Congrats, bb, you’re growing up! No, we’re not talking about aging off your parents’ health insurance, committing to a skincare routine, setting up a 401(k), adopting a pup, moving into your own place, graduating from college, or even turning 30. We’re talking about your ~Saturn Return~.

In astrology, Saturn is associated with discipline, karma, and structure. It’s sometimes even called the “taskmaster planet” or the “teacher of the zodiac.” Saturn isn’t the kind of teacher who lets you watch movies every day, but it’s the one who actually teaches you the stuff you’ll remember for years to come. You might resent the tests when you’re taking them, but later on, you’ll realize how valuable the lesson was.

What is your Saturn Return, exactly?

When Saturn *returns* to where it was in the sky when you were born—which happens every 27 to 29.5 years—it’s a major astrological coming-of-age moment appropriately called your "Saturn Return." Your Saturn Return is often followed by major life changes, like switching jobs or careers, breakups, engagements, divorce, retirement, purchasing homes. You know, all the things that make us want to boss up and take control of our lives.

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Sure, your Saturn Return sounds a lil scary, but although it might be an ~intense~ period of your life, it’s not a bad one. Basically, your Saturn Return is like the ringed planet telling you to get your life together and become a real-deal adult. You know, astrologically. I literally wrote the book on Saturn Returns, so let me walk you through it. You got this!

When is my Saturn Return?

Grab your birth chart. Look at which sign Saturn is in. When Saturn enters that sign again, you’re beginning (or you began) your Saturn Return. Like, if you were born when Saturn was in Pisces (which last happened from May 21, 1993-June 30, 1993 and January 28, 1994-April 7, 1996), you’re going through your Saturn Return right TF now.

Notice some gaps in those dates? That’s Saturn Retrograde doing its thing, when Saturn dips back into one sign for a brief period of time (like, a couple of months). To make sure you have the dates right for your Saturn Return, you’ll want to look up which sign Saturn was in on the exact day you were born.

Don’t have your birth chart on hand? Head over to this simple Saturn Return calculator. All you need is your b-day. This calculator will give you the dates when Saturn returns to the sign it was in when you were born—a two- to three-year period.

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When is my *exact* Saturn Return?

To find out your *exact* Saturn Return—like, down to the actual day—you’ll want to look up when Saturn will return to the exact degree it was at when you were born, not just the sign. Head over to this more intense Saturn Return calculator to figure it out—you’ll need your b-day, birth time, and birth location, plus the city you live in now (or if you've already experienced your first Saturn Return, the city you lived in during your late 20s).

Oh, and if Saturn is returning to the same degree multiple times in the same year, NBD, it’s just Saturn Retrograde again, and you might have some internal back-and-forth as you figure out what you want your life to look like in your astrological adulthood.

Your First Saturn Return

Saturn is known as the teacher of the zodiac, and when it returns to where it was when you were born, you’re being schooled! You’re learning what behaviors and actions are no longer vibing with your vision for the future. You’re being shown the right path and learning many lessons along the way.

Your first Saturn Return occurs in your late 20s, and it’s a time of ~growing up~. Basically, you’re figuring out what you want to take with you into the next phase of life. (Your actually close friends who always have your back? Yes. Your frenemy? No.)

Can you go on living paycheck to paycheck, or do you need to spruce up your resumé and start looking for a better-paying job? Are you really happy in your situationship, or do you want to find a partner who’ll text you back before 3 a.m. and maybe even introduce you to their parents? If you’re happy with the way things are, then congrats! But if not, then the moment has come to switch out of these actions and grow the eff up.

Of course, it can be hard to remove yourself from these situations. You’ve grown accustomed to them, after all! If you decide to keep on with the same old, same old, even though it’s really not working, well, watch out. Saturn is a planet that likes to make sure you’re learning your lesson, and you can experience setbacks and life-altering occurrences resulting from not bossing up into adulthood. Basically, this is a karmic rite of passage.

You’re obsessed with all things astro. Same. Never miss a retrograde with Cosmo Unlocked.

Your Second Saturn Return

Oh, you’re 31, and you think you’re done with Saturn’s drama in your life? Not so fast. Your second Saturn Return happens when you’re in your mid- to late 50s. Just like your first Saturn Return, this is a time of reflection and growth in which you’re planning the next stage of your life. During your second Saturn Return, you’ll likely be thinking about seriously planning for retirement, potentially purchasing property, assessing your assets, and making sure everything is in order as you enter your next phase of life. Finally, the moment has come for you to reap the benefits of your youthful labors and sip Arnold Palmers all day long at the golf course.

Your Third Saturn Return

If you’re lucky, you might have a third Saturn Return too. This one occurs in your mid- to late 80s and marks your entrance into official astrological old age, where you can kick back, celebrate your wisdom, and spend time with your grand-babies, fur babies, beloved vintage reruns of Real Housewives, whatever. Only a few people in history have ever experienced a fourth Saturn Return, which occurs at around age 114.

If you’re intimidated by your Saturn Return, well, I get it, but think of Saturn as that strict teacher helping you prep for your exams—it might seem like hard work in the moment, but it’ll all be worth it, I promise!

Saturn Return Chart

• Saturn in Pisces: If you were born from May 21, 1993-June 30, 1993 or January 28, 1994-April 7, 1996, your Saturn Return is happening right now. It began on March 7, 2023 and will end on February 13, 2026.
• Saturn in Aries: If you were born from April 7, 1996 to June 9, 1998 or October 25, 1998 to February 28, 1999, your Saturn Return will occur from May 24, 2025 to April 12, 2028
• Saturn in Taurus: If you were born from June 9, 1998 to October 25, 1998; February 28, 1999 to August 9, 2000; or October 15, 2000 to April 20, 2001, your Saturn Return will occur from April 12, 2028 to May 31, 2030.
• Saturn in Gemini: If you were born from August 9, 2000 to October 15, 2000; April 20, 2001 to June 3, 2003; or May 31, 2030 to July 13, 2032, your Saturn Return will occur from May 31, 2030, to July 13, 2032.
• Saturn in Cancer: If you were born from June 3, 2003, to July 16, 2005, your Saturn Return will occur from July 13, 2032 to May 11, 2035.
• Saturn in Leo: If you were born from July 16, 2005 to September 2, 2007, your Saturn Return will occur from August 26, 2034 to July 6, 2037.
• Saturn in Virgo: If you were born from November 16, 1977 to January 4, 1978 or July 26, 1978 to September 21, 1980, your Saturn Return occurred from September 2, 2007 to July 21, 2010.
• Saturn in Libra: If you were born from September 21, 1980 to November 29, 1982 or May 6, 1983 to August 24, 1983, your Saturn Return occurred from October 29, 2009 to October 5, 2012.
• Saturn in Scorpio: If you were born from November 29, 1982 to May 6, 1983 or August 24, 1983 to November 16, 1985, your Saturn Return occurred from October 5 2012, to September 17, 2015.
• Saturn in Sagittarius: If you were born from November 16, 1985 to February 13, 1988 or June 10, 1988 to November 12, 1988, your Saturn Return occurred from December 23, 2014 to December 19, 2017.
• Saturn in Capricorn: If you were born from February 13, 1988 to June 10, 1988 or November 12, 1988 to February 6, 1991, your Saturn Return occurred from December 19, 2017 to December 17, 2020.
• Saturn in Aquarius: If you were born from February 6, 1991 to May 21, 1993 or June 30, 1993 to January 28, 1994, your Saturn Return occurred from March 21, 2020 to March 7, 2023.

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Lisa Stardust is a NYC-based astrologer, tarot card reader, energy healer, and manifestation guide known for her pop culture horoscopes. She is the author of Saturn Return Survival Guide: Navigating This Cosmic Rite of Passage, The Astrology Deck: Your Guide to the Meanings and Myths of the Cosmos, and Love Deck: 70 Cards to Ignite Attraction, Passion, and Romance. In addition to Women's Health, her work and writing has been featured in The Today Show, Oprah Daily, Vogue, Teen Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Refinery29, and InStyle. Hailing from a long line of spiritual healers, Lisa has been practicing astrology professionally for over 15 years but has been studying the stars all of her life.

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