Thinking Time: Saturn Retrograde 2012
by Jo Tracey January 31, 2012 03:07 PM EST
Photo Credit: Jo Tracey
How are those resolutions going? You know, the ones that passed your lips sometime around the stroke of midnight New Years Eve?
Thought so.
Just in time, the Universe is sending us a second chance- an opportunity to assess what we blurted out in the heat of the moment back at the end of December and turn them into goals and commitments. That second chance? It’s Saturn, about to turn retrograde.
Saturn rules the supports, structures, rules and responsibilities in our life. In theory, Saturn is the fun cop who says “no, it is time you went home young lady,” when every part of you is crying out to say yes. Wherever Saturn is transiting your chart is where you have an existential (I love that word) mountain to climb.
It is often said that planets become more emphasised when they are retrograde ie appear to be going backwards from the perspective of us here on Earth. The reason their action is emphasised is because it is internalised. We therefore feel it more.
So, what can we expect from a Saturn retrograde? Well, more Saturn stuff of course, but with the prefix “re” inserted in front of the word eg re-structure, re-commit, re-focus, re-calibrate, re-trench.
When Saturn is retrograde, he is sending you back to your room to think very carefully about what you are doing, goals you have started working towards and the commitments you have made. It is sort of like a planetary cooling off period when it is OK to re-assess and change direction or re-assess and say “no”. This is not the time to make new commitments or start new projects, but great to sort out just what you want out of existing goals.
Saturn retrogrades give you time to sort your stuff out, get rid of any frustrations and re-think the viability of any promises you have already made. Saturn stations, in particular, tend to make you more disciplined that you normally are- at least for a few days J.
The sign in which Saturn is in when he stations will be emphasized- regardless of the area of life in which this is happening in your chart. This retrograde is in Libra, so that means relationships, partnerships, our habits and patterns around each of them.
Saturn is the ruler of Capricorn and associated with the 10th house. This means that any time Saturn stations you will find yourself thinking about your career goals, priorities and vision. I know I certainly am. You will be assessing what is going on in your public life regardless of whether this station is happening in your 10th house, your 4th house or your 12th house. During the retrograde period, do the study, do the planning, do the reviewing but take care not to burn any career bridges until after the retrograde period is done.
In fact, take care not to make any lasting commitment related decisions while Saturn is retrograde. Whatever it is that you are contemplating, take your time and enjoy the process. Do the research, weigh up the pros and cons and explore it. Look at your commitments realistically and whatever happens take comfort that the structures that are built during a Saturn retrograde will stand you in good stead once he starts to move forward again.
Want the technical details? Saturn will station retrograde at 29 Libra 30′ on or around 7 February 2012 (depending which time zone you are in). He will go back to 22 Libra 46′ before stationing direct at this point on 24 June 2012.
