Saturn in Astrology

If Jupiter is liked, then Saturn is feared. People dread about him transiting anything in their natal charts. He, together with Pluto, considered to be one of the worst and scariest things in astrology. Some professional astrologers in contrast like to whitewash Saturn and present him as something like teacher of hard truth or a necessary evil. Each of these extreme opinions however is rather exaggerated. 

Astronomically Saturn is much like its larger neighbor, Jupiter, made mostly of gas. Despite being smaller than 'king of gods', Saturn has even more moons than the latter. Saturn also has its famous rings, that fascinate artists and astronomers.

Mythologically Saturn (or Chronos) is a king of titans. Compared to gods, Titans are members of the previous generation, of mystical beings. They are parents of gods, but also members of bygone demographic, whose reign have ended. Far from their former power, they are now either dead or imprisoned in Tartarus and could do nothing but watch as their children now call themselves gods and rule Olympus.

This story does reflect on role of Saturn in the astrology. He is former king, who once was mighty and ruled with prudence and fear but then was overthrown and lost his power. If Jupiter represents power and energy of the youth, then Saturn represents powerlessness and weakness.

Astrological Saturn makes you face uncomfortable "truth". There are things you cannot achieve, no matter what you try. Things you will never become and so on. Sometimes it is mere defeatism, sometimes it is indeed truth.

Saturn also represents old age and aging. As you grow older, you also grow weaker and wearier. The same things that were snap in your youth are now hard if not impossible.

Old age sometimes associated with wisdom. However, while all people age and die, not all grow wise. Thus, Saturn transits and aspects in natal chart will not always grand wisdom but will always be sad and frustrating.

That said sometimes realism and sobriety of Saturn can be of help, especially for people who overindulge in Neptunian delusions. However, one should not overindulge in it. It's like ballast in a ship or air balloon. A little bit of it is needed at the bottom of the hull to keep ship stable, but too much will do nothing but slow ship down and excess of it can even drown the ship.

Emotion and energy wise Saturn transits are always downturn when things do not move forward, and all your efforts are blocked by circumstances or something. Sometimes you might be better off to just weather the lull and continue during more favorable times. Other times however it will be more prudent to rethink what you are doing and change the course. Either way you will often have no choice but to reflect on your life every time Saturn is aspected in any way.

 

Mythological Saturn personally is infamous for devouring his children out of fear that they will grow up and overthrow him. That is both cruel and immoral, but prudent. Similarly, Saturn's wisdom is similarly prudent but cruel. It can be something that can hurt your feelings like realization that you will never be a movie star. It can be something more sinister too. A cunning but cruel way to solve some problem or get ahead in life. Saturn's wisdom is always cynical and practical based on experience and calculation.

However ultimate truth is that despite all his prudence and cunning, Saturn ultimately could not escape the fate, he so painstakingly worked to avert. Saturnian cunning and prudence are no replacement to Joval energy and fortune. Jupiter always triumphs over Saturn.

Back in ancient times Saturn was the last planet known to man. Both astronomy and astrology ended on Saturn being the last one. In that regard Saturn represents old age and inevitable finale of death. Both people and countries that were Joval in their prime times, turn Saturnian as they grew older. Unable to grow and reach further beyond, they rely on perseverance, resilience and cunning to keep what they still have. 

Old people rely on medicine, complex surgeries and nursery care in retirement homes to postpone the inevitable death just a little bit further. Similarly dying countries fall into cruel and cunning dictatorships, who sometimes do crazy senseless things to prolong regime's existences just a little bit more. In doing do both old people and old regimes destroy future generations and futures of their countries. Much like mythological Saturn devours his children.

At the same time a moment when either a person or a country already reached Saturnian wisdom, yet have not yet lost its Joval vigor, optimism goodwill and fortune is one of the most beautiful. This is when men flourishes and nations reshape geopolitics and make histories.

Saturn's placement in natal chart indicates areas you take seriously and where you exercise cautiousness, prudence and cynicism. These can be anything from, philosophy and travel for someone like me with Saturn in Sagittarius to something more mundane, such as work or family for someone with Saturn in Virgo or Cancer. Saturn is in detriment in Cancer, so being strict and cruel does not lead to good families.

On the other hand, Saturn's transits often affect personal boundaries. Certain things one is sensitive about and wishes no interference. Positive transits to Saturn can help reinforcing these boundaries while negative ones instead challenge your boundaries and put your comfort zone in danger. These negative transits are the reason why people rightfully dislike Saturn. No one likes an invader who destroys things you hold dear.

Saturn is God of old age with its wisdom but also with its limitations and awareness of inevitable death it wishes to staff off. He is rather sad and somber, but not that scary.