The Second Saturn Return: A Journey of Transformation and Wisdom

Reflections on Growth, Mortality, and Aligning with What Truly Matters

How do you know you are finally an elder? It just might be after you go through your second Saturn Return.

For me, this realization coincided with my 59th birthday on November 3, 2024, when I found myself in the midst of my second Saturn Return. The feeling of being stuck, yet knowing change is inevitable, has been a hallmark of this period—a time when the need to pivot and adapt has become inescapable.

Let's briefly delve into the astrology placements. My natal Saturn sits at 10 degrees and 34 minutes in Pisces. Since late March 2023, I have been living through the profound and, at times, sobering experience of my second Saturn Return, occurring in my 9th house. With transiting Saturn currently at 14 degrees, I am still within its influence. By mid-February, however, Saturn will drift beyond the orb of my natal Saturn as it moves steadily toward Aries, where it will dip its elegant, disciplined rings on May 24, 2025.

Lessons from Saturn

Recently, during a discussion on a forum, the topic of Pluto’s ingress into Pisces and then Aries arose. I casually mentioned that, at 59, it was unlikely I would live to see Pluto’s journey through those signs. An optimist replied, “You might if you live into your 90s or even become a centenarian – which is increasingly common!” I appreciated their enthusiasm but explained that, based on family history, longevity on that scale is improbable for me.

Family and Priorities

It’s interesting to reflect on how time shapes our perspectives. In my late 40s and early 50s, I had an entire library of books about living to 100. Back then, I saw myself at a halfway mark, believing that a positive attitude, a healthy diet, and regular exercise would defy genetics and extend my years. My then-partner would point out the role of family history in life expectancy, but I would dismiss the notion, convinced that manifestation and mindset trumped biology. I was optimistic—perhaps overly so.

My optimism was deeply tied to my mother’s vitality. At 70, just a month after my 50th birthday, she was still running marathons. To me, she was indomitable, the Energizer Bunny personified. I imagined her outliving me, her energy so boundless that mortality seemed irrelevant. Yet, in just a few years, that image shattered. Unbeknownst to us, my mother had been masking the early stages of dementia, with brief phone calls and subtle deflections concealing her struggles. My sister first noticed something was off, but I dismissed it as part of her naturally hyperactive, scattered nature. Denial was easier than facing the truth.

Within a year, her condition progressed rapidly, and her days of marathon running came to an end. By the time I turned 50, all of my mother’s siblings were alive and, as far as I knew, were living in wellness. Yet, within a few years, her brother passed away at 77. Her sister, who likely shared the same white matter disease that afflicted my mother, died shortly after turning 77. My mother herself passed a few months after turning 76. Only their eldest sister remains, showing no signs of the disease, a mystery perhaps explained by genealogical research suggesting she may share only one biological parent with the others.

Saturn’s elegant rings remind us of the cyclical nature of life and the wisdom gained through reflection.

Facing Mortality

During this Saturn Return, the reality of my own mortality has set in, shaping my perspective in significant ways. I’ve found myself reevaluating what truly matters, focusing less on external ambitions and more on cultivating meaningful connections and aligning with my soul’s path. This phase has encouraged me to embrace the fragility of life with both humility and a renewed sense of purpose. The possibility of succumbing to white matter disease one day looms, though I recognize this is a common theme of the second Saturn Return. This phase invites a deep acceptance of the past and an acknowledgment that we are entering the final chapters of life. While a third Saturn Return is possible, it remains statistically rare. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only about 0.08% of men and 0.12% of women live to see 88 or beyond.

Despite this newfound awareness, my optimism hasn’t faded. My rose-colored glasses may be scratched, but they’re still intact. This Saturnian passage has prompted me to reevaluate my priorities. In 2009, my son, then 19, moved from Florida to Dallas, Texas, with his girlfriend (now wife). Over the past 15 years, they have built a life together, buying homes, advancing their careers, and raising two wonderful children. Watching them thrive, I felt a pull to be closer to my family. Saturn’s natal placement influence via a trine to my 5th house, combined with its trine to my Cancer Ascendant and Scorpio Sun, made it clear that living over 1,100 miles away no longer aligned with my values. When Saturn first entered the orb of my natal Saturn, I decided to move to Dallas. Saturn Returns often demand we take responsibility for what truly matters to our souls, and for me, that was family.

Comparing Saturn Returns

As I wrote this article, my sister called. I mentioned my second Saturn Return and reminded her that hers was approaching. Reflecting on her late 20s, she recalled being in physical therapy school, surrounded by close friends, and experiencing some of the best years of her life. Her Saturn Return has been quite different from mine. While my North Node in Gemini in the 12th house squares my natal Saturn , hers conjuncts Saturn in Aries in the 3rd. During her first Saturn Return, she built lifelong friendships. In contrast, both of my Saturn Returns have been more introspective, focusing on spiritual growth and career pivots. Now in a new city, I’ve found myself somewhat isolated, though I’ve enjoyed small moments of connection with neighbors and casual conversations while walking my dog. Though, I must note, education for both she and I were forefront of our Saturn Returns, hers' more formal, mine self-taught.

Reflecting on the Second Saturn Return

The second Saturn Return brings subtle but profound shifts, fostering a deeper awareness of life’s fragility and the importance of aligning with one’s true priorities. It highlights the brevity of life and places mortality front and center. Childhood heroes pass away, and with each announcement, there’s a reminder that the distance between me and the end of life grows shorter. At the same time, my perspective on societal structures has shifted. Where my first Saturn Return saw me climbing the corporate ladder with ambition, my second has revealed how many systems extract more energy than they give. Now, my focus is on connecting with others and being of service. For me, being of service means sharing my insights and experiences through astrology, offering guidance to those seeking clarity, and supporting my community in meaningful ways. It manifests in small, everyday acts of kindness—listening intently to someone who needs to talk, helping a neighbor, or volunteering my time where it’s needed. This shift has brought me a sense of fulfillment that chasing external ambitions never could.

Dreams of perfect relationships occupied my mind during my first Saturn Return. Today, while I remain open to the possibility of love, it’s not a priority. Instead, I find joy in nature, discussing grand ideas, and exploring astrology, spirituality, and the mysteries of life after death. This second Saturn Return has been a time of deep reflection and transformation, offering not just lessons but a recalibration of what truly matters.

Navigating the second Saturn Return has been a journey of growth, humility, and profound change. It has reminded me that life’s challenges are opportunities to realign with our soul’s purpose and cherish the connections that bring us joy and meaning.

Have you experienced a Saturn Return or are you preparing for one? I’d love to hear your reflections and how this profound astrological event has shaped your journey. Share your story in the comments below, or book an astrology reading with me to gain deeper insights into your own Saturn cycle.