Unpacking Saturn Retrograde in Pisces - what does it mean for me?

Saturn takes around 28 years to orbit and is one of the slower moving planets in our solar system. It’s journey through the zodiac is really important as it spends a few years in each zodiac sign and brings various challenges and opportunities to work with.

Saturn is about time, structure and discipline. It’s a sign of ‘doing the work’, but that doing leads to creating Mastery if we’re disciplined. But we can also experience Saturn as restriction and limitation - there are no free passes or easy rides with Saturn. Although Saturn is the ‘task master’ I’m not a believer of saying Saturn is “bad” as some outdated astrology leans too. When we learn from it’s lessons and put in the work Saturn can bring huge rewards. It’s only ‘good’ or ‘bad’ from our own perspective.

Saturn entered Pisces on March 7, 2023, and will remain there until mid February 2026. Pisces is a sign about mysticism, spiritual experiences, spiritual practice, oneness, unseen energy, imagination and the subconscious mind.

All our ideas start in imagination, but Saturn is what brings it into reality and gives it structure.

To access altered states on a regular basis we need spiritual discipline and techniques such as meditation and yoga nidra. Saturn is our awareness and having attention to be consciousness of where our awareness is.

This is not a time for “superficial” spirituality or rituals just to look good on Instagram, Saturn is able the real deal.

Saturn's transit through Pisces marks a significant period of opportunity for introspection and spiritual growth, and practical idealism. Understanding this transit, along with the effects of Saturn's retrograde phases, can help us navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities it presents. Here’s an in-depth look at what to expect from Saturn in Pisces, including its retrograde phases, and how to make the most of this transformative period.

Saturn in Pisces: An Overview

As mentioned before, Saturn entered Pisces on March 7, 2023, and will remain there until May 24, 2025, before re-entering from September 1, 2025, to February 13, 2026. During this transit, Saturn will retrograde three times, adding layers of complexity and depth to its influence.

Key Dates:

  • First Retrograde: June 18, 2023, to November 4, 2023.

  • Second Retrograde: June 30, 2024, to November 15, 2024.

  • Third Retrograde: July 9, 2025, to November 1, 2025.

Themes of Saturn in Pisces

Spiritual Growth and Introspection

Saturn in Pisces encourages deep spiritual exploration and growth. This period is ideal for developing disciplined spiritual practices such as meditation, yoga, or other forms of inner work. The focus is on understanding the deeper aspects of existence and aligning daily life with spiritual values.

Compassion and Empathy

Pisces is known for its compassionate and empathetic nature. Saturn’s influence here can help us cultivate these qualities in a structured and practical way. It’s a time to engage in activities that promote understanding and support for others, emphasizing service and selflessness.

Boundary Redefinition

Saturn in Pisces highlights the need to establish and maintain healthy emotional and psychological boundaries. The nebulous nature of Pisces can blur lines, making it crucial to define clear limits to protect personal well-being and maintain healthy relationships.

Creativity and Imagination

This transit inspires artistic and creative pursuits, encouraging us to integrate discipline into the creative process. It’s a time to channel imagination into tangible forms, be it through art, music, writing, or other creative outlets.

Mental Health

Focusing on mental health becomes paramount during this transit. Saturn in Pisces urges us to address emotional and psychological issues, fostering a balanced approach to personal care and well-being. Especially when it comes to Self Limiting Beliefs and how they might be limiting our life!! When our subconscious beliefs are healthy they create the foundation and structure for us to build a happy life upon.

Summary of Challenges and Opportunities

Challenges of Saturn in Pisces

  • Emotional Sensitivity: The deeply sensitive and emotional nature of Pisces can be challenging under Saturn’s strict influence. Managing overwhelming emotions and addressing deep-seated fears and insecurities can be difficult but necessary for growth.

  • Boundary Issues: The need to establish clear boundaries is heightened. Pisces’ fluid nature can make it challenging to set limits, leading to potential overextension or emotional entanglement.

  • Escapism: There is a tendency towards escapism as a way to avoid facing responsibilities. This can lead to avoiding important tasks or denying reality, which Saturn aims to correct through discipline and structure.

  • Disillusionment: Facing the harsh realities of unrealistic dreams or fantasies can lead to disillusionment. Adjusting expectations and balancing idealism with practicality is essential during this transit.

Opportunities with Saturn in Pisces

  • Spiritual Growth: This transit is ideal for deepening spiritual practices and inner growth. Developing disciplined spiritual habits can lead to profound personal transformation.

  • Creative Discipline: Channeling Pisces’ creative energies into structured forms allows for significant artistic achievements. This period can enhance creativity when combined with Saturn’s focus and discipline.

  • Healing and Compassion: There is a significant opportunity for emotional healing and developing compassion. Addressing and understanding emotional processes can lead to greater empathy for oneself and others.

  • Practical Idealism: Transforming lofty ideals into practical goals becomes more achievable. Integrating dreams with reality helps in working towards long-term aspirations in a realistic manner.

Saturn Retrograde in Pisces: Deepening the Impact

When Saturn is retrograde, its qualities of discipline, structure, and responsibility turn inward. This period encourages introspection and reevaluation of your long-term goals, responsibilities, and boundaries. You may feel compelled to reassess the foundations you've built and confront any limitations or fears that have been holding you back. It's a time for refining and restructuring aspects of your life, particularly those related to authority and personal discipline. Challenges during this phase are opportunities for growth and the establishment of a more solid and authentic foundation.

Challenges During Saturn Retrograde

  1. Introspection and Self-Doubt: Retrograde periods prompt deep self-reflection, which can lead to self-doubt and reevaluation of goals and commitments. This introspection is essential for long-term growth.

  2. Delayed Progress: Plans and projects may face delays or obstacles, requiring patience and perseverance. It’s a time to refine and reassess rather than push forward aggressively.

  3. Revisiting Old Issues: Unresolved past issues, especially related to emotional health and boundaries, may resurface. Addressing these issues is crucial for personal development.

Opportunities During Saturn Retrograde

  1. Deep Inner Work: Retrograde periods are ideal for addressing unresolved emotional issues and making meaningful changes. This is a time for significant personal healing.

  2. Reevaluation and Refinement: Use this time to reevaluate long-term goals and commitments, refining strategies and making necessary adjustments to align more closely with your true path.

  3. Building Inner Strength: Introspection during retrograde helps build inner resilience and strength, fostering greater self-awareness and maturity.

Wherever Saturn is in the zodiac or our chart it represents a time to really get to work on something in our life. We have the disciplined energy of Saturn behind us in this area. Now more than ever this a chance to do our spritual work, and look at our self limiting beliefs and boundaries.

If you’d like a personal reading to learn how this is laying our for you get in touch here. It’s also a fantastic time for trauma informed mentoring looking at rewriting subconscious beliefs and strenghening our sense of agency through spiritual practice.

Belinda Matwali