Saturn Goes Retrograde on June 17

How the Planet of Truth May Bring Important Events in Your Life

Please note that this and all my other forecasts are based on the sidereal zodiac used in both Vedic and Western sidereal astrology, not the tropical system used by most Western and some Vedic astrologers. All the astrological charts below are calculated according to the sidereal zodiac and Lahiri Ayanamsa

Saturn Will Retrograde June 17 to November 4, 2023

Saturn will begin its annual retrograde cycle on Saturday, June 17 at 1:28 PM Eastern Time (5:28 PM UTC). It will remain retrograde until November 4.

From the perspective of the Earth, planets usually appear to move forward (“direct”). At particular intervals, they appear to slow down and then completely stop their movement and go backward. When this happens, the planet is said to have gone “retrograde.” This occurs as a result of the variations of orbital speeds between the Earth and other planets during certain times of the year.

When a planet appears to stop its movement either forward or backward, this is referred to in astrology as a “planetary station.” In Vedic astrology, it is called “stambhana” or also known as “achala,” Sanskrit for “still.” When a planet appears to stop before moving backward, this is called a “retrograde station.” When it appears to stop before moving forward again, this is called a “direct station.”

Saturn’s Twenty-Day Stationary Period: June 7 to June 27

Saturn’s stationary period lasts for five days or so on either side of its exact station. This means that in June, it is traveling at zero speed from June 7 to 27. The fastest speed that it normally travels is 7 longitudinal minutes a day. A transiting stationary planet, especially the planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, or Pluto, is very powerful and may activate certain events related to the planets and other chart points that they aspect in a natal or mundane horoscope.

I have observed that very auspicious and challenging events become activated by outer planet stations. Neptune’s retrograde station in 2001 triggered malefic aspects to both Jupiter and Ketu in the United States birth chart, portending the events of 9/11. Pluto’s retrograde station occurred within a week of the stock market crash in October 1929.

Pluto stationed direct within a week of the end of the French Revolution in November 1799. A client had a profound spiritual awakening during a Jupiter direct station activating his natal chart. I myself was injured in a traumatic water accident as a child in 1964, almost exactly to the day that Saturn stationed retrograde in conjunction with my natal Sun and Moon in Aquarius/Shatabhisha.

Many years ago, I did an astrological research project on a large group of lottery winners. The Colombian-born American lottery winner Juan Rodriguez was one of my most interesting case studies. At the time, I discovered that a retrograde station of Saturn activated his birth chart on November 9, 2004. This was nine days before he won a $149 million Mega Millions jackpot on November 19, 2004. It was the biggest win in New York State lottery history up to that time.

Rodriguez’s yogakaraka Saturn (planet of power and purpose) stationed retrograde in conjunction with his exalted Jupiter, which is conjoined lucky Uranus in the 10th house (on the zenith). Saturn remained stationary in that same position for ten days afterward (when he won). Additionally, Uranus had stationed retrograde in June 2004, in an effective orb of conjunction with Mars in the fortunate fifth house of his chart; note that Mars is the traditional ruler of Scorpio, which occupies his second house of income.

Here you can see the quadri-wheel chart showing the natal and transit charts mentioned above:

Saturn’s Retrograde Cycle: The Power of Manifestation

Saturn will remain retrograde from June 17 until November 4. It will be transiting at 13 degrees Aquarius when it stations retrograde, and will be transiting at 6 degrees Aquarius when it stations direct on November 4. Please refer to my previous article for more details about the transit of Saturn in Aquarius.

When a planet is retrograde, it traverses a specific range of the zodiac for a sustained period of time. As it moves backward, it will move through a portion of the zodiac that it had already transited through. This is known as its shadow. It will traverse this area again when it moves forward. 

If you have natal planets or other important chart points in this area of the zodiac, or in aspect to this area, the transit may be especially significant for you.  Saturn will probably make contact with this area of your chart several times over the course of a year. Saturn represents the power of manifestation, so if it is in fact a key transit for you, this will also bring important events into your life.

For example, Saturn already transited from 6+ degrees of Aquarius to its current position at 13+ degrees of Aquarius. It will move back over the same area in the coming 4+ months and then will continue moving forward through this same area again, so in total, the shadow of Saturn’s retrograde period extends from early March 2023 until early February 2024.

During the pre-retrograde shadow period of Saturn (from March to June, 2023), we have probably been experiencing some of the themes that will be playing out in our lives during Saturn’s retrograde cycle. During the post-retrograde period (November 2023 into February 2024), we will be adjusting to the shifts that occurred while Saturn was retrograde.

Saturn in Shatabhisha Nakshatra: Potential for Healing, New Discoveries, and Change

The retrograde period of Saturn in Shatabhisha may be a time for deep personal healing for some of us. In the mundane realm, this cycle may also reveal disgraceful information related to corruption within the medical-industrial complex and the military-industrial complex. It could also point to significant reforms and new developments within all areas of industry, society, and government.

Saturn is the lord of Vayu, the wind or air element, and in the ten days before and after Saturn stations retrograde or direct, we may experience extreme mood shifts, anxiety, shocks and surprises, intense meteorological (air and weather) patterns, or seismic events. All of these are even more common near solstices (around June 21).

Furthermore, as past retrograde cycles of Saturn in Aquarius have shown, we may see more earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, and cyclones than usual between June and November, and also ongoing issues with air pollution (as Saturn is transiting in Rahu’s nakshatra, and Rahu represents smoke and toxins).

Quebec Canada Wildfire Smoke Consumes New Jersey and New York City June 7, 2023. Part of Midtown Manhattan from 30 Rockefeller Plaza. The New York Life Building and Empire State Building can be seen through the haze in this photo. Source: Anthony Quintano.

Saturn retrograde may intensify the multiple economic and social crises in the United States, as a retrograde Saturn tends to emphasize serious problems and the need to solve them. Saturn is the ruler of the second house of financial matters in the United States horoscope. It additionally rules the third house, which relates to issues with infrastructure, media and communications, and transportation, as well as conflicts with neighbors (as with the humanitarian crisis on the southern border).

Saturn will transit back over the Moon in the United States chart (where it was already transiting for much of the past six months). This is known as Sade Sati in Vedic astrology, and it can reflect a lot of depression, stress, suffering, and pressure bearing down on the citizens of the nation. Please refer to my previous article about this transit.

Saturn Retrograde: An Important Time to Make Improvements and Reevaluate, Modify, and Refine Commitments

Saturn represents the focus, discipline, and determination we need to face problems and reorganize our lives in order to make improvements. As the planet of Truth, Saturn (especially when retrograde) helps us face the karmic consequences of our past.

Saturn’s lessons are not always easy, but Saturn is of great benefit when we are open to learning from our mistakes, working hard, and overcoming our personal weaknesses. Saturn’s retrograde cycle is an important time to reevaluate, modify, and refine our commitments.

During the Saturn retrograde cycle and especially in the weeks before and after the retrograde station, we may all benefit from added mindfulness and spiritual practices for centering and grounding, including conscious breathing, since Saturn rules the breath/air element. As Saturn and Aquarius also rule the Mooladhara (root) chakra, keeping our energy systems connected to the Earth can also be very helpful.

Breathing in, I calm body and mind.

Breathing out, I smile.

Dwelling in the present moment I know this is the only moment.(Thich Nhat Hanh, Being Peace)