On July 13th, 2025, Saturn is going to turn retrograde, and will be retrograde until November 27th.
Saturn just entered Aries on May 24th, so it’s only been in this sign for a few months, and it’s still very early in this transit. We’re only just starting with it, and then bam, retrograde to stir up trouble!
This retrograde kicks off in Aries, and will stay in Aries until September 1st, 2025, when it goes back to Pisces.
Saturn isn’t the only one since Neptune also recently entered Aries and turns retrograde on July 4th, so we have to deal with these major outer planets going retrograde at the same time.
So, what can we expect? Let’s dive into it.
Don’t forget to use the free astrology calendar to keep up with Saturn!
Retrogrades in Astrology
“Retrograde” means that the planet or body appears to be moving backward through the zodiac (it’s not really, it just appears that way sometimes). All planets except for the Sun and Moon retrograde.
Since the normal movement for them is forward, moving backward can change the way the planet operates, and we can get a little thrown off.
When it comes to Saturn retrograde, it tends to amplify the restrictive nature of Saturn, making our options even more limited. It also likes to kick up major karmic energy since Saturn is the Lord of Karma.
Saturn in Astrology
Saturn is fairly notorious for being the teacher in astrology. Saturn demands we learn lessons, and if we resist, Saturn will force it on us and make us learn the hard way.
On a personal level, the lifelong lessons you have can be found in your natal chart with the position of your natal Saturn, and the sign, house, and aspects it makes can show what you have to learn.
Meanwhile transit, or moving, Saturn brings lessons for all of us collectively linked to the zodiac sign it’s in. Saturn changes signs roughly every 2 ½ years, bringing new energy for the world to manage.
Saturn is restrictive by nature, and we all have to work on being as responsible and mature as possible, and doing things the right way and for the right reasons. This is the only way to handle Saturn well.
About Saturn Retrograde in Aries
Saturn retrograde in Aries has Saturn moving backward in the sign of activity and new beginnings. This means we’re likely slowed in that regard, and we’re not taking as much action or starting as many new things.
As far as Saturn is concerned, it wants to make sure we’re doing things right, and we have the right motivations. It’s early in this transit, so it wants us to avoid being impulsive and acting too quickly without doing the homework first.
This might mean our options become more limited, and we can become frustrated by this. But Saturn is challenging us to make sure we’ve got everything covered, and we don’t have to become stuck.
If we’re willing to get creative and work with what we’ve got, we can make some progress and set ourselves up well. It just might take some time and more elbow grease, and being smarter.
But the options we already have might be better than we realize, and if we can maximize them, we can put ourselves in a good position.
All of this is added to by Neptune also turning retrograde in Aries, and it’s important that we work to ground ourselves during this period. Prioritizing some stability and security can go a long way with some of the murky energy, and makes Saturn happy.
Also know that karmic energy is likely to be super high, however this might not be felt fully until Saturn and Neptune both go back to Pisces (September 1 for Saturn, October 22 for Neptune). That’s likely to bring out major revelations, insights, spiritual enlightenment, and awakenings.
5 Ways to Use Saturn Retrograde in Aries
Review your plans for new projects.
With Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto in new signs, we’re at the start of a whole new shift in our lives collectively as well as individually. This means we’re focusing on a lot of new beginnings, new projects, and new ventures.
Use the Saturn retrograde to review your plans for any of those new beginnings you want to get going with, even if you feel you’re not starting right away, or that your plans are already done. Can’t hurt to check again!
Look at your plans from every angle, make any necessary changes, and gather any information that could make it better.
Assess blocks to take the initiative.
Aries is the sign that takes the initiative, so Saturn in Aries can expose ways in which you’re blocked doing that. How well do you take action for what you want?
Use the retrograde period to become aware of the blocks you have, and figure out healthy ways to deal with this so by the time Saturn comes back around to Aries again in forward motion, you’re ready to take the lead in your life.
Strengthen your sense of self.
Aries rules your identity, your outer face, so Saturn in Aries wants us to have a good idea of who we are and become comfortable in showcasing that to the world.
If you already are secure, you can use the Saturn retrograde in Aries period to strengthen that, and to become even more powerful in your presentation.
If you’re not secure, this is the time to figure out why, and to address that.
Figure out the best ways for you to take action.
The natural ruling planet for Aries is Mars, and Mars urges us to take action. Use Saturn retrograde in Aries to figure out what the best ways to take action are for you, since this is different for everyone.
You can get a clue from your natal Mars, so look up the sign and house placement, and any aspects it makes (especially conjunctions). This can be the best way for you to act, and how you can channel your motivation to do so.
Create healthy outlets for frustration.
With less options and a slowing of activity, Saturn retrograde can become frustrating, so use this opportunity to create healthy outlets for frustration. Try to have ways to manage in the moment and quickly, and ways to manage long-term.
This can prevent you from potentially blowing up, which might happen periodically with people during the Saturn retrograde. That only annoys Saturn though, and can put you in a bad spot, so avoid that.
Saturn Retrograde in Aries for the Zodiac Signs
Aries
You’re dealing with the brunt of the focus with this Saturn retrograde since it’s in your sign, Aries, and this is the first time you’re dealing with it in 30 years (you might not even be old enough to have lived through that!).
With Saturn retrograde in your sign, you can feel way more restricted than usual, which might cause you to lash out, and then end up in even hotter water.
Pay attention to where you’re feeling more restricted than usual, and why this might be happening. Saturn wants you to stop being hard on yourself, taking too much on, or run from lessons, so this is likely what you need to be focused on.
Taurus
This Saturn retrograde in Aries period might be extra draining on you, Taurus, and you can feel like your energy is zapped way too easily, especially when dealing with demanding people or projects, or when you’re being hard on yourself.
Give yourself the space to get away, get more rest, be more reflective, and reconcile with the past. Saturn’s taking your energy to force you to get quiet and turn inward or review the past so you can get more understanding and eventually release baggage or move on.
Gemini
Saturn retrograde in Aries can shine a light on the blocks you have to be your independent, individual self, or to pursue your dreams, Gemini. You might be feeling like they’re not possible and you need to box yourself in, but this only makes things worse for you.
Try to get to the root cause of why you’re feeling you have to do this to yourself. Once you determine the blocks, you can work on removing them and let yourself have what you dream of most.
Cancer
Saturn in Aries wants to give you the greatest success of your life, Cancer, and while retrograde, it can show you any blocks you have to achieve that. This gives you an opportunity to clear your path forward.
You might have to deal with some old issues of self-sabotage or insecurity, and this can be difficult, but once you do work on it, it can free you to go nowhere but up.
Leo
Blocks to having new experiences and bringing more positive energy to your life can become exposed during Saturn retrograde in Aries, and you can get to the core of those blocks, Leo.
You’ve had to deal with a lot of serious matters over the last few years, and you deserve to bring light into your life. Work on the blocks, and you can open your mind and life, and keep it that way.
Virgo
Saturn retrograde in Aries can expose some of the deep issues you need to work on Virgo. This is a theme for you with Saturn in Aries, and it’s prompting you to get into the nitty-gritty and face the darker aspects of yourself and your life, Virgo.
Saturn retrograde can make some of this more obvious for you, and you have to work on dealing with it now. This can be a challenge, but eventually, you can feel that this empowers you in ways you didn’t think were possible.
Libra
This period of Saturn retrograde in Aries can spotlight relationship and commitment issues, Libra, and you can become aware of the most pressing that need your attention at the moment.
You can work to improve your connections with others by addressing them, but you may also determine which connections will continue, and which won’t. It’s not easy for your sign to give up on someone, but Saturn in Aries is likely going to teach you that not every relationship is worth your time and effort.
Scorpio
There can be more on your plate in your daily life, Scorpio, and Saturn retrograde in Aries can expose lots of little things, small ways that you’ve been adding to your stress and fixating on what doesn’t really matter.
Address the root cause of this, yes, but it’s also important for you to work on managing stress better, and to not stress yourself out so much. Take this opportunity to do that.
Sagittarius
You may not feel as joyful during Saturn retrograde in Aries, and you can feel that you have some blocks to address, Sagittarius. These are blocks that can get worse if you don’t work on them, and cut off your connection to your heart, so get focused on them now before that happens.
If you can do that, and you can give yourself space to be creative and have a little bit of fun, then this period isn’t so bad for you.
Capricorn
Your emotions can be strong during Saturn retrograde in Aries, and you can become more aware of emotional issues you need to work on, Capricorn. You might not have a lot of opportunities to do so, but you need to work on it when you can anyway.
Your sign may not prioritize your emotional needs, but that has to change with Saturn in Aries. Start getting to your core self and identifying some of what you need to work on now.
Aquarius
You may feel like you don’t have as many good ideas as you thought you did during Saturn retrograde in Aries, or that you can’t really do anything with what you’ve come up with, Aquarius. This may not actually be true though, and you just need to find a different way of viewing things.
It’s possible you may have a subconscious issue to deal with that’s giving you a gloomy picture, so if that’s the case, get into that. But for the most part, you just need to find a new perspective to open your mind.
Pisces
Everything can feel extra slow when Saturn is retrograde in Aries, and you may have a hard time getting moving at all, Pisces. Try to avoid lashing out about that, and assess what you may need to be working on that requires a slower pace.
Saturn will eventually go back to your sign, so take advantage of the slow pace while it’s in Aries to improve your stability and security and remove blocks to confidence. Set yourself up well and you can be ready for the major releasing and awakening to come.
Control energy and get creative with Saturn retrograde in Aries!
Aries is the sign of energy and drive, and this might be a little thrown off during Saturn retrograde in Aries, so try to get some control over your own energy to put it to good use and get productive.
This can mean being more creative, especially if you feel your options are limited and you don’t yet have access to what you feel you need in order to get going with what you truly want.
Be smart and ethical with Saturn, no matter what you do, and this can help you make it through. You might not see progress right away, but you can see things shift very quickly once the retrograde ends, so prepare yourself.
We’re in the swing of the paradigm shift with the major planets changing signs, and it’s important to do this right so you set yourself up for your future.
Related article: Your Ultimate Guide to ALL 2025 Retrogrades