The Saturn Return typically first occurs between the ages of 27 and 30, and marks the time when the individual comes to terms with adulthood and leaves behind many of the vestiges of childhood and early adulthood.

For many, the Saturn Return can mark such life changes as marriage, the birth of a child, the changing of jobs or careers, divorce, a crisis in health, etc.

We tend to equate this time of life with the concept of 'growing up'. It is a natural process in the life of every individual.

But there are times when the Saturn Return packs quite more of a punch than usual. This occurs when transiting Saturn is in hard aspect to one of the outer planets at the time of your Saturn Return.

For example, individuals experiencing their Saturn Returns in 2001-2002 are having to contend with the additional and formidable challenge of transiting Saturn in opposition to transiting Pluto. For these individuals, the changes and crises of an ordinary Saturn Return are heightened to a nearly unbearable level.

Saturn and Pluto in hard aspect to each other is one of the astrological signatures of death, despair, deep sadness, emergence of buried childhood misery connected to a parent, person, or place (like a school) of authority, and general pain and grief.

So it is easy to see that individuals who now are having their Saturn Returns are very likely having a much rougher time of it than those who had their Saturn Returns when transiting Saturn was not in hard aspect to Pluto or another outer planet.

Even if one has a hard aspect to Saturn in the natal chart from an outer planet, it is not as rough as when transiting Saturn is in hard aspect with a transiting outer planet. This is because the individual has had time to learn how to use the energies involved in the natal aspect, whereas when the transiting outer planet aspects transiting Saturn at the time of the Saturn Return, it is like being sucker punched because these are energies the individual has very likely never handled before in combination.

So, for those of you experiencing your Saturn Returns in 2001-2002, you can really give yourself a medal of honor for courage in the battle of life, because you are having one tough ride.

So, what does it mean then when transiting Saturn is in hard aspect to Uranus or Neptune at the time of one's Saturn Return?  Well, let's take a look.

The combination of Saturn and Uranus is a signature of shock, rebellion against the status quo, onset of fanaticism, mental illnesses (which also occurs in the case of Neptune), an inability to keep one's 'footing' or focus and thus a sense of frantically 'spinning one's wheels' (doing a great deal that's either useless or hopeless). You get the general idea. So, those undergoing their Saturn Returns while transiting Saturn is in hard aspect to transiting Uranus must often feel as if nothing they do is ever going to work out ('hold steady' -- Saturn), which can be extremely upsetting at just that time in life when lasting plans, or actions with lasting effects, are supposed to be the natural result.

Individuals who experience their Saturn Returns when transiting Saturn is in hard aspect to transiting Neptune have an equally rough time.

Saturn combined with Neptune is a signature of chronic disappointment, escapism, anxiety, delusions, mental illnesses, substance abuse, etc. If one experiences a Saturn Return when transiting Saturn is in hard aspect to transiting Neptune, any of the above challenges can either start, or... disappear! 

            The Gifts

As the Saturn Return progresses (it is a long transit, usually), the individual having one of these very special Saturn Returns can actually reap greater rewards than if the outer planet(s) weren't in the mix.

For example, the individual experiencing the Saturn Return with transiting Pluto in the mix has the opportunity to develop an understanding of life and compassion for others that far exceeds the norm. S/he may understand that hidden depths exist in every being and in every situation.

The individual experiencing the Saturn Return with Uranus in the mix has the opportunity to learn to think and act by the seat of hir pants (or on hir feet, if you prefer), understanding that everything in life is subject to change at the drop of a hat. S/he learns to deal quickly with situations that are in constant flux -- namely life.

The individual experiencing the Saturn Return with Neptune in the mix has the opportunity to eventually confront consensual reality. S/he can free hirself from delusions, addictions, and the falsity of glamour for the true gold of realistic dreams and achievable goals.

I do not say any of this is at all easy! In fact, it may be one of the most difficult and painful times of life an individual has so far faced. But if s/he makes it through, s/he has passed a test of courage, strength, endurance, and integrity that sets hir in a very special class. Shall I dare to call it Advanced Placement Life?

To those of you currently experiencing a Saturn Return, I wish you godspeed on your path.