Saturn is known as the “greater malefic” in astrology, hence its every move it important. Its transit, it conjunction in transit, its retrograde state, its debilitation and combustion; all is important.  Saturn return is the transit that occurs when the planet Saturn returns to the same ecliptic longitude that it occupied at the moment of one’s birth. Every Planet has its astrological return- Jupiter return happens every 12 years at the age of 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, and 84. Vedic astrology says much more about Jupiter return. Jupiter’s 12 year return and on its five year cycle is established Jupiterian Samvatsar. If you are born in Ananda Samvtsara then after five years kalyukta samvatsar will be very important for you. Saturn makes one revolution around the Sun in roughly 29.5 years hence the effect of Saturn return is felt roughly at the ages of 7.5, 14, 28, 58 and 88 years of age. Its 7.5 years makes sadhe-sati. If you have Saturn in Aries in your birth chart and when Saturn transits in the sign Aries; it will be called your Saturn Return.

Planetary return of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are regarded to be important because their return defines course of life on earth. Saturn is dukkha (suffering) of cosmic man, as verse says “मृत्युर्व्याधिश्च दुःक्खं शनिरपि’; hence its transit at 7.5, 14, 28, 58 and 88 years of age is very important. It produces dukkh, disease etc. in these transits. It is the planet of restrictions, boundaries, limitations, and commitment. When it reaches to your natal Saturn, it inscribes a new story in your life, good or bad. Saturn sometimes brings chaos in life but this chaos may bring you an opportunity, a new chance in life. Saturn returns present us with a new chance, new challenges and responsibilities. Saturn gives everyone two or three chance in his or her life .

Saturn is lord of Karma because it owns 10th house of natural zodiac, it brings you what good or bad you have done in your life. Saturn is also the god of farming, in that sense Saturn return is time of farming. Saturn return gives a transition from one phase to another, good or bad. It gives a break, a chapter it closes and opens a new one. In every return it matures you. In its first return it initiates into adulthood, one starts Settling in life, one gets married etc. Before its second return majority will finish with his familial life. Before one reaches at the age of 58-59 one becomes more responsible, more fatherly and starts experiencing old age; first time one realizes it. At this age one returns to his roots, becomes more insecure and conservative. His thinking would revolve around security, health and religious things. This is one reason why old people become supporter of conservative politics or even fascism.

Saturn’s transit should be calculated from ascendant and Moon both but Vedic astrology gives preference to Moon; it is because Moon is Sukh karaka in the natural Zodiac, he owns 4th house. In Vedic astrology Sukha karaka are only two planets Jupiter and Moon, Jupiter is regarded Sukh karaka (causes happiness) because it gets exalted in 4th house and it is lord of 9th house. Spiritual happiness is the highest form of Sukh because it is sarva-dukkh nivritti, as Gautam Buddha said “अयम दुक्ख–निरोध: It is Cessation of all forms of Suffering”. It is under Jupiter’s domain. Saturn transit in years 7.5, 14, 28, 58 and 88 should be taken from natal Moon (Janam Rashi) and ascendant also. Saturn’s 30 years period is very long time, therefore leave it and focus only on in its 7.5 years transit. It is also long period and becomes a yuga when suffering begins, activities stop, one feels as if he is in bondage, one is separated from family, one suffers from incurable disease, occupation is destroyed etc. Only in 7.5 years Saturn can bring absolute chaos and totally destroy you.
Have a look at this chart of female native…

Saturn transited in Sagittarius in oct 2017 and gave her indication that he is coming. Her work with foreign started fluctuating; Saturn is karak of work, employee and servants. Her employee on whom she depended, deceived her. Saturn is lord of ascendant therefore his responsibility is bigger than any other planet. Ascendant lord will make or destroy the native depends on his or her karma. If at birth, in ascendant or moon degree, renunciation is inscribed or suffering is inscribed, then the planet who is endowed to give it, will give it in his transit. She was born with kantak shani (8th house Saturn), So Saturn has spike in his hand and it will produce hindrances, difficulties, loss, humiliation etc. She came to me, I did some remedy and told her that it is temporary, there will be shift. She got some relief but she was already frightened. One and half years passed, when Saturn reached near ascendant she felt more heat. She asked me ‘Will Saturn destroy my work”. I told her that there will be break. And as soon as Saturn entered Capricorn everything stopped, Saturn totally destroyed her business. Saturn is in Aquarius now, she is struggling to do something. Therefore Saturn’s 7.5 years transit is very important and should be taken seriously.

Saturn 7.5 years transit should be judged when it is 45 degree away from Moon degree and sign, not one sign away; its severity starts from this degree. In fact, Saturn starts his sadhesati when it transits 3rd sign from moon aspecting it with his third drishti. His third aspect is very severe and dukh-karak. It is 90 degree squire position which is regarded very tough In western astrology. The 45 degree distance is called Semisquare which is also tough and difficult position and when it is seen with regard to Saturn -the dukkh karak, this is destruction of health and wealth. Saturn’s 14 year is when he reaches just opposite to Moon sign aspecting it with his seventh drishti hence it is also tough position. And when Saturn completes the circle he closes a chapter of life and opens a new one. See this chart-

In this chart, when Saturn completed one cycle the native became MLA. Saturn progresses and he is married now. Saturn will progress, he will have children or may not have children, wife will be separated or may not be separated, he will be minister or may not be minister etc. may happen. Saturn is lard of ascendant, it is in 12th house duh-sthan hence it signifies many thing, it can give and take away, it can give imprisonment and loss etc. Therefore every transit of Saturn is very important because it is natural malefic and dukkh-karaka.