Welcome, Second Saturn Return Members!

Were you born sometime between 1951 and 1953, while Saturn was intermittently within an 8° range of a conjunction to Neptune? (For most of you, both Saturn and Neptune are in the sign Libra, but for some Saturn is in Scorpio, though still within 8° of Neptune in Libra.)

Taylor Swift, John F. Kennedy, and Marilyn Monroe—a Neptune-Saturn Trio

(c)8-26-12 by Donna Cunningham, MSW

Hi, Folks, a quick note to let you know about an article I just posted on Skywriter that you may find interesting.  I’m finishing a workbook for stellium holders called The Stellium Tool Kit, and the example chart I’ve been using is that of newsmaker, Taylor Swift, the country singer.  I chose her because she has a stellium of four planets in Capricorn on her Ascendant–among them are Neptune and Saturn, closely conjunct.

Long story short, I wound up also reviewing the charts of JFK, Sr. and Marilyn Monroe, both born with prominent Neptune-Saturn aspects. JKF was born in the 1920s during the Neptune-Saturn conjunction just before yours, and Taylor Swift was born during the Neptune-Saturn conjuction just after yours.

I thought you might like to see what other generations are doing with this important and challenging aspect.  If so, you can see it here: Taylor Swift, John F. Kennedy, and Marilyn Monroe—a Neptune-Saturn Trio. (The conjunctions happen about every 35-37 years, and the last three were in 1916-18, 1951-52, and 1989-90.)

If you’ve never read it before, here’s a recap of some ways Neptune-Saturn aspects affect you.  The comment section is worth reading too, as people share stories that are eerily similar.

• Getting      a Grip on Saturn-Neptune Aspects
• Blending      without Drowning: How Saturn Saved a Neptune Type

Incidentally, if The Stellium Tool Kit applies to you or a friend or loved one and sounds helpful, sign up for a subscription here and you’ll receive an announcement.

Saturn Return Stories Galore!

I just got an email from Leisa Schaim about the blog she and Chris Brennan (both active in the Assocation for Young Astrologers) have going, aptly named Saturnreturnstories.com.   It has stories about newmakers as well as accounts from people like yourselves about what’s happening during their Saturn returns.  While most of them concern first Saturn returns, part of the healing journey for people on this blog has come through recalling  what happened during the first return and seeing how some of the same themes come up again at the second, but how the growth spurred by the first return has helped. Maybe reading the stories on their blog will refresh your memory.

Here are some of the articles I enjoyed on their blog:

The Astrology of Paul Ryan’s Political Ascent

Finding Faith by Age 30,

The Cycle of Saturn in the Life of J.K. Rowling

Relationship Ending at 1st Saturn Return in Libra

And, may I also say that even though my second Saturn return is in the distant past, I am so glad that you who have shared your stories here have gained insight and comfort from each other.   Best regards to you all, Donna Cunningham.

Saturn puts the icing on the cake.

As Saturn trudged through the place in the sky where it had been the day I was born ( for the last time in 30 years)  I received heart breaking news. My husband of 33 years (now 34) was diagnosed with a very nasty kind of cancer.  He had a 20% chance of  surviving for 1 year. That’s about as bad as it gets.

What, how could that be? I had my life all set; I was going to retire, he, the healthy one,  was going to work for a few more years to support me; I was going to start being a full time painter.  Foolish humans, always making plans as if they were in charge. That was just one of the new lessons.  We are NOT in charge.  I told my coworkers my retirement was off as I sped off to one doctor appointment after another.

As the days went by he had chemo, followed by a botched surgery and another, and I learned what Saturn in the 6th house really meant.  It means service. Not service with a smile, not service with a pat on the back, not service because you like it, just service.  No arguments, no reasoning, no bargaining. You just put one foot down after the other, put your head down and do it.  There is no payment for service, just the act itself.

But in the past, I could bargain for my fair share of service, I complained, I whined, I blustered, and sometimes I cheated..  and it worked! Why isn’t it working now?? well, for starters,  resentments make me sick.  (oh, that Saturn in the 6th house again!!!). And who was I cheating, complaining to?  Uh, my husband languishing in the hospital?

I had to throw away “It’s not fair!” right away. Because well, my Saturn IS in Libra, isn’t it?? I know ALL about fair. I always have, from the time I was born.  I believe that is a Saturn in Libra thing.  But service isn’t fair. Life isn’t fair.

You just DO.  You DO because you must do.  Quiet your heart and your mind.  Serve.  People say “Oh you are so strong!” Because with Saturn in Libra, you are the exalted servant, whether you are really strong or not. You do your job, you take care of your home, you advocate for your spouse, you pay the bills.  You learn what is needed and you do all that is humanly possible.  You quickly learn what is unimportant.

But I made plans!!  What about my plans? At work things got busier. My boss started giving me more responsibility. I could see that I could have more career, even though before I didn’t think it was possible at all.  Then this February, we discovered that the cancer was not relenting. It took me another month before I understood just what we were facing.  And I decided to retire for a new reason.  So that I could be with my husband for the short time he had.  I retired.  Today is day number 6.  Life is good. Life is hard.  But I made the right choice.

With inexorable Saturn in the 6th house, I know that to continue to be the exalted servant, I must eat well, I must sleep well, I must exercise. I must let go of resentments and expectations, (an ongoing process, believe me!).

I must take care of this servant body so I can continue to serve. And the payoff? I will continue to be healthy, I am happier with myself, and I have a wonderful loving family that can continue to function because of my health and my supposed strength.

that’s a bit of serenity I did not expect.

In a few months, Saturn will leave my 6th house and enter my 7th. To me, that is such good news. It gives me hope that my husband will still be alive.

 

 

The Difference between the First and Second Saturn Return

(c)10-29-2011 by Donna Cunningham, MSW

In response to a reader’s question, here’s how I would explain the three Saturn returns – each is the culmination of a stage of maturation, focused in the areas of life represented by the house Saturn is placed in natally and by natal Saturn’s aspects. Saturn represents important roles we play, like parent, spouse, boss, or teacher, and so the return may focus on adjusting to those roles. It is also a mini life review, an interval in which we ask ourselves and are asked by our surroundings,” how am I doing?”

Second time around. How was it different this time?

Every one of us that shares the experience of their Saturn return here helps the rest of us, as we peer into each other’s dark mirrors to find ourselves.  While I find the people with approximately the same  signs in houses more fascinating, I can learn something from most of you as you post about your experiences.

I have Saturn in the 6th house, the house of service, cats (small pets)  and health. 30 odd years ago, I found myself feeling totally overwhelmed, with a full time job, an out of control husband, and two little tiny kids.  I was the full time parent, and I had a menial job too that required me 40 hours a week.

My health was a mess, I had not done anything more physical than chase those kids around for 3 or 4 years,  so my resistance was low and I was always tired. It took me years to climb out of that hole.  I was almost 50 when Saturn was trining my native Saturn  when I realized that if I didn’t change my ways I would be in serious trouble soon.   I was going to a chiropractor at the time, and he would adjust me and I would go home and fall out of adjustment! He could put my bones back, but my muscles were too weak to hold stuff where it belonged. I knew I had to do something different.

So I pursued an exercise program in fits and starts and gradually built a new healthy body and an exercise ethic that seems to be sticking with me.

An old astrologer once told me that the cosmos continues to give you opportunities to change throughout your life. I think I got with the program just in time.

So when Saturn return came along again, here I was with about 16 pounds of muscle mass that I didn’t have before, an understanding of posture, balance, and lots of other details about health that I was missing before; and I still had issues. I HAVE issues. But I know the ropes now. I know what to do.

This Saturn return I was kind of excited because I also was having Jupiter return. In the past, my Jupiter returns have been a lot of fun, but this one sure wasn’t.  Saturn hosed the whole thing down with cold water.  So it hasn’t really been fun.

My out of control husband has turned into my dearest friend, but  for this Saturn return, we discovered that he has something else out of control, cancer. And it’s scary.  Along with me he has been pursuing health by diet and exercise and life style, but of course, life’s not fair, we are learning, it’s not always enough to do everything right, but it helps.

Since it’s not over yet, I will not say anything else, but do tell me how yours is different than the last time. And be sure to tell us where your Saturn is in your chart so we know what page you’re on.

A 2nd Saturn Return back to the 9th house–a relationship and beliefs journey

©8-2011 by Ineke

 Note: Second Saturn Return members are invited to share and post their Saturn return stories so we can all learn  from each other. Ineke has studied astrology for a long time, but that’s not a requirement for posting here.

 My first Saturn Return also coincided with Transiting Neptune conj my Natal Sun/Mercury. Much later I did an astrological assignment on the first return and had writings and diaries to sort thru what happened. Saturn came close to my Saturn at the beginning of that year and only one pass in the October. The Saturn Return chart (13 Oct 1981) has Saturn in the 9^th conjunct Sun in 9^th conj Jupiter on MC and Pluto in 10^th plus opposition Moon in Aries in the 3^rd.  

Where is YOUR Second Saturn Return?

(c)8-2011 by CJ Wright

So where is your natal  Saturn? Mine is in the 6th house, house of pets, health and service.   I’d love to know where yours is. Below are some very brief descriptions of Saturn in the houses, added just to whet your interests.

Saturn return, transit beyond Saturn in the 6th house

(c)8-2011 by MimiTabby

As Transiting Saturn danced back and forth over my natal Saturn, I felt downtrodden, tired, old.  I knew that if I could just hold out to the end of July, I would finally be free of that heavy stone on my shoulders. And I could really feel it, within days, I  had more energy, my frozen shoulder is unfreezing, but Saturn is STILL in my 6th house, the house of health, small animals, and service.

Flower Essence Support for the Neptune-Saturn Group

(c)5-2011 by Donna Cunningham, MSW

Note: this article, which originally appeared on Skywriter is part of a series designed to help readers born between 1951-53 with Saturn conjunct Neptune work through their second Saturn return.  We’ll be learning about a variety of healing tools, but essences are an excellent catalyst to growth. 

The 6th house Saturn Return – an artist who served for 32 years

(c)5-2011 by MimiTabby

This is the first of a series of autobiographical posts about those of us experiencing their second Saturn return.   My name is Mimi.

Saturn in the 6th house points to service, small animals and health issues.  During my first Saturn return, I had terrible problems with my cats, lost jobs, learned a work ethic and had a very small health crisis. I also managed to work full time with a husband who was slowly getting his act together (he managed to be unemployed for the births of both of our kids), and have a tot and a baby. I was completely miserable.