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Mercury isn't the only planet whose retrograde season affects you.
By Kaitlin Kaiser — Last updated on Sep 14, 2022
Everyone is born with Saturn in their natal chart. Like all planets in the birth chart, Saturn goes retrograde every once in a while.
Saturn goes retrograde every year and lasts for a few months at a time, meaning it's certainly possible to be born during Saturn retrograde. In fact, an estimated 35% of people have Saturn retrograde in the natal chart.
Saturn retrograde in the birth chart
In astrology, Saturn represents a fatherly figure that brings about rules, regulations, structure, obligation, ambition, and discipline.
When direct, Saturn's placement in your natal chart is the place where you can feel restricted. It's an area where you grow the most using hard work and effort.
When Saturn goes retrograde, we become less focused on external boundaries and responsibilities and instead those influences turn inward. This means that those born during Saturn retrograde may feel burdened by responsibilities from a young age. They're often people-pleasers who have a harder time setting boundaries and may struggle with self-doubt.
However, natal Saturn retrograde is not all bad. Saturn is a karmic planet, and often, those with this placement come to understand their karma and overcome their personal challenges sooner than those born while Saturn was direct.
The astrology house and your Saturn sign will dictate which areas of your life you feel Saturn retrograde's influence in most.
Natal Saturn retrograde effects by house
Natal Saturn retrograde in the 1st house
The 1st house in astrology is the house of the self, governing ego and identity as well as physical appearance. This is the house of the Ascendant sign, which provides insight into your past life.
Having Saturn retrograde in the first house of your natal chart signals difficulties with self-confidence. Those with this placement may struggle with coming into their own, relying on others' opinions to form their own self-concept.
This placement must work on building their self-esteem.
Natal Saturn retrograde in the 2nd house
The 2nd house in astrology is the house of possessions. Here, Saturn's influence is on material possessions, finances and personal values as well as daily routines.
Those Saturn retrograde in the 2nd house in the natal chart is associated with valuing material things. This placement might come across as materialistic, putting money over everything.
This placement typically won't have difficulties achieving financial success but should remember that there is more to life than money and things.
Natal Saturn retrograde in the 3rd house
The 3rd house in astrology is the house of communication. Ruled by Gemini, this house governs not just communication but also how you express emotions, your relationships with those around you, and the way you perceive reality.
Natal Saturn retrograde in the 3rd house may find it hard to communicate with others, coming off as close-minded and not very expressive. They may lean towards introversion and find it more difficult to relate to others, especially when they are younger.
Natal Saturn retrograde in the 4th house
The 4th house in astrology is the house of home and family. Ruled by maternal Cancer, Saturn's influence on the 4th house revolves around not just your physical home but also your familial roots and tradition and the relationship between you and your caregivers.
Natal Saturn retrograde in the 4th house signals past life issues at home. This may make this native struggle with feelings of neglect and a fear of abandonment in this life.
To overcome these challenges, people with this placement must come to learn how to operate from a secure attachment style. If there are issues with the birth family, they must remember that friend groups and other authority figures can often fill those roles.
Natal Saturn retrograde in the 5th house
The 5th house in astrology, the house of pleasure, governs all the things that bring you pleasure in life.
Natal Saturn retrograde in the 5th house, therefore, might stunt the native's creativity and ability to find pleasure in things.
This placement should remember not to take everything so seriously and remember that you don't have to be perfect at something in order to enjoy it.
Natal Saturn retrograde in the 6th house
The 6th house in astrology is the house of heath. This house governs not only physical health and wellness but also the daily routines we do that keep us going.
Those with natal Saturn retrograde in this house may have a harder time setting boundaries at work, which may lead them to overextend themselves and deal with burnout.
On the other hand, this placement is typically headstrong and good at handling conflict.
Natal Saturn retrograde in the 7th house
The 7th house in astrology governs partnerships, including romantic relationships, friendships, and business partnerships.
A Saturn retrograde placement in this house in your birth chart is often indicative of many failed relationships before finally finding one that sticks due to the native's instinct to self-sabotage relationships.
People with this placement must be cognizant of these self-sabotaging thoughts in order to overcome them and settle into healthy relationships.
Natal Saturn retrograde in the 8th house
The 8th house in astrology is associated with birth, death, rebirth, and transformation.
One of the more mysterious houses in astrology, natal Saturn retrograde in this house might denote issues with sexuality in a past life or stunted spiritual growth.
Those with this placement should learn to overcome feelings of inferiority and self-doubt.
Natal Saturn retrograde in the 9th house
The 9th house in astrology governs your personal philosophies, ethics, and experience gained through travel and cultural exploration.
Natal Saturn retrograde in the 9th house may lead the native to have a limited world view if they don't make it a point to learn new things.
Natal Saturn retrograde in the 10th house
The 10th house in astrology is the house of social status, which is associated with your career ambitions and public image.
Natal Saturn retrograde in the 10th house may lack confidence when it comes to moving ahead in their career, often being looked over for promotions, not because of a lack of talent but rather a lack of self-confidence.
However, Saturn is exalted in the 10th house, meaning once the native gains steam in this area, they will become unstoppable and very successful.
Natal Saturn retrograde in the 11th house
The 11th house in astrology is the house of friends. Here, Saturn influences friendship and community.
If you were born with Saturn retrograde in the 11th house, you may have trouble feeling like you're part of a group when you're younger.
Those with this placement may find that they overcome this feeling that you don't belong around the time of their Saturn return.
Natal Saturn retrograde in the 12th house
The 12th house in astrology is the house of the unconscious. It's associated with karma and your deepest thoughts. Ruled by Neptune and Pisces, it's one of the most mysterious houses in astrology.
Natal Saturn retrograde in the 12th house will likely face heavy emotional issues early on in life. If dealt with appropriately, this will make them emotionally strong and wise beyond their years.
Kaitlin Kaiser is a writer who covers astrology, pop culture and relationship topics.