It’s not weird to have Saturn retrograde in the birth chart. 

In a year, Saturn is retrograde for approximately 135 days. Four months and a half. More than a third of a calendar year. 

So, I don’t understand why Saturn retrograde often has a terrible reputation in astrology. Its retrogradation is part of the planet’s predictable, measurable, and cyclical movement. It’s not an error or anomaly. 

My intention in this text is to explain some misinformation about Saturn retrograde. Besides, I’ll mention the impact of this placement during your Saturn return. 

To do so, I’ll cover the characteristics of the Saturn cycle. Besides, I’ll mention some of the meanings of retrograde Saturn in the birth chart, according to astrologer Erin Sullivan. Finally, I’ll offer calendars about the cycle of this planet for 2024 and 2025. 

This is the table of contents: 

1. Saturn’s Yearly Cycle
2. How Long Do Saturn’s Stationary Periods Last?
   1. Summary of Saturn’s Yearly Cycle 
3. Saturn Retrograde in the Birth Chart
4. 10 Common Manifestations of Saturn Retrograde in the Birth Chart 
5. Stationary Saturn in the Birth Chart 
6. How Will Your Saturn Return Be If You Have Natal Saturn Retrograde?
7. What Can You Do During the Saturn Retrograde Period?
8. Saturn’s Yearly Cycle in 2024
9. Saturn’s Yearly Cycle in 2025

Let’s go!

Saturn’s Yearly Cycle

Saturn spends 36 % of its yearly cycle in the retrograde motion. This equals around 135 days or four and a half months. 

But Saturn’s cycle is not just divided into “direct” and “retrograde.” It also has stationary periods (and shadow periods, but I’ll cover those in a different instance).  

When Saturn slows down and stops at a specific degree before its retrogradation, it is in a state known as stationary retrograde.

This applies to all planets. I’m just saying Saturn because this text concerns this planet’s cycle. 

In the retrograde period, Saturn opposes the Sun. This aspect marks the middle of the retrogradation. 

After the retrogradation, Saturn is in the stationary period one more time. 

When Saturn slows down and stops at a specific degree after the retrogradation, this state is known as stationary direct.

How Long Do Saturn’s Stationary Periods Last?

There’s no straight answer about the time Saturn spends in its stationary periods. 

Even though there are some technical explanations for this process, the exact duration of the stationary phases cannot be specified. This happens because a planet’s speed changes from our geocentric point of view. 

I consider both stationary periods to last 5 days before and after the planet goes retrograde or direct. 

This option may not be exact, but it is accurate enough. 

Summary of Saturn’s Yearly Cycle 

1. Saturn is direct
2. Saturn is stationary retrograde for 5 days before the date of its retrogradation
3. Saturn goes retrograde
4. Saturn finishes its stationary retrograde period 5 days after the beginning of its retrogradation
5. In the middle of the retrograde period, Saturn opposes the Sun 
6. Saturn is stationary direct for 5 days before the ending of its retrogradation
7. Saturn turns direct
8. Saturn finishes its stationary direct period 5 days after the ending of its retrogradation

Saturn Retrograde in the Birth Chart

To explore retrograde Saturn in the natal chart, I sought the help of astrologer Erin Sullivan. 

She wrote a magnificent book called Retrograde Planets: Traversing the Inner Landscape. 

Sullivan argues retrograde planets aren’t “weaker” or “more repressed” than direct planets. She adds that a retrograde planet is neither connected with consciousness nor unconsciousness. 

Retrogradation indicates that the person born with a retrograde planet has internalized the principles the planet represents.

This may sound complex, but bear with me. 

If you were born with a retrograde planet, the functions or verbs associated with the planet are experienced more intimately. These functions are directed toward your inner self rather than in a social or outward-projected manner. 

Saturn is a planet associated with responsibilities, hardships, working to be an authority, and harvests. 

If you were born with retrograde Saturn, you’re probably more responsible or serious than the person who doesn’t have this planet retrograde in their birth chart. 

But those around you may not directly perceive this responsible flair you have. This happens because all this responsibility is directed towards your inner life and not so much to the outer world.  

You want to manifest what the retrograde planet symbolizes SO MUCH that you seek to fulfill its manifestation exaggeratedly. 

Your seriousness can sometimes become cartoonish, like a kid dressed up as an adult. 

The image that comes to mind is of BoJack Horseman’s character, Vincent Adultman. BoJack says that Vincent is three children under an adult trench coat. However, this fact is never explicitly revealed in the show. 

Even though Vincent behaves strangely as an adult, it is not 100 % clear that there are three children cosplaying what they think being an adult is supposed to look like. 

A kid named Kevin is apparently dressed up as Vincent, but this is also not resolved satisfactorily. 

The mystery of the true identity of Vincent Adultman is not solved on purpose. And it is not solved because what does it mean to be an adult? How do adults have to behave? Aren’t the supposed adults of the world full of shit and reckless behaviors? 

These questions may come to mind if your natal Saturn is retrograde. 

Wrestling with the construction of adulthood is an internal and intimate process. Other people may not perceive your inner turmoil at all. 

Sullivan explains that if we consider planets as individuals in a social system, a retrograde planet functions as an introvert. 

A direct planet interacts with other planets, demands recognition, and expects to be challenged and challenge others. Instead, a retrograde planet operates in its own sphere, behind closed doors, and is much more personal. 

If Saturn is retrograde in your birth chart, you could be responsible and severe, not toward others but with yourself. You could be your worst critic and even worst enemy. Fortunately, there are ways to change this demeanor. 

To explore more meanings associated with Saturn retrograde in the birth chart, you can read this other text: Retrograde Saturn in the Natal Chart and the Saturn Return

10 Common Manifestations of Saturn Retrograde in the Birth Chart 

1. Internalization of Saturnian principles: A Saturn retrograde in the birth chart indicates a profoundly personal experience of the Saturnian tenets like responsibility, discipline, and authority.
2. Romanticization of the father figure: Those with retrograde Saturn in the birth chart may have idealized their father. This leads to disillusionment if reality doesn’t align with these archetypal expectations. Unfortunately, reality usually doesn’t align. Then, the father becomes an elusive or privileged figure, fueling feelings of resentment and guilt. Healing the father relationship could occur later in life, potentially through therapy if a direct reconciliation is off the books. 
3. Acute sensitivity towards the environment: People born with Saturn retrograde are very sensitive to their surroundings. This manifests in a gap between their private self-perception and the identity society assigns to them.
4. Challenges associated with validation: Retrograde Saturn natives struggle to internalize love and acceptance from others. You may feel it’s never quite enough. You must ultimately develop self-love and realize external validation won’t NEVER fulfill your inner need for respect and recognition.
5. Extreme fluctuation between solitude and socialization: Those who have Saturn retrograde in the birth chart may oscillate between intense social engagement and isolation periods. You may cycle through exhaustion due to socializing and the need for connection when you are alone.
6. Deeply seated empathy for others: Although you’re highly empathetic toward others, you may lack self-compassion. This is why people with retrograde Saturn usually excel in roles focused on care and assistance. 
7. Defensive ambivalence: A retrograde Saturn in the birth chart can cause a back-and-forth between over-reliance on and abandoning defense mechanisms. This could lead to mental vulnerability. Try to have lax defense mechanisms that can ebb and flow depending on the situation at hand. 
8. Self-criticism: People with retrograde Saturn can be their harshest critics. You could have a sense of inadequacy in various aspects of life that prevents you from showcasing your work. Slowly but surely, cut yourself some slack and treat yourself with grace. 
9. Creative insecurity: You may find creative work stressful and crave validation. You fear that your output isn’t good enough. Find ways to work in your art no matter the outcome or what others may tell you about it. 
10. Resistance to new experiences: Individuals with retrograde Saturn in the birth chart could form rigid protective barriers and resist new experiences. The fear of instability is so strong that you prefer to be in your shell rather than out in the world. But the world has a lot to offer, and it would be a pity if you miss the party. 

Stationary Saturn in the Birth Chart 

You can know if you have retrograde planets in your birth chart because there’s a small “r” next to them. 

But how do you know if you have stationary planets? 

You have to rely on an astrology tool known as an ephemeris. 

An ephemeris is a table of planetary positions that indicates the sign and degree planets are located on any given day. 

It is VERY significant if you were born on a day when a planet is stationary, whether this happens when it is retrograde or direct. 

A stationary planet in the birth chart is potent and intense in its expression. The meanings associated with the planet are concentrated and pure. 

If the planet in the birth chart is stationary retrograde, it reveals anticipation, expectancy, or urgency, which is uncommon with planets in direct motion. If the planet is stationary direct, it could be experienced as being assertive, determined, and straightforward.  

Astro Dienst offers the option to create your own ephemeris for free. Go to their website, Charts & Calculations>Create a custom Ephemeris, and choose the options that suit your intentions. 

You can create an ephemeris for your birth chart and decide the years you want to cover. If you work with asteroids, you can also choose them and add a place of reference for the ephemeris. 

If a planet is retrograde when you were born, look at 5 days before and 5 days after the day it went retrograde. This window of 10 days has to include the day of your birth. If the planet is at the same degree (but probably not at the same minute), you have a stationary planet in your birth chart. 

Please notice that this is not exact. Some astrologers may argue that this method is not appropriate. I think it’s a good first approximation, and then you can dig deeper if you’re interested. 

How Will Your Saturn Return Be If You Have Natal Saturn Retrograde?

If you have Saturn retrograde in your birth chart, you have a unique opportunity during your first  Saturn return. 

At this time, you’ll be challenged to claim authority and self-validation. To do so, you’ll undergo transformative growth if you embrace the shift.

You’re the adult now. 

But you can choose the type of adult you want to be. You don’t have to embrace the role models you had growing up. You can choose, you can remix, you can kind of start from scratch. 

The house in which your natal Saturn is retrograde highlights the life areas where you feel inhibited. You need extra encouragement to tap into your potential in those life areas. Your Saturn return offers you the chance to do so if you engage in the work required. 

Related: Saturn Through the 12 Houses of the Zodiac: An Introduction 

To know what else you can do during your Saturn return, you can focus on your Sun. Engaging in themes related to your Sun’s house and sign can help offset Saturnian insecurities and unlock creative expression.

You’ll notice that the journey of self-love and acceptance usually gets more intense during your first Saturn return. 

You may realize that external validation will never be enough. Sure, it feels good and heartwarming. But you must give yourself the recognition and respect you crave from others.  

Sometimes, external events manifest during your Saturn return that put you in the driver’s seat. You are no longer the child of your family or the junior at work. 

You’re in charge now. You must make crucial decisions that will impact the long term. 

If you realize it’s show time and have a growth mindset, you’ll experience a profound transformation during your Saturn return. 

Related: Saturn’s Themes and Their Activation During The Saturn Return

Instead, if you haven’t worked on your confidence or self-awareness, the Saturn return will be hard. All the insecurities from having a natal Saturn retrograde will be in the spotlight. 

Go easy on yourself. 

At the same time, engage in mindset shifts that will make you more resilient and capable of solving whatever life brings to your door. 

This may take time and will not always feel like second nature. Nonetheless, do it, even if you can start small. 

The rewards for putting in the reps will be outstanding.

What Can You Do During the Saturn Retrograde Period?

Every year, during the retrogradation of Saturn, projects may not go as fast as you would like them to. 

The ringed planet invites us to slow down, check the small print, and embrace patience. 

I always feel that our patience is rewarded after the retrograde is over. Things start moving a little bit faster, and celebrations abound.  

Those four and a half months of the year when Saturn is retrograde are a boot camp. In that boot camp, you can train the Saturnian muscles of patience, mastery, responsibility, and moving slowly but intentionally. 

Life will not be a walk in the park when that period is over. This varies from birth chart to birth chart. Also, circumstances change depending on the planets’ movements in a specific year.  

But life does feel a little lighter afterward. 

You go through the whole yoga class during the retrograde period of Saturn to enjoy the 10 minutes of savasana once the retrograde is over. 

Saturn’s Yearly Cycle in 2024

1. June 24, 2024: Saturn stationary to turn retrograde (not an exact date, but an approximation.) 
2. June 29, 2024, 15:06 EST: Saturn turned retrograde at 19°25’ of Pisces. 
3. July 4, 2024: Saturn “ends” its stationary period after going retrograde (again, not an exact date, but an approximation.)
4. September 8, 2024, 00:34 EST: Sun in Virgo opposed to Saturn in Pisces. This aspect marks the middle of the retrograde period. 
5. November 10, 2024: Saturn stationary to turn direct (not an exact date, but an approximation.) 
6. November 15, 2024, 09:21 EST: Saturn turned direct at 12°41’ of Pisces. 
7. November 20, 2024: Up until this day, Saturn is stationary after going direct (not an exact date). 

Saturn’s Yearly Cycle in 2025

• July 08, 2025: Saturn stationary to turn retrograde (not an exact date, but an approximation.) 
• July 13, 2025, 00:07 EST: Saturn turns retrograde at 1°56’ of Aries.
• July 18, 2025: Saturn “ends” its stationary period after going retrograde (again, not an exact date, but an approximation.)
• Sep 1, 2025, 04:05 EST: Saturn retrograde re-ingresses at 29° of Pisces.
• Sep 21, 2025, 01:45 EST: Sun in Virgo opposes Saturn in Pisces. This aspect marks the middle of the retrograde period. 
• November 22, 2025: Saturn stationary to turn direct (not an exact date, but an approximation.) 
• November 27, 2025, 22:51 EST: Saturn turns direct at 25°09’ of Pisces. 
• December 2, 2025: Up until this day, Saturn is stationary after going direct (not an exact date). 

I hope all this information was helpful. If you have a question, ask in the comments! Thank you for being here, and until next time.