Sound the alarm, ring the bell, bang the gong, etc., etc. One of the biggest astrological events of 2023 — come to think of it, of the past several years! — is about to happen. Bossy Saturn is moving into watery Pisces on Tuesday, March 7 for the first time in 30 years. And what does that mean exactly? The vibes: shifting. The implications: enormous. The showers … citrus? Stay with me, friends. This is everything you need to know about Saturn’s major movement into Pisces.
But, first, what’s Saturn’s deal?
We lovingly refer to Saturn, the sixth planet from the sun, as our cosmic zaddy: In astrology, Saturn represents rules, responsibilities, and maturation. Boundaries, hard work, and the passage of time are a few of Saturn’s favorite things. As the farthest planet we can see with the naked eye, before the invention of the telescope, Saturn represented the end of the universe.
Saturn may be a hard ass (as in, it loves teaching us lessons we’ll never forget), but it also reminds us that through resilience and bravery, we’re capable of moving mountains. In fact, Saturn is the planet most closely associated with manifestation; it reminds us that reaching our goals takes tenacity, perseverance, and chutzpah.
In astrology, a planet’s nature is informed by its orbit. The faster a planet spins across the zodiac, the more “embodied” its influence on Earth. For example, the moon, which cruises across the sky every 28 days, impacts our rapidly fluctuating moods and emotions, while Mercury, with its zippy 88-day orbit, reflects our day-to-day communication and expression. Accordingly, all celestial bodies that sit within the asteroid belt (sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars) are considered “personal planets,” while planets on the other side of this cosmic partition (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto) are considered “transpersonal,” influencing long-term, large-scale, generational matters.
It takes Saturn between 28 and 30 years to move across the entire zodiac — a milestone that corresponds with the Saturn Return (more on that momentarily). Because of its slow but steady planetary pace, Saturn stays in a zodiac sign for two and a half to three years.
Since March 2020, Saturn’s been moving through revolutionary, innovative, and futuristic Aquarius. As an air sign, Aquarius is associated with humanity, collective experiences, and society at large — and look around. Saturn’s influence has been remarkable. Saturn in Aquarius has challenged systemic structures, exposed inequities, and opened our eyes to a brighter (and sometimes bleaker) tomorrow.
But, soon, Saturn will be trading its iridescent spacesuit for macrame, paisley, and whole lotta groovy vibes, man.
So what’s going on with Saturn now?
Saturn will be gliding across Pisces’s watery sky from March 7, 2023 through May 24, 2025, and again (after a short retrograde break) from August 31, 2025 through February 13, 2026. (Saturn’s last cruise through Pisces happened from May 21, 1993 through June 30, 1993, and again from January 28, 1994 through April 7, 1996.) While Saturn will maintain its status as the celestial taskmaster, over the next few years it will — undoubtedly — be softened by Pisces’s sensitive, psychic influence. Pisces, the last zodiac sign, is, in many ways, the antithesis of Saturn. Governed by Neptune, Pisces speaks in poetry, dissolves boundaries, and much prefers rose-colored glasses over Saturnian reality checks. So, Saturn adopting the qualities of this zodiac sign will be … well, a bit odd. To say the least.
Perhaps this Saturn in Pisces will close the loop on certain storylines? Or, perhaps we’ll experience new, zeitgeist-shifting happenings. It will be very important to stay vigilant and look out for smoke-and-mirrors: Remember, Saturn’s signature discernment is compromised in Pisces. Cults, dangerous conspiracy theories, and the seduction of fame and fortune may intensify over the next few years.
Who’s going to feel it?
ICYMI, everyone has every zodiac sign in their birth chart, so we’re all going to feel Saturn’s movement through Pisces. Though, of course, the MVPs of this cosmic happening will be anyone born with Saturn in Pisces in their birth chart.
So, if your birthday was from:
- May 21, 1993 through June 30, 1993 or January 28, 1994 through April 7, 1996
- March 23, 1964 through September 16, 1964 or December 15, 1964 through March 3, 1967
- February 14, 1935 through April 24, 1937 or October 17, 1937 through January 14, 1938
You will be experiencing either your first, second, or third Saturn Return, respectively.
Saturn Return is a cosmic coming of age. It’s an important milestone when you define your wants, needs, and expectations. Your first Saturn Return will help you step into adulthood, your second will elevate your greater missions, and your third will invite you to cultivate a powerful legacy. And, during any Saturn Return, you’ll discover that anything no longer serves you — be it shitty jobs, friendships, relationships, you name it — will fall by the wayside, which is fantastic … but can also be challenging and destabilizing as it’s happening.
But remember, that’s totally fine! On the other side of your Saturn Return, you’ll be in alignment with your soul’s mission — so why not enjoy the ride? Go forth and conquer!
More Astrology 101
- Steel Yourself for Saturday’s Jupiter-Uranus Conjunction
- Get Ready for the Solar Eclipse in Aries to Change You
- A Guide to the Water Signs: Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces
