Anyone who has made the transition from their late 20s into their early 30s is well aware of the tough growing pains that go on during this time. It’s often a period where you’re reevaluating certain aspects of your life, and figuring out who and what you want to commit to moving forward. Fortunately, there’s an astrological term for this specific life stage, the Saturn Return—and it’s been having a major moment in pop culture recently.
Saturn makes an appearance on Ariana Grande’s latest album, on a track titled “Saturn Returns Interlude.” Kacey Musgraves promoted her upcoming album on social media by simply posting: “My Saturn has returned.” (It turned out to be a quoting from her lead single “Deeper Well.”) In addition, SZA released a single last month titled “Saturn” and Adele referenced struggling during her own Saturn Return on her 2021 album 30. What is the significance of the Saturn Return, though—and why is everyone talking about it?
At the time you were born, Saturn was occupying a specific sign. It takes Saturn about 29 years to make a full lap through all 12 zodiac signs, then return to that same position it was in at your birth. When it does, this phenomenon is referred to as your Saturn Return. Saturn is currently in the sign of Pisces right now from March 2023 to February 2026. The last time Saturn occupied this sign was from 1994 to 1996, so anyone who was born during those years is currently in the midst of their Saturn Return.
Though your exact Saturn Return occurs at the age of 29, the underlying feeling of Saturn typically encompasses the entire age range of 27 to 30. (You also get a second Saturn Return in your late 50s and a third one in your 80s.) Saturnian themes that are brought up around your late 20s have to do with taking on greater responsibilities, putting in a lot of hard work, finding greater structure in your life, and laying stronger foundations for your future. Whatever new life direction is revealed around the Saturn Return will continue to be developed over the next several decades.
The Saturn Return is also a period where you’re getting clear on who you want to be as an individual. Saturn will have you realizing the ways you haven’t been living true to yourself, and you will want to break free from any self-imposed limitations. Saturn is a planet that is all about time and honoring your commitments, so anything or anyone who isn’t meant to be with you for the long haul may fall away during your Saturn Return. In addition, there is usually a lot of pressure on you to have your entire life figured out. There may be a feeling that time is running out, but also that everything is taking way too long to happen. There are no shortcuts with Saturn, so you’re often putting in a lot of extra effort, but not seeing the payoff until several years down the road.
Your Saturn Return can affect various areas of your life. For some, it may be a time of experiencing a major career pivot or finding your niche at work. For others, the Saturn Return may be more about realizing what relationships are truly important to you. Friends may be going off in different directions, or you could be figuring out if you want to further commit to someone or end a relationship if it doesn’t have long-term potential. Oftentimes, having children or getting married coincides with the Saturn Return period, because it’s a time of entering into greater responsibility. It might be that you’re deciding to move to a new city too, or you could be doing deep healing work surrounding your childhood and family dynamics. During your Saturn Return, you’re reflecting on the past to better inform how you should move forward. (For instance, celebrities often publish memoirs at the time of their first, second, or even third Saturn Returns.)
If you are currently experiencing your Saturn Return, it’s okay if you’re feeling stuck or frustrated. That’s the very nature of Saturn—and it’s only temporary. You are being asked to slow down and make necessary adjustments in your life before you can move forward again. By the end of the Saturn Return, you can expect to emerge with a greater sense of confidence and self-understanding.
