Since Saturn spends roughly one-third of the year in retrograde, there's a good chance you may have Saturn retrograde in your birth chart.
Retrograde planets in the birth chart are sometimes described as being unable to fully express themselves or having oddball, round-about ways of manifesting their influence. Just as common is the idea that retrograde planets in the natal chart only begin to emerge successfully later in life after much introspection and adjustment....
In traditional astrology, however, retrograde planets are not seen as merely misguided, but as being thoroughly weakened. Speed and visibility were both important considerations to ancient astrologers, and on both accounts, retrograde planets are at a disadvantage. Fast-moving planets were interpreted as being active and able to bring about their significations, while slow-moving planets, like ones in retrograde, were deemed too sluggish to do their job properly. Equally, during the retrograde transits of some planets, they can appear to disappear from the sky; theoretically, their presence disappears from the natal chart.
Part of Saturn's job in our natal charts is to help us befriend our inner patriarch, an archetype we can call upon when we need authority, discipline, and no-nonsense feedback. To that end, Saturn retrograde in the natal chart can suggest that our father-figure was absent or uninvolved in such a way that precluded our ability to develop self-esteem and inner security. As an effect, Saturn retrograde can inhibit one's abilities to create effective boundaries at work or in relationships; there may exist a persistent need to always respond in the affirmative. We may suffer from repressed fears, feelings of inadequacy, or a nagging sense that despite our best efforts, we could have done more, better, or different.
Over time, the power of Saturn retrograde in the natal chart can be harnessed towards success; if we can learn to filter the inbound messages from our inner critic, we can focus on what's helpful and ignore what's unnecessarily hurtful.
