Interpreting Saturn

Ask yourself this question: what is the most blissful experience (or two or three experiences) that you have ever had? Answer that question now. Then read on. Michael Lutin pointed out to me that if you ask someone that question, they will usually talk about their Saturn. The reason why this question addresses Saturn is because when we experience a fulfillment of our Saturn, we are fulfilling something that has always been so vital to us, but has always been so blocked or denied. To have a positive experience in a department related to our Saturn is such deep bliss because we have always deeply yearned for this experience. These moments are among the sweetest life will ever offer us, and they are so beautiful precisely because of our difficulties in these areas. The greater the difficulty, the sweeter the bliss. Liz Greene, in her book Saturn, proposes that the "big four" in astrology are the Sun, Moon, Ascendant, and Saturn. I think this is a very important statement because it points out the personal importance of Saturn, which is not often recognized. One's natal Saturn sign is a major part of one's personality, although it often shows more of the negative aspects of that sign, or some inner difficulty with that sign. This is my basic explanation of Saturn: Saturn shows a very real and authentic part of oneself that is initially blocked or inhibited in some way. Through a lifetime of dedicated honesty with oneself, one can turn his/her Saturn (which might initially be the most difficult aspect of oneself) into one's greatest strength. Liz Greene, also a Jungian analyst, explains that Saturn indicates some of the fundamental aspects of one's shadow--the less developed aspects of oneself that one usually tries to conceal from others, and often from oneself. Saturn is a place where we are fundamentally insecure and fearful. One usually overcompensates for one's Saturn by either overdoing its attributes in an attempt to feel okay in that area or attempting to deny the importance of its needs, often repressing them through some philosophical justification. Of course it is also possible to oscillate between these two approaches, alternating overcompensation with repression. We tend to experience a tremendous ambivalence towards our Saturn: (1) we need and want what it represents desperately, and yet (2) we are completely afraid of it, and often unconsciously keep it away or sabotage it when we have it. Saturn is very much a personal placement, but involves such complicated unconscious motivations, that it takes very deep self-knowledge to really understand what one's Saturn is about. It then requires very committed patience and self-honesty to really bring one's Saturnian shadow into the light. To get a more holistic sense of what Saturn is like, read everything about Capricorn/10th House in section one of the course/tutorial. Enter section one. To study your Saturn, go through the first section of the tutorial (Using parts 1 & 2 of the Course/Tutorial Together) and consider the following things about your Saturn sign (or the astrological letter corresponding to that sign), and the sign naturally related to the house which your Saturn is in (see the alphabet for help). I recommend going through the list twice: 1) On the first reading, think about how you have some of the negative qualities of these signs, and/or how you are insecure with or have difficulty with these aspects of yourself. 2) On the second reading, think about how you both crave and fear these things, and how, after much time and dedication to these qualities and areas, you could have a tremendous strength and depth in these areas, and about how deeply fulfilling that would be. Begin here When Saturn transits in conjunction, square, or opposition to natal Saturn or the natal Sun (of course, there can be other times, too), we tend to go through difficult experiences that teach us quite a lot. These are intense and powerful times. Saturn forms these major aspects to itself roughly around 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, and so forth. (roughly every seven years). Saturn forms major aspects to the Sun about every seven years as well, but the ages at which these transits take place vary for each individual.

Saturn
Facts & Trivia Rules Capricorn and the 10th house. The most telling analysis of Saturn and its influence can be found in the fact that until the late 1800's this strong and stern planet ruled both the serious and dedicated Capricorn and the progressive and eclectic Aquarius. It reflects the need to focus on those things that make our lives (and the world) strong but does so for the purpose of creating a better future. Saturn is hard work and discipline. It is a task-masker and a disciplinarian. It is a strong teacher and a stronger guide. It works to make us focus on learning what works and supports our lives. It seeks longevity and true values, strength and determination, focus and self-discipline. Without the structure and control of our natal Saturn we would lack the tenacity to adhere to our goals and to learn the skills we need to reach them. We would lose the faith and self convictions that working hard to tackle a project, learn a skill, or build a plan gives birth to. Saturn is leaden, incredibly strong, slow moving, unwavering, and all that is discipline and determination. It creates the tests we encounter in life and it grades us, cheering on our successes and pushing us back to learn more when we fall short. It is, by al means, one of the most life enhancing planets...as its strong leadership and watchfulness assures us that we will become all that we are capable of becoming.

Background on Saturn

Saturn has long been considered "The Great Malefic" -- the bad guy who brings loss, disappointment, pain, illness, loneliness, and sorrow. And to be honest, this difficulty is usually (not always) what we observe and experience when Saturn comes to visit. On the other hand, the modern, New Age, view of Saturn says that Saturn is a great teacher, and that the most difficult experiences can and often do promote the greatest growth. This modern view also maintains that if we dedicate ourselves in the areas where Saturn is active for us, that Saturn can become our greatest strength and friend. Saturn, the ancient "planet of karma," can also be our boon if we have done our work--the karmic paycheck can definitely be a nice and positive bonus for effort made, and i have certainly observed this as well. I think it's best to remember both views of Saturn. The old view says, "Ouch, that looks hard." Realistically, when there is a lot of Saturn in a life (in the birth chart), in a certain period of time (because of transits, progressions, or the solar return), or a relationship (because of synastry or the composite chart), that black and white view that says Saturn indicates difficulty is usually true. You may have noticed that difficulty exists on planet Earth? Well, Astrology symbolizes all of life, and Saturn is a symbol the difficult. My honesty here goes against the modern astrological trend to dress Saturn up in a pretty dress and blur its rough edges. Yet, everything can be transmuted and transformed through consciousness; such consciousness is relatively rare, but to those who are focusing all of their energy on waking up, all of the most difficult astrological symbols can certainly be alchemically transformed into gold. To mistakenly think that Saturn is just bad leaves no room for free will and positive action. And, it is possible to be honest about what is "hard," without thinking that "hard" is "bad." Life exists because of the interplay of opposites like hard and easy, and to live life fully is to embrace, and thereby evolve beyond the attachment to one, and the rejection of the other. It's interesting that sat is sanskrit for Truth, and an urn is a container; Saturn secretly holds our Truth. Saturn is like the Drill Sergeant who is hard on his/her cadets because s/he cares about them and does not want them to go off into war and get killed. You hate the Drill Sergeant when s/he feels cruel and mean; but you love and thank the Drill Sergeant later when you can understand what a great and important service s/he did for you. There is always a benevolent presence behind the tough love of Saturn. If we can learn to trust Life unconditionally, surrender, meet our feelings compassionately, and then take action, Saturn becomes an invaluable ally on the journey towards awakening. We can cultivate the realization that "this would not be happening to me if it were not the best thing that could happen to me, and at some point (maybe even after this life) i will be able to look back and know this for sure." Then we can accept difficulty, and with a positive attitude we might even open to the gift that such an experience is, even in the midst of it.

To truly honor Life and its apparent imperfections, maybe we can even celebrate pain and difficulty when they are present. Maybe this is just what makes life so sweet, so beautiful, and so precious. Maybe we can appreciate the parts of us that are the least polished and presentable. Maybe those are just the parts of us that make us so interesting, so lovable, and so wonderfully human. If you are a perfectionist, Saturn will be hard for you. If you cannot embrace the unformed and rugged aspects of self, relationships, and life, Saturn will never quite become a friend. But if you can see that you, others, and Life are perfect just as is, then Saturn is recognized as just one of the wonderful ingredients that is continually stirred in the crazy and delicious pot known as Life. Give thanks for Saturn. What other option do you have?

SATURN
Saturn brings in responsibilities and obligations whenever it figures prominently within a compatibility chart. Where Saturn connects is where the most work and effort must be exerted. The promise of Saturn is stability, strength and the commitment to work at life together. Control, seriousness and a heavy sense of responsibility generally infuse the relationship when Saturn makes strong contacts. It is both a guide and a teacher and demands that rules are obeyed...and building is done with dedication and commitment. Positive Attributes: Commitment-Stability-Longevity-Endurance-Loyalty-Dedication-Trust-Protection Negative Attributes: Strictness-Severeness-Resentfulness-Control issues-Harshness-Coldness-Restrictiveness-Jealousy Sun conjunct Saturn between charts: The sun person often feels the Saturn person is trying to make them over or redo them and very often Saturn does have the right ideas and ideals that can help the sun person along. This is a powerful aspect between charts that can act as either a very strong anchor and a base to build a solid and enduring friendship on or it can be too heavy for the sun person. There is an equality inherent between the two individual power levels that can be fulfilling..or competitive. Mercury conjunct Saturn between Charts: the archetype of the student/teacher is found within this relationship and Saturn helps Mercury learn to channel its thoughts, its ideas and its intellect into solid and usable output. Works well, especially for friendships, if the mercury person doesn't rebel against the Saturn and the Saturn doesn't feel invalidated by the Mercury. Moon Conjunct Saturn between charts: A heavy sense of emotional obligation usually comes with this aspect between charts and depending on how the moon person feels about 'looking up' to and having to honor the Saturn person it can either be emotionally safe or depressing and restrictive. Much lies in how the Saturn person 'uses' their Saturn and whether it is a guide rope or a vice grip. Can bring very long term emotional bonds but there is also the sense of serious responsibilities inherit. Venus Conjunct Saturn between charts: Venus often has a hard time warming up to the rigid and rather cool attributes of Saturn and while this bond can create a long lasting relationship it also tends to be very slow to developed. Usually indicates some type of 'age' difference even if it is 'mental' age as opposed to biological age. Venus can be looking for a father and Saturn can fulfill the role of guide and care-giver with strength and discipline. Mars conjunct Saturn between charts. Often found where two very different energies need to combine to make the most of their own personal output and goals. Often takes the warrior/teacher routes to play out in. Mars (the warrior) learns to channel its energy, its aggressions and its drive towards using them in the most empowering and channeled ways. Saturn(teacher) learns to break loose of old habits, methods and guidelines to embrace growth. This is a challenging aspect between charts that requires a conscious awareness of both inherently different energies. North Node conjunct Saturn between charts: This bond creates a very long lasting relationship that has roots far into the future. Saturn acts as an anchor that helps tie down the union. Especially helpful if there are very strong spiritual and karmic aspects occurring as well. Saturn provides guidelines and structure to help the partnership grow into a committed and long term endeavor. Usually helps the north node person plan and project their dreams and goals for the future and can play a pivotal role in success towards reaching that. South node conjunct Saturn between charts: Indicates very strong ties to the past and or will play out relationships from the past that may have felt safe and very secure but required new energy to allow growth. An excellent source of

learning for the south node person who can find a sense of safety within the saturnian relationship to examine where growth and movement needs to be embraced in their lives. Chiron conjunct Saturn between charts: The wounded healer with the teacher brings in the ability to heal or clear old wounds and hurts that have accumulated. Can encompass some very powerful and not necessarily pleasant emotional experiences that act as a catalyst for inner healing and understanding. Saturn takes on the role of those who have played parts in the past and through whom issues have been incurred.