Saturn in Libra

The planet of life lessons schools us as it moves into the zodiac sign of love

Each planet moves at its own pace through the zodiac, and Saturn -- the planet of work and growth -- spends a little over two years in each sign, focusing on that sign's "personality" to show what major lessons we'll all learn during that time. On October 29, Saturn will move into Libra and stay there until October 2012 ... so get ready to face love head-on!

We'll all feel the impact of this planet's move! Saturn forces us to deal with themes associated with the sign it's in -- previously, Saturn was in Virgo -- and now Saturn's pushing our efforts into the realm of relationships, since Libra is the Venus-ruled sign of partnership and social life.

This means that whatever your sign, your focus will be on forging new partnerships in love and business while strengthening existing relationships in all other parts of your life. But beware: it won't be an easy task! Saturn is all about rewarding hard work, so while Saturn in Libra gives us each the chance to find a good partner -- or get to a better level with our current partner -- this is only possible after we've put in the effort and learned our lessons!

Saturn often "tests" us, so focus on how you're able to balance your needs with your significant other's, how well you can connect with the important people in your life and how well you're able to maintain your own identity while you're part of a couple.

And since the planets are all in a specific sign at the moment each of us was born, if Saturn was in Libra at the time of your birth, get ready for a crazy couple of years! "Saturn Return" is a two-year period that happens every 29 years for each of us when Saturn literally "returns" to where it was at the time of your birth … so you'll definitely feel the pull of a very transformative couple of years!

"Saturn Return" can feel like an identity crisis, because it's often a time when you're faced with big choices about where you're headed in life. You're also asked to face your fears and grow from the experience. And again, if your Saturn Return happens in Libra, it's likely that the fears and choices you'll make are about relationships.

In a relationship? Get ready to look long and hard at how happy it makes you. Saturn delivers a massive reality check, so any cracks in the foundation will surface and you may have to cut your losses if you're in a less-than-ideal partnership.

Single? You'll feel the urge to find an ideal mate -- but your challenge will be to strengthen your own sense of self so you'll attract the ideal partner.

Again: no matter where Saturn falls in your birth chart, we'll all feel the focus on relationships and what it means to feel fulfilled in an equal partnership.