This is the story of how my Saturn Return deeply affected me on a personal and business level and the lessons I learned from going through it.

Part 3 of our Love Story

Listen to this episode in depth on my podcast using the player below, or by clicking here for Apple and here for Spotify.

Hey there, beautiful souls! Lauren Ashley here, and boy, do I have a story to share with you today. Grab a cup of your favorite beverage, get cozy, and let’s dive into the rollercoaster ride that was my life these past few years after getting divorced and going through my Saturn Return. Trust me, it’s a wild one!

First lets define a Saturn Return:

According to Chani (one of my trusted sources for Astrology) “a Saturn return is when the planet Saturn finds its way back to the same place it was when you were born.”  Saturn takes 27-30 years to complete a full cycle through the zodiacs, meaning you will experience a Saturn return 3 times in your life (around age 27-30, again later in your 50s, and then 80s). Saturn returns last approximately 3 years, giving you plenty of time to revise and reassess your life up until that point.

Saturn specifically looks at structure and responsibility in your life but will show up differently depending on what house it’s placed in your chart. My Saturn is in house 1 which is the house of self, namely your identity, self-expression and public image, and how people see you.

One of my other trusted sources, Jennifer from Ocean and Oracle, has a podcast episode here on Saturn Returns and other uplifting returns that we experience in life.

A Personal Update!

First things first, let’s talk about the big move. We packed up our house in Mexico, packed our bags and landed in the vibrant city of Montreal! This move marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in our lives, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to share it with you.

Now, you might be wondering, “Lauren, why Montreal?” Well, let’s just say that life has a funny way of leading us exactly where we need to be. Growing up I always wanted to live in Montreal, so life is coming full circle right now. This city has already begun to work its magic on us, and I can’t wait to see what adventures await.

House Swapping: A Unique Adventure

One of the most interesting aspects of our move has been diving into the world of house swapping. It’s been quite the experience, let me tell you! There’s something exhilarating about living in someone else’s space, experiencing a slice of their life while they do the same with yours. It’s like a cultural exchange, but with homes!

Of course, it hasn’t been without its challenges. There’s been a learning curve, for sure. But isn’t that what life’s all about? Embracing new experiences, even when they push us out of our comfort zones?

Finding love in my Saturn Return: Our Unconventional Journey

Now, let’s get to the juicy part – our love story. Get ready, because this is where things get really interesting!

I met my now-wife back in 2020 after she moved to Mexico and coincidentally became my next door neighbour (what are the odds?). As my marriage started to go through turbulence, Alexis and I got closer. We established a really deep connection as friends and honestly I didn’t think we’d ever end up together (although we both felt the vibes brewing). We’re just two completely different people…

After the end of my marriage (see last blog post), moving in with my best friend and navigating these conversations of divorce and new beginnings with family members… I went through an identity crisis. I was questioning everything – my purpose, my path, even who I was at my core.

Facing Judgment and Finding Strength

As you can imagine, not everyone in my life was thrilled about my life choices. I faced judgment from loved ones and a whole lot of internal turmoil. It felt like the world was watching, waiting for me to make a misstep.

But I deeply believe that we are here to follow what feels right for us and stand in our authenticity and that’s exactly what I did.

Saturn Return: A Time of Transformation

All of this upheaval coincided with my Saturn return – that astrological period around age 28 when everything seems to fall apart and rebuild itself. It’s like a revision period and anything that’s not for you falls away (my marriage for example). Let me tell you, it lived up to its reputation!

During this time, I felt like I was under a microscope. Every decision, every word, every action seemed to carry so much weight. It was exhausting, but also incredibly transformative.

Spiritual Practices that Supported our Saturn Return

As Alexis and I navigated our new relationship, we also embarked on a spiritual journey together. One of the most profound experiences we shared was participating in a personalized Kambo ceremony.

For those who aren’t familiar, Kambo is a traditional Amazonian healing ritual that uses frog poison. It’s intense, to say the least. They create small burns on your skin and apply the Kambo, which then enters your bloodstream. The goal? Purification and healing on a deep, cellular level.

I won’t sugarcoat it – the ceremony was tough. There were moments when I questioned why on earth I had agreed to do this. But the aftermath was worth it. I don’t think any one thing we did changed the trajectory of what we were going through at the time (a lot of darkness, emotionally and spiritually), but I do believe that everything we did during that time lead us to the next step on our journey and that’s what got us ‘out’ of that period.

A Mayan Wedding: Love Blessed by Ancestors

This leads us to the next part of our spiritual journey together – our unconventional and very spontaneous wedding ritual. We were married by a Mayan shaman – how cool is that? This wasn’t just any ceremony; it was a deeply spiritual experience that connected us not only to each other but to something much bigger than ourselves.

The shaman (who originally came to spiritually cleanse our home) told us that his Mayan ancestors could feel the love between us and wanted to bless our union. In that moment, surrounded by ancient energy and modern love, I felt more certain than ever that I was exactly where I was meant to be.

How my Saturn Return Affected Business

Now, let’s talk about how my Saturn Return affected my business for a moment. Because let’s face it, when your personal life is in upheaval, your professional life rarely escapes unscathed.

As I was going through all these personal changes, my business took a hit. I struggled to show up authentically online, feeling like I was constantly being watched and judged. My confidence wavered… A lot. Many of the projects or launches at that time did not go well (because I didn’t follow through on them).

But here’s the thing about hitting rock bottom – there’s nowhere to go but up. And that’s exactly what happened.

Rising from the Ashes: Reclaiming My Power

Slowly but surely as I navigated the lessons my Saturn Return brought to me, I began to rebuild. I reconnected with my purpose, remembering why I started this journey in the first place. I rediscovered my passion for helping others find their own path to authenticity and success.

And you know what? As I stepped back into my power, my business began to thrive again. It was a powerful reminder that our personal growth and our professional success are intrinsically linked.

Lessons Learned from my Saturn Return: Embracing Authenticity and Self-Love

So, what have I learned from this whirlwind journey? So much.

First and foremost, I’ve learned the importance of staying true to yourself, even when it feels like the whole world is against you. Your intuition, that little voice inside you? It knows what it’s talking about. Trust it.

I’ve also learned the power of self-love and acceptance. When you truly love and accept yourself, other people’s judgments lose their power over you. It’s incredibly freeing.

The Beauty of Imperfection

Another big lesson? Perfection is overrated. Life is messy, love is complicated, and growth is often painful. But you know what? That’s what makes it beautiful. It’s in our imperfections, our struggles, and our resilience that we find our true strength.

Moving Beyond My Saturn Return

As we sit here in Montreal with a new path ahead of us, reflecting on this incredible journey, I’m filled with excitement for what’s to come. This podcast, this platform I’m building – it’s about so much more than just my story.

It’s about creating a space where we can all show up authentically, share our truths, and support each other in our journeys of growth and self-discovery.

Final Thoughts: Embracing the Journey

As we wrap up this blog post (and wow, what a post it’s been!), I want to leave you with this thought: Life is a journey, not a destination. It’s okay if your path isn’t straight or conventional. It’s okay if you make mistakes or face judgment along the way.

What matters is that you keep moving forward, keep growing, and keep loving – yourself and others. Because at the end of the day, that’s what life is all about.

Thank you for being here, for listening, and for being a part of this incredible journey. I can’t wait to connect with you more through this podcast and to support each other in living our most authentic, aligned, and magnetic lives.

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Ready to discover how to use your intuition as your #1 guide so you can get back on track to creating success on your terms? Jump into my Own Your Intuition Workshop here. This 60-min workshop will help you go from feeling overwhelmed, lost and stuck in analysis paralysis to knowing the aligned steps you need to take to follow your intuitive guidance!

Until next time, beautiful souls. Keep shining your light!

With love and gratitude,

Lauren Ashley

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