Greg Tufaro is a second-generation astrologer and segment producer for "Good Morning America."
If you’re reading this, it’s probably because you’ve been following your astrological horoscope over the past several weeks, wanting to know what what's coming up next. The big news today? Saturn joins Pluto and Jupiter in retrograde motion. Together, three of our major players appear to move backwards in the sky.
(MORE: First Mercury, then Jupiter, now Pluto goes retrograde on April 24)OK, so, you did it. You got through one retrograde -- Mercury’s last month. Miscommunication abounded and some technology broke down. You did it, and you are better for it.
Then, you got the news that Jupiter was going retrograde. You’re in it right now. You’re realizing that sometimes you have to make your own luck in order to make sure good things happen . Remember, “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.” Seneca. Oprah. Me. You’re doing it. You’re doing great.
Lastly, Pluto shifted directions, and like the Phoenix she is, started to fundamentally change you at your core through a major trial. You’re pulling through and like the Phoenix you are, you will certainly be reborn as you get through the fire.
Now, what are we talking about this morning? Why, Saturn, of course.
Saturn is known as the taskmaster planet -- the parental figure who challenges us to step through our greatest difficulties in life. It is the planet from which we, metaphorically, learn to grow and become wiser. In an astrological sense, Saturn going retrograde can symbolize one of two things for you.
It can allow you the potential of a temporary reprieve from whatever challenge has been the greatest in your life for the past year-and-a-half to two years, until it moves forward again on September 18. Or, it can allow you to revisit that challenge for yourself and take a beat so you have the opportunity to build a better foundation for yourself.
Saturn represents a weight in our life we tend to feel generationally and personally. You may have already heard of something called the “Saturn Return,” which happens between the ages of 27 to 29.5, and then again in your late 50s. (Saturn’s revolution around the sun is 29.457 years to be exact. Astrologically, Saturn’s impact in specific areas of your life can often be felt for several years prior to completing that revolution.) A “Saturn return” represents the big learning lesson/challenge of your life through which you experience the most internal growth. Things that are substantive tend to survive a Saturn return. Things that are built on sand, tend to fade away.
For each astrological sign, Saturn going retrograde will tend to have a different impact. Here’s what it could mean for you:
Career matters have likely been a priority since December of 2017. Some sort of public recognition may be involved. You’ve potentially been getting where you wanted to go or have been discovering that what you wanted in the past isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Take the next several months to reassess things and redefine what you want so you can continue to reach for the stars when Saturn moves forward in September.
(MORE: Mercury may be out of retrograde, but now it's Jupiter's turn)You’ve likely been experiencing some sort of challenge of faith and/or education for the past several years. If you feel like you need a refresher course or reintroduction to your spiritual self, do yourself the favor and sign up for that class or take the next few months to meditate. Your mind is likely to have more clarity if you take a moment to breathe. What you learn/experience now can feed your soul’s need for expansion and direct you where you need to go in September.
Matters of life and death have been on your mind for the past couple of years -- you’ve potentially lost someone substantial or have been dealing with money matters relating to a will. On the opposite end of the spectrum, concerns about conception may have been front and center, a focal point on your mind. The reality is, your challenge has been to figure out your place in the circle of life. Right now is the time to center yourself. There are still challenges to be had for sure, but for the time being, relax.
Partnerships have been your challenge. Either your partner has been going through something difficult and has needed your help to get through it, or you’ve found yourself in the position of questioning how to keep your relationship solid despite the inherent challenges every couple faces together. The next several months are about solidifying your foundation as a unit. Take a moment and just be there for one another if you can be, but if you can’t -- recognize that’s okay too. Some people come into your life for a day, a season, a lifetime. Which are you two to one another? Establish that and the rest will follow.
Work in the office has been piling up with new responsibilities taking their toll on your physical wellbeing. Make sure you’re taking care of yourself. You don’t want a sudden health concern to crop up and prevent you from enjoying the spring and summer months ahead. Nobody lays on their deathbed celebrating all of work they accomplished. These next several months are a good time to re-establish a set-point for yourself for balancing your ability to have it all. You can have it all, but first figure out what that means for you.
If you’ve been feeling more depressed than usual or been having difficulty with your kids, know that these feelings too shall pass. Hopefully, this Saturn retrograde period will allow you to see whatever light is waiting for you at the end of the tunnel. You’re mostly through the thick of things. Life and children are meant to be enjoyed. Try not to be so hard of yourself or them, despite whatever challenges you’re facing right now. You have one last challenge ahead come the end of the year. It’s best now to prepare yourself in peace.
(MORE: We're halfway through this month's Mercury in Retrograde: Here’s what it means for you)If you’ve been making changes in your home (or your parents’ housing situation has changed since the end of 2017) take a moment right now to step back and reassess to make sure that everything is in the right order; everybody in their proper place. You should be able to focus your attention on other important matters in your life for the time being. Towards the end of the year, housing matters may be featured front and center once again.
One of your siblings may have been going through something serious for the past year and a half, or there could have been some sort of breakdown in communication between the two of you. Whatever the case, for the time being, the dust may be settling. Allow them the chance to take center stage and give yourself the opportunity for reconciliation. Family relationships are sometimes fraught with difficulty. If you feel like you’ve been experiencing more than your share, the next several months could potentially be a reprieve.
You’ve been working hard at keeping your finances in order and hopefully have been successful. If that’s the case, continue doing whatever you doing that’s working, because if you haven’t been so lucky … now may be the moment you need to buckle down to get your credit in check. If you don’t figure things out now, it’s likely that your financial picture will come back to haunt you towards the end of the year.
You’ve been going through some major changes personally -- working hard at accomplishing a major goal, but not without resistance. For the next several months, your load may feel lifted and opposition may be quelled, but remember -- this will only be temporary. As we reach the latter half of the year, whoever/whatever challenges you’ve been facing for the past year are likely to return in full force. If you prepare yourself for that possibility today, you’ll come out on top in the end.
(MORE: 6 types of astrological relationships: How do you and your partner match up?)You’re typically a people-pleaser at heart who wants to give everybody the benefit of the doubt and usually finds a way to do so, but for the time being, give yourself one. As Saturn shifts direction in the sky, a well-deserved mental break could do you wonders right now. If you can’t find the time, you may find yourself having a mental breakdown in a matter of months when life’s demands start piling on post-summer. Hey “Mr./Ms. Everybody’s Friend!” Get smart and first, be your own!
From 2015 until the end of 2017, you likely found yourself accomplishing goals in your career that you’d been working hard at achieving for many years. Since then, you’ve hopefully been able to reap what you’ve sown. People who have helped you achieve your dreams have grown closer, while those who worked to obstruct you have fallen away. The next several months may help you put all of those relationships into better perspective. What role did you play in those relationships? Are any worth revisiting to reassess? Sometimes, time and distance can afford us clarity. This may be one of those times.