USA Saturn Return

 You may have heard of the term “Saturn Return”. If you have, it was probably discussed in serious tones as people nodded their heads knowingly. Although it’s often a life altering experience, don’t get the idea that it is something to fear. It is a major life cycle that everyone gets to experience.

The Saturn Return occurs every 28-30 years when Saturn returns to the exact zodiacal sign and degree it was in when a person (or country, business, etc) was born. It is a very important point in our lives. It is a point at which we stop and take stock of where we are in life. We look at our past decisions and actions with a critical eye and can be very hard on ourselves at this time. However, it is for a good reason. We are actually ending one phase of our life and beginning a new one. It is a chance to assess what worked and what did not. We also become aware of how we have grown and changed and realize we need to decide where we want to go next. Whether we do this self-analysis on our own, or events beyond our control force us to, we will have to face reality, take responsibility and make life-altering decisions. Most people will have two Saturn Returns in their life, the first at age 28 to 30, and the second at 58 to 60.

But in this article, I am going to briefly discuss the USA’s Saturn Return. Since our country was born 234 years ago in 1776, we have had several Saturn Returns. The reason I want to mention it now is because we are currently experiencing our 8th Saturn Return. It started in Oct 2009 and will continue until Oct 2012, but will be at its most intense level from Nov 2010 to Sep 2011.

During this period, collectively as a country, we will need to face reality, take a critical look at our past decisions and actions, accept responsibility and make decisions about where we go from here. If we try to avoid this, circumstances will intensify until we are forced to deal with the responsibilities and necessary changes.

It is also important to note that Saturn in the USA’s birth chart is in a challenging relationship (a square) to the USA’s Sun (which represents ego, sense of who we are in the world, confidence, and energy), so that part of our national psyche will also be affected at this time.  Our country’s pride and confidence is being challenged. It is easy to feel doubtful, negative, discouraged and self-critical.

The successful way to work with this energy is to willingly do the hard work that is required of us. We can do this by focusing on being responsible and mature, and by realizing that what we are going through is part of a natural cycle. It is also important to know that it can ultimately be very beneficial.

 Another thing to keep in mind is that the completion of the tasks ahead of us are very likely to take much longer than we want them to, no matter how much we try to force it to happen. One of the lessons Saturn brings is patience. Saturn is a strict teacher and brings many “lessons”. The energy of Saturn makes it necessary rise to a new level of responsibility, maturity, focus, clarity, hard work, discipline, organization, mastery and wisdom. The choices and decisions we make now as a country will set the course until 2039-2041.

Another thing to keep in mind is that as a democracy, we, the people, are the government. We may not like how things are going, but it didn’t happen overnight. Our collective choices over many years brought us to this point. Our country is being forced to face the results of those choices.

This can seem depressing and negative at first, and the tasks ahead can feel overwhelming. However, it is important not to get stuck in a “woe is us” vortex and use up our energy by blaming and feeling like victims. The turning point will come when we decide to move beyond the negative phase and into the solution phase. This will involve accepting the reality of the situation and focusing on finding solutions to our challenges. Discipline, hard work and maturity will be required. It will not be an easy or quick fix. We will have to be grown-ups and work with each other. Because this USA Saturn Return is happening at the same time as other powerful planetary patterns, will be very intense, but also will hold great opportunity.

If we each do our part, as small as it may seem to us, it will make a difference to the Whole. We are all connected together and our thoughts and feelings really do affect each other, whether we are aware of it or not. Here are two powerful things we can do as individuals that will be uplifting to ourselves and others and are a powerful antidote to too much Saturn. 1. Lighten up and laugh whenever possible. 2. Send out loving energy to all you meet with an open heart.

 The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.

 Chinese Proverb

 Judy Joyce

October 18, 2010