This three-part series will focus on our Saturn cycles as three different Acts in our life. The series is inspired by an interview of Jane Fonda by Oprah, where Fonda said that she is in Act III of her life. For women, we’ll be looking at these Acts as our Maiden, Mother, or Crone Days.
Saturn naturally plays a pivotal role throughout our life and ushers in a new phase of life when it returns to its original spot in our natal chart. Each of Saturn’s whirls through the entire zodiac takes about 29½ years ~ plenty of time to begin, fully experience, and release a major phase of our life.
Saturn, Act I
During Act 1 ~ till we’re about 30 years old ~ we’re just growing up. Some of us have a great childhood and some are not so lucky. We develop our ideas about how the world treats us and how we are to treat others. If there’s a misfire ~ bad parenting, unusually harsh circumstances in childhood, or early physical trauma ~ our view of the world will be colored very differently from our peers who didn’t have harsh experiences, also known as the lucky ones.
By the time we turn 30, we’re at the crossroads. Some of us commit at this time ~ to a person through marriage, to a career, or to a new lifestyle. We may abandon a life track altogether. It’s not unusual to go home, back to where we were raised. A return to the childhood home at this time may mean that the world isn’t what we thought it was going to be, or we might decide that we were on the wrong path and want to get back to basics, back to our roots. Some folks make major moves ~ if not back home, away from home, across the country or to a new country altogether. We’re looking for something in our lives to anchor us, and we haven’t found it where we are now.
We see this expressed as the “oh, they turned 30” syndrome ~ when people do strange things out of “nowhere.” It’s not “nowhere.” It’s the realization that the path we’re on isn’t satisfying, it won’t fulfill. Something ain’t right, so we set out on a new path to try and make it right. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t.
And there are plenty of us who are happy exactly where we are, like the track we’re on, and recommit to it. We can build on our successes so far.
For women, these are our maiden days.
We’re young, desirable, and fruitful. When we come of age, we are the vessel for new life, the next generation, the continuance of the human race. We are the New Moon, full of hope for the future, on our way toward manifesting a beautiful tomorrow.
Media and peer pressure demands that we look a certain way ~ usually based on impossible standards. Most of us don’t travel with a magic airbrush and fans to make our hair billow in the breeze, however, and find that the “real” world ~ if there is such a thing ~ can be impossible to measure up to. We might forget about the pressures for a while, but for most the pressures linger in our self-esteem and psyches, and often manifests as self-loathing for our bodies in some way. I don’t think I’ve ever met a woman who was completely satisfied with her looks.
Many of us begin families, becoming new mothers. Others delay motherhood for advanced degrees and careers. Some don’t want to be mothers at all, and some suffer terribly because they can’t be mothers. As the biological and sociological clocks tick, we define who we are, who we are becoming, and what we will give birth to.
As the curtain closes on Act I, we’re at the crossroads. Is this good enough? Is there something better? How you answer determines your course for years to come. We step over the line and enter our Mother Days.
What is something about your Maiden Days that defines the woman you are today?
Auntie Moon 
I am presently experiencing my second Saturn return. I just want to send a message to all those 30 year olds out there. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!!! and you will never be that beautiful again, so enjoy it while it lasts!
I’m sorry, I am not sure what else to say.
It’s hard to face, huh? I think I was at my very best when I was 27-30 years old. One thing I remember distinctly about my Maiden Days was a walk I took in New York when I was about 23. A lightning bolt ran through my head, “I’m a grown woman!” I’d never really thought about being grown up before. I had a rather sheltered childhood and was completely unaware in my early years. The feeling of maturity really hit me.
What the fuck? Thanks, that’s encouraging. Not self-hating at all either.
Seriously, what the FUCK. I’m 26 and I’M offended by this. Have you not looked at Helen Mirren or Buffy Sainte-Marie or Yoko Ono lately?
This is very interesting as I got married the second time at exactly 29 years and a month. As I think back now, I should never have been married earlier, and I should have done more to figure out what to do with my own life before ever thinking about marriage. Too bad I can’t go back. I forever floundered around without finding a calling or something for me. I am still looking. 🙂
I was a lucky one with a good childhood. My grand trine gives me a lot of ease, but no drive. But, I can’t say I would want to give that up in favor of a lot of obstacles either. I keep trying to think that maybe I earned this life, so enjoy it for now.
Just passed my second Saturn Return and it was rather uneventful, but left me with this feeling of not accomplishing anything. Meaning, what do I have to show for this life? And still searching for my “calling”.
My suggestion to everyone would be to find what it is you want during the 1st Saturn return. Then relax and enjoy the 2nd return.
And Ament to what Mimi says….enjoy it while you’ve got it.
I got married at the same time, Susie. I turned 29 in July and married 45 days later. My husband turned 29 right before the wedding, too.
LOL just realized that I messed up the timing. It was 29 years and 75 days. See what happens during the 2nd return!
Can’t wait for the comments on the 2nd return.
my first Saturn return was truly the epitome of a Saturn return. I had a 2 year old, a colicky baby, a full time job and a husband who was, well, more of a burden than a help… I was totally miserable, and just plugged on and on, endless tired days with difficult little boys and a more difficult husband!
my second Saturn return?
Well, many years ago, my husband got clean, grew up, and is now a great life companion. I am still working but have discovered my calling (painting) and know that THAT is what I am good at and will do my best to follow that path. My sons are grown and wonderful men, I have my health.
I believe the hard work I put into my marriage, the hard work I put into raising my sons, and the hard work I have put in to maintaining my health have all paid off…
I know I have a limited time left here on this earth, but I am satisfied today that I have been productive these last 30 years and I do not regret working full time (instead of pursuing a career in art) because I do not believe I could have had the stability and all the other benefits that a good job gives.. my younger self probably would have believed I’d sold myself out to “the man” but honestly, at the age of 30 I lacked the confidence and courage to strike out on my own.
so that’s the Saturn return story for me.
Thank you for sharing your story, Mimi. It’s nice to note how much we’ve accomplished and how much we’ve grown, even when we pare it down to just a few paragraphs. You did good! 🙂
Wonderful post, CJ! Most illuminating on that first Saturn cycle, and I can’t wait to see the rest of the series! My maiden years were all about getting a good education and getting started in a career. I was a career maiden…who ultimately became a moon maven, because I became an astrologer and started writing about astrology just about the time this cycle ended. Donna
And boy am I glad you did!!! If you hadn’t become an astrologer and written Moon Signs, I’d probably still be working at a bank today.
!!!!! wow!!!!
I’m turning 30 in February and I think I’ve had restless maiden years. Most of the time, I felt very unhappy, lonely and lost, having no idea why I am here, in this world. The last few years of the period, however, have been marked by several events and revelations which helped me to come to important conclusions about the meaning of life. I hope this new knowledge will be a valuable source of courage and optimism in the years to come.
That’s wonderful to hear, Tuta. If it has brought you courage and optimism (two incredible gifts!), I’m sure it will be a valuable resource for you. And there are more gifts to come.