When I was just coming up to my 26th birthday, I befriended someone already deep in their Saturn return. At that time, I wasn’t as well-versed in astrology as I am now. She projected so much fear onto my own approaching Saturn return because hers had been traumatic. I hated it. If you know me, and you haven't yet experienced your Saturn return, you know I don’t lean into fear when discussing it. Quite the opposite, actually—I remind people, especially those already doing the work, that they will navigate it well as long as they sharpen their discernment and recognize their lessons the first time. Take it from me! Don’t touch the hot stove three times!
This friend endured so many hardships that weren’t necessary. Then, I entered a relationship with someone who had a Scorpio stellium. When he turned 33 and I was 28, I noticed his experience mirrored my friend’s, who was also approaching her 33rd birthday. Both of them were being dragged through the mud—it was painful to witness. But they also kept putting their hands on the fire repeatedly, refusing to learn the lessons. I later realized it was no coincidence that I experienced them both at the same time. There was something significant about the magic of 33, and that’s when I became obsessed with researching why.
During the lockdown, I had ample time, and I chose to deepen my astrology studies. My entire Saturn return unfolded while I lived with my grandparents. If you’ve listened to my most recent podcast episodes about Brazil, you may remember my story about being evicted from my house and losing my job on the same day—it happened right at 27. None of it was my fault, so I flowed with the change rather than resisting it. Because of that patience, I was rewarded. It was a challenging time, but looking back, I realize it prepared me for what lay ahead—especially the pivotal transition at 33.
When I turned 31, I reflected on that time and on what I had witnessed with those two people. I wondered how my own 30s would unfold, especially during a period of unpredictable, rapid change. I learned about my own stellium and how others could serve as mirrors for self-discovery. Stelliums hold immense influence, depending on their placement. While my ex’s stellium was in Scorpio, mine was in Capricorn, concentrated in the outer planets. Outer planets move slowly—some take up to 20 years to transition signs and over a century to complete a full return.
WHAT IS A STELLIUM?
A stellium occurs when three or more planets are clustered in the same zodiac sign or house, creating a heightened focus on that area of life. This concentration of planetary energy amplifies the traits and themes associated with the sign. For example, a Capricorn stellium—especially one involving outer planets like Uranus, Neptune, and Saturn—manifests as a strong drive for discipline, ambition, and structure. Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, the planet of time, responsibility, and long-term growth, meaning individuals with this stellium often feel an inherent pressure to achieve, build legacy, and master patience. However, this placement can also create intense challenges, particularly around self-worth and the burden of societal expectations. Capricorn stellium natives may experience recurring lessons in resilience, boundaries, and redefining success on their own terms. The Saturn square in the mid-30s acts as a pivotal moment for those with a Capricorn stellium, testing their foundation and pushing them toward either transformation or stagnation.
SATURN SQUARE
A Saturn square is a major astrological transit that happens in your mid-30s—usually between ages 33 and 36—when Saturn forms a 90-degree angle (a square) to where it was when you were born. It’s often called a “mini Saturn return” because it echoes similar themes, but in many ways, it can hit even harder.
Think of it like this: your Saturn return (around 27-31) was the first big wake-up call, pushing you into real adulthood. You probably had to face hard truths about your career, relationships, and personal patterns. Then, you spend a couple of years adjusting, trying to build on what you learned. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out—boom, here comes the Saturn square. It’s like a test to see if you really learned your lessons or if you’re still making the same mistakes.
WHY DOES IT FEEL STRONGER THAN A SATURN'S RETURN?
Even though it’s called a “mini” Saturn return, the Saturn square can feel even more intense for a few reasons:
It’s Less Talked About – People hype up the Saturn return, but no one warns you about the Saturn square. It can catch you off guard because you’re not expecting another shake-up so soon. HA!
The Stakes Are Higher – By 33-36, you’re no longer in your "figuring it out" phase—you’re supposed to be building stability. If you’re still stuck in cycles of self-sabotage, toxic relationships, or a career that drains you, Saturn is not going to let you ignore it anymore. Some of us escape the lessons of our Saturn's Return, but Saturn's Square never forgets.
It Demands Action – Unlike your Saturn return, which is about realization and change, the Saturn square is about application. It asks: Did you actually grow, or are you just going in circles? If you didn’t fully handle your Saturn return lessons, this transit will force you to face them.
Many people are still integrating their Saturn return as they approach 30 or 31. While Saturn returns occur approximately every 30 years—first between 27 and 31, again around 60, and once more at 90—each return serves a unique purpose. The first Saturn return is a rite of passage, marking the transition into true adulthood. It’s a period of serious reflection, requiring us to reassess past choices, address childhood wounds, and solidify the direction of our careers and relationships.
After the Saturn return, there’s a crucial one-to-two-year period of adjustment. This is when people move, change jobs, enter or leave long-term relationships, and settle into their post-Saturn return reality. Then comes age 33—the next major milestone.
HOW TO OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES OF SATURN'S SQUARE
This transit isn’t about punishment—it’s about refining your foundation so you don’t keep repeating old patterns. Here’s how to navigate it with grace:
Be honest with yourself. This is a time to recognize what’s not working and stop making excuses. If something feels like it's breaking down, it’s probably not meant to last.
Let go of what no longer serves you. If a job, relationship, or belief system isn’t aligned with who you are now, Saturn will push you to release it—and the sooner you do, the smoother things will go.
Seek wisdom from elders. The best advice often comes from people who have already been through this phase. They can offer perspective on what really matters. Though eldership is important during life in general. It's even more important if you are a healer or practitioner, I say this because this time can really trip you up if your aren't careful and aware. Like this article mentions- Saturn Square is ALL mental and it will challenge every emotion and thought.
Tend to your soil. Instead of clinging to the past, focus on what you want to build moving forward. Think of this time as pulling weeds so new growth can flourish. I can't say this enough-BATHS, BATHS, BATHS! Be sure to keep the Ori clean so your mind is clear and fed with good food; books, affirmations, music, movement, meditation,etc.
Trust the process. The lessons of your Saturn square are not here to break you—they’re here to level you up. It wasn't until I wrote this post that I'm always remind how patient I have to be. Patience doesn't mean I'm not participating and just not doing what I can to grow. But something my Saturn's Return taught me was how to lean into the movement and not go against the tides when they are high. Being patient unlocked abundance in ways had I been busy and all over the place; I'd probably missed them.
By the time you come out of this transit (usually around 36), you’ll feel like you’ve reclaimed your power in a way you never have before. This is when people make their greatest comebacks, start the most aligned careers, and enter the healthiest relationships of their lives. Chile, one more year and I'm in the clear, my heart goes out to all those in the swing with me!
IMPORTANT NOTE FROM OUR NODAL PLACEMENTS
I know, I know- after ALL that, the last thing you want to hear is about another planetary shift in the stars. But, it would be a crime for me NOT to mention this component. During this age, we also experience our second North Node returns; the first takes place during ages 18-19.
The Second North Node Return is a powerful checkpoint in your life’s journey, happening around ages 36-38 when the transiting North Node returns to the exact placement it was in at your birth. The North Node represents your soul’s purpose, the lessons you’re here to embrace, while the South Node is your comfort zone—the skills and patterns you’ve mastered in past lifetimes but must evolve beyond. Right now, the North Node is moving through Pisces (with the South Node in Virgo), calling for deep spiritual surrender, creative flow, and faith over logic. For those of us with strong Virgo or Pisces placements, this transit is pulling us toward balance—letting go of perfectionism (Virgo South Node) and embracing intuition, artistry, and trust (Pisces North Node). The Saturn square happening in this same period only amplifies this shift, forcing us to break outdated structures and realign with our soul’s mission. If you’ve been feeling the call to pivot careers, step into a leadership role, or fully embrace your gifts, your North Node Return is activating that path. This is a time when the universe sends clear signs—opportunities may appear that feel like destiny, but only if you’re open to receiving them. It’s an invitation, a gift, to fully step into the life you were meant to lead.
MY TRUTHS FROM MY 30'S
Now at 34, approaching 35, I can confidently say—yes, my hypothesis was correct. My 33rd year was beautiful—my "Jesus Year." In India, 33 is considered a sacred number, a significant life stage. I embraced that attitude throughout 33, and it truly blessed me. I try not to approach astrology with fear, but rather with gratitude for the lessons these ages bring.
Age 33 is a "10th house year." In astrology, the 10th house governs career, public image, and life direction. This year marks the peak of a 12-year cycle that began at 24. The technique of annual profections teaches that each year, our ascendant shifts into a new house, influencing different areas of life. The 10th house year at 33 brings career-defining moments, major public shifts, and a sense of culmination.
At 33, I enrolled in an entrepreneurship program in Chicago. I turned 33 in the middle of the program, and it was a powerful moment of clarity—I finally understood my mission here on Earth. Everything aligned divinely.
While 33 opened me up, 34 completely fleshed me out. It burned away the illusions I had mistaken for stability. I have a planetary AND house stellium, double WHAMMY! It forced me to confront the overwatered parts of my garden—areas where I had been pouring too much energy, turning the soil to mush, making it impossible to build a solid foundation. It made me focus on the neglected areas, the ones that weren’t growing, even though they were right before my eyes.
Now, on the verge of 35, I have simply shifted my perspective. I smell fresh soil. I see sunlight touching the parts of my garden I once ignored because I was too fixated on what wasn’t thriving. I had to stop victimizing myself—a pattern I had observed in others struggling through this age range. I took notes from those who remained stagnant, bitter, and engulfed in self-pity, and I studied the ones who used this period to rise stronger. 34 got dark fast, but elders and my ATR community played a crucial role in guiding me back. It took wise Black women pulling at my heartstrings to speak life into me.
One elder told me to let my seeds fall—to spread my arms wide and release control over where they land. She assured me I’d be surprised by what sprouts when I finally open my eyes. Some seeds are outdated, no longer meant to grow. That’s okay. 34 is the age to tend to the soil, to reassess what’s worth cultivating. I believe these years are even more crucial than a Saturn return. This is the stage where people either break or rise from the ashes. It’s when I’ve seen the greatest comeback stories unfold.
This is why I say—don’t be afraid of this phase. Embrace it. Learn from those who have gone through it before you. Recognize the patterns. Tend to your soil. Let go of outdated seeds. And most importantly, keep your eyes open to the blessings that come when you lean into growth rather than fear.
THE LAST WORD
Here’s the thing—you don’t have to go through it alone. Depending on your birth chart, this could also be your first major Pluto transit, bringing deep transformation, resurfaced trauma, or even a complete identity shift. If you’re feeling like everything is unraveling, you’re not imagining it—you’re in the thick of a rebirth. In my experience, this is when even the most independent people finally seek support. And that’s a good thing. Therapy, spiritual guidance, and community are essential during this time.
So ask yourself: Who are the people in your life who truly understand what you’re going through? Are you surrounding yourself with those who can hold space for your evolution, or are you clinging to relationships that keep you stuck? Building a solid community of like-minded souls—people who have also faced Saturn’s hard truths—can make all the difference.
Ya'll already know I love a good playlist as a soundtrack to life transitions so this is something I created not too long ago for myself moving through the waves. Hope it serves someone else out there. Take care fam.
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