Saturn Retrograde in Pisces
For the first time
since Saturn entered Pisces earlier in the year, this tough-love planet of
karma will be going retrograde. From June 17th until November 4th,
Saturn’s backward dance invites a golden opportunity to integrate the lessons
we’ve been grappling with since around March this year. When planets go
retrograde, their energy is both emphasized and dulled, highlighting the
importance of tuning in to our hearts and souls to explore what may be arising,
both collectively and personally.
Saturn and Pisces are
an unlikely match. Saturn, after all, rules all things structured and is the epitome
of boundaries. This planet takes some of his symbolism from the fact that he’s
the last cosmic body that we can see with the naked eye. Thus, he rules the
final, tangible frontier between Earth and whatever lies beyond our reality.
This, and his association with mythological Kronos, the Lord of Time, indicates
that Saturn is an Archetype that is nowhere close to the symbolism of
free-floating, unstructured, boundary-less, timeless Pisces. Pisces is also somewhat
associated with that final frontier - yet, this sign is more about the mystery
that lies beyond the veil rather than Saturn’s symbolic representation of the physical
border between life and death.
So how can these two
get along, and what may we expect whilst Saturn dances back a few steps? Moving
from 7 degrees of this mutable water sign all the way to the sensitive degree
of 0, this period is likely to reveal all the ways in which we’ve sidestepped responsibility,
avoided structure, escaped into destructive habits or Self-annihilated. The
first stage of Saturn’s move into any new sign is always the toughest, as it’s
somewhat of a reality check when it comes to the topics of that sign. Yet, as
we learn to ride the waves of Pisces – to surf really - Saturn promises an easier
road ahead. Pisces can also be true mysticism, deep spirituality, and connection
to Source. This is what we need to be aiming for.
For now, we may simply
feel a little stuck, or even resentful as we come face to face with our addictions
and escape mechanisms, our chronic evasion of duty. Study carefully in your
world where these tendencies may be arising. Is it at work? Health? Finances?
Relationships? Rise to the challenge instead of shrinking away. Accept the
overwhelm. Dig deep. Our journey lies in discovering, through the medium of
music, art, prayer, meditation or travelling, the Guru within.
Those of us with
mutable signs between 7 and 0 degrees – Virgo, Sagittarius, and Gemini –will be
challenged to embrace responsibility and adjust to external changes and
changing situations. We may be asked to endure certain tests, and to maintain
faith – a Pisces word – that this is all in service of our highest growth and
soul’s individual journey. People with Pisces Rising, Moon or their Sun at
these degrees are experiencing a powerful karmic cycle in which they’re
stepping into a place of authority and responsibility, perhaps for the first
time ever. There’s something deeply rewarding about this process. Progress is
slower during retrograde, but once we get past the frustration, we can see that
this is, in fact, a gift of grace straight from Source. The gift of pause. Of
reflection. Of assimilation. As Saturn comes back to that sensitive 0 degree,
we need to reflect on how we can tackle the issues of faith, belief, spirituality,
addiction, escapism and most of all, boundaries – with maturity and wisdom.
