Saturn’s gifts & Saturn’s trials
what does the mighty ringed planet have to do with your journey?If you like astrology, you’ve probably read a thing or two about Saturn. Maybe you’ve seen magazine articles about the famous “Saturn return” but still don’t fully understand what it means, or are unsure as to why this one famous planet receives so much earthly attention.
In this article i’m going to break down who Saturn is, why Saturn is important for your experience and offer guidance on how to lean into Saturn when the going gets tough. Chances are, you’ve already been through some Saturn cycles yourself, so why not enter the next one with knowledge and the armour of celestial wisdom. If you like these kinds of secrets, then you should sign up to Astrology Foundations, the only eight-week live astrology course you will find linking both western and vedic astrology in a dynamic curriculum.
Saturn is the planet you probably know as the one with all the rings. In Roman mythology Saturn was worshipped as the God of Agriculture, but who is Saturn to us today? What does he represent?
Saturn’s meaning can be found in its astronomy. One earth year takes 29 years on Saturn, which means every human being reaches their “Saturn return” at 29 years of age, with another to follow between 57-60. The slow speed at which Saturn orbits means Saturn can induce delays and obstacles to those who have Saturn positioned strongly in their chart. I once had a client lament to me that “everything in her life has been so slow”. Such are the words of Saturn speaking through the birth chart. Saturn is colloquially referred to as the astrological expression of “Old Man Time” and those who have him positioned strongly in their stars tend to have a firm, unwavering quality that echoes the powerful and indestructible quality of Time. Nothing gets around the passing minutes of life, and nothing will defeat the limitations of a Saturn-induced test.
Saturn’s reputation for being a difficult planet comes from this formidable quality. Goya famously depicted Saturn in his 19th century painting as “Saturn devouring his children” because such is the myth accompanying Saturn, that he destroyed his children to prevent them from overthrowing him, as he himself had overthrown his father Uranus.
Saturn’s rings are associated in astrology with the firm boundaries Saturn places on our efforts, placing obstacles and delays in our path to test our resilience. However once human effort withstands the tests of time and pressure, the rings become protective guards that shield the relationship, career or personal integrity from downfall. In short, whatever is created slowly, carefully and with the patience of Saturn will become solid and form a foundational structure for ones life.
18 may be the legal coming of age in some countries, 21 in others, however 29, the first Saturn return is truly the point in time when Saturn tests those who may be ready to pass to the next stage of adulthood. Those who he deems well prepared may receive promotions, engagement rings and house purchases. These are the gifts and rewards of internal discipline, tenacity and the sobering maturity that grants us life’s stability. If however, Saturn deems any part of our lives unworthy or unsuitable for our fate, he will dismantle it through breakups and breakdowns that require one to start again, gifting us the strength and determination necessary to keep moving forward.
If you reflect on your own life, when have you experienced significant setbacks? Did the qualities of patience and determination aide you in your quest for success?
Saturn’s lessons are long lasting and once age 57 is reached, those who have worked hard and wrestled with their laziness or their apathy to have created something worthy in life will enjoy a second coming, a moment of appreciation from Saturn. This can manifest in more wealth and stability, because remember that hundreds of years ago Saturn was worshipped as God of agriculture and wealth.
Through learning about the ringed planet you are sure to connect with his gifts of tenacity and patience. If you wish to move through the incoming years with knowledge both ancient and modern to guide you, then Saturn is the planet to look towards.
This is the key planet for whom i will be offering personal guidance on where his current transit of Saturn in Pisces will influence all students who sign up for Astrology of Foundations this fall. I want you to know where Saturn’s impact on your chart will demand greater patience and stability from your efforts between now and June 2027.
Saturn will re-enter Purva Bhadrapada on October 4th before stationing direct on November 28th.
Stay tuned for more guidance on the ringed-planet’s movements coming soon.
If you enjoy learning about the planets then you’re going to love the complete live eight-week Astrology Foundations course this Fall.
Registration is closing next week Click here to reserve your space. We begin learning together on September 28th. Questions? email me here.
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