t go quite as expected after he brings an unexpected guest – his new girlfriend.
The situation takes an awkward turn when Mal's new partner learns why the former couple split, partly due to Paige's self-sabotage.
UnPrisoned Is A Perfect Balance Of Comedy And Drama
As a dramedy, UnPrisoned takes a comedic approach to its heavy subjects. The show takes us on a ride with Paige's dating misadventures and navigating a friendship with her ex.
Other lighthearted moments include Edwin's attempts at CPR based on online videos and, of course, the antics of the Alexander family's unconventional new healing coach.
The second season of UnPrisoned is now available on Hulu.
UnPrisoned | Season 2 Trailer | Hulu
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The Common Denominator Is You. So, Why Do You Keep Choosing The Wrong Men?
Everywhere you go, there you are. It’s one of those popular sayings (kind of like “It is what it is”) that I find myself using a lot, especially when I’m in sessions with my clients. Why? Well, it’s kind of likean article that I once read that pretty much said our culture likes to play the toxic game of blaming other people because it’s an easy way to deflect from personal accountability (check out “What It Actually Means To 'Hold Yourself Accountable'”). So true, so true,
Well, another way of saying “everywhere you go, there you are” is using the math term “common denominator” — and today, what we’re going to attempt to tackle is, why is it that some of us, if we stepped back a moment to take a very real and honest assessment of our dating life, do we always end up with the same kind of guy? One who really isn’t the best for us; sometimes, not even close.
Before getting into some questions that I think can help you get to the answer, let me just say that this is definitely one of the kinds of pieces that may step on at least your pinky toe before it’s all said and done. At the same time, although this might not be the most comfortable of reads, keep in mind what the late poet, singer, and publisher Tuli Kupferberg once said, “When patterns are broken, new worlds emerge.”
And so, if when it comes to the caliber of men you’ve dated, what you’ve been doing is revealing that your pattern is not really working for your ultimate good, spend a bit of time trying to unpack just why that could be the case — why, at the end of the day, you truly are the common denominator in it all.
How Self-Aware Are You?
GiphyAbout five years ago, I penned an article for the site entitled “These Are The Things Self-Aware People Do Daily.” You know, of all of the things to be in this life, prioritizing self-awareness is king because self-aware people do things like hold themselves accountable, know their strengths and weaknesses, identify their triggers, have good boundaries, self-reflect, pay attention to their own “blind spots” — and they can — eh hem — take feedback and constructive criticism pretty well.
That last one? If you’re constantly in a hamster wheel or even a cul-de-sac when it comes to men, be honest with yourself: did your family, friends, hell, even your co-workers warn you about some of the guys you dated, and you found yourself either defending, deflecting or getting offended? Yeah, self-aware people don’t get down like that because they would rather have peace and be wrong than act like they are always right and remain in chaos.
So yeah, if you’re always in some foolishness or even in relationships that are simply a counterproductive waste of time, pondering how self-aware you actually are is a really good place to start. Self-reflect. Know your weaknesses. Listen to what others have to say about your tendencies. All of this can do you a whole lot of good.
How Humble Are You?
GiphySociety is a wild place, boy. The reason why I say that is because, while it’s out here acting like humility is a bad thing, Scripture says, “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life.” (Proverbs 22:4) And why is humility such a vital spiritual attribute? Because, when you’re humble — you’re grateful; you’re teachable; you’re open to seeing things outside of your own perspective; you’re compassionate and empathetic; you’re flexible; you’re forgiving, and you’re able to release your ego so that you can accept what you need over what you want.
What you need over what you want. Chile, if that doesn’t keep some people in cyclic stuff, I honestly don’t know what does. There’s a client that I have right now who only contacts me when she’s basically blown up her life because she constantly gets caught up in a man’s looks and bedroom performance. When I tell her that she needs to stop making that #1 and #2 of things to look for in a relationship, she “uh-huh's” me and then does what she wants to do anyway — only for it to end up wreaking all sorts of havoc…again.
It’s another message for another time about how some of us could stand to look within to see if wanting a fine man above all else is more about validating some deep-rooted insecurities that we have about our own looks (ouch). For now, I’ll just say that if your ego is out here telling you that looks and sexual performance should trump things like character and consistency, it is LYING to you. If you chose to heed the humble side of yourself, you would know that.
And this actually brings me to my next question.
How Stuck Are You in Your “Type”?
GiphyThe reason why I wrote “According To Experts, We All Have A ‘Type’” back in the day is because it’s true — pretty much all of us have a type which is pretty much a preference; there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that either. At the same time, I’m advising, from very up close and personal experience, that it’s a good idea to spend some time pondering “the origin story” of where your type came from.
Me? I’m always gonna be down for a very tall, hella chocolate, basketball (or soccer) build Black man. However, I’m a sexual abuse survivor and my molester looked a lot like that, so during the healing process of what he did to me, I had to factor in his influence. Plus, my first love also fits the physical mold and he definitely had quite an impact on my life. So…see what I mean? My type didn’t just come out of nowhere. Yes, sometimes your type may have some trauma or drama attached to it. And yes, that might be really uncomfortable to think about; still, that doesn’t mean it’s not true.
Now my late fiancé? He was right at about 6’ and, complexion-wise, he was lighter than I am. He treated me better than most of the men of my past, though — and even though he definitely pursued me for a while to get me to consider us beyond being friends, because I took a risk outside of my type, I learned what it was like to be loved in a healthy way. And what that did for me was it taught me to remain open outside of my standard type. I still like a tall-ass Godiva man, chile (and don’t let him have a beard and be in a tailored suit!). I don’t limit myself to that package, though. To do so would be severely limiting — potentially tragic even.
How Healed Are You?
Giphy“Healed” is a word that comes up A LOT in the social media space. When it comes to relationships, specifically, it’s important to ask yourself if you are healed from your past because, if you aren’t, you very well could be reliving it over and over…and over again, whether you realize it (or choose to accept it) or not.
Just so that we’re all on the same page, the word “heal” means things like healthy, sound, and whole. Synonyms for the word include improve, restore, mend, soothe, and rehabilitate. Signs that you have healed from past hurts of a relationship (or a series of relationships) include you don’t think of them with anger or bitterness; you can see the silver linings from the experience; you’ve forgiven them for things that they did wrong (or that simply hurt you — and no, that’s not always one and the same), and you don’t pick (or avoid) other people to be in your life solely based on what someone else did to you.
What I mean by that last one is an unhealed woman may say something like, “I don’t want to do [such and such] for a first date. That’s what my ex liked to do.” The new guy isn’t him, so why does he have to be beholden to your past? Or, “I don’t trust men who won’t let me go through their phone. That’s how I found out my ex was cheating.” You know, for all of the women who like to play a non-animated form ofInspector Gadget (the real ones know), they sure don’t want their phones inspected as much as they like to do all of the inspecting. SMDH. Anyway, I don’t go through phones. For what? I don’t pay the bill and I’m not anyone’s parent. And so, your next guy not preferring it either? That doesn’t automatically mean that he’s up to no good — he may just want his boundaries respected. An unhealed person may not accept that. A healed one tends to, though.
And how can being unhealed play a direct role in you choosing the same guys over and over again? It’s weird because, sometimes you will go back to what’s familiar to you — because the new guy is such a risk, you’d prefer to “stick to the devil you know” than take a chance on someone who rolls very differently. It’s a cryptic way of remaining the common denominator in your dating dynamics. Oh, but it happens all of the time, chile.
What Makes a Man WRONG for You? Specifically?
GiphyOkay, with a lot of the inner work out of the way, how do you even come to the conclusion that someone (or several people) is wrong for you? Because you know what? Once you’ve done some real healing (and serious maturing), you can oftentimes find yourself accepting the fact that just because someone may not be right for you, that doesn’t automatically or necessarily make them a bad person. No, not at all.
Although the word “wrong” can mean that something or someone isn’t morally right, wrong also means things like erroneous, not suitable or appropriate, not in accordance with certain requirements, or — and please catch it — out of order (which sometimes consists of the right thing happening at the wrong time). So, if it does seem like you keep choosing (because it is always a choice; that is also where accountability comes in) men who aren’t appropriate, aren’t in accordance with your needs or standards, or who aren’t what you need at the time — why is that? Is it rooted in fear? Impatience? Settling? What?
I have had enough clients go through this to know that it’s not good enough to be abstract about someone being “wrong” for you. You need to set aside one weekend, get some wine and a fresh journal, and really get into what wrong looks like. For instance, if you keep lowering your standards (which is the wrong thing to do, by definition), why is that? Because no matter how wrong the guy may ultimately turn out to be, what you have to be willing to accept is — again — you chose him. Why do you choose what’s wrong? Because, more times than not, some red (or at least orange) flags were waving long before the relationship came crashing down; oftentimes, they reveal themselves within the first couple of dates. You just chose to ignore them.
One more.
Do You Know a Good Man When You See One? You Sure?
GiphyAs we close all of this out, when you get a chance, please check out “Question: Is The Man In Your Life Good 'TO' You? Good 'FOR' You? Or...Both?” Learning the difference between “to” and “for” took my own relational processing to an entirely new and freeing level. And you know what? Back to the healing point, another way to know that you’ve healed is you don’t generalize men. Meaning, that if you’re out here declaring that there aren’t any good ones, that’s not true; you’re just jaded (I mean, it’s the truth), and that head and energy space is affecting your judgment and perspective.
That said, if you’re constantly selecting the wrong men, ask yourself if you even know what a good man looks like (cue India.Arie’s “Good Man”). Again, by definition, good means things like morally excellent, right, kind, friendly, benevolent, educated, financially sound (not rich, stable and responsible…goodness), genuine, reliable, dependable, responsible, attractive, warm, intimate — satisfactory to the purpose (yes, that’s a literal definition).
For a man to be good for you, you need to know what purpose he is to serve at this particular point in your life because if, for example, all men seem to do, in your eyes, is use you for sex, why are you prioritizing sex over an emotional connection if the latter is the purpose that you seek right now? A lot of women can stop being the common denominator when it comes to choosing the wrong man if they 1) become the good that they seek and 2) do not betray the purpose behind why they even desire a relationship in the first place.
____
I know. When things aren’t going your way when it comes to matters of the heart, it can be easy to always say it’s the man’s fault. If there’s a pattern, though, please be a bit more self-reflective than that.
Once you do, you’d be amazed by how much about you shifts — to where the wrong guys can’t even get close to you, in the way that they used to, anymore.
Because you cease to be the “common denominator” you once were.
And how wonderful is that?
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