Saturn in the Signs

Saturn symbolizes sensitive points in our makeup and is often referred to as the Great Teacher. In order to ensure that these lessons really hit home, the preferred tool for teaching is often pain. This planet indicates areas where we are liable to be confronted with frustration, limitation, sorrow, aggravation and so forth. It indicates where we may be fearful and are prone to becoming rigid in our approach to the affairs indicated. These issues tend to be sensitive subjects to us because often we are overly concerned with them.

As a result, we can usually observe two very distinct patterns in dealing with these issues. Either the issue takes on too much importance and we tend to overcompensate to make up for feelings of inadequacy, or we try to deal with these issues through avoidance because we are not confident enough to grapple with the problem or we attempt to convince ourselves it is really not all that important anyway.

Still, the Great Teacher will continue to prod us along and encourage us to apply ourselves through hard work, patience and discipline to build a strong foundation in this area in order for us to achieve a level of inner security where these issues are concerned. Saturn, in this way, is symbolic of where we tend to meet the harsh realities of life head on. This may not be at all pleasant but, ironically enough, can point the way to where our efforts are best put to use if we wish to find rewards in life on a personal level.

This planet is the ruler of the sign Capricorn and the natural ruler of the tenth house; and, as such, may have a primary influence on the profession and career goals of the native. However, this need not be the only issues we need to grapple with where Saturn is concerned. These issues are just as likely to be emotional as material; and, whichever they are, will often be closely aligned with how we wish others to see us and our status before the eyes of the world. Almost as if through Saturn achievements, we can somehow prove our worth. Where this planet is concerned we must exercise maturity, responsibility, discipline and perseverance if we wish to gain our rewards; and these are not likely to come early on.

The sign placement will indicate the types of issues the individual will usually have to grapple with in order to find a degree of inner peace, while the house placement will indicate the department of life where these issues are most often apparent. Aspects to/from it to planets and points in the chart, particularly the inharmonious ones, will also give indications of problems we may have to deal with as well. Saturn is a powerful influence and should be studied carefully. However, we should remember it is symbolic of our own built-in teacher attempting to guide us to a more rewarding way of life. When dealing with these issues it is important to keep in mind that, more often than not, the stumbling blocks we encounter tend to be inner blockages although it may at times seem otherwise. By overcoming these problems, the outer blockages in our lives may very well fade away.

ARIES SATURN

Here we have two opposing tendencies in collision and the native must find a workable solution to these adverse inclinations and energies. Saturn symbolizes caution, discipline, patience and reserve, while Aries symbolizes impulsiveness, recklessness, self-centeredness, impatience and independence along with a lack of staying power.

Often these people wish to work for themselves and tend to be much happier if they do so. They are capable of working hard to achieve this goal, but must learn the Great Teacher's lessons of responsibility and patience if they wish to make this dream a reality. Frequently, there will be quite a few obstacles in the way, but this may be because the native is lacking characteristics which they need to develop. For some, this may indicate Saturn's fearfulness undermining the Aries' courage, bravery and pioneering spirit to the point that the native holds themselves back through a lack of confidence. This could also indicate that the native's self-centeredness and a lack of diplomacy are responsible for the opposition the native meets.

These people will find their freedom through paying closer attention to what this planet requires of us all; and that is to develop Saturn qualities within ourselves. Impulsiveness and impatience tend to bring problems and some will hold back when they should go forward or go forward when they should hold back.

TAURUS SATURN

These people may be deeply focused on material security perhaps, for some natives, to the point of the exclusion of sensuality which Taurus is also noted for, particularly if this position is seriously afflicted. These individuals often work hard for the material security they seek and are normally quite financially responsible individuals. For most, however, emotional security is usually of equal importance.

Taurus is a fixed sign, so these people are capable of exhibiting patience and determination in pursuit of their goals. They are usually very reliable and loyal individuals, particularly if the emotions are involved. They have an uncanny ability to make purchases that will retain or gain in value, so they are good bargain hunters.

The native must endeavor to balance the emotional with the material in their lives if they wish to achieve a true state of peace. If afflicted, this could indicate greediness, possessiveness, jealousy and stubbornness. Because of the association of Venus, this could be an indication of artistic tendencies; but by the same token, Venus can also indicate a love of ease – indolence.

GEMINI SATURN

This commonly confers a rational, logical and practical mind. It indicates the ability to apply Saturn's discipline to mental pursuits. This could curb the natural tendency toward talkativeness that Gemini is noted for; at least until the native has fully formulated exactly what it is they wish to say. This placement can be an indication for talent with all sorts of mental work, research, the sciences, writing and all forms of communication. Formal education may help the native to discipline the mental faculties.

This placement could, if afflicted, tend to narrow the mind or the interests of these people, undermining the natural curiosity of Gemini. The mutable characteristics of Gemini could prove a problem by undermining Saturn's discipline and scattering the native's mental energy. These people need to learn to discipline their mental capacities without becoming rigid in their approach. Usually these people wish to achieve in life on the mental level and are suited for work where these capabilities can be put to use. They can be very resourceful in finding solutions to problems they are faced with. This could also indicate shyness to a normally outgoing Gemini or, similar to Virgo, a critical attitude.

CANCER SATURN

This placement may have an inhibiting influence on the emotional expression Cancer is so well noted for. This could be due to problems in the early home environment (Cancer/fourth) that left the native somewhat traumatized. Saturn in Cancer tends to oversensitivity where the emotions are concerned and the native is inclined to build a protective shell (Crab) around themselves that Cancer is noted for in order to protect their vulnerability. This, however, tends to exacerbate the problem, as others might get the false impression that the native is cold and unfeeling when actually the exact opposite is true.

These people tend to take relationships and family responsibilities very seriously (Saturn). But, by the same token, this could indicate that it is in the domestic and emotional arena that the native faces their greatest challenges. These people must learn to risk opening up a bit and accept the fact that relationships and families entail responsibility and a good deal of work in order to enjoy their rewards. They must learn to let go of the past and work toward a brighter future.

LEO SATURN

Saturn in the sign of Leo indicates the native may have to grapple with Leonine and fifth house issues. This could hinder artistic/creative self-expression despite the fact that some of these people have deep creative urges, which they could develop if they would allow themselves to. This could also indicate much pride and an inflated ego and a need for a good deal of admiration and attention. With placement here, this could be a form of overcompensation because the natives may lack a true sense of self-worth fostered in childhood. Another indication might be disappointment in romantic affairs and in financial speculation. These people are well advised to use caution where gambling is concerned.

With children, another fifth house issue, they may tend to be disciplinarian, overly strict or severe; possibly a reflection of how they were treated as a child. Since we have a connection here with the fifth house of children we may also see, as with Saturn posited in the fifth, a delay in starting a family or, with women, difficulty in conceiving until later in life. This may be especially true since Leo is not noted for large families.

The Great Teacher, however, is not all doom and gloom; it merely indicates where we must apply ourselves. If we do, we can make these same obstacles turn out to be quite beneficial in the end. The Sun (vitality) rules Leo and so this placement might also inhibit a person's vitality.

VIRGO SATURN

This placement will tend to amplify Virgo's meticulous attention to detail and precision. This could be quite beneficial to those involved in research of any kind, the sciences, and the health field or where issues of diet and hygiene are concerned. This is also favorable for craftsmen employed in any area where precision and the attention to detail are a necessity. These are usually hardworking people and often exhibit a desire to be of service to others. However, there are still the drawbacks attributed to Virgo such as the tendency to get bogged down in unimportant details while more relevant factors suffer and an ability to be harshly critical, which few people appreciate.

They do have the opportunity to develop the mind to a high degree of discrimination, but need to learn where to draw the line, or exhaustion through overwork may well be the result. They must also learn to accept that others may not share their being overly devoted to duty where work is concerned.

Mercury rules Virgo. Saturn here could indicate a pessimistic/depressive mindset. This, and a tendency to overwork, could lay the groundwork for ill health as Virgo is the natural sign on the sixth house.

LIBRA SATURN

With this placement, the Saturn problems the native has to grapple with are most often apparent in the sphere of relationships. Some may have a fear (Saturn) of committed relationships (Libra). For most, however, this problem normally takes on the dimensions of how to balance the duties and responsibilities entailed in a committed relationship without destroying the love and warmth that make the relationship worthwhile in the first place.

Some will marry partners of a greater age difference than normal and some of these people are accused of seeking out a mate that may be a replacement parent. If this position is afflicted, relationships can be quite cold, based on duty and material considerations and lacking emotional warmth. These people need to learn, through harmonious cooperation with others, how to balance the needs of all parties concerned andnot to subvert their own needs and identity in order to please others and gain their approval.

This could indicate an interest in the law (seventh/lower courts). Whatever the case, these people are usually very responsible in the area of relationships and often exhibit the highest ideals where fairplay in human affairs is concerned. These natives, though possibly grim in their approach, take relationships very seriously. This position is indicative of the responsibility required if human interaction is to be kept at the highest levels of ideals and justice. An added benefit is that this placement is considered to be the sign of Saturn's exaltation.

Libra, through its ruler Venus, is also associated with refinement, aesthetics, and the arts and music. As with placement in Leo, we might find a person with this position wrestling with their demons over their abilities with artistic/creative self-expression. Similarly, this indicates the person may have creativity, but they have to find the courage to express it.

SCORPIO SATURN

Scorpio is a sign associated with deep turbulent emotions, intense passions and a desire to control or dominate people and situations due to the influence of Pluto, Scorpio's ruler. With Saturn placed in this sign there is often a restrictive influence on these emotions, probably due to a degree of fearfulness on the part of the native. They may feel quite vulnerable in this area and feel a need to protect themselves or, just as likely, they may be frightened by the intensity of these passions and fear that expressing them may be overwhelming and they then may be controlled and at the mercy of powerful passions.

The control urge here is more commonly directed at the natives themselves rather than toward others as with most Pluto influences. These people wish to control their passions and this could obviously include their sexuality. Consequently, this may cause problems in relationships due to the tightness of expression given to the deeper passions, as well as a tendency to secretiveness about their motives that goes along with Scorpio placements.

Other eighth house issues could also be a factor such as responsibility with jointly-held assets, taxes, inheritances, or responsibilities in managing assets for others. Other Scorpio influences could manifest as jealousy or a desire for revenge and an inability to let go of past hurts. With Saturn driving these qualities, these people may be quite patient (Saturn) in waiting for the right opportunity to pay back any transgressions. Also, although this planet may hold anger and any tendency toward violence in check, when it does break loose the episode is quite likely to be extraordinarily explosive due to the constant restraint of Saturn holding this anger in check for a long period of time.

These people may be ambitious and quite determined in pursuit of their goals, which they are inclined to quest after with a good deal of Pluto's intensity. Transformation comes through the Great Teacher's discipline.

SAGITTARIUS SATURN

This placement of Saturn usually indicates a person that has traditional conservative attitudes where ninth house issues are concerned. These issues could be higher education, the law (higher courts), philosophy, religion and moral and ethical values. They ordinarily have a high degree of moral and ethical values; but whatever their concerns, as with all placements, they must guard against rigidity as this may lead to the negative side of Sagittarius, which may manifest as fanaticism.

There is frequently a desire to be looked upon as an authority in some area of ninth house issues and often these people are keenly aware of what others think of them, especially in this area of beliefs. This could confer the ability to discipline the mind in educational matters and could be beneficial to teachers; however, the path followed would normally be very traditional and have little patience for anything that would seem to deviate from this path.

Saturn will usually hold the wanderlust of Sagittarius in check while the mutability of this sign may give it the ability to attack problems and find solutions from many different viewpoints. Another benefit with this placement might be in learning the diplomacy of tact that Sagittarius is often noted for lacking. However, if their tongue is kept in check by Saturn for too long and the native has not acquired the lessons of diplomacy; when they do let loose it may be mercilessly and cut right to the quick!

CAPRICORN SATURN

This is a strong placement for Saturn as Capricorn is the sign this planet rules. This will usually make for a disciplined effort to attain what Capricorn holds dear; namely, positions of power, authority and status along with a good deal of material security.

These people may be ultra-conservative in their views and may seem rather cold because they may be tight in their expression. More likely, however, they are possibly a bit shy and possibly lack confidence in themselves. For some, this could indicate hardships and struggles early on in life that drives these people to achieve material security. Others may come from affluent families, but may have little regard for others, feeling they are only there to serve the native. This may be particularly true if this position is afflicted. Then material pursuits might supersede all other considerations, and this could lead to fostering quite a bit of resistance to the native's goals.

Whatever the case, most of these people are extraordinarily ambitious in whatever they pursue, but they must guard against being consumed by materialism. This could be an indication of professional interest in tenth house issues such as business, science or politics. These people are very responsible and willing to work long and hard to achieve their objectives. This is also an indication of a person that plots a course beforehand and methodically plans, step-by-step, how to make their aspirations a reality. These individuals often exhibit managerial and executive capabilities. Therefore, this could indicate leadership ability. They should guard against becoming too rigid in their approach to life, as this will interfere with their ability to enjoy what their hard work has brought them.

AQUARIUS SATURN

This is another strong placement for Saturn, as this planet is the traditional ruler of Aquarius. It is now considered the co-ruler, as Uranus now is the ruler of this sign. Similar to placement in Capricorn, these people may seem rather cold. But whereas Saturn in Capricorn seems cold because of their pursuit of material ambitions, in Aquarius it may seem cold because of the detached and impersonal approach of the sign, Aquarius.

This can, however, greatly aid the native in objectivity in their approach to the higher mind and in all Aquarian and eleventh house issues. This could prove quite beneficial to anyone with an interest in the sciences, advanced technology, computers, electronics, inventions, humanitarian and social reform as well as the occult and astrology. They will probably function best when working within a group (eleventh house) and, with Saturn here, this could indicate the native is the stabilizing force or the foundation shouldering the group's existence.

There may be a touch of the non-conformist here, even with Saturn's influence, but this is exactly what is needed at times to foster a breakthrough in a given field of interest – a new (Aquarius/Uranus) and determined (Saturn) approach. These people should, and likely will, avoid a too radical approach to their pursuits. This is beneficial, as it tends to circumvent resistance to their objectives. They should guard against a tendency to be too cold or insensitive to others, as they can accomplish more with the support of others, and thus, gain the acceptance they often desire.

PISCES SATURN

For some this could be a troubling placement, as Saturn may tend to cast a gloomy pall over the emotions and sensitivity of Pisces. This could make for a pessimistic and depressive mindset. If this should be the case, the native must strive to be objective and rational if they wish to deal with life realistically and achieve their objectives rather than fall into despair and self-pity.

On the positive side, this could indicate a determined effort to use their compassion productively for those less fortunate and in the service of those confined in prisons, asylums and hospitals (Pisces/twelfth). Most of these people, as with other Pisces placements, will benefit from periods of solitude and withdrawal in order to refresh themselves anew for facing the challenges of the world. They should be warned about letting these periods of isolation continue for too long, however, as then it tends to turn into escapism and may exacerbate problems they have to contend with.

Also, for some, artistic dabbling could be quite beneficial due to the influence of Pisces' ruler, Neptune. Pisces is a very creative sign. This may enable the natives to give voice to emotions and thoughts they have no other way of expressing and this may be cathartic.

Some of these people, through a sense of guilt, may tend to punish themselves for alleged sins of the past. Some may be merciless in their self-inflicted punishment, as Pisces is noted for the martyr/savior complex. They must learn to let go of the past and stop chastising themselves for being as human as the rest of us. Sometimes they need to exercise their compassion on themselves. This may prove beneficial as long as it does not turn into the self-pity and isolation warned against above.

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