Saturn Retrograde in Aquarius 2023: Understanding its Influence and Remedial Measures

January 18th 2023, is a remarkable date. Saturn entered the eccentric sign of Aquarius. Each time Saturn enters the sign of Aquarius, structures collapse, significant changes happen, organizations change, powers shift, and people's daily lives are seismically altered.

Saturn is here to stay in Aquarius till March 29th 2025

Aquarius is the sign of wish fulfillment, while Saturn is the planet of discipline. Naturally, discipline keeps us forging ahead towards the goals we aspire to achieve.

Saturn- Karma, emotional maturity, discipline, hard work, focus, sorrows, responsibility and death.

Aquarius- Aquarius symbolizes wealth, honor, legislation, allies (your equation) with your neighbors, group and collective activities, philanthropic activities, aviation, health, new age technology, the general public, democracy and our attitude with which we interact with society, on the whole.

Saturn in Aquarius- The core theme of Saturn in Aquarius will propel you to get rid of your selfish motives and work for the benefit of others. It marks the death of the ego or the lower mind

Saturn rules Aquarius. Saturn left Capricorn on January 18th 2023, and entered its own sign of Aquarius. Spending about 2 and a half to three years in Aquarius, Saturn will have much to offer us during its stay in this crazy sign of innovation

Aquarius hints at the coming of the New Age while Saturn embraces tradition. With Saturn in this sign, most of us might already be witnessing the volatility of the situation.

But what’s even more exciting is that Saturn turns retrograde and in the same sign! And this time, Saturn does not change its sign while getting into retrogression.

If Saturn in Aquarius promises the breaking of boundaries, then what would happen if this planet turned backwards in its movement?

After we’ve got a brief idea of what Saturn in Aquarius looks like, let’s get on to the absorbing concept of Saturn's retrogression in Aquarius and what it could have in store for you!

If Saturn moving into the sign of Aquarius brings a stir, then Saturn's retrogression is no less tricky. Saturn will remain retrograde in Aquarius for exactly 140 days before it turns direct on November 4th

Saturn is a powerful planet. During its time in retrogression, Saturn will become even more dominant, influential and forcible. No planet really goes backwards in its movement. The planets ‘appear’ to be going backwards with respect to the earth’s motion.

But in retrograde, planets come closer to the earth, which is why they grow in magnitude, exert stronger radiations and maximize their impact on us. This is why planets act as ‘exalted’ in their retrograde motion due to their enlarged impact on us.

On June 17th, Saturn will already be at 13 degrees and 20 minutes. From this point, Saturn will start its movement backwards. 13 degrees and 20 minutes is, thus, the focal point of change for you.

Saturn will come to a halt or become stationary at this point before moving backwards. That is why this state of Saturn is called the ‘Sthambit Sthiti’.

Moving backwards, Saturn will start traveling in Aquarius until it reaches 6 degrees and 20 minutes. At this point, Saturn will stop again (and enter the Stambhit Sthiti) before turning direct on November 4th.

Both these points are highly charged points and will play a vital role if you have any planets located on these two points in your natal chart.

The retrogression lasting for 140 days, Saturn will be closest to the earth- from June 17th to November 4th. This is when you’ll experience seismic changes rolling into your life.

Lord Shani does not change its sign while in retrogression. This means that the entire process of retrogression is unfolding in the sign of Aquarius. While Shani does not alter its signs, it changes its nakshatras while traveling backwards.

Satabhisha- On June 17th, Shani retrogrades at 13 degrees 20 minutes in the 2nd pada of Satabhisha.

Satabhisha focuses on the hidden powers of life. Satabhisha is the secretive or the ‘Veiling star’ among the nakshatras. During Shani’s time in Satabhisha, you may experience a deep need for seclusion. This position could also make you a bit depressed, but it will also imbue you with a vital force essential to heal yourself (and others) and fulfill your ambitions.

Dhanishta- Traveling backwards, Saturn will enter the 4th pada of Dhanishta on October 15th.At 6 degrees 20 minutes, in the 4th pada of Dhanishta, Shani will become direct again on November 4th

When Shani starts traveling backwards, you will likely experience a marked shift in the energies as Shani enters the 4th pada of Dhanishta. The 4th pada entirely lies in the sign of Aquarius (which is why Shani does not change its sign while getting retrograde). If in Satabhisha, you experienced the vital force to heal and fulfill your ambitions, then in Dhanishta, you could experience deep spiritual insight, compassion and universal sympathy, the result of which is to heal your ‘hidden’ wounds (something you’ll experience when Shani is in Satabhisha). You could also work on your creative talents here (especially music) before Shani leaves the 4th pada of Dhanishta on November 4th 2023.

The distance covered by Shani during its backwards motion is approximately 6 degrees and 30 minutes. Besides these two dynamic points of change and transformation, the quantity of 6 degrees and 30 minutes, too, will make a massive shift in your lifestyle and thinking patterns. Saturn is the lord of Karma and is thus called the Karmadhipati. During its 140-day backward journey, the Karmadhipati will fling us into obstacles in our respective jobs, careers and relationships.

While this retrograde cultivates patience in us, Saturn's retrogression will be challenging due to its tricky position with Mars.

Following these simple remedies will enable us to sail through this period without crashing into the bumps.

Worship Lord Hanuman. Saturn, during its retrograde, forms a tricky position with Mars. Saturn and Mars are kroora planets. A challenging relationship forms between these two planets when Saturn is sitting in its retrogression. This marks a highly volatile period, and thus, worshiping Lord Hanuman becomes inevitable. Meditate on his form and chant Hanuman Chalisa. Chanting Sundar Kand will also prove beneficial during this time.

Worship Lord Shiva. Shani retrograde is associated with Lord Shiva. Worship Lord Shiva and chant His mantra, ‘Om Namah Shivay’ regularly (if possible 108 times).

Meditate. Meditation is one of the best remedies. You will likely experience depression, aggression and frustrations during Saturn's retrogression. Simple breathing exercises and pranayama enhance your emotional control and psychological well-being.

Aries (a) - Donate sesame seeds on Saturday

Taurus (b) - Light a mustard oil lamp under a peepal tree every Saturday evening.

Gemini (c) - Recite Shani Chalisa every Saturday

Cancer (d) - Regularly feed flour to ants

Leo (e) - Donate black urad dal on Saturdays

Virgo (f) - Regularly feed the fish

Libra (g) - Perform Rudrabhishek on Saturdays

Scorpio (h) - Read Bajrang Baan on Saturdays

Sagittarius (i) - Chant Shani mantra regularly

Capricorn (j) - Recite Shree Gajendra Moksha Stotra

Aquarius (k) - Recite Shree Ram Stotra

Pisces (l) - Offer water to the peepal tree on Saturdays and circumambulate it seven times

Saturn retrograde hints at a tumultuous time. But it's these choppy times that make us more powerful and forbearing.

The energy build-up of this time, especially when it is happening in the sign of Aquarius, is a rare phenomenon.

Aquarius is never afraid to question authority and dig deep into matters, with Saturn first slipping into it and then going retrograde, marking a time when we could get too bold and courageous.

The Saturn retrograde will nudge us to re-examine our thoughts and closely check our actions. Selfish motives and manipulations (even when we do it unconsciously) could get us in trouble, especially during the critical time of those 140 days.

‘Symbiosis’ is the central theme of Saturn retrograde. While you pick up on the remedies above (whether general or specific to your sign), be aware of your unconscious manipulations and weed them out before Saturn attains its strict tones to teach you the proper strategies for doing business.