THE TRANSITS OF SATURN: DEFINITION IS THE MANDATE FROM ABOVE

People are finding that they are having to invent new vocabularies for their experiences—words and phrases that convey their particular perceptions into the heretofore hidden world of higher consciousness.  An expression such as “perceiving the Life Energy within its form,” is the result of the awakening of the intuitive faculty of one’s being.  As our Inner Eye opens and sees with ever-increasing clarity the relationship between the visible and the invisible, we come to understand that the two are actually one and that this unity of vision is only made possible by the Soul drawing closer to the personality.                                  –AO

            It is my experience that in astrological lore, Saturn has gotten a “bum rap,” and is very much misunderstood.  OK, a god who eats his own children cannot be exactly called a “hero,” and a planetary force that is always tempted to put a cramp in your style and a fence around your smile may not always be worthy of jovial adoration.  But these are but surface traits about a much more complex entity. 

            Commonly known as the “greater malefic,” Saturn’s Greek name is Chronos.  It is from this appellation that we get such words as: chronic, chronicle, anachronism, chronology, and chronological.  All this words relate to “time” and it is thus that Saturn/Chronos is also called “Father Time.”  One of Chronos’ childrenis Hades/Pluto, god of the underworld whose fundamental characteristics are regeneration, transformation, and rebirth.  Indeed, Hades/Pluto did just that as Saturn eventually vomited up his divine offspring and Pluto continued on to have an immortal live, promising immortality to the rest of us mortals as well.  Hmmm, that is not such a bad gift to humanity, coming initially out of Saturn’s loins and subsequently out of his tummy!  So in spite of himself and his fearful nature (Saturn ate his kids because he was afraid one of them would overthrow him as Lord of Olympus), Saturn did manage to father an incredible gift, one that transcends his own chronological limitations.

            Yes, he will never receive the “jovial” adoration I mentioned above, primarily because the son that he did not eat and eventually overthrew him, taking the Olympian throne in the process, was Zeus (known to us by his Latin name Jove or Jupiter).  Thus we have an interested placement of planets/gods in the heavens.  We have Saturn orbiting between Jupiter and Uranus.   The latter (“Ouranos” in Greek, meaning “sky” and conveying the meaning of “immortal sky god”) was Saturn’s father, an entity whom Saturn castrated, a form of divine patricide robbing his father of further procreation.  The Greeks have very complex family relationships because Uranus did manage to father Aphrodite despite his “limitations.” 

            This celestial placement reveals two primary sets of polarities: Saturn/Jupiter (the father overthrown and dethroned by the son) and Saturn/Uranus (the son castrating and thus limiting the powers of the father).  Somehow the dynamics of astrological divine geometry allow Saturn to happily coexist and cooperate with both Jupiter and Uranus via the sextile and trine aspect, two topics we will explore in the second half of this article.  Saturn and Uranus are so reconciled that they even share rulership over the same sign: Aquarius.  It is no wonder then that the Uranian facet of The Water Bearer finds all fathers and authority figures anathema to their rebellious and in the extreme, anarchistic nature while the Saturnian side of Aquarius is always creating social structures and archetypal patterns of human interrelationship.  The Saturn/Jupiter relationship is very complex and I will explore that dynamic in detail a bit further on in this piece.

            For now, let’s talk about cramps both literally and figuratively.  In terms of the former, difficult Saturn aspects in a woman’s natal chart will give a tendency toward strong menstrual cramps (in a man’s chart it will indicate relationships with women with cramped or overbearing emotions).  Hard aspects between Saturn and Mars in anyone’s horoscope can be an indicator of a tendency to muscle (ruled by Mars) cramps as hard aspects between Saturn and any planet “cramps the style” and restricts the fluidity of that planet’s activity.

            Are you still wondering why Mr. Oken likes Mr. Chronos?  My first metaphysical teacher was a Capricorn (who at the age of 15 began attending Alice Bailey’s lecture in person in New York City—lucky man!).  He would repeatedly chastise me/protect me (a very Uranian Aries youth at the time) with the following phrase:  “Alan, you must recognize and obey structure, order, process, and form or else you will burn yourself out at a very early age!”  He was of course trying to integrate Capricorn into Aries and harmoniously fuse Saturn with Mars. But these signs are natally square and these planets do not particularly like one another and more often than not my truly esteemed teacher would receive only resentment from his immature student.

            My teacher was also mentioning four of the most important gifts of Saturn, four facets of what we often pejoratively call “limitation” but when viewed positively, refer to the Law of Economy and the right use of energy.  I have learned that when we “self-apply” Saturn, his nature is very beneficial and certainly much more accepted and even treasured by us than when Saturn’s dynamics are externally applied and pressed upon us.  Thus I would much rather be a (correct) law unto myself, aware of harmless behavior and respectful of the social norms in which I live, than to have other people’s rules and regulations applied to me that oppress and stifle me.  Saturn is in the solar system.  There will always be laws, rules, regulations, norms, and morals.  To think otherwise is to seek out the self-destruction inherent in the lives of “extreme Uranian terrorists and anarchists.” We need to remember that Uranus is exalted in Scorpio. His ultimate purpose is to “kill off” the existing structures and forms of life while regenerating the new.

Saturn is exalted in Libra, the quintessential sign of balance in general and as an air sign, social balance in particular.  Thus the lesson of this planet-sign combination is that in order to have success in our personal freedom, we must be aware of “Cesar’s Laws”.  Changing them so that they are more humane and beneficial is very much a dynamic of a positive Saturn/Uranus relationship with a big dose of Jupiter-in-Sagittarius wisdom thrown into the recipe.   But to deny that “structure, order, purpose, and form” exist, is to deny the presence of the “Grand Architect of the Universe” and by doing this, we court the wrath of a very tough Saturn indeed.

Let’s now proceed and take a brief look at some of the more important facets of Saturn’s aspects with the other planets:

Saturn/Sun:  We can say that as authority figures, the Sun represents Divine Order while Saturn stands for Political Order.  This is much like the relationship between the Japanese Emperor and the Shogun.  The former is a Son of the Sun god and is the inherent Life Principle while the latter is his appointed terrestrial administrator of the various forms of social law.  When they are in conflict the system does not work: vitality is squared or opposed by ambition for earthly success.  Thus when Saturn and the Sun are in harmonious contact, then Divine Law and human law link in a balanced relationship.  We can also say in a more practical way, that conflicts between these two planets lessen vitality and creative potential but do not necessarily decrease ambition.  The result is frustration.

Saturn/Moon:  Harmony between these two planets gives strength in family traditions and an ease in assuming responsibility in intimate relationships.  Any Saturn/Moon contact will not produce a cuddly, warm and fuzzy mother, but the trine and sextile will at least give a dependable and responsible parent.  The conjunction, square, or opposition often indicates that the native had to assume the role of mother to his or her siblings or to the mother herself and that these situations were very uncomfortable.  These hard aspects also indicate a lack of emotional nurturing during life and/or that the native feels emotionally incomplete and is often cold and detached when emotional intimacy is required.  If the sign Virgo is involved, there may be a distinct avoidance of being touched; if Capricorn is noted (such as in a Capricorn Moon opposing a Cancer Saturn or vice-versa), the relationship between the native and the mother is definitely estranged and there could be periods of separation between the two (emotionally and/or physically) during important growth phases in life.

Saturn/Mercury:  When positive, the aspects between these two bodies yield a potent intellect, the ability to think logically, to structure data correctly, and to be quite efficient in terms of the written or spoken word.  This is especially the case if Gemini or Virgo is involved.  Capricorn’s presence gives an accurate and authoritative mental outlook while Aries here will jump to immediate and often correct conclusions (Saturn in Aquarius sextile Mercury in Aries for example). When in hard aspect (especially if Gemini, Virgo, Scorpio, or Capricorn is involved), there is the tendency towards being overly-analytical with the distinct sense that one never knows enough or has the whole story (Scorpio!).  The mind can easily be pessimistic and produce a very negative thinking, fearful person.  The latter is intensified if the sign Cancer is involved and/or there is a further difficult placement with the Moon or Pluto.

Saturn/Venus:   As Saturn is exalted in Libra, there is a certain natural positive affinity existing between these two planets but it is not one that is characterized by the term “romantic.”  Rather when positively linked by aspect, Saturn and Venus represent the Law of Right Human Relationships and the ability to be fair and just in all of our dealings with others.  If we do put romance into the mix (hard not to when Venus is present), we usually find that such individuals are attracted to relationships where there are large age differences: one is the older to whom the younger are attracted or the younger attracted to older men or women.  If Saturn and Venus are afflicted by aspect there can easily be fears concerning finances as well as difficulties in personal relationships.  This can take the form of being abused by much older or much younger lovers.  It may also indicate (especially if the 7th and/or the 5th houses are involved) estrangement from lovers and partners, i.e. Venus in Sagittarius ruling the 5th opposing Saturn in Gemini = long distance relationships, separation from partners due to travel obligations such as in work or children living in another city or country, etc.

Saturn/Mars:  Difficult aspects between these two bodies, is like driving a car with the breaks on.  Mars is pushing hard to advance while Saturn in square or opposition is pulling to either remain in place or to go backwards (the latter is especially true if either of these planets is retrograde). I have also noticed that in addition to a tendency for muscle cramping, difficult aspects between Mars and Saturn are often present in the lives of people who have chronic teeth problems. Knee momentum may also be afflicted as muscle to knee problems may arise especially with the advancement of age (both knees and old age are ruled by Saturn).  Harmonious aspects between the two give one the ability to word hard towards the achievement of one’s goals.  Success is often the outcome especially if Mars or Saturn is the ruler of the 10th house and/or in harmonious aspect with the ruler of the 10th, i.e. Sagittarius on the cusp of the 10th with Jupiter conjunct Mars trine to Saturn.  Strong teeth and good knees are advantages that come with a sextile or trine between these two bodies.

Saturn/Jupiter:  The combination of the energies of these two planets, are like an accordion.  This instrument requires not only the ability to play a keyboard but also the rhythmic expansion and contraction of the folding pieces at its center.  When “correctly played” by sextile or trine, Saturn and Jupiter allow a person to “know when to hold ‘em and know when to fold ‘em.”  There is thus an inherent and positive sense of timing.  The ability to make and execute long-range plans is also present (especially if the 1st and/or 10th houses are involved) as well as the ability to budget one’s finances (especially if the 2nd or 8th houses are involved). I have seen that the conjunction between these two planets often gives rise to a person who is interested in sociology, history, and/or economics. (Jupiter=history and the unfolding legal and cultural dynamics of a civilization while Saturn= social laws and structures, and economic development).

Saturn/Saturn:  The astrologer has to carefully understand the nature of natal Saturn in order to clearly perceive the effects of the transits of Saturn to its natal position.  A simple rule is harmonious transits to a natally difficult Saturn will lose much of its inherent benefits while negative aspects to a naturally harmonious Saturn will lose some of its potential maleficence.   We are all familiar with the Saturn return which occurs usually 3 times in a long lifespan at ages 29, 58, and 87.  Briefly, the first of these ends youth and brings a person into social duties and responsibilities; the second Saturn return opens the door to the release of such responsibilities (or their increase!!) and thus allows a person to take on the role of sage or crone, while the 3rd releases one from the karma of the incarnation, opening the door to one’s just rewards and the structuring in the afterlife to the life to come.  Or if you do not believe in “life in the afterlife” and/or reincarnation, one simple gets older, weaker in body, and hopefully stronger in heart and spirit!!  (Hello to saturnian chronology!)  As Lord of Karma and as exalted in Libra, Saturn definitely sees to the correct structuring of your rewards from life or their opposite.

Saturn/Uranus:  The transiting (and natal) conjunction of these two planets is directly related to Aquarian themes.  It asks the question: how do you and your generation contribute to the anchoring of the seeds for the next phase of social evolution?  The natal conjunction speaks about generational destiny in this respect while the transiting conjunction tells us that “now is the time to definite your part in your generational Zeitgeist.”  What do you build upon and what do you destroy or invent in order to complete your part in this collective process?  Difficult transiting aspects between these two bodies is indicative of a time in which one is involved in social conflicts while the trine or sextile allows a person to be an harmonious link between generations and unite social differences.

Saturn/Neptune:  This is one of the most difficult pairs of planets to correctly delineate because their energy fields are so very, very different.  Basically when inharmonious we can say that Neptune seeks to escape whatever responsibilities Saturn acknowledges or acquires. Thus a square between these two often asks the question: “OK, I am in a given social situation that requires my taking on of a certain responsibility, so will you please show me the exit or the escape route?”  There are a large number of people who were born in the early 1950’s with a conjunction of Saturn and Neptune in Libra. This group has a common conundrum: “Do a deepen my responsibilities and sense of belonging to my partner or to I escape from furthering my involvement?  Will someone please explain the depth and degree of my responsibility for this other person?  Or perhaps it would be better if you did not….”  The positive blending of Saturn and Neptune allow a person to see the hidden mysteries that are behind the forms of life.  Thus Neptune trine Saturn makes for a good scientific investigator, a spy in a governmental intelligence gathering agency, or just a good neighborhood gossip who has all the dirt on everyone!

Saturn/Pluto:  There is a generation born in 1947-1948 with a conjunction of these two planets in Leo.  This results in people who can be quite ruthless and egocentric in the pursuit of their ambitions (especially if there are also squares to other planets in Scorpio or Taurus and/or oppositions to planets in Aquarius).  The natal connection of these two planets in hard aspect, including the conjunction, indicates the presence of some very strong challenges to the creation of correctly administered, personal power structures.  But when properly handled--when the will is integrated into the heart--even these difficult contacts can produce a tremendous persistence no matter what the impediments of life may be. The squares and oppositions by transit to Pluto by Saturn really enhance one’s urge to dominate and rule and to beat out any opposition to one’s dominance in any given situation.  On a more positive note the trine or sextile of Saturn to Pluto by transit truly stimulates the infusion of some extra power into your mix, giving the individual just what is required for moving one step higher on the personal ladder of achievement in life.