The nice weather is finally here and the summer season is just around the corner, when we may find ourselves working extra hard to leave early on Fridays before hitting up barbecues, outdoor concerts, and beach picnics, all accompanied by editor-approved sunscreens, of course. But parties aren’t the only thing happening this month: The planet Saturn will be retrograde in Pisces all summer (and some of fall) starting on Saturday, June 17, 2023. Isn’t it nice to know that the planets are aligned with your desire to just hang out?
This will be a time when you can — and should, frankly — take the pressure off yourself. Let’s be honest: Who wants to be stuck inside, spiraling into the weekday equivalent of Sunday scaries, when the gorgeous weather beckons? Saturn (planet of maturity, responsibility, and the word “no”) appears to be going backwards in Pisces (and not back to Aquarius), so stop being your own harshest critic. Cut yourself a break, friend, because you are good enough.
When will Saturn go retrograde in June 2023?
According to Astro-Seek.com, Saturn will go retrograde on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at 1:27 p.m. EDT. It will go backwards for the duration of the summer and into mid autumn, when it will turn direct once again on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at 3:03 p.m. EDT.
Saturn going retrograde is not a rare occurrence; it happens approximately once each year, typically lasting about 4.5 months. Interestingly, Saturn rules politicians and elected officials, and (as some perceptive astrology fans may have already noticed) this retrograde ends just a few days before the U.S. holds its elections. More on Saturn’s astrological significance in a moment, though.
What does it mean for a planet to “go retrograde”?
“Retrograde” is a term frequently referenced in astrology, but its actual meaning is rarely explained. Here’s the gist: Planets orbit the Sun, but, as expressed in Kepler’s Second Law of Orbital Motion, each planet’s orbital speed is dependent on their distances from the Sun. Given the massive differences in how far away each planet in the solar system is from our nearest star, we sometimes see the other planets “change directions” from our perspective when the Earth passes them in relation to the Sun.
So, physically, this means that when the Earth passes Saturn’s orbit in our path around the Sun, it appears to “go backward.” (To see what this looks like, check out the helpful illustrations from in-the-sky.org.) Astrologically, when a planet (from our perspective) is not moving in its “normal” way, we believe that this is an opportunity to forge a deeper connection or understanding of it and to get reacquainted.
What is the astrological meaning of Saturn?
Prior to 1781, when astronomer William Herschel first discovered Uranus using a telescope, Saturn was the last visible planet, and it is still the furthest that is visible to the naked eye. It therefore still represents limitation and restriction (while death and endings are now given to Pluto). Saturn is the “growing up” planet, bringing discipline and maturity.
When Saturn makes a 120° angle, also known as a trine, to a planet in your chart, it can solidify and strengthen that planet. When it comes on top of (conjunct), is positioned at a 90° angle (square), or is positioned at a 180° angle (opposition), it can be anywhere, from annoying to pretty terrible.
When Saturn is active for you, it forces you to grow, mature, and become better in the long run. Your natal Saturn speaks to your level of discipline, responsibility, and maturity. As stated earlier, this planet rules government, structure, authority (both perceived and real), and authority figures, such as bosses, and it is also tied to fathers and father figures.
What will happen when Saturn goes retrograde in Pisces on June 17?
Saturn wants to uphold the status quo and keep things in line. Saturn rules Capricorn which craves achievement, and Aquarius, which wants to bring about a better world. Both those signs want to get things done. We are going to have a retrograde experience around Saturnian things, which means reworking, reevaluating, reorganizing, and reflecting around our own discipline and work ethic, our sense of our own authority, our sense of our own achievements and accomplishments, as well as any future goals.
When Saturn goes retrograde, we want to rebel and question authority. We may look at the establishment as it stands and ask, “Why do things have to be this way?” If we’re being bold, perhaps we will even find ourselves asking, “How do I change them?”
On March 7, 2023, Saturn entered Pisces. When a planet retrogrades it is literally going back over parts of the chart it already went through and often goes back into the previous sign, as Pluto did on June 11, 2023. Even if it does not go all the way back through a sign, this planet still vibrates through our psyche and reminds us of our recent experiences. In this case, that would be Saturn in Aquarius, the sign it sat in through much of the pandemic. But let’s be clear: We do not have to rehash the pandemic simply because Saturn is staying in Pisces. As Saturn returns to the beginning of Pisces, this is a time when we are getting a different perspective on the last few months.
Saturn in Pisces can be a tough time, particularly when something (or someone) we strongly felt was real and reliable is no longer there for. We can also look at the other side and see this as a time when we can bring Piscean things like dreams and fantasies to fruition. When Saturn is retrograde, you may want to take the time to reflect on those dreams. Here are some other questions and ideas that may come up during this time:
How can I enact limits and boundaries in my life?
Are the hobbies and activities I’ve been doing healthy outlets? Are any of them hurting me?
Can I find more purpose and pride in my work?
Would it serve me to commit to a consistent spiritual practice, such as reiki, meditation, or yoga?
How can I learn to better say “no”?
Saturn retrograde in Pisces asks us to contemplate some heady themes; for instance, what is the point of creating something lasting if nothing lasts forever? What if none of this is real? (Simulation theory, anyone?) Yet there are multiple ways to interpret and utilize astrological energy.
Here’s my advice, from an astrologer’s standpoint: Try not to obsess over being so on top of every little thing in your life — and, for the record, that includes vacations despite their synonymous status with the summer season (even for the majority of us who work through the warm-weather months). Vacations can be just as stressful if you focus on making sure everything is perfect. Listen, this is your chance to wing it with your plans and take the pressure off yourself. Maybe, just maybe, you’ll finally have the good time and relaxing vibes that you’ve always deserved.
Originally published in Allure.com