Saturn is on the move today out of a conflicted two years in Pisces where its practical, dutiful, rigid approach threatened to get submerged in oceanic, boundary-less, irrational Pisces. At best it could have given shape to Pisces’s dreams of the ideal of a better society, with help for the underdog and the suffering. At worst it produced obsessive worry and paranoia as thinking functions were undermined.
Saturn in Aries for the next two years will have its own mood music – see previous post May 6 2025 – and it also has an effect on individual charts depending on which chart quadrant it moves through.
The 29 year Saturn career and development cycle which splits the chart into four quadrants of approximately seven years gives lays out a pattern for the stages of life.
UPPER QUADRANT: The peak in terms of career and outer ambition is transiting Saturn moving through the upper quadrant (10th to 12th houses) which is a time of hard work and consolidation of the preparations of the 21 years before. Where the groundwork has been laid, then respect and recognition as well as heavier responsibilities come through this phase.
FIRST QUADRANT: When Saturn moves below the Ascendant into the first quadrant (1st to 3rd houses) old ambitions become less important, motivation and energy sag and there is need for a re-evaluation. This the psyche’s hint to wind down and step back for a rethink and a chance to re-balance your life with time for play and emotional matters as well as work. It is also crucially a time to go on an inward journey to investigate what unused inner potential needs to be explored and activated to give focus and meaning to the next long stage of life.
During this time, usually at the start of Saturn through the 2nd house, old unresolved psychological issues surface to be faced and fixed. Money nay be shorter than before because of sagging ambition or less success at work which will prompt a financial reorganisation and perhaps instil a sense that money is not the be-all and end-all. When Saturn moves into the 3rd, the preparation starts for the step up in terms of career visibility coming when Saturn moves across the IC (base of the chart) into the 4th.
Hyper-ambitious ego-maniacs find Saturn through the first quadrant tricky to handle since they live totally for outer achievement and approbation. So they keep pushing on as before and start making mistakes as their psyche short circuits their actions and they find success doesn’t come as easily as it had done in the previous 7 years, no matter how hard they push.
SECOND QUADRANT: With Saturn moving into the 2nd quadrant (4th to 6th houses) across the nadir/IC at the base of the chart there is a step up in terms of visibility in career and outer activities. There will also be an urge to reorganise at home to create a solid base of operations for the future which may involve moving house or renovating as well as sorting out family tensions. The 2nd Quadrant Saturn isn’t necessarily a spectacular success but it is a vital stage of laying foundations for the future. Saturn through the 6th usually means extra hard work with less appreciation than seems fair but rewards come in later years.
THIRD QUADRANT: Saturn through the 3rd Quadrant (7th to 9th house) is rising upwards in terms of outer career and community activities, which requires sorting out and strengthening close relationships or abandoning those that don’t work. Then a hard lesson through the 8th of developing resilience and resourcefulness where money and emotional support are concerned. Saturn through the 9th – rethinking beliefs and attitudes, testing out ideas, being intellectually challenged.
SATURN RETURNS:
The other Saturn cycle to its natal position – of the First Return at 29 and Second Return at 58 and Third at 87 – are staging posts. The First Return at 29 is grow-up-and-get-real-time, the first maturing transit. The Second is about being realistic and planning for the next third of life to come. Those with strongly Saturnine charts tend to find life goes in reverse – they are serious children, mellow through their middle years and become youthful geriatrics.
SATURN’S DOMINION
Saturn is about structure in earthly terms. It plans, prepares, thinks long term to a feasible goal, gets foundations laid, builds slowly and securely so its achievements stand the test of time. The end result is not aesthetic, since it isn’t concerned with cosmetic fripperies, but it is enduring.
Ruling Capricorn, it has the same steady ambition, which is willing to forego instant gratification for long term goals. Like the symbolic mountain goat, it starts in the foothills and works its way up to the peak, along a winding path if necessary.
Saturn restricts, so oversees limits and boundaries which may not feel like fun but are essential, psychologically as well as practically, in life. Neptune dissolves boundaries, Pluto invades across them to grab all the territory, Uranus blows them up, but Saturn stands firm for order, delineation, marked borders. In action, it is like a gardener who prunes plants back, lopping off overgrown branches, to stimulate fresh growth and produce a more manageable shape.
Saturn is concerned with material security and can be less than generous and open-hearted. In close relationships, it can be cold, putting up a defensive wall against any encroachment and is better at ‘doing’ than ‘being’.
The myth of Saturn eating his children depicted in a horrific Goya painting is apt, since it ties into his obsessions with time and mortality. Saturn was scared of being overthrown by his sons so he ate them at birth. Deep down he knows he is going to die and his children represent a future that he can never possess, since his is limited by his mortal span. He both loves and loathes the boundaries of his life, so he tries to over-ride them and stop time.
The mythological Saturn shows his other face at the autumn festivals of the harvest, when the agricultural bounty of the year is brought in and drunken celebrations ensue after the hard work was done. Earthly delights are also his preserve and his reign was seen as one of peace and plenty. He is associated with the flow of the seasons, especially winter when everything dies back to be reborn in spring.
Saturnine Capricorn as a sign is unfairly dubbed as the cold, materialistic workaholic, but in fact has a creative and indulgent side. The old Capricorn symbol was half goat half fish. He operates in two realms – in the watery realm of ideas and visions and then makes them real on dry land. He is the stander on the threshold between the unconscious and the conscious; just as Capricorn stands on the cusp of the year that has past and the year that is about to come. He both mourns and celebrates.
Saturn is a more complex creature than he is given credit for.
I thought Saturn co-ruled Aquarius and Capricorn at one time? For centuries it was the only known outermost planet. Therefore I can see where the boundaries would come from. As previous Astronomers saw the restriction between Earth and Air. Maybe this is why Saturn co-ruled Capricorn and Aquarius? I find it very interesting that Saturn was depicted as a goat/fish symbol. As the book of Genesis talks about the creation of fish on the fifth day and then all land animals of the sixth day. Myths and biblical stories mixing together?
It co-ruled probably because it made logical sense – look at the sequence …
– Sun-Moon = Leo/Cancer
– Mercury = Virgo/Gemini
– Venus = Libra/Taurus
– Mars = Scorpio/Aries
– Jupiter = Sag/Pisces
– Saturn = Capricorn/Aqua
But logic aside, it’s said that eventually every revolutionary (Aqua) becomes the old guard (Capricorn). Aquarians can be innovative when young and then become staid. They are a fixed sign after all.
Need a reply notification in email button here..as I have to scroll to check replies
Funny that we should talk so much about Saturn, when only now I see it is Shanti Jayanti today.
Shani Jayanti, of course. They say online not only to feed cows, but stray dogs as well, which is a powerful remedy for pacifying Lord Shani.
Suffering is his gift today, for his kid. Satrun gives toughest tests to those born under it
And also the greatest rewards. Saturn ruled the harvest.
IMO Saturn is the most beautiful planet in the solar system. It is currently transiting my MC as my professional working life as a word worker has been brought to a rapid conclusion by the arrival of AI and ChatGPT. My natal Saturn is in Sorpio in 5th (sq Venus and Jupiter so I struggle with creative self expression). I am now wondering if this current transit is going to see me turning my creative hobbies into my career. I need to become more skilled and more accepting but that’s what Saturn bring through the patient application of effort. I am curious.
Saturn is also known as Guru – the Teacher. Aries rules the first house/head. As Saturn sets boundaries to teach us, we may all find that the houses involved in our own charts, may first set out a restriction or loss in order to teach or urge us to think another way?
In Viking mythology crows, particularly ravens, were considered very significant symbolically. Odin had 2 ravens Huginn (forethought) and Muninn (memory). They daily brought him news of the world and helped him make informed decisions.
Probably at least in part inspiration for Tolkien’s Crebain from Dunland, spies of Saruman.
I see saturn as time Chronos. You sow, you reaped. You sow, you might not reaped and if you don’t sow at all, you 100% won’t reap anything. Past year or 2 had been about reflecting my life. I do kind of regret not doing the hard work of Saturn that was being exploited by that older sibling. If I did the hard work, I would have gained some Skills and experiences even though I would still be lowly in the family food chain.
Started to question it too ,now…dnt have a single tree for shade as I walk in hot summer sun….not a single tree….despite planting all my life ..so it’s you sow and family reaps….Saturnian and capricornians r ones who always toil while their extra large ever increasing family enjoys…in hinduism, it’s said that past life creditors r born as their family members but when I c the condition of same siblings after death of the saturn one…it confirms there is no exit from earth without repaying debts
I had an unfortunate miscarriage during first return. Now my 2nd return I’ve changed careers. Saturn in pisces natally sucks. I think saturn in aries is less emotional. I hope I achieve my dream
Sad to hear…I too wish, rhe pain ends finally
I am curious about Saturn being in cazimi. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? I have a Sun (24° 7 and Saturn 24°9 in Gemini). I think this is considered to be in cazimi – but I am not sure if this bears any weight in interpretation or prediction, a planet being in cazimi that is.
Conjunction is not as bad as square or opposition…i have same so
Yes the square is a real pain! Saturn conjunct Sun has been called “The Game is Serious”. I find it fitting.
Thanks Marjorie. This is helpful, as someone with an adversely aspected Saturn (retrograde and opposite moon/mars), but trine Mercury/Sun.
In Vedic astrology there are remedies. For Saturn these are mantra chanting (mantras of Shiva and Lord Shani), donating (time, effort and money – one of the most important remedial measures for malefic Saturn), fast on Saturdays, wear blue sapphire to strengthen Saturn’s positive influence, recite the Hanuman Chalisa, embrace responsibility, practice honesty, fulfill obligations, and rectify past mistakes.
I also believe that reciting the mantra of Lord Kalabhairava (lord of time) is one other remedial measure (hymn such as the Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam).
I also remember reading that in the Vedic astrological tradition, one can honour Lord Shani by feeding and caring for crows. Crows are apparently the vehicle of Lord Shani and so feeding these birds is one way to bring out the positives of a Saturn transit. Leaving rice balls, seeds and other foods for the crows and performing these tasks on a Saturday is a wway of honouring the God.
Saturn will be on the cusp of my 8th house now, which brings certain responsibilities regarding joint finances, wills, etc.
Recently a pair of crows has begun to appear in my garden and after many weeks of feeding them, they trust and have become used to me. Luckily I adore corvids, incredibly intelligent birds and enjoy seeing their arrival. I have a strong Saturn in Capricorn and so Saturn’s transits don’t feel too onerous.
One of my neighbours feeds a pair of crows at the front of her home, every day around 6.00pm. Every day, the birds are ready, waiting on a rooftop across the street. If she’s late, they fly closer to the house and perch on the wall, sometimes calling out. Quite wonderful. They are sacred to Apollo too. The Mesopotamian astrologer/astronomers called Saturn the Sun of the Night, which somehow connects with the idea of a hidden Apollo too.
Saturn will now move to oppose the constellation Corvus, which ranges from 10 Libra to 17 Libra. Perhaps it’s significant that two new baby raven chicks have begun their residency at the Tower of London this month – considering Saturn’s association with the corvid family, history, and the legendary protection of the stability of our Capricorn nation. Should the ravens leave the Tower, everything unravels – or so the legend goes.
As Marjorie writes, Saturn is a more complex creature than he is given credit for. I’ve found many Saturn transits helpful eventually, even when I’m struggling with restrictions. Who wants a house without foundations, or a body without bones?!
As ever, many thanks for your rich knowledge, Jane. May your neighbour have no trouble with their Saturn transits! My Sun as it turns out is in the Corvus constellation and it squares my Saturn, which isn’t the easiest of aspects since – as with Saturn devouring his own children – it tends to restrict and dampen one’s self expression and confidence. I have even been brought a ‘gift’ from one of them, a small, dried fig. I love “the Sun of the Night” too. Interesting that you see Sun/Saturn synastry in the charts of relatives and friends. In that context it indicates the longevity of a friendship or a mentorship with a parent or parent figure.
As for the Ravens, aren’t they associated with the Welsh giant and king, Brân the Blessed (Bendigeidfran or Brân Fendigaidd in Welsh)? The name Bran means a crow or raven. Brân was mortally wounded in combat and as he lay dying, asked his men to remove his head and to carry it to London.
From wiki: “Having been instructed, they take the now silent head to the Gwynfryn, the “White Hill” (thought to be the location where the Tower of London now stands), where they bury it facing France so as to ward off invasion. The imagery of the talking head is widely considered to derive from the ancient Celtic “cult of the head”; the head was considered the home of the soul.”
Indian astrology considers sun and saturn enemies as saturn is called ravi which is suns name in Sanskrit..raviputra and saturn murders him for never giving him his name as saturn is illegitimate yet saturn is God of justice, truth and time because lord Shiva anointed him despite all gods objection as he is a murderer and hence the sickle, his sign which he used to cut his father’s neck…
So, sun is considered father in indian astrology and with Saturn..it’s enimity…”they see each other and explode” 🙂 these words of our neighbour always ring
Thanks very much for this VF. I wonder what the actor Brian Blessed (Libra, Virgo asc) thinks about his Welsh namesake?!
Delighted by your dried fig present – I’ve heard about these corvid gifts, apparently sometimes they bring something bright and shiny. It’s beautiful to think about this. And connecting Saturn with these magical birds makes so much sense to me. All the old texts about Saturn as a ‘malefic’ are fine so far as they go. And Saturn can be depressing or weighty, but I am certain the Time Lord, Gatekeeper, and sober judge has many layers. The planet itself is stunning, all those colours and rings. And the Roman Saturnalia must have been fun.
The collective nouns for crows is ‘a murder of crows’, and then there’s ‘an unkindness of ravens’. Yet they are highly intelligent, long-lived, and capable of offering ‘gifts’ to favoured humans. That’s how I sort of think of Saturn. And often those aspects in synastry are important for longstanding relationships as you say. Few lengthy relationships, let alone those with our parents (!), are straightforward and most require effort, patience, or even a sense of duty at some point along the way. That makes them all the more precious and meaningful in my opinion. I’m hoping this new Saturn in Aries era will help to clear away some of the damp fogs of Saturn in Pisces, not to mention Neptune in Pisces too.
Yes, Lord Shani rides a crow! Though, some sources say this is actually a vulture, and not a crow.
A crow symbolizes, from what I’ve looked at online:
– justice and vigilance: as the crow is known for its keen perception, so does Lord Shani keep a watchful eye on human actions and deliveres the appropriate reward
– karma – everyone gets what they deserve, and so does Lord Shani act
– they are messengers of the spiritual world, and Lord Shani is connected to the cosmos
– crows are often seen as solitary and undisturbed, so symbolize detachment and discipline, another facet of Lord Shani, who promotes detachment from material desires and the importance of discipline.
Corvids, although everywhere, are also a very UK kind of bird, kind of – I always associate it with Celts somehow.
Shani or saturn is also God of death, Yama as he is called in Sanskrit..crows were given boon by lord Indra, rain God that it will never fear death and that it can transcend time limits. I e.crows can travel from past to future. Hence, indian rituals feed crows as ancestors before autumn so their souls bless and find peace and heaven. Everything black is of saturn and iron…
Dunno about Shani and Yama bring the same, but I know a panchang always had the Yamaganta time period during every particular day, and that translates to something like “bells of death”, nothing auspicious should be started. And, of course, I think nothing you wish to fail or use against the other, I am forgetting.
Exits my 8h from leo with similar thunderstorm it began its entry in Pisces, strangely same happenings , same fears , same attacks etc. still 6mn of its effect ..I read and found it true this year that 8h saturn forces one to face ones fears…to be honest, despite being indian, I find saturn vedic stuff funny since I have learnt in my 29th year where it coincided with exact same planetary configuration as during my birth, that it’s trials r to teach the eternal lessons and when such r avoided, those aren’t learnt. I always wait for the gift it leaves when it exits a house, that’s the dessert of accepting his tests during his stay
Thanks for this post Marjorie.
I haven’t posted for a long time, but as a Saturn in Aries (retrograde) & a son also with a Saturn in Aries retrograde, I’m curious about what it will bring to both of us. Natally, my son has his Saturn in the 12th house & mine is in the 10th. Mine is on focal point of a yod also – inconjunct a Scorpio Mars & Venus in Virgo (retrograde)…