Sometimes when I reflect on where I am in my life at the—tender—age of 26 and feel good about myself, I think of big names around my age group to prompt an existential crisis and humbling moment of solitude. And when I made my way to google search this time around to take a look at Selena Gomez’s natal chart, in honor of nearing the end of her Saturn return, it was a lot of the aforementioned existentialism. Seriously, she’s an actress, singer, producer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and apparently, life coach the way her list of accolades inspires me to get my shit together, all by 30 as of July 22. In astrology, a Saturn return is a planetary transit that happens between ages roughly 27 and 30, when Saturn returns to the same ecliptic longitude that it was stationed at when a person was born. What’s the significance of this? Well, Saturn happens to be the planet associated with responsibility. It knows the limits of time and both external and personal boundaries. It brings structure and definition to our lives. When Saturn returns to where it was when you were born, at a time of your life when you’re reaching full adulthood and maybe, for the first time, being faced with real challenges and responsibilities, it’s worth taking a moment of reflection. Or you may just find that it imposes liability where it’s needed. It’s giving make or break!

With all that being said, it inspired me to take a look at the last few years of Selena Gomez’s life and career to take inventory on this person I don’t know—like, really, Emily, get a life—to observe how she met the challenge of her Saturn return and take an overall look at her astrological chart. Spoiler alert: she definitely rose up in triumph. In fact, the overall theme of capability to absolutely crush anything she dreams up is present all over her chart. So, let’s get into it; a comprehensive look at Selena Gomez’s natal chart and assessing her Saturn return. You know, just the usual over here at BeatRoute.

Disclaimer: Human personality is an intricate layering of experiences and reactions and is always evolving. To rapidly summarize it is illusionary, especially when referring to a public figure that you don’t know intimately. Please don’t come for me.

What are Selena Gomez’s dominants?

You know the drill, let’s take a look at Selena’s dominants. If you don’t know the drill, welcome, you’re forgiven for your fashionably late arrival! And feel free to review what the heck “dominants” are here. Now that we’re all on the same page, let’s review. 

Taking a look at her dominant planets, we see Venus presents in its ethereal fashion—with a reflex to please and look good doing so! No surprise here that a Venusian would start their own beauty brand. And let me just note, Rare Beauty, since its debut in 2020 has become my go-to brand for makeup products and reignited my love for highlighters that I abandoned in 2018. For those who are die-hard fans of applying excessive blush, don’t walk, but run to the Rare Beauty stand at Sephora. Rare Beauty has captured the essence of Selena and her Venus-influenced nature, of having omnipresent charm and seduction, for all of us to harness. 

We also see the Sun and Moon making their way into the dominant scene, which is where we begin to see a sense of complementary opposition. The Sun, the ruler of Leo, brings with it a sense of magnetism, amplified charisma, and natural leadership tendencies. It’s warm and vivacious. On the other hand, the influence of the Moon, ruler of Cancer, can tether someone on the side of being more receptive and emotive, often finding themselves in the role of the observer, instinctively absorbing happenings around them. Oftentimes, as a result, Moon-influenced people can end up dreaming their lives away. If someone can harness this duality, they can dream big and move toward achievements with spirit. 

Themes of duality in these dominants seem to persist. Houses 1 and 12 as present dominants, may gear her inner motivations. With a dominant 1st house, similar to the Sun, your natural sense of magnetism and individuality is almost otherworldly—a quality most cannot wield at their will. 1st House dominants are typically determined and always manage to find their way into the limelight. Enter, 12th House, with all its nuanced and complex roots. It houses hidden and isolated places and has an affinity for sitting in solitude and diving into subconsciousness. This can mean that for someone like Selena who has spent so much of her life in the public eye, her private life is deeply intense. I wouldn’t be surprised if she was working in quiet and remote places off the beaten path, just conjuring impressive career and business pursuits. 

Lastly, we see fire! Endowing Selena with creativity, confidence, and passion. A sense of boldness that can equip you with all the confidence you need. Pair all of this with a dominantly fixed modality and well, you’re dealing with one powerful and durable trailblazer.

Leo Rising

You know those people who show up to a party and everyone can’t help but direct their attention to them? There’s a good chance they have a Leo Ascendant—the performer of the zodiac. Since rising signs supposedly become less identifiable as a person grows older and taps into their true self, as children they can’t help but have everyone’s attention at their disposal. Case in point: Selena started her career with Barney & Friends. I’m not just talking this placement up because it’s also in my chart *hair flip*. Because unlike myself, Selena is currently working on a murder mystery comedy show called Only Murders In The Building with two of my comedy idols, Steve Martin and Martin Short. The co-sign of working with them speaks volumes to someone’s talent and capabilities. The show got picked up in 2021—making Saturn her bitch—and has been renewed for a third season. Leo Risings tend to be self-assured and courageous, in a sense. After all, it takes a lot of guts to be confident and naturally arouses the respect of those around you.

Sun in Cancer in the 12th House

Cancer Suns are very soft and caring souls. Don’t get me wrong, the flip side of that is potential unchecked sensitivity that can cause them to retreat into their crab shell and not come out until you’ve done a lot of groveling. Can’t say that’s the case for Selena but I will use the tools I have to make reasonable observations. Cancers are one of the most hospitable signs. Unlike a Taurus who has an impeccable home, Cancers will actually invite you into that home and let you get cozy with them. So how can I say this for sure? No, Selena Gomez has never invited me over for a sleepover. Although now that I think about it, she probably should. If you’ve never indulged in Selena + Chef, you’re in for a treat—yes, I dropped a food double entendre. Selena + Chef is an HBO Max show that began in August of 2020, cleverly attuning to people at home trying out new baking and cooking techniques. The show was hosted by the Selena in Selena + Chef, and had guests including Jamie Oliver, Ayesha Curry, Kelis, and Marcus Samuelsson. Exemplary. Would also love to add, that the aesthetics are on point. The kitchen, the outfits, the cookware *chefs kiss*. No more cooking wordplay, I promise.

Moon in Aries in the 9th House

I’m going to speak candidly here: Moon in Aries placements have always baffled me. It might be my favorite position for Aries to fall in. Given that the Moon rules your inner life and emotions, you might get the impression that Aries Moons are full of impulsive enthusiasm with a sprinkle of rage. Somehow, every Moon in Aries I know is a sincerely level-headed person. My biases aside, Selena does give the impression that she can be guided by impulsive thrills, and can lean on other areas of her personality to not get carried away or abandon things she’s started. Otherwise, I can’t imagine all of these professional ventures between 2020 and now would still exist. This placement can cause someone to move fast! Their imagination triggers excitement and the independence required to accomplish. Sometimes teetering between whimsical and short-tempered feelings can cause someone to be underestimated. This sparks a connection in my mind to her first Latin record Revelación which proved she’s a better musical artist than she had been credited for in the past. Use this lyric from “Baila Conmigo” as context, “I don’t understand much, but dance with me”. While her duet partner Rauw Alejandro replies, “Making love without understanding each other is better.” Which really just extracts the essence of this passionate placement so perfectly.

Mercury in Leo in the 1st House

Think of Mercury as the planet of intellect and communication. With a Mercury in Leo placement, you’re grasping a lot of that determined concentration and enthusiasm in the way someone speaks. Another underrated Leo quality is that they are highly organized and have the drive to be helpful, radiating reliability. Their speech comes out with pride and flare and is desired to be shared and heard. I found this placement particularly interesting as I found it to be really aligned with the ethos of Selena Gomez’s latest mental health initiative (she’s the co-founder), called Wondermind, a platform that fosters “a space to let it all out.” To further this interesting connection, the intention behind Wondermind is to exercise mental fitness by creating a routine. Leo, a fixed sign, promoting routine and getting out of your comfort zone as a method of healing? Groundbreaking. No, but really, this is one of my favorite things she’s promoted as of recently which to me says she’s channeling all of this Leo influence and being a great role model and leader to her audience.

Venus in Leo in the 1st House

The power of this placement’s love is openness, and it becomes irresistible and authentic. To be loved by a Venus in Leo is to be adorned. Their effect is romantic and generous, loving with their whole heart. And they’ll show you off, proudly. This means they might be a bit choosy and slow to settle—you’ve got to earn it. Selena’s Venus is in the 1st House, which is very much tied to the part of your character that is perceived by others. This means that having Venus there can soften some of the intimidating Leo qualities and contribute to a more easygoing sexy side. A common thread between this placement and the overall tenacity she has shown over the last few years is that love is done with all your heart, or not at all! While I don’t know much about her personal relationships, I will say that the way she speaks about Rare Beauty and Wondermind is intimate and amorous.

Mars in Taurus in the 10th House

This. This placement might be it. The last ingredient, holding the recipe together. Oh, there it is, another food reference. First, let’s address Mars. Mars is the planet of drive and action. Second, we see Taurus, a sign that puts immense effort into projects with the intention of longevity. And finally, in the 10th House, symbolic in astrology of your life in the public eye and career path. This area of your chart is symbolic of authorities in your life and where we meet and defy expectations for career achievements—also related to notoriety and legacy. Well, throw that all together and what do we see? Someone who has a desire to build and create. Plus, understands the necessary muscle to be successful. There is such a natural strength being displayed here, conveniently in the House of leaving your mark on the world. At this point in her natal chart exploration, I genuinely got suspicious that someone had crafted and published this to reflect her life after the fact because it’s just lined up too well.

Saturn Return: Make or Break?

Absolutely. Yes. Queen shit. Killed it. I can only hope that when my Saturn return comes around I can navigate it in Selena Gomez style. Now we get the pleasure to watch Selena Gomez in her thirty, flirty, and thriving era.

Like what you saw? Here’s more:

Not Just A Gemini: The Exploration of Kendrick Lamar’s Natal Chart
Everything You Need to Know About the 2nd Mercury Retrograde of 2022
Aries and Onward: How 2022 Is Unfolding For The Signs