Saturn is the planet of time. Taking 29 years to revolve around the Sun, Saturn speaks to chapters that last years. When it enters a new zodiac sign, as it did back in September 2015, the big hand on the clock signals a new hour for the world. So, what time is it?
Saturn is in the sign of Sagittarius right now. It is time to explore questions of faith and meaning, to look toward the horizon and ask ourselves if there is something more, to step up our education, to pour through books in search of truth, and to set out on pilgrimage. When Saturn is in Sagittarius, no one can give us the answers. We have to find them ourselves. When Saturn is in Sagittarius we are mastering wisdom.
But we have to remember that Saturn is the planet of work — hard work. The type of work that pushes us to new levels of excellence and achievement. If faith and meaning are areas that we struggle with, we may be in crisis. What do we believe? Has our faith been shaken? Are we doubling down on what we hold true when there may be other answers out there?
Sagittarius has a self righteous streak. It always thinks it knows better. So Saturn in Sag is also a look at humility, especially with Jupiter in Virgo. Maybe we aren’t right? Maybe we don’t know better.
I mention all of this because today Saturn turns retrograde at 16 degrees Sagittarius, infusing the collective with its archetype of commitment, certitude, and clarity. The next 5 months will be a reflection on everything we’ve learned since September. What works? What doesn’t? Then, on August 13, Saturn will turn direct at 9 Sagittarius. We’ll be back in building mode. But for now, we take a step back and look at what we’ve been creating over the last six months.