Saturn, our planet of limits, restrictions, and karmic debts, is moving into Pisces this week, bringing with it a season of high tension and locked horns.
Beginning Monday, September 1, Saturn retrograde moves from the hellfires of Aries into the fever dream of Pisces.
This is the planet’s last slow dance in the water sign before reentering Aries on February 13th, where it shall remain until April 2028.
Saturn retrograde in Pisces 2025
“This transit will serve as a review mode, which compels you to revisit all the emotional and spiritual work that you might have neglected during the past two years before Saturn moves into Aries,” explained Ashley Boyd, astrologer at Gamblizard.
Saturn retrograde in Pisces draws us back to the past, where we are confronted with our ingrained patterns, avoidance, permeable boundaries, and other emotional flotsam and jetsam.
This kind of intense inner work both invites and amplifies conflict on the personal and professional front, turning us into fighting fish, if you will.
Lucky for we the wayward, therapist Jaime Bronstein is on deck with five psychological hacks for mitigating conflict with coworkers, friends, and lovers during this trying transit and beyond.
Switch seats, switch perspective
Bronstein shared that when treating couples, she uses an exercise called the “empty chair.”
“You switch places with the other person (literally sit in their chair) and restate their point as if you were them. This practice is immensely healing and brings a wealth of insight forward, allowing your relationship to improve. You actually signal high EQ by showing empathy in action.”
The strategy is effective for couples and can also easily be applied to challenging dynamics with friends and coworkers.
Depersonalize conflict
Bronstein maintains that depersonalizing conflict reduces defensiveness amongst warring factions, allowing people to feel like united against a problem rather than at odds with one another.
“Instead of saying, ‘you always interrupt me,’ try: ‘we have a pattern of interruption.’ Regardless of the situation, it is best to avoid using ‘always’ and ‘never,’ as the other person may become defensive.”
Third-person hack
Bronstein recommends that when tempers flare, the combatants switch their self-talk to the third person.
“Instead of saying ‘I can’t believe this is happening,’ you can say ‘Sarah is frustrated right now, but she can deal with it.”
A 2020 University of Michigan study found that using “distanced self-talk” reduces stress, enhances emotional regulation, and allows individuals to express themselves more effectively during conflicts.
“Maintaining space between you and your frustration can help you achieve a less heightened emotional state.”
Live and fight by the 90-second rule
Bronstein cited the work of neuroscientist Jill Bolte Taylor, whose 90-second rule is based on the science that when triggered, the body’s chemical reaction lasts about a minute and a half, so long as we avoid adding more proverbial fuel to the fire.
“Anytime conflict ignites, set a timer. For 90 seconds, notice the feeling. Usually, the wave passes, allowing room for a calmer exchange. Being aware of your feelings is a game-changer.”
Flip the script
“When stuck in blame, ask: ‘What if the opposite were true?’ For example, if you’re convinced your colleague “doesn’t respect you,” test the opposite: ‘What if they do respect me, but are under pressure?’” offered Bronstein.
She emphasized the importance of empathy, particularly when we’re triggered by conflict.
“You never know what is going on in someone’s life, so having compassion and avoiding assumptions can be helpful. Re-framing can take the charge out of a situation and create an alternative approach.”
Astrologer Reda Wigle researches and irreverently reports on planetary configurations and their effect on each zodiac sign. Her horoscopes integrate history, poetry, pop culture, and personal experience. To book a reading, visit her website.
