Understanding the First Saturn Return

Certain astrological patterns occur universally — that is, everyone gets them at approximately the same age. One of those astrological patterns is the “Saturn Return” which occurs when transiting Saturn (where it is in the sky now) returns to the same position in the zodiac which Saturn occupied when you were born. Everyone experiences a first Saturn Return around age 28-30.

A number of psychologists have also studied life cycles and changes. They note that adulthood is just as much a time of shifts as childhood.  We do not stop growing and changing when we “come of age.” Life is a continuing process of development. One Harvard study (by Daniel Levinson and others) noted seven major transition (crisis) periods in the men they studied.  (This particular study only examined men.)

During transition periods, people reappraise their lives, leave the old, begin the new. Sometimes the changes are quite far reaching. The transition periods identified by psychology correspond neatly with major transiting (astrological) patterns. Levinson stressed the “Age Thirty Transition” and “Mid-Life Transition” as the most universally experienced of these crisis periods.

The “Age Thirty Transition” corresponds to the first Saturn Return (which occurs around ages 28-30). Astrologically, the issues center around time, structure, responsibility, power and accomplishment.

One common experience is that people suddenly feel “old,” perhaps for the first time. “I’m almost thirty,” the inner refrain goes, “and what have I done with my life?” A sense of time passing emerges, with more urgency to accomplish something lasting. People are likely to examine their lives to date and judge their achievements (or what they see as lack of achievements).

People will usually take a good, hard look at the structures of their lives — their careers, their families, their relationships. They may decide to change jobs, change careers, change relationships. Endings are quite possible, but so are beginnings. (Some people, for example, have their first child — a major responsibility — around this age.)

How much, how little, and what kind of responsibility and power the person is wielding become a focus for examination. Typically, people who have been carrying too much of the load, overdoing responsibility, will look for ways to cut back. People who have been avoiding responsibility may be forced to be more grounded, or willingly take on additional tasks and power in order to gain the achievements they desire.

There tend to be four generalized paths of possibility here:

(1) Individuals who have chosen in their twenties a life structure which is really very suited to their character, may simply solidify their gains. They may receive an important promotion, take on additional responsibilities, gain increased power, but generally are just expanding on the path already selected. (This is a relatively small group among the total.)

(2) Individuals who have not really settled into a life structure, who have been experimenting, or wandering, seeking and searching in their twenties, will feel the pressure of time. A group of them will make their first real commitment at this point. They will settle into a career (as opposed to “just a job”). They will get married. They will select a life structure which gives them a sense of stability, but fits what they’ve learned about themselves through the years of “trying on” different things in their twenties. They will set their sights on accomplishments, and be ready to really dig in, building a foundation for the future.

(3) Individuals who have also searched in their twenties, but not developed skills, self-confidence, or necessary expertise, may continue to flounder. They will also feel a sense of pressure, of time passing them by, of wanting to do something that will last — that will make a “real” difference. Without adequate preparation or commitment, however, they tend to end up feeling blocked and frustrated. Nothing really works for them. Nothing comes together. Their efforts seem futile. To escape this trap, they must go back, build up their skills, competence and willingness to be practical about responsibilities. They have to take more time to catch up with their peers.

(4) Individuals who have chosen in their twenties a life structure which is not very suited to their character, or who have simply changed a great deal, will make breaks. The old ways will feel confining, limiting, restrictive. Old patterns of behavior seem formalized and lifeless. In such cases, the people involved may end relationships, quit or be fired from jobs, move, or otherwise alter the basic structure of their lives. Sometimes they break out before they know what they are going toward. They simply know that they cannot continue to work with the current design. After (or while) making their breaks, these people will actively seek a firm commitment. They will look for life tasks which will provide them with a sense of achievement, mastery and competence. They will seek out responsibilities that will help them to feel they are making a real contribution and gaining expertise.

Of course, some people will do a mixture of these four, generalized paths. They may build, advance and solidify their family life, while making major breaks in their career (or vice versa). Each individual will meet the “Age Thirty Crisis” in his/her own way!

When in this transition (crisis) period, it is valuable to ask yourself the following questions:

Once people master the Age 30 Transition, they enter a “stable period” (in Levinson’s terms). Stable periods usually last six to seven years. (Seven years is one quarter of a Saturn cycle, astrologically.) During stable periods, people build life structures, elaborating foundations they have already set.

The “Settling Down” Stage follows the Age Thirty Transition. During their “settling down,” people will make major strides in a career, do substantial building in a relationship, or major accomplishments in raising a family. They enlarge, expand and carry further the foundation that was set by the end of the Age Thirty Transition. (Shortly after the “Settling Down” Stage comes the Mid-Life Crisis, which is yet another topic!)

If you are near the Age Thirty Crisis, take a look at your life!

You are not as old as you may feel right now, but you are making important choices! Examine the structures you have set up. If they are too restrictive, make healthy, productive changes.

If you’ve been avoiding commitment, examine your options and select a course that will allow you to begin building a foundation for the future.

If you’ve already selected with wisdom beyond your years and are reaping rewards, acknowledgments and support for your current path — congratulations! You’re one of the rare few who sail through this transition with few flurries.

If you’ve been too experimental to make choices, you can now choose to prepare better for the years ahead.

Your challenge, during the Age Thirty Transition, is to take on sufficient responsibility to achieve a meaningful, measurable result that will last — but not so much responsibility that you are overburdened and overworked.

Your challenge is to commit to a person, a career, a family or some basic life structure which will enhance your own personal growth as well. Your challenge is to identify what you can contribute to the world — your unique gift(s) — without feeling overwhelmed, inadequate or helpless.

Your challenge is to identify the basic rules and laws of life, to work wisely and well within them, and to accomplish as much as you can to create an enduring testament of you having lived on this planet. Some of that enduring testament may be an outer (career) achievement. But the most vital part is your personal growth, maturity and increased mastery of your life and being.

On the most basic level, your major task is to consolidate all your experience to date into an increased expertise at living, loving, growing and managing your life with common sense, with foresight and with concern for the greater good.

Best of luck in your journey!

(Editor’s Note:  Maritha Pottenger was an active practitioner, writer and teacher of psychological astrology in the 1970s, 80s and 90s.  She is now retired.  We thank her for giving us permission to republish her article here on Saturn Return Stories!)