Saturn

saturn

Saturn turns direct in Scorpio ♄ Aug 2

Saturn turns direct in Scorpio from Aug 2 - Sep 17, 2015 before reentering Sagittarius

Click here to learn about Saturn. Click here to learn about Scorpio.

From October 2012 to December 2014, Saturn transited Scorpio. Thanks to a recent retrograde period, we had the oh-so-lovely opportunity to experience this very intense transit all over again. So we’re back, moving forward in Scorpio, but only for the next few weeks before Saturn returns to Sagittarius for good. Saturn in Scorpio is a time of intensive scrutiny. Here we examine the dichotomy of faith versus control. If this has been an exceptionally difficult period up until now, it’s about to get a little better. Let us rise up now with unprecedented confidence.

Saturn in Scorpio is a (re)discovery of our worth. Although the retrograde period is arguably a more trying time, we’re still not out of the woods. While Saturn constantly claws at our most hidden, visceral insecurities, Scorpio desperately tries to cover them up: vulnerable yet restricted. Like a scorpion lying flat between rock and earth, we reach blindly for total contact and closeness. In the process, we come ever closer to the Self and are forced to confront fears. We want to bare our soul completely, but this very thing is the most excruciating. This is how Saturn operates! We are asked us to peer into the heart to see all that hurts. We have to feel everything at the deepest level before we can move forward. Can you stand alone? Do you you have total control over the Self? These are questions to ask now. Ultimately Saturn in Scorpio teaches that we cannot be close to another until we learn how to be close to the Self – to know and love the Self inside and out, no fear or judgment. The Self is the only agent who controls and creates reality! These are very difficult lessons that take many lifetimes to perfect.

Saturn in Scorpio demonstrates that we must give up perceived power to gain new understanding – this is not easy! In the process of giving up power, we may push away love, or, alternatively, cling to that which is failing and end up losing health, happiness and appreciation for the present moment. Leaning on others from time to time is perfectly natural, but we must learn how and when these dependencies become unhealthy. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, let’s transform heavy emotional baggage. Saturn in Scorpio does not allow us to cast blame. This is a critical period in which we reclaim personal accountability – only YOU can make yourself happy!

This transit recognizes change as vital. We will be pushed, not led. Saturn in Scorpio renders definitive endings and beginnings that help us grow and mature. Let’s get more comfortable talking and thinking about purpose. Our first inclination may be to shy away from that which is actually there to heal us. The source of bad habits, compulsions, debts and addictions will be revealed so that whatever is truly missing – whatever it was that caused a state of imbalance – can rise to the fore of consciousness. Saturn in Scorpio allows us to see what truly matters and what doesn’t. If balanced, you will walk away now with the ability to love and forgive with ease and find meaning even in darkness, mystery and confusion.

Saturn operates within a framework, structured and disciplined. I know, this doesn’t sound very fun. But here we are again: one last squeeze before we can pop back into lighter times. One last opportunity to move in, straight to the core. I think we’ve all been feeling it coming. Energy lately has been dense, heavy, impossibly difficult. As with all things related to Saturn, we must examine issues of control. I’m with you when you say that you’ve been there, dealing with it, thinking about it. Turn back, go back - there’s more work to be done. Something has been left unattended.

This transit is slow, cumbersome. It’s so important to stay optimistic and lighthearted. Keep moving and breathing - Saturn will work behind the scenes for you. I firmly believe that sitting around and marinating in the scorpion’s brew will not help anything. As much as I love my own scorpion essence, she is an undeniably dark creature. However, she is also profoundly spiritual and at the end of the day, she wants to help you transform into blinding brightness.

Sometimes I wake up and there’s a grinding feeling in my neck bones. Saturn forces us be precise - Zen Ren, what is this pain? Get. To. The. Root. One last haul over this huge fucking mountain. It will quickly become clear who is ready to sweat and who’s just going to cry through the whole thing. LET’S DO THIS. Good luck! You are loved.

Many will now experience a Saturn Return. More to come on that! To find out your Saturn sign and whether he was direct or retrograde at the time of your birth, click here.

Mantra: I am in control

Saturn Retrograde in Scorpio ♄ June 14 - Aug 2

Saturn continues his retrograde transit in Scorpio from June 14 – August 2

Click here to learn about Saturn. Click here to learn about Scorpio.

To be very clear, planets in retrograde are not actually spinning backwards – it is entirely an optical illusion as seen from Earth. Backwards motion appears to happen when Earth passes slower moving planets in the outer solar system. In astrology, this illusion manifests as “backwards” functioning of the planets and their respective roles. Click here to learn more about retrograde motion.

In classic astrology, Saturn rules earthbound Capricorn, but he’s been transiting fiery Sagittarius since December 2014. Saturn in Sagittarius embodies quite the contradiction: Saturn is all about contraction, Sagittarius expansion. Sagittarius stretches us beyond what we believe possible, while Saturn mandates that everything be traditional, concise and orderly. Saturn in Sagittarius grows rapidly, yet still within a framework: structured and disciplined evolution. Sagittarius rules truth, morality and honor. Saturn in this placement seeks philosophies that uplift and empower. Sagittarius is a free thinker, but this is not how I would describe Saturn. Saturn will not indulge the centaur’s propensity for irresponsibility or recklessness.

Saturn in Scorpio

For the last three months, Saturn has been spinning retrograde in Sagittarius, but now we’re dialing all the way back into water-loving Scorpio. Before last winter, Saturn had been hanging out in Scorpio since October 2012. The themes we are about to encounter are therefore already very familiar to all of us on a personal level. Saturn in Scorpio: a time of intense scrutiny. Both Saturn and Scorpio energies can be suspicious and manipulative when imbalanced. Combined, these energies direct our attention towards issues of power. Saturn in Scorpio reveals what makes us feel vulnerable, especially in relation to our dependencies. It is perfectly normal and natural to have dependencies, but now is the time to cut ties with people, support systems and addictions that no longer serve us. Although it is unpleasant, this process will leave us feeling even more empowered and purposeful than before.

While Saturn claws at our most hidden, visceral insecurities, Scorpio desperately attempts to cover them up. Saturn in Scorpio examines intimacy. We have more demands and expectations for others. Any and all illusions are exposed, giving us total insight into the true nature of our relationships. Saturn in Scorpio urges us to share our souls without fear of rejection, but this very thing is the most excruciating. Like a scorpion lying flat between a rock and the earth, we reach blindly for total contact, and in the process come ever closer to the Self. There is an inherent conflict here between control and faith. Ideally we come to realize that we are master of the Self and nothing else - the Self entirely controls and creates reality. How much energy are we expending trying to change that which we cannot? Do we cling to blame and grudges? Where can we be more forgiving? Issues surrounding debt – either material or emotional – may figure prominently in this transit.

Saturn Retrograde

For about 4.5 months out of the year, Saturn is retrograde. Saturn Rx asks us to review and accept our “failures” – but are they really? The Buddha decried that there is no failure, only lessons learned. If you have been working with sincerity radiating from your heart and soul, karma will reward you handsomely now. Saturn delivers his gifts of abundance even if we do “fail.” As with everything in life, intention rules supreme. Acting insincerely permits Saturn Rx to unleash the full glory of his consequences. Whether you’ve been slacking or not, this transit is really just one long test of endurance. Progress must be examined with utmost realism. Saturn Rx wants to know: what are you truly capable of?

Peering into the heart and gut to see all that hurts, all that we’ve lost and all that makes us less than happy is our task now. Saturn Rx in Scorpio asks us to confront our pain so that we can begin healing. It’s time to delve into the subconscious to see which patterns dictate our lives. Before we can conquer these vicious cycles, we must face them head-on. This transit demands that we feel everything at the deepest level before we are allowed to move forward. If you attempt to rush this process, you will be presented with even more challenges. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, we can and will transform. This is a critical period in which we reclaim personal accountability – only YOU can make yourself happy!

Slow and steady

Saturn moves slowly and deliberately. He demonstrates that nothing is worth having if it is does not take time and work. I visualize Saturn Rx in Scorpio reaching down into the dark profundity of the psyche to overturn blackened rocks and logs. What’s underneath? Our first inclination may be to shy away from that which is actually a healing force. Let’s face and define spiritual blocks with the knowledge that, in so doing, we effectively dissolve the power of lingering fear, hesitation and mistrust. Indeed, to know the problem is to know the solution. If balanced, you will find meaning even in mystery and confusion.

Saturn teaches that change is necessary to move forward. Nothing about this planet is quick, easy or direct. We will be pushed, not led. Saturn Rx in Scorpio renders definitive endings and beginnings that help us grow and mature. The source of bad habits, compulsions, debts and addictions are revealed so that whatever is truly missing – whatever led to a state of imbalance in the first place – can be illuminated. Life might get messy as we turn to that which we have suppressed. Think of this transit as an expedition into a deep, dark cave: you only want to do it once, so do it well! Expect some fuzziness concerning long-term goals, plans and responsibilities.

I was born when Saturn was retrograde. Those with this disposition may not feel the effects of this period as much, if at all. To find out your Saturn sign and whether he was direct or retrograde at the time of your birth, click here.

If you are curious about how this transit affects you personally, please contact me for more insight.

Mantra: I am in control

Saturn Rx in Sagittarius ♄ Mar 14 - June 14

Saturn turns retrograde in Sagittarius from March 14 - June 14 and then in Scorpio from June 14 - August 2

Click here to learn about Saturn.

To be very clear, planets in retrograde are not actually spinning backwards – it is entirely an optical illusion as seen from Earth. Backwards motion appears to happen when Earth passes slower moving planets in the outer solar system. In astrology, this illusion manifests as “backwards” functioning of the planets and their respective roles. Click here to learn more about retrograde motion.

In classic astrology, Saturn rules cardinal earth Capricorn. Saturn is the father who governs authoritatively: strict, sometimes harsh but always well-intentioned. It’s a tough-love kind of deal. Saturn forces us to learn the hard way. His lessons are necessary, but not necessarily enjoyable as they concern the inevitable. Saturn’s teachings are the catalysts of our evolution. Saturnian energy will not leave you alone until you have come to truly understand the depths of life. There is no room here for complacency or superficiality.

Since December 2014, Saturn has been spinning through mutable fire Sagittarius. This duo embodies quite the contradiction. Saturn is all about contraction, Sagittarius expansion. Sagittarius demands that we stretch ourselves beyond what we believe possible, while Saturn mandates that everything be done in the most traditional, concise and orderly manner feasible. How to explore new horizons with a sense of adventure and curiosity when there’s a voice booming rules and directions in your ear? Saturn in Sagittarius demands that we grow rapidly, yet still within a framework: structured and disciplined evolution.

Sagittarius rules truth, morality and honor. This is where Saturn directs his iron first now: are you living in accordance with your personal code? We seek wisdom and experiences which connect us to something greater than the Self. We are on a quest now to learn about anything and everything. However, we must move with caution. Saturn will not indulge the centaur’s propensity for irresponsibility or recklessness. We feel a constant need now for heightened awareness but will not be allowed to lose touch with reality. One way we can satisfy all parties is by picking up skills/trades in a certifiable setting. This is the perfect time to go (back) to school or receive training in a new vocational direction. Mind expansion through learning pleases the archer and the regulated, officious environment of a school/apprenticeship gratifies Saturn. Expect mentors to begin entering your life; this is the natural result of Saturn the Patriarch teaming up with Sagittarius the Just.

Coming into alignment with philosophies that uplift and empower is the goal now. This may indicate a keen/renewed/sudden interest in spiritual teachings. Sagittarius is a free thinker, but this is definitely not how I would describe Saturn. Best case scenario, we begin to find freedom in our responsibilities. Consider the following: we really do have more freedom when we attend to our responsibilities. Getting all of our work done right away - no excuses, no procrastination, no exceptions, no delays - means more time to be, to live, to run around!

For about 4.5 months out of the year, Saturn is retrograde. Saturn Rx asks us to review and accept our “failures” - but are they really? The Buddha decried that there is no such thing as failure, only lessons learned. If you have been working with sincerity radiating from your heart and soul, karma will reward you handsomely now. Saturn delivers his gifts of abundance even if we do “fail.” As with everything in life, it is only the intention that really matters. I frequently remind my yoga students of this basic yet profoundly elusive principle: it doesn’t matter how well you do anything, what it looks like, who sees it, what it means to the rest of society - none of that. It only matters that you do it. Even better if you can keep an open heart and mind, but that’s not even truly necessary. Otherwise, Saturn Rx thrusts upon us the consequences of inaction. Whether you’ve been slacking or not, this transit often manifests as one long test of our endurance. Progress must be examined with utmost realism. Saturn wants to know: what are you really capable of? How far can you be pushed before frustration sets in? In a few months, let’s walk away with a new level of self-respect.

So - Saturn Rx in Sagittarius looks like what exactly? The time has come to review/redo/revamp/revitalize our beliefs and morals. I’ve personally been feeling immense pressure since December to rid myself of complexes and live, fully and honestly, by my own personal code of honor. If Saturn in Sagittarius has in any way resembled a leisurely meandering journey up until this point, expect that to change now. I predict that this transit will place us in some grueling circumstances where we must discern very carefully what we deem right and wrong. Saturn moves slowly and deliberately. He demonstrates that nothing is worth having if it is does not take time and work. Saturn now reaches up to the crown chakra with a magnifying glass to examine our perceived altruism, willingness to learn and potential to expand, to become something greater than the Self. What do we find floating up there? We must face and define our spiritual blocks with the knowledge that, in so doing, we effectively dissolve the power of lingering fear, hesitation and mistrust. Indeed, to know the problem is to know the solution.

Saturn teaches that change is necessary to move forward. All things must come to an end. Nothing about Saturn is quick, easy or direct. Although I do not expect this transit to be particularly emotional, I do see the potential for new relationships and events which force us to thoroughly examine what and how we know what we think we know. Saturn Rx in Sagittarius is like being on a spaceship gliding through the stars when you notice that the engine light is blinking red. Panic sets in as you begin to calculate just how far you really are from Earth. You’re pretty sure you might collapse just from the stress of envisioning your inevitable death stranded here among the asteroids. This is where Saturn’s voice harmonizes with the drumming and dancing archer. Focus. Resolve the situation with the power of the intellect and a dash of imagination. Your heart is still beating so loudly that you think it might burst. But then tears well in your eyes - I’m alive! Holy shit! In this moment, total clarity. All of your most deeply held convictions effortlessly rise to the fore of Awareness: this is what is most important to me, this is who I want to be, these are the beliefs that keep me going.

Expect some fuzziness concerning long-term goals, plans and responsibilities. Incorporating new limitations and systems into our lives may prove especially difficult now. We must completely surrender - no ego! - to see how these restrictions actually operate as gifts. Fear not, you will feel cleansed and joyously empty, ready to rebuild. But don’t fool yourself into believing you’ll get let off the hook without doing any work!

I was born when Saturn was retrograde. To find out your Saturn sign and whether he was direct or retrograde at the time of your birth, click here.

If you are curious about how this transit affects you personally, please contact me for more insight.

Mantra: I am in control

Saturn enters Sagittarius - Dec 23, 2014

Saturn entered Sagittarius on December 23, 2014 and will transit here until December 2017

Click here to learn about Saturn. Click here to learn about Sagittarius.

Since October 2012, Saturn transited fixed water sign Scorpio. How did this translate into daily existence? This was a time of intense scrutiny. Here we examined the dichotomy of faith versus control. Both Saturn and Scorpio energies can be suspicious and manipulative, so this may have been an exceptionally difficult period if you were feeling imbalanced. However, if you successfully tapped into the full potential of Saturn in Scorpio, you will rise up now with unprecedented confidence.

Saturn in Scorpio was a (re)discovery of our worth. While Saturn constantly clawed at our most hidden, visceral insecurities, Scorpio desperately tried to cover them up: vulnerable yet restricted. Like a scorpion lying flat between rock and earth, we reached blindly for total contact and closeness. In the process, we came ever closer to the Self and were forced to confront fears, particularly the fear of rejection. We wanted to bare our soul completely, but this very thing was the most excruciating. This is how Saturn operates! We were asked us to peer into the heart and gut to see all that hurt us, all that we lost and all that made us less than happy. We had to feel everything at the deepest level before we could move forward. Can you stand alone? Do you you have total control over the Self? These are questions to ask now. Ultimately Saturn in Scorpio aimed to teach us that we cannot be close to another until we learn how to be close to the Self - to know and love the Self inside and out, no fear or judgment. Additionally, we were reminded that the Self is the only agent who controls and creates reality. These are very difficult lessons that take many lifetimes to perfect.

Saturn in Scorpio demonstrated how we must give up perceived power to gain new understanding - this is not easy! In the process of giving up power, we may have fallen into states of deep jealousy and fear, especially in one-to-one relationships. Maybe you pushed away people who were once very close to you; maybe you clung to failing relationships, losing health, happiness and appreciation for the present moment. We learned that leaning on others from time to time is perfectly natural. We also learned how and when these dependencies can become unhealthy. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, we transformed heavy emotional baggage. No matter, Saturn in Scorpio did not allow us to cast blame. This was a critical period in which we reclaimed personal accountability - indeed, only YOU can make yourself happy!

This transit encouraged us to recognize change as vital and to sit calmly with fear and depth. We were pushed, not led. Saturn in Scorpio rendered definitive endings and beginnings that helped us grow and mature. We got more comfortable talking and thinking about our purpose in life. Our first inclination might have been to shy away from that which was actually there to heal us. The source of bad habits, compulsions, debts and addictions was revealed so that whatever was truly missing - whatever it was that led us to a state of imbalance - could be illuminated. Saturn in Scorpio plunged us into the subconscious realm so that we could see what truly matters and what doesn’t. If balanced, you will walk away now with the ability to love and forgive with ease and to find meaning even in darkness, mystery and confusion.

To say the least, we are entering a completely different cycle now. Saturn is all about contraction, Sagittarius expansion. The challenge is to stretch and spread, but not in an unruly way. Saturn in Sagittarius demands that we grow rapidly, yet still within a framework, structured and disciplined. Sagittarius rules truth, morality and personal codes. This is where Saturn directs his iron first now: are you living in accordance with your code? Do your beliefs reflect your true Self? Rather than moving in, we’re going out now. We seek wisdom, experience and all that connects us to something greater than the Self. We are on a quest to learn about anything and everything. However, we must move with caution. Saturn will not let the centaur be irresponsible or reckless, as is the nature of this mutable fire sign. We feel a constant need now for greater awareness but will not be allowed to lose touch with reality. From CafeAstrology:

Sagittarius can be a little “messy” in its pursuit of new knowledge and experiences, and Saturn wants to clean this up. Sagittarius focuses on the big picture and gains confidence as a result, but Saturn wants us to fill in some of the details. Positive thinking is wonderful, but if it doesn’t have basis in reality, it can lead us astray or to disappointment, and this is another of Saturn’s lessons.

As with all things related to Saturn, we must continue to examine issues of control. This control now centers on information and belief systems, ruled by Sagittarius. Are you content with your personal beliefs, or do you try to persuade others of “the truth”? And are you walking the talk - you know, the moralistic talk?

This transit encourages movement: move your body, and the mind moves too. To melt the proverbial ice, we must incorporate heat and friction. You may take an interest now in sports, in particular those which are solitary. At a very basic level, it is important to be active every day, even if that just means walking or stretching. Saturn in Sagittarius wants us to circulate ideas - there is no better catalyst for such a thing than moving the body.

Coming into alignment with philosophies that uplift and empower is the goal now. This may include an interest in religious or spiritual teachings. One thing is sure: Sagittarius is a free thinker. However, this is not how I would describe Saturn. Best case scenario, we’ll find freedom in our responsibilities. Consider the following paradox: we have more freedom if we first give attention to our responsibilities - getting all of our work done gives us more time to be! To live! To run around! One place we can find this freedom is in new skills and knowledge. This is the perfect time to get certified in a trade or go (back) to school.

Normally Sagittarius has absolutely no filter, but Saturn’s influence will temper this. Whereas the centaur archer is usually comfortable just shooting the shit and saying whatever, Saturn will force us be precise. Are you really that confident, or just spouting off? A keyword here is authenticity. It will quickly become clear who is genuine and who’s just putting on a show. Speak and act sincerely and you’ve got nothing to worry about. Expect mentors to begin entering your life; this is what happens when Saturn the Patriarch joins up with Sagittarius the Just. One more from CafeAstrology:

Our faith can be tested, and we may be questioning our most basic of assumptions about life, initially not knowing who or what to trust. Until we adjust to this energy, we can experience a fear of the future, some dashed hopes, worries of public disapproval (an especially real concern with social media), and fear of being held back, limited, restricted, not free, or caged in.

Many will now experience a Saturn Return. More to come on that! To find out your Saturn sign and whether he was direct or retrograde at the time of your birth, click here.

Mantra: I am in control