Getting to Know Saturn in Astrology

An astrology chart is a two-dimensional representation of the layout of the solar system when you took your first breath. The chart contains symbols for astronomical bodies and calculated points connecting those points to aspects of human psychology and consciousness energy.  This article will look at the point Saturn, which deals with how humans structure life, think of rules and face limitations.  The location of Saturn in your natal chart energizes you to behave and react in certain ways so you can do your best to make sense of your incarnated journey.

• Getting to Know the Sun in Astrology
• Getting to Know the Moon in Astrology
• Getting to Know Mercury in Astrology
• Getting to Know Venus in Astrology
• Getting to Know Mars in Astrology
• Getting to Know Jupiter in Astrology

Points in Astrology

Most people do not know any other points in their chart outside of their Sun sign.  Each major point in our solar system is represented in an astrological chart.  Before the telescope, the chart consisted of points visible to the naked eye:  the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn (the big 7).  With telescopes, we added:  Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto (to make up the big 10).  Then we found Chiron, and a host of asteroids beginning with but not limited to Juno, Pallas Athene, Ceres, and Vesta.  We are going to look at all these points and many more in this ongoing monthly series.

What Does Saturn Represent in Your Astrology Chart?

Saturn represents excellence, prestige, status, order, accomplishment, structure, and control.  Saturn is tied to career goals and how we deal with authority through its rulership of Capricorn and the 10^th House of Prosperity.  If the Sun is the entire car, Saturn is engineering and function.  When we “drive out into the world”, it is our Saturn that that determines if we can go four-wheeling, great distances on open roads, or just to the local store and back (in the last article Jupiter represented what we want to do, but Saturn is what we can and cannot do).

Saturn used to rule two Signs, Capricorn and Aquarius, and two Houses, the 10^th House of Prosperity (career) and the 11^th House of Community (status).  After Uranus was discovered, it was given rulership of the 11^th House, leaving Saturn with only one Sign and House to rule, Capricorn and the 10^th House.

When people consult with me about their astrocartography (best places to work) and what they want to be known for as “a professional”, then I will look at their Saturn placement.  Where Saturn is by sign and house tells me where and how you strive to accomplish because of your expertise, interact with authority, or act as an authority.

If Saturn is in a Fire sign, then it is you want to achieve creatively; in Air, success comes through knowledge and communication; in Earth, practical application (traditional business, like manufacturing), and Water, emotionally (through psychological and health work).

I was born with my Saturn in Aries in the 6^th House of Service.  Saturn merges with my North Node (my karmic stretch goal), Vulcan (how I produce), and my Sun (Life Path). I prefer to structure and succeed “in my own way” and work to be an authority unto myself.  I have no desire to manage others and work best on my own as a “solitary” practitioner.  Even when I worked in academics as a university instructor, most of the work was done in isolation or as the sole authority, in the classroom or on projects.

Currently, I run my own business as a spiritual adviser and sole proprietor.  I prefer to work one-on-one with people, though I have done and still do events and presentations that have me leading discussions as the authority on maverick (Aries) subjects like astrology and tarot/oracle cards.  While I am often sought out to join groups and organizations, I know better than to put myself in a position where I feel restricted, preferring to set my own structures and rules for living my daily life.

The Meaning of Your Saturn is in the Details

My Saturn is at 16 degrees 22 minutes of Aries in a conjunct aspect with my Sun, Vulcan, and North Node.  It opposes my Moon and South Node.  Also, it is inconjunct my Pluto (death/rebirth) and Pallas Athena (strategic thinking), and sextile my Astraea (community).  Saturn plays a huge role in my chart.

Saturn is in the 2^nd Decan of Aries (each sign is divided by 10 degrees into Decans that shape the flavor of that point by degree position).  The first decan of Aries is Aries/Aries, the second is Aries/Leo, and the third decan is Aries/Sagittarius.  I have an Aries/Leo Saturn. In short, I prefer “perform as a solo act” in a one-man show.  I manage myself and succeed when I master self-discipline; I am not really a “team” player.

Marc Edmund Jones, working with Elsie Wheeler, determined special meanings for each degree of the Zodiac called the Sabian Symbols.  My Saturn is between the 16^th and 17^th degree, thus the 17^th Sabian Symbol for Aries, which is interpreted as “two prim spinsters”.  The keyword assigned to this degree is DIVORCEMENT, and the positive expression is “utter fidelity to self and all its special idealizations of its own capacity, and when negative, an increasing exaltation of shallow interests and a witless pretense of distinction and great virtue” (The Sabian Symbols, 166).

Where Does your Saturn Reside?

Last but not least, with an exact birth time, we can determine which house or “domicile” your Jupiter resides in.  In the case of my chart, my Saturn is my 6^th House of Service (skills and day-to-day work).  The 2^nd, 6^th, and 10^th Houses are earth domiciles and relate to how we get our needs met (2^nd), the skills we need to develop to get work done (6^th), and what we want to achieve through work over our lifetime (10^th).

With my Saturn in Aries in the 6^th House, my “way of structure manifests through my independent and heroic quest for and attraction to maverick and individualistic service to others.” (Astrology Unlocked, 147). Becoming and working as an entrepreneur ideally matches my Saturn in Aries in the 6^th House placement.  Doing the type of work (especially reading tarot/oracle cards with clients) that allows me to “perform” for others aligns with my Aries/Leo Decan placement.

If you want to know about YOUR Saturn, really know, then I encourage you to get your full chart cast. Join me next month when we take a look at Chiron.