revamping the algo-rhythms.
saturn retrograde in sidereal aquarius {june 17-november 4}
there’s power in knowing yourself and allowing that knowledge to lead the way towards the future. there’s power in knowing one another and allowing that knowledge to lead the way towards our future.
an already slow saturn is currently barely moving, preparing to station retrograde this saturn day, june 17, in sidereal aquarius, alongside the new moon in gemini. every year, saturn spends about 4.5 months retrograde, so while saturn retrograding is nothing new, it’s always a necessary event. saturn’s retrograde motion is a slowing in time where we’re able to carefully revisit and review the present reality, and in sidereal aquarius, we bring our cognitive and insightful faculties to the forefront to reimagine reality altogether.
saturn officially reentered sidereal aquarius on january 17, 2023 following a brief intro to the transit last spring and early summer. what was happening for you between april 28 and july 12 of 2022? what stories were playing out? what did reality look like? in hindsight, what new insights and inspirations reveal themselves now that it is june 2023?
with saturn’s retrograde in sidereal aquarius, there is an emphasis on the reimagining of reality, revisiting our original visions and plans, investing in our collective future, realigning and even reimagining our collective and social responsibilities, and removing some of the haze and fog that’s been clouding our vision. we all know that we’re facing numerous challenges that leave us with an abundance of questions about the fate of our species and the world as a whole. aquarius as fixed air reminds us that there is an invisible web connecting us all, human and more-than-human like. what happens to one impacts us all, no matter how individualized our responses and emotions towards our circumstances may be and no matter how much we believe we’re not interlinked.
saturn retrograde in sidereal aquarius poses an opportunity to review our core foundation and our links to humanity, to come back down to earth and really get clear on what it is we’re doing, individually, socially, and collectively. where it can be tempting to lean further into the beliefs that it’s every person for themselves, we can reimagine “self”-preservation through the lens of a collective self, a functioning organism and ecosystem. when we want to pull away and detach, how can we lean in and find more common ground that connects us in our humanity, and even in our sentience as living beings? humanizing one another even in the most dire of circumstances is not only needed but required because if one of us isn’t human, then none of us are. if we make dehumanization something casual, where does the line stop? if one person is stripped of being recognized as a human being, what makes you or i the exception? this is incredibly important to consider and hold as we witness the collective dehumanization of our LGBTQ+ and disabled kin by elected officials and fellow citizens. never forget the children and how their rights and humanization is equally, if not more important, for us all. our liberation is a group effort.
from grounding the vision, i shared:
aquarius has a brilliant gift for reminding us of our social responsibilities while honoring ourselves, the individual. as we make our way through saturn’s transit in sidereal aquarius, it is helpful to remember that sometimes the best place to begin is in our sphere of immediate impact and influence, which begins with ourselves. aquarius, often lauded as a humanitarian, possesses a beautiful self-awareness which supports the pursuit for self-determination. a humanitarian is not a savior but instead a steward of the values that preserve and protect human life and human rights. a humanitarian carries an understanding of personal and social/collective responsibility. as you move through the concentric layers of the social schema, consider your responsibilities in each sphere. how do you move? how do you impact? how do you show up? why do you show up?
on the theme of individual and collective connection, there is a light shining on the leo-aquarius axis. during this time, a number of retrogrades and impactful transits will be co-present. notably, transits through sidereal leo will emphasize the opposition of fixed fire and fixed air.
june 17 — saturn stationary retrograde in sidereal aquarius
june 30 — mars enters sidereal leo
july 6 — venus enters leo
july 20 — mars in leo opposite saturn in aquarius
july 23 — venus stationary retrograde in sidereal leo
july 24 — mercury enters sidereal leo
august 1 — mercury in leo opposite saturn in aquarius
august 17 — sun enters leo
august 23 through september 15 — mercury retrograde in leo
august 27 — sun in leo opposite saturn in aquarius
august 30 — full moon in sidereal aquarius
september 14 — new moon in leo
october 1 — venus re-enters sidereal leo
october 9/10 — venus in leo opposite saturn in aquarius
november 4 — saturn stationary direct in aquarius
transits in sidereal leo are deeply impactful throughout the duration saturn’s retrograde and brings attention to not just our individual and collective impacts, dreams, desires, and motivations, but also brings noticeable patterns to light regarding covid and long-covid, as the leo-aquarius axis focuses on the heart, cardiovascular system, circulation, nervous system, eyes, and more. with covid and long-covid, we’ve been experiencing (and are still experiencing) a mass disabling event, with cases on the rise. tending to our cardiovascular and nervous systems has never been more important, and throughout these transits, i’ll be sharing more information, including easy-to-follow plant medicine/herbal recipes to support the heart, blood vessels, lungs, and more.
saturn’s retrograde in sidereal aquarius also directs our attention to all things air quality, air pollution, electrical and power outages, internet and social media policies, AI, and extreme weather events, especially with uranus in aries acting as a supporting factor to aquarius’ function. from wildfires and the subsequent smoke and smog to tornadoes and extreme heat, it’s imperative that we all tap in with our local (and digital) communities to share information and resources to ensure we all stay as safe as possible. communal care has always been the way and will remain the way going forward.
al·go·rithm. noun. a process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations, especially by a computer.
a theme that has come forward for this saturn retrograde is revamping the algo-rhythms. where saturn in capricorn had us revisiting the past and the traditional social rules that have led us to the present moment, saturn in aquarius is allowing us the opportunity to claim the future and lay to rest what’s truly outdated and out of alignment with the time’s we’re now in. there is no going back to the past, and we can’t continue to drag the past along with us, whether it’s old mindsets, beliefs, or social standards that we’re upholding, including internalized bigotry, internalized capitalism, and everything that keeps us tied to a past where many of us weren’t even considered full human beings. if we are to bring elements from the past with us, such as our deeply revered ancestral practices and customs, saturn in aquarius wants us to keep our feet firmly planted in the present moment of reality while also imagining and collectively envisioning a new, expansive future that holds space for all of us to exist.
below, you’ll find reflections for each of the twelve rising signs as it relates to saturn retrograde. each reflection includes perspective on the ways saturn’s transit through each house shapes our understanding and helps us evolve in this life arena with aquarian vision. a flower medicine/essence is included for each rising sign for further support.
saturn retrograde through the houses
sidereal aquarius rising · green rose
with saturn retrograding in your 1H of body, self, identity, and embodied consciousness, this is a time to revamp and reimagine yourself, down to your self-concept. what is the foundation of your relationship with yourself? do you humanize yourself even when the world has active agendas to dehumanize us? what do you like about yourself? what do you love? saturn transiting the 1H brings attention to the reality of who you are and encourages you to accept all of who you are. the fullness and vibrance of your being cannot be understated, even when there are times that you may feel invisible and outcast for being yourself. how does this retrograde support you in shapeshifting and changing your ideas and ideologies surrounding your identity? what helps you bring out more of your unique flair and charisma? this is also the perfect time to tune in with your body, especially your heart, tending to its needs in the best ways you can.
the floral medicine of green rose (Rosa chinensis viridiflora) supports you in developing new levels of self-trust and opening up to yourself and life with compassion. in those moments that you are feeling heavy shame and the burdens of not living up to the projections of others, green rose is there for you to embrace all that you are, which helps you embrace others as they are.
key themes for green rose: trust, love, compassion
medicinal allies: rites of courage motherwort elixir · soul fire flower essence ·
sidereal pisces rising · crab apple
with saturn retrograding in your 12H of creative imagination, solitude, dissolution, and institutions, this is a time for reimagining how you relate to your inner world and your relationship to the world at large. saturn joys in the 12H, bringing lessons associated with confinement and learning new boundaries that support you in navigating the world once you emerge from this place of isolation. what ideas of yourself are dissolving? what have you been holding onto firmly that needs to be reexamined and reviewed? if you are feeling disillusionment and detachment from the wider collective despite your motivations to show up and participate, consider the origins of these feelings? do they belong to you or are they simply passing through you? your dreams can provide deeper insight and even promote new visions for what you want to see in the world. you are a vessel for change and evolution, and this time is one for restoring this vital clarity and knowing. don’t be prompted to rush this process. you have time, and time is on your side. this is a time to silence external influences and dial into your direct line to your source.
the floral medicine of crab apple (Malus sylvestris) supports you in purifying and cleansing what has accumulated, especially beliefs and mindsets that are centered around rigid ideals such as perfection. crab apple aids you in cleansing your energy field of toxic projections, internalized beliefs that keep you distanced from your true self, and amplifies the energies of self-acceptance and grace.
key themes for crab apple: cleansing, acceptance, clarity
medicinal allies: lucid surrender sleep + dream mist · chrysalis visions flower elixir ·
sidereal aries rising · oregon grape
with saturn retrograding in your 11H of communal visions, possibilities, social responsibility, and friends, this is a time for connecting with others and doing all you can to empower those around you to see the beauty and power in themselves. as the call for community grows louder, this is the perfect time to branch out and join a new organization, social club, or just spend more time with your friends. learn about what’s happening in your local community and how you can play a part in the evolution, growth, and maintenance of your social networks. whether your communities are niche and online or in-person, it’s time to reach out and allow yourself to be reached. with transiting jupiter in your 1H and transiting saturn in your 11H, the dance between self and the other is ever-present, and you’re encouraged to trust where you’re being led. think globally, act locally. show up and be counted.
the floral medicine of oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium) supports you in amplifying the love you have for others and fortifies social bonds where everyone feels lovingly included. for those that are learning to trust again after betrayals and experiences of being outcast, oregon grape supplies your energy field with protection and helps you shake defensive tendencies when they are not needed, promoting a sense of inner security that helps you attract those who value this quality.
key themes for oregon grape: inclusion, security, openness
medicinal allies: ancestral bonds flower elixir · heart center aromatherapy oil ·
sidereal taurus rising · water violet
with saturn retrograding in your 10H of showing up in the world, public reputation, social power, and authority, this is a time of reimagining what “career” means to you, bringing it into perspective of how you show up in a wider community and what your individual contribution is and will be. this doesn’t have to be something concrete and set in stone, but envisioning the ideals and principles that are at the core of your work is a starting place. saturn in aquarius in your 10H asks you to take stock of where you hold social power, and as a result, authority and responsibility. as a venusian, there is a core love of people and relationships at the root of your existence, so how can this be incorporated in how you show up in the world? are you self-centered, people-centered, or us-centered? shifting gears, how is your attitude towards authority shifting as you become more community-minded?
the floral medicine of water violet (Hottonia palustris) supports you in maintaining your venusian heart even when you are engaged in matters that are a bit more impersonal and less emotionally involved. water violet supports those that are learning more about collaboration and interdependence and rewriting beliefs surrounding hyper-independence and neglect. water violet reminds you that you don’t have to work alone, and you don’t have to participate in further exclusion and hierarchy to make a difference and be noticed in your efforts.
key themes for water violet: collaboration, interdependence, cohesion
medicinal allies: heartful directions flower elixir · sunset songs: fathers flower elixir ·
sidereal gemini rising · shooting star
with saturn retrograding in your 9H of faith, exploration + journeys, and expansive learning, this is a time for coming into your own holistic understanding regarding your faith and spiritual beliefs. aquarius is innovative and enjoys pushing the boundaries of the conventional. you may find that you are questioning your faith or even just exploring different ways to connect to a higher power that are more tailored to who you are as a person: diverse and multidimensional. this retrograde period may also inspire you to explore new educational endeavors, whether you want to study something new or just do more research on cutting-edge technologies and ideas. if you are traveling during this time, there is a possibility that you may encounter someone older and/or someone with a unique perspective that can open your mind to something you haven’t considered before. keeping your mind open while holding firm to your own sense of discernment is important during this time, as this is a time where you may also encounter those who claim to have all the answers. stay curious.
the floral medicine of shooting star (Primula hendersonii) supports you in feeling connected to the universal forces within nature and remembering the inherent spirituality embedded in humanity and the human experience. shooting star helps you reconnect with the web of life and spiritual belonging amongst all living beings. where you once felt disillusioned or even disconnected from your spirituality, shooting star helps you tap into the cosmic consciousness and vast knowledge of life.
key themes for shooting star: human spirituality, etheric connections, belonging
medicinal allies: third eye aromatherapy mist · air element aromatherapy ·
sidereal cancer rising · penstemon
with saturn retrograding in your 8H of that which is shared and inherited, emotional autonomy, debts, and psychological transformation, this is a time where you are exploring what it means to be close and intimate with others. you may find yourself feeling detached, apathetic, and even a bit averse to deeper connections and intimacy, even while craving them. the natural apprehension is not a sign of dysfunction, but a normal step in learning to trust and break beyond the surface. this is a time where you’re reimagining what “closeness” looks like and setting up your own boundaries according to who you are and not who others need you to be. further, this is a time where you may come into unconventional sources of income that support you in your financial goals. this is also a time where keeping the intimate details of your finances close to the chest is encouraged, to avoid unnecessary scrutiny and even sabotage to your vision(s). participating in mutual aid can prove beneficial for you and those you are close to, helping resources circulate between individuals with care.
the floral medicine of penstemon (Penstemon davidsonii) supports you in building your inner courage and fortitude when you are going through difficult and trying times. 8H transits are notoriously challenging times, and penstemon helps you remember your strength in the times that it is needed most. adversity is a part of this life, and penstemon works with your sensitive energy to create a powerful force field. there is no glamorization of struggle or suffering, only a reminder of what you are already capable of.
key themes for penstemon: fortitude, strength, triumph
medicinal allies: transmutation pain relief tincture · water element aromatherapy ·
sidereal leo rising · bleeding heart
with saturn retrograding in your 7H of relational exchange, psychological projection, aesthetics, and contracts, this is a time for connecting with individuals that bring out your natural shine and support you in being your bold and brilliant self. with saturn transiting your 7H, some of your relationships may come up for review, and you may ask yourself new questions about what it means to be supported in relationships. what is the grounding cord in your relationships? with aquarius on your 7H, you connect with individuals and those who have their own identity and personality in addition to seeking your own creative freedom and identity in collaborative projects. heart-to-heart connection helps create a solid foundation going forward, and saturn retrograde supports old and outdated relationship ideals falling away so that new relationship templates can emerge, centering each individual in the pursuit of harmony and coexistence. staying in the heart of the matter is essential during this time.
the floral medicine of bleeding heart (Dicentra formosa) supports you in maintaining relationships with others that are rooted in the heart and filled with emotional expression and freedom. bleeding heart activates your capacity for unconditional love in the ways it looks for you and helps you expand your understanding of what it means to love and be loved. bleeding heart encourages you to break free from the need to possess and control and simply enjoy the experience of being with another.
key themes for bleeding heart: unconditional love, emotional freedom, interdependence
medicinal allies: heart’s return oxymel · heart’s return flower essence ·
sidereal virgo rising · wood betony
with saturn retrograding in your 6H of house of holistic health, routine + ritual, daily work + tasks, and coping mechanisms, this is a time to pour into yourself and allowing the efforts of this pour out into your community. you serve others best when you serve yourself through tending to your body and place, adjusting where necessary to create an environment of inner stability and active use of your imagination and will. with saturn transiting your 6H, it’s important to regularly tend to your health, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. with aquarius on your 6H, dissociation and anxiety are not uncommon, and you benefit from grounding practices and supportive medicines and tools that keep you here in the moment and within your window of tolerance. saturn retrograde is a time to slow down and reevaluate how much of yourself you are giving to your work versus how much time you are giving to yourself. what do you need to invest into your own self-care to be able to reshape the ways you show up for the world? if you utilize the internet/social media regularly for your work, saturn retrograde may be a time where you restructure your profiles/platforms to make them more supportive for what you are building.
the floral medicine of wood betony (Stachys officinalis) supports you in calming the mind and grounding into the present moment. when you are feeling overwhelmed, ungrounded, or spacey, wood betony brings your energy into alignment with what is and encourages you to be here now. wood betony encourages shifting your perspective and integrating the mind-body connection.
key themes for wood betony: presence, awareness, understanding
medicinal allies: remembrance rosemary elixir · presence + flow aromatherapy mist ·
sidereal libra rising · borage
with saturn retrograding in your 5H of artistry, self-creation, children (including your inner child), and embodied joy, this is a time where you’re remembering the spiritual responsibility of joy and living an authentic life filled with pleasure. you’re no stranger to overcoming hardships and after 3 years of saturn transiting your 4H of roots, you’re no stranger to responsibility and creating a solid foundation for yourself. with saturn in your 5H, you’re encouraged to break beyond the boundaries of conventional creativity and artistry and introduce newness into the world of art, whether via music, writing, fashion, etc. you have the vision, and what you need now is time and support. with this summer filled with leo transits in your 11H, your bright and shining light will attract more attention towards your creativity and propel you into a new spotlight. staying true to your heart is essential in your creative process, not forgetting why you do what you do and for who. while you value connections and communion, your art is something that is so often the result of your own unique experiences and perspectives. collaborations may be slow during the retrograde, but it gives you more time to fine tune your own artistic visions.
the floral medicine of borage (Borago officinalis) supports you in tapping into the essence of your heart and invigorates the aliveness that is already present within you. borage encourages you to live joyfully from the heart and spread your optimism to others. when you are feeling discouraged and even depressive, borage is there to lift your spirits and remind you of the radiance within.
key themes for borage: courage, lightness, heart-centered action
medicinal allies: joyful abundance oxymel · sunset songs: children flower elixir ·
sidereal scorpio rising · pedicularis
with saturn retrograding in your 4H of psychological foundations, ancestry, emotional comforts, and home, this is a time where you may find that you’re branching away from the dominant culture of your lineage, especially when those cultures are steeped in norms that are dehumanizing and promote erasure. you’re no stranger to being isolated and outcast, but this does not have to be the only thing you know in this life; however, if you do feel yourself breaking free, your protection and fortitude are important. with aquarius on your 4H, you may be considered the odd one out, while also feeling a certain level of spiritual protection on your journey of stepping outside of the mold. you’re a force to be reckoned with, and this retrograde will provide you with the needed time to slow down and truly reexamine what you have inherited and what’s worth keeping and what isn’t. you may come to uncover secrets about individuals in your family that help you shape your perspective of your place in your family, especially positive ones that fortify your self-confidence and esteem. not all genetic inheritances are harmful or detrimental; many of them are positive, including visions for the future and unique spiritual gifts that are exclusive to your lineage.
the floral medicine of pedicularis (Pedicularis groenlandica) supports you with tapping into your soul and cellular memory, accessing wisdom from deep within your history, and activating a deep, ancestral knowing that lives within you. pedicularis helps you overcome feelings of alienation and separation from the force of life and helps you bridge the connection between the past and the future.
key themes for pedicularis: soul memory, wisdom, ancestral knowledge
medicinal allies: invisible shield aromatherapy mist · sunset songs: families flower elixir ·
sidereal sagittarius rising · hound’s tongue
with saturn retrograding in your 3H of familiar environments, fields of perception, short journeys, and fictive kin relationships, this is a time where you’re coming to understand more about who you have had to be to prevail in your immediate environments. with aquarius on your 3H, you may have had to assimilate and conform to the group for your survival even though, inside, you feel this desire to express just how different you actually are. with saturn’s retrograde through this house, you are encouraged to step more into your identity and allow these new changes and adaptations to move you in a new direction. the knowledge that you acquire during this time can be utilized to shape your future for the better. additionally, this is a time where connecting with people from your immediate environment (neighborhood, places you frequent) is encouraged, getting to know more about the individuals that are surrounding you. you are far from invisible, but you do need to make yourself known, embracing your authenticity and not performing or over-inflating your identity to be seen. the right people will notice you, and it will be beautiful. additionally, you may feel called to pick up new interests and enjoy some random and quirky hyper-fixations with new information. share your random info with a new friend :)
the floral medicine of hound’s tongue (Cynoglossum grande) supports you with integrating your imagination with your intellect and expanding your horizons. hound’s tongue encourages you to think outside of the box and embrace some of your more eccentric thoughts, especially those that help you break free from rigid mental constructs that are upholding a worldview that is not supportive to your expansion. call on hound’s tongue when you need to open your mind and see another side to those things you’re already familiar with.
key themes for hound’s tongue: perception, imagination, creative thinking
medicinal allies: mind matters cognitive support tincture · daily gratitude aromatherapy mist ·
sidereal capricorn rising · california poppy
with saturn retrograding in your 2H of value systems, resource acquisition, belonging, and embodiment, this is a time for continuing to learn these saturnian lessons and creating a solid foundation for yourself. when saturn in sidereal capricorn transited your 1H of self from january 2020-january 2023, this was a time of creating your own internal structures that allowed you to show up in this world aware of your responsibilities and needs. now, with saturn transiting your 2H, you are coming to understand your own, personal relationship with resources and what you need to feel secure. with aquarius on your 2H, this realm of life may prompt a bit of confusion, as this life realm is more “unusual” than others. you may find that you are drawn to “odd jobs” and unconventional ways of making money and gathering resources, utilizing talents and skills unique to you that others may not possess. with aquarius often being stereotyped for being detached, having this sign in the house of attachments and possessions seems a bit contradictory, but leaning into the contradiction can reveal some new pathways that support you in the journey forward. this retrograde is a time where you may reevaluate your relationship to your resources and even find that a bit of healthy detachment brings in more of what you need. remaining grounded is key.
the floral medicine of california poppy (Eschscholzia californica) supports you in creating a value system that is strongly aligned with your principles and rooted in substance and integrity. california poppy is there when you are feeling too attached to surface-level and superficial values that prevent you from building something that can withstand change and the tests of time. call on california poppy when you need more fortification to trust your heart, especially in those instances where you feel challenged to go against your values and morals.
key themes for california poppy: integrity, morality, alignment
medicinal allies: earth element aromatherapy · root center aromatherapy oil ·
blessed retrograde season to all of you. please reference this post as much as you need.
thank you for reading.