We Will Survive: The Blog -- From the authors of SURVIVING SATURN'S RETURN
Astro-commentary, Saturn Return survival tips, and meandering miscellany from the Saturn Sisters, authors of SURVIVING SATURN'S RETURN
Saturn Sisters in the Press
Please direct all press inquiries to:
press@saturnreturn.net
Freaking Out About 30? Blame the Zodiac
By P.J. Gach
December 14, 2003
The unruly planet — and not a plain, old-fashioned fear of mortality — is why people freak out when they turn 30.
At least, that's what astrologers Stefanie Iris Weiss and Sherene Schostak, authors of "Surviving Saturn's Return: Overcoming the Most Tumultuous Time of Your Life" (McGraw Hill/Contemporary Books, $14.95), say.
When you turn 30, the authors explain, Saturn — the planet that triggers "the karma of your life lessons," according to Schostak — returns to the exact same place it was the moment you were born. Hence, "Saturn's return."It's a theory that most people who believe in astrology subscribe to; No Doubt frontwoman Gwen Stefani took it so seriously that in 1999 she wrote a record called "The Return of Saturn," which dealt with all her fears about that imminent birthday.
"We ended up calling the album 'The Return of Saturn' because on a personal level, from age 28 to now — the time frame of making the album — was really hard," she has said. "I was like, 'God, what's wrong with me, who am I?' Going through the whole evaluation of who I was in different stages of life and which one's real."
In fact, the return of Saturn is a process that, say the authors, lasts about 2 1/2 years for most people.
"The psychic upheaval makes turning 30 feel like a 2 1/2-year tooth extraction," says Weiss.
Their book, they say, is meant to be a guide for women so that they won't go through the ordeal of a Saturn return in another 30 years.
"If you avoid your issues during the first one," says the 32-year-old Weiss, "you'll have an even tougher one the next time you go through it. Although it's typically a painful time, it's also a time for growth and change and empowerment in the biggest sense."
Weiss says she speaks from experience: During her Saturn return, she broke up with her boyfriend of seven years and decided to go to graduate school.
"My most profound lessons were about transformation and fear of change," she says.
The 33-year-old Schostak says that her Saturn return was equally life-altering: she quit her "rather dull" job as a reasearch assistant and went to India to "find myself." When she came back, she says "the crisis had transformed into this attitude of taking on new ventures, doing things big."
Whether or not you think you need help, the book can help you deal with your cranky, about-to-turn 30 (or 60) friends: "It'll help you to see what particular issues they are struggling with," says Schostack, "and it'll give you more compassion when they start freaking out on you."
Mountain Astrologer
Reviewed by Mary Plumb
June/July 2004
Both authors of Surviving Saturn's Return are astrologers and students of the Indian guru Mata Amritanandamayi, but Sherene Schostak is also a Jungian psychotherapist, and Stefanie Iris Weiss is a professor of writing and gender studies. Their lively book, subtitled Overcoming the Most Tumultuous Time of Your Life, is a psychologically sensitive account of the issues facing women at the first Saturn return. Schostak and Weiss have passed their Saturn returns (in Taurus) not too long ago; they have an engaging style and a contemporary feel for the real-life situations encountered at that momentous rite of passage.
After introductory material that explains the basic meaning of Saturn and its cycles ("What the Hell Is the Saturn Return, Anyway?"), there is a chapter on Saturn in each of the twelve signs. The authors give the general characteristics of Saturn's lesson in each sign and offer questions for each sign (or house) of Saturn - for example, Saturn in Virgo or the 6th house: "What does it mean to be all alone? What is solitude versus loneliness? What does it mean to be truly of service?" Discussion follows on "Father Issues," "Facing the Saturn Return," and "Potentials" for Saturn in each sign, plus "Real-World Saturn Return Stories."
The book is well designed and very easy to read. Each chapter begins with pointed phrases that capture a glimpse of each sign's essence: "Scorpio needs the deepest darkness ... needs desire incarnate ... needs to fight to the death ... needs you to die for her ... needs pure passion ..." There are lists and catchy subheadings throughout the book. "Survival Skills for Saturn in Aries," for example, advises: "Take risks. Play with matches. (Just kidding!) Study the martial arts. Initiate. Try scream therapy," and so on.
Although the language is breezy and informal, the book rests on a clear understanding of the experiences likely to be met as Saturn returns to its natal position. The authors are both thoughtful and funny, and their book should find an appreciative audience with young women approaching 30 who have an open mind toward astrology. It is a fine addition to the growing library of substantive astrology books written for the general public.
The Weekend Buss: Ring Around the Planet
Posted by Kelly
March 05, 2004
Ever wonder why people totally freak out when they turn 30? Surprise, surprise, it has more to do with big bad Saturn (yes, the planet) than with wrinkles and Botox. Seems that Saturn conveniently returns back to the place it was the moment we were first born every 29.5 years, forcing us to deal with all the many issues we'd rather just sweep under the shag carpet. Thanks, Saturn. But there is hope. The astrologers for Teen Vogue, Stefanie Iris Weiss and Sherene Schostak, have written the book on the famous phenomenon, Surviving Saturn's Return: Overcoming the Most Tumultuous Time of Your Life. In a straightforward, conversational tone, Stefanie and Sherene tell us all about this first milestone into adulthood and how we can cope with all the ugly issues so that they don't keep plaguing us for the next 30 years. Did Saturn miss the memo that 40 is the new 30? Anyway, scoop up this fun and telling read at amazon.com for just $10.47, and visit the authors' website, saturnreturn.net, for much more info on the Saturn Return.
The Celestine Journal
By Salle Merrill Redfield
January 2004
And the final thing I want to pass along is the name of a book called, Surviving Saturn's Return: Essential Lessons for Overcoming the Most Tumultuous Time of Your Life. Those of you who are familiar with astrology will know the term Saturn Return. And those of you who are past your early thirties will be familiar with its affects. (Whew, thank God that's over, right?)
The book is written for women in their late twenties and early thirties who are approaching the first milestone of adulthood, which often shows up in the form of relationship traumas, financial concerns, career challenges, and spiritual awakenings. The authors of the book, Sherene Schostak, MA, and Stefanie Iris Weiss, MA, are both astrology columnist for Teen Vogue and apparently both are wise, compassionate women who understand how troubling this time can be if we are not prepared.
Through the book they explain what Saturn Return is exactly and how to navigate your way through so you can come out on the other side wiser, and much more aware of who you truly are. If you find yourself approaching this time, or if you are right in the middle of the two and a half year cycle, and you are open to astrology, I cannot recommend this book enough.
Library Journal
Professional astrologers Schostak and Weiss write for women in the 25-35 age bracket who "are probably freaking out." There is a reason for their turmoil and depression, however: the planet Saturn's return to the original location in the astrological birth chart. Personifying the planet as a grumpy, nasty dictator who challenges readers to overcome their failings, the authors insightfully describe the characteristics of the zodiac signs and then catalog Saturn's effects on them. Free of jargon and with a clear format, this succeeds as an astrologically based tool for self-analysis, but the brief "survival skill" sets provide only rudimentary how-to. Convincing, humorous writing (containing soft profanity) uses anecdotes and stories to good effect, though it is occasionally dramatic. Similar to Elizabeth Rose Campbell's Intuitive Astrology: Follow Your Best Instincts To Become Who You Always Intended To Be, this is an optional purchase for large public libraries.
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