#4 Tutorial: FUN WITH SATURN
How to read transiting Saturn in your birth chart
This is a short tutorial for anyone who wants to learn how to read their own whole-sign birth chart, with some simple how-to tools for reading Saturn transits. This is a multifaceted planet, often bringing powerful, archetypal themes with its cycles and patterns, which can last months or even years.
So I will try to simplify what is a huge, complex topic, to give you an idea of the process for better understanding and reading slow transits in your own chart.
Despite its reputation Saturn transits can be beneficial and rewarding, but almost always challenge us to grow.
Astrology without Saturn would be a saccharine and sugar-coated business. So we need it, but not as an excuse to see the future with fear and dread.
Saturn in Hellenistic Astrology
Saturn was defined as malefic in ancient astrology, meaning that in essence, it embodied a negative influence. Negative and positive are highly subjective concepts, which no longer only mean good or bad, favourable and unfavourable. And yet if astrology is to encompass the full spectrum of life experience, we do need signifiers that point to the extreme ends of the scale.
Malefic and benefic were terms used in the Hellenistic traditions to divide planets into two groups; negative and positive. There are philosophical and metaphysical reasons for this. Astrology is based on the concept of dualities as represented in manifest reality. You cannot have a good without its opposite, the bad. They are two sides of the same coin.
If you want to know more about the history and philosophy of astrology I can recommend books by Chris Brennan or Demetra George. They are both authors who are scholarly, yet also very readable.
Archaic terms like dignity, fall, detriment, malefic and benefic might seem ominous to us, but be aware that they refer to technical concepts specific to traditional Astrology. And if, like me you are learning Hellenistic astrology after coming through modern schools of thought, some of these terms will seem negative or dramatic.
The important point here is that the way Saturn shows up for you depends on certain mitigating factors, such as dignity, sect and the power it has, due to its position in your chart.
Additionally your unique relationship to this archetype will define how you experience a Saturn transit. Before we get to that here are some traditional methods that you can use as a checklist.
1. Sect
As a very general rule of thumb malefic planets are less malefic when they are in sect. Not weaker, just kinder. When planets are out of sect they can become more unhappy, negative or difficult. Saturn is diurnal so is happier above the horizon.
So Saturn can be more helpful if transiting a house that is above the horizon in the birth chart, especially if it is a day chart. If your birth chart is a night chart, a Saturn transit can potentially have a more malefic influence.
2. Dignity
Consider dignity. Is Saturn transiting a sign and house to its liking? For example the 12H is the joy of Saturn, meaning Saturn can align nicely with the affairs relating to this house. For example this can mean isolation, but for some people this can be a welcome respite from social pressures and an opportunity for healing.
Is Saturn transiting a sign of its own domicile? For example Capricorn or Aquarius. Is it transiting Libra, the sign of its exaltation? Saturn transiting any of these signs can bring very powerful, transformative experiences. While they can be hard work or challenging, the outcomes can be extraordinarily positive.
If Saturn is transiting a sign that is its fall (Aries) or detriment (Cancer or Leo), its effects could be less noticeable or weaker, especially if other factors support this. These signs can bring out the more negative influences of the planet, so the mitigating conditions are important.
“Context is Everything”
3. Houses
Saturn can be supportive in houses that are trine to the ascendent such as the 5H and 9H, even though it can potentially curtail some of the traditional meanings of those places. For example, Saturn transiting the 9H can mean it is a very favourable time to undertake a course of study, or a religious or spiritual retreat (9H), because Saturn usually favours these kinds of activities. It could also indicate that it is not a favourable time to travel overseas because travel for pleasure or fun is not normally supported by Saturn. It could even prevent or delay it altogether. Saturn in the 9H is like university; it requires hard work, diligence and discipline, which is just what you need if you want to earn a degree or higher qualification.
Is Saturn in any of the angular houses (such as 1H, 4H, 7H, 10H)? These houses can deepen, intensify or strengthen the effects of transiting Saturn. Saturn in 7H for example, can bring tough lessons through relationships, especially those that you seem to have grown out of. And yet for others Saturn can crystallise a long term commitment—see below.
Patterns and Themes
Saturn has become a very useful planet with which to interpret themes and patterns through transits. If you want to consider modern psychological themes as a starting point, think of Saturn as the planet of limitation, boundaries, identity, and cycles of maturation. Milestone is a key word for Saturn (not to be confused with millstone, another Saturn word).
Saturn often works through processes of crises and transformation, hard work, and responsibility. Some astrologers describe it as bringing important lessons for personal growth, which can at first seem unwelcome, but over time bring rewards that we treasure for a lifetime.
Saturn can bring a sense of stuck-ness or paralysis, yet can also bring the strength and determination to keep persevering.
Saturn can also bring stability, security and longevity, which depending on the situation, can be desirable. For example a Saturn transit through the 7H of marriage can indicate a long term commitment, or a serious relationship with an older person.
Write a List
You should now be able to sit down and write a list of the houses and their signs in your chart (from 1 to 12), and describe the Saturn themes that correspond to them. Keep it simple with key words, or add in your stories and experiences as you develop it.
Think carefully about your current situation, and what you want. Rarely will a transit from Saturn by itself manifest sudden unexpected events that seem fated or unavoidable.
Below is a rough example which you can use to get you started. Don’t forget to include the corresponding signs as they will have an impact on the dignity.
1st House: Maturity, aging, identity, hard work, self discipline, health (for air signs it could be mental health, for fire signs it could be energy and vitality and slowing down, for water signs it could mean seriousness or sadness, and earth signs think of bones, teeth and skin issues).
2nd House: Austerity, saving money, earning a living, long term investment.
3rd House: Problems or issues with neighbours, cousins or siblings. Communication, mobility or transport issues.
4th House: Home and family commitments, building a new home, providing for your family, looking after a parent or older person.
5th House: An older friend or circle of friends, planning for a baby, issues with children, responsibilities to children. Sometimes this can be when children grow up and leave the nest, or start school.
6th House: Health and hard work are the usual indicators of this house. Note when transiting Saturn makes a trine to the MC indicating achievements and milestones in your career.
7th House: Relationship challenges and tests to your long term commitments. Defining boundaries in relationships. Starting a serious relationship or a relationship with someone older.
8th House: Crises and growth through death and loss, an inheritance or insurance issues. Sorting out taxes or business partnerships, loans, debts and your partner’s financial situation.
9th House: University, overseas travel or religious institutions. Revising or defining your worldview or religious commitments.
10th House: Career responsibilities, hard work, achievement and mastery. Respect from public or peers. Fields of work that have Saturn themes, such as building, engineering, architecture, long term projects.
11th House: Your social life, friendships and societies you are part of are tested. Industry groups you belong to are often redefined to align better with your career goals.
12th House: Isolation, retreat, transformation and healing. Health problems, hospitals and prisons; this could mean working in these places. Facing and overcoming subconscious fears and releasing patterns of karma.
Saturn Cycles
Saturn represents cycles of growth and maturity. By looking at where Saturn is in your chart and the aspects Saturn makes to itself by transit, you will get an idea of how these patterns will play out over your lifetime.
At the age of seven Saturn forms the first square to itself. This is the culmination of the so-called formative years, when a child has reached a level of maturity based on what they have learned from their parents, school and society. They are becoming more independent and need boundaries, routines and structure to grow into their teens.
At age fourteen Saturn opposes its natal position and teens are needing boundaries and responsibilities while they learn to test their limits and develop their identities. Often there is a strong urge to reject parental controls, to separate from them, or to question social structures and norms. At this age we have had a huge growth phase from our first Jupiter return at about age 12, so Saturn can help to keep things in perspective, and bring maturity through opposition.
At age 21, Saturn forms its second square to its natal position. This is traditionally the age when we transition into adulthood, we given the so-called key to the city, the key to our freedom and with it comes responsibilities. Although this is a rather old-fashioned concept now, 21 is still considered the age when you are a grown-up and should start acting like one.
At age 28 or 29 approximately is the first Saturn return, an important milestone in our growth. This is when we should have established clear boundaries, know who we are and have laid the foundation for a successful life.
And then the cycle begins again.
This is only an outline of the Saturn processes of growth, crisis and transformation. For some people they are relatively easy, and for others they can bring some tough lessons.
Everything depends on your personal relationship with Saturn, and your experience of it as it transits the houses, signs and planets in your chart.
Your Unique Version of Saturn
Your unique relationship with Saturn will more or less define how you experience transiting Saturn. Consider all of the above, as well as how you think Saturn will impact any of the planets it transits.
Saturn Transits to Your Natal Planets
Over its two and half years approximately through a particular sign or house, note what planets you have there, as well as any other aspects, chart points or configurations it will make on its journey.
It might be helpful to do some research in advance, to get a clear picture of what is involved.
Reference books like Robert Hand’s Planets in Transit are well worth investing in if you want to study some of the complex processes involved in Saturn transits to your natal planets.
If you have no planets or points in the house Saturn will transit, check what angles and configurations to other planets Saturn will make during its cycle, if any.
Look for angles to the Ascendent in particular. Are they easy, helpful or hard angles, potentially bringing an important lesson? List them along with the dates, noting the retrograde cycle and how many times Saturn will transit a particular point.
What Does Saturn Mean to You?
Your experience of Saturn transits can also be influenced by the position of Saturn in your birth chart, the houses it rules and the role Saturn plays in your life, overall. It can take a bit of experience to figure this out.
For example if Saturn is Lord of your Ascendent you may welcome Saturn transits, seeing them as an opportunity to learn, to stabilise or to accomplish a difficult goal in your life. Likewise transiting Saturn can be helpful and supportive if you have Saturn favourably aspected, bonified or well positioned in your natal chart.
Look at what houses Saturn rules in your birth chart, Capricorn and Aquarius, and what area of your life they represent. What house does Saturn exalt? A very simple example would be Capricorn on the 4H cusp, indicating a harsh childhood or critical parent (among many other things). So when Saturn transits your 7H or 1H you may have to face some harshness in a home situation, perhaps a separation, or you may be dealing with a critical person or an older person who reminds you of a parent.
Sometimes the patterns in your life are easily identifiable Saturn transits, and through understanding and anticipating them we can transcend these patterns.
Consider the checklist from traditional astrology above, and study your chart to get an idea of how you experience limitations, responsibilities and effort.
For example do you feel the long term benefits and rewards will be worthwhile? Are you a patient person? Are you prepared to wait for the rewards if that means they will be more fulfilling and satisfying?
Sometimes we resist or rebel against the demands of a Saturn cycle, and then things can become more difficult than they need to be. If this is you, then you will greatly benefit from understanding your relationship to this archetype.
These are all traits to consider when you are looking at how Saturn is configured in your chart. Saturn can be your friend. And some of us have to work harder to turn the challenges Saturn brings into opportunities.
Let’s Learn Astrology: books for absolute beginners. If you know absolutely nothing about astrology, start here ». Go to my amazon shop for kindle versions, ebooks or printed versions of these affordable and easy-to-read volumes.