We cannot help being thirsty,
moving toward the voice of water.
–Rumi (Coleman Barks)
The shifting times are taking us toward the voice of water. In a later stanza of the same poem, Rumi asks us to cleanse our ears and listen for something we haven’t heard before, which is perfect advice for this moment. Saturn is entering the oceanic-water sign of Pisces for the first time in 30 years.
After testing the floorboards of institutions and governments in grim and earthy Capricorn (from roughly 12/2017 to 12/2020), then stretching the social fabric all the way from social activism to social terrorism in air sign Aquarius (from 3/2020 to 3/2023), Saturn now enters water sign Pisces, the last stop of the zodiac.
Saturn is thirsty. And tired. Yet he can’t help himself. He likes to work and test limits wherever he goes. He drops his newly minted fins into Pisces’ ocean on March 7, 2023. With a gesturing hand he advises us to follow along. We have new work to do. Until February 2026, it’s time to build, re-structure, or polish and shine what’s invisible. We’re meant to work with intangible things, like creativity, emotions, spirituality, intuition, compassion, and dreams.
If you’re old enough, you can look back to what happened before, in 30-year increments. Saturn stays in a sign for about 2.5 years; at the edges, he dips back and forth between the next and previous signs, making the following dates mostly accurate:
- May 1993 to April 1996
- March 1964 to March 1967
- February 1935 to January 1938
What happened last time?
The past brings clues—though we’re always new—individually and collectively. The past is only predictive when we don’t grow. Yet the themes will repeat. That’s because growth always goes in spiral directions. If you study your past experience with any transit, be sure to also study how much you’ve grown since then.
For your backward (and forward) glance, start by looking at notable events and circumstances through the Pisces lens. Factor into your contemplation the part of your chart where Pisces falls. This might be one or two houses, depending on the degrees of your house cusps. In my chart, all but a few degrees of Pisces fall into my 7th house of relationships.
Saturn made me grow
During Saturn’s last transit through Pisces, it was a relationship that profoundly restructured my inner seas. I went from whatever I was before—to becoming a mother, a transformation unlike all others. During the first three years of Branden’s life, I was drawn into new depths of emotion—nectars I’d never tasted. New delights, fears, angers and strengths were revealed to me. It was not easy. There were days I felt like a werewolf in her first transition, bones twisting and snapping painfully into new positions. True to Saturn, it was hard work!
I also struggled with my significant other, Branden’s father. Bill and I were living together when Saturn entered Pisces. By transit’s end, we were co-parenting from separate domiciles at opposite ends of the valley. Astrologers typically say of Saturn transiting the 7th, a significant relationship will end—or re-commit. But actually, surprisingly, I got both results. The distance made us a better family. And now, a full Saturn cycle later, we can say that we’ve spent nearly every family holiday together ever since. Branden says he loves the odd way that he grew up.
It’s only now I see how my Pisces pattern stretches further back, to the prior transit, when I was in my teens. That’s when my parents’ marriage got so bad it ended in divorce, which like a china plate thrown against the wall, forever broke our difficult family. So—spirals for me. In the 90’s, I experienced both the marital conflict of my childhood and the grace of a better outcome. I wonder what this new transit will bring!
Pisces is an odd sign for Saturn. He typically prefers working above ground in full view, setting a fine example for others. He’s the guy with gumption and impressive goals. He likes telling everyone else what to do. It’s wise to call on him whenever you want to get ahead, get things in order, or under control. The ultimate realist, he’s cautious, strategic, thorough, and stoical. He’s the energy inside bones, mountains, skyscrapers, governments, corporate boardrooms, museums, and sturdy shoes.
But now put him in water. He starts to dissolve. He could confuse you. If you don’t adjust your forward motion, you might feel lost or stuck in mud. He could care less about your outer success. He’s inviting you to restructure the very expression of your soul. This is your once–in–a–30–year opportunity, to draw closer to your innermost self. Usually, you don’t have to wonder long where Saturn is standing. He shows up wherever your life feels ambitious, pressured or hard. Find that edge in your life. Sit there and feel for the spacious wordlessness within. What it is that you’re thirsting for?
With Saturn in Pisces, you have 2.5 years to make an important dream come true. What are you willing to do? Which Saturn offerings of work and discipline are you willing to make?
Here are a few suggestions to start your own thinking:
- Practice deep-water breathing; learn how to navigate through difficult emotions like sorrow, helplessness, loneliness, and shame.
- Consecrate yourself to something meaningful. Practice devotion—to a cause, to a project, to your well-being, to a deity.
- Manifest something you desire. Use the practicality of Saturn and the magic of Pisces to improve your life in wondrous ways.
- Meditate. I meet more people who wished they meditated than ones who actually do. Here’s your chance to call your own bluff. Use this Saturn interval in Pisces to go to the mind gym. Learn how to tame your mind, while falling more deeply in love with yourself. The signs your meditation is working are equanimity and bliss.
But you have to work at it. That’s where Saturn comes in. Enjoy the swim.
Dear Dana,
My name is Mindy but please call me Min. That is what my friends call me. I’m writing because I do read a lot and until this morning I had not ever come across your writings in Astrology. I’m extremely impressed. I am also not well currently. If you have some time would you please contact me. See I was born Feb. 4th, 1977. I was raised Pagan. To this day I have been practicing my magic occasionally teaching a few people about Paganism. I was also born under the Full Moon . I have been more than isolated. I was hoping you could help me with a few BIG life changing decisions and my emotions at this time are not happy ones please if you have any free moment for advice, I give you my Word my ears are listening for help. Thank you Truly Sincerely a new admired person who enjoys your knowledge. Your new friend Min
agreed to great write up
My name is Brian, born March 9th 1967 about 5:35 pm. Any guidance would be helpful. I’m new to this.
It appears I was born as Saturn was leaving Pisces. My daughter was born in January of 1995 during the last visit of Saturn and now Saturn is entering into Pisces 2023 during my 56th birthday. Is there any possible significance to this trilogy?
Great advice, I m Pisces, 58 born 224 in 1965 and I am absolutely obsessed with me, all things considered, divine has been building me from inside out and I’m grateful but my bones are talking to me, louder than ever, so as source for other people, I’m thankful to your blessed advice as I enter my second Saturn return experience✍
Your article has brought SO much more clarity to my current living situation and the major shift that’s occured and the adjustments that I’ve had to make since January. I was living with my boyfriend of almost exactly 3 years Valentine’s Day (Venus is my matron lol). It has been an emotional roller coaster of a relationship and unfortunately I was kicked out January 7th (a full moon) (it is now March 7th another full moon!) and forced to move back home. The irony of this situation is that his reasoning for us breaking up was that he felt that I could not grow being with him, that he was preventing me from being self sufficient. I firmly agree. And he himself also needs to grow. In the beginning, I was depressed, distraught, and in disbelief. But after that grieving period my mindset has shifted and I am looking at this time to reflect, grow and prosper. I still have my days lately of sadness and longing but we speak on a daily basis and seem to be on the right track. I am finding that as they say communication is really is key. I am extremely convinced that despite all we’ve been through he is indeed my soulmate and we made a promise to each other before I left so stay true to one another even during our time apart. I feel like distance really does make people and relationships stronger. He also has our two cats and is taking care of them while I’m away, and those are our fur babies so something’s gotta give lol. I have a new job already this new year, and I am in the process of getting a second one. Both look promising in the sense that they could potentially lead to a career path and not just a dead end job. I’ve set goals for myself, I have big dreams and I am ready to put those dreams into action! I have never seen so clearly, or have been more confident than I am starting to feel now. I have a spirit guide, her name is Belle and I’ve known her now for about 4-5 years. With her and a great family support system behind me there is no possible way I can lose this battle. Please wish me luck in this new year and I will do the same for you, I have a really good feeling about this one! Blessed be to you all!
♀️⬛✨
~Tattiana ♎
This feels like a time of opportunity more than anything you’ve further convinced me of that, and I am going to continue to do my very best to keep that mindset and energy to improve myself. Thank you again!
I feel like my life has been cursed the padt2 years have been a nite mare!!,it’s time for great changes , it’s time for blessings!!please let this be my year…
I have been struggling through the past few years but now learning to honor myself. I pray there is much more growth for me through Pisces. With my next return coming up in Aries I feel like this time is a gift and I have this time to perfect self-appreciation! Thank you Dana
I just came across this website. Interesting. My life has been hell since 2021, a hip replacement, a knee replacement, a broken hip and three close friends passed. My hip has not healed well and am going back to physical therapy. I’ve been isolated and discouraged but recently met an old soul like me, I’m Pisces, he’s Aquarius. We have several failed marriages between us, but we seem to be each other’s Person. Will this end up being another disappointment? Thank you so much!
Beautiful, eloquent and perfect – as always! Thank you Dana!
Agreed.❤️
On Tuesday, I enter my second Saturn return. My natal Saturn is 00° Pisces. Excited, and awed. I might not be saying that when it’s over, but with Neptune and Pisces right now, anything is possible. It was retrograde at my birth, so it’s been progressed at 28° Aquarius until I was 54. Now it is direct, by progression, and I think it’s going to be a good one. Falls in my fifth house. I think my psychic awareness is getting better, too. Think of it as building Atlantis. ✨
BRILLIANT article on Saturn in Pisces, Dana… thanks so much for your as-always eloquent, timely wisdom and wonderful, clear writing… Nancy
It made me laugh to realize that during the last two transits I moved to San Francisco. The first time I only stayed three or four months. The second time I stayed almost 24 years…I wonder if I’ll move back.
Delightful Astrojournalism Dana. I reluctantly accepted a leadership task in a spiritual healing group two weeks ago. I say reluctantly because responsibility has always frightened me. Although it’s not about me, I always prefer low-profile. However; with Saturn moving to Pisces I feel encouraged. He could give me the backbone I need.