"Fear is one of the words that is most
frequently used to indicate one of Saturn's principal qualities in negative
expression. Fear is our reaction to any threat to our sense of security or
well-being. That which is spiritually unfulfilled represents insecurity on the
inner planes. So Saturn, afflicting, is the indicator of that which the Ego,
or Higher Self, recognizes as being the most incomplete or the most lacking in
fulfilled expression."
This material is offered to all astrological students
in the hope that it will serve to clarify the purposes and mundane
significance of the vibrations of Saturn. It is of vital importance that all
astrologers be able to present to those they assist a constructive
picture of why and for what this planet is as it is in any given
horoscope.
Obstruction, crystallization, disappointment, poverty,
frustration, and the like are the only terms by which some students identify
the vibration of Saturn. We beg to inquire: "How, in the name of everything
that is enlightened, can such terms be used to calm the quivering nerves of
the apprehensive client?" If the horoscopical pattern is to be studied for
solutions to problems, each planetary vibration must be approached from the
standpoint of its significance in the Solar Spectrum and its importance
in the evolution of the Ego. To the degree that we can philosophically
understand why a planet is as it is in the chart under consideration, we are,
mentally and psychologically, so much better able to deal with the problems
and conditions represented.
Saturn is the symbol of the physical plane, through
which all agencies of mind, emotion, and Spirit manifest for evolutionary
purposes. It is the vibration of objectification and manifestation. Its
position in the horoscope shows where the expression of Spirit is most heavily
condensed; the point of greatest responsibility; the area of unfulfillment in
the past, therefore the area of greatest spiritual effort in this incarnation.
(The last phrase explains the exaltation of Mars-energy-in Capricorn, the sign
of Saturn's rulership; Venus, as beauty, is the principle of Perfected
Manifestation, and Saturn is exalted in Libra, sign of Venus' rulership.)
Saturn, the outpost of mundane vibrations, sets the boundaries for every
experience and every cycle of experience. Therefore, the great command of
Saturn is "Thou must fulfill."
Fear is one of the words that is most
frequently used to indicate one of Saturn's principal qualities in negative
expression. Fear is our reaction to any threat to our sense of security or
well-being. That which is spiritually unfulfilled represents insecurity on the
inner planes. So Saturn, afflicting, is the indicator of that which the Ego,
or Higher Self, recognizes as being the most incomplete or the most lacking in
fulfilled expression.
Assisting a client to approach his aspects without
fear is one of the principal purposes and duties of the astro-analyst. When
Saturn aspects are interpreted to represent needs for fulfillment, an
appeal can be made to the person's sense of integrity, self-respect, strength,
courage, and competence. Assist him to feel capable of handling his situations
so that his attitude is constructive. Study his chart carefully so that you
can find soul-agencies by which the needed fulfillments can be most
successfully realized. A good Mars indicates courage, and the ability to work
hard; a good Moon gives the protective impulse; Jupiter denotes benevolence
and abundance; Neptune represents faith and inspiration, etc. Also, the
long-range-viewpoint is particularly applicable to presenting the solution for
Saturn problems. Patience is one of the keywords for a "good Saturn,"
and patience, as a quality, is required to fulfill Saturn aspects — whatever
their nature. When a person uses the virtues of Saturn he tackles the problem
at its roots. To the degree that Saturn comes to represent, in the person 's
mind, certain constructive qualities within does Saturn cease to be
misunderstood as a burden or a frustration.
Saturn never indicates a complete denial of every-phase of its position, as some students are inclined to think. Its position in
any house shows conclusively that fulfillment, therefore experience in some
form, is of utmost importance. There are as many avenues of experience in each
house as there are meanings of the house. If Saturn implies a denial in some
form, it automatically indicates that fulfillment of that house must be
made in some other form.
To think that Saturn frustrates expression of the
house of its occupancy or rulership is a miscomprehension of the purpose of
its vibration. It indicates that unfulfillment must be overcome by experience.
The frustrating effect of Saturn is shown by the conjunctions, squares, and
oppositions that it makes to other planets. It is the other planet that
must contribute to Saturn's work. The person, in this incarnation, is
compelled by his spiritual necessities — to direct the energies of the other
planet from expression in its own house to the house occupied by Saturn.
Hence, Saturn has been termed the "whiplash of fate," the "heavy hand of
karma," etc. Since there are many types of Saturn's patterns, the "whiplash"
effect is shown in varying degrees by different types of aspects. It is
important to study the chart carefully from this standpoint in order to
understand to what degree the person is, spiritually and psychologically,
"earth-bound."
First, the most earth-bound of all, the conjunction of
Saturn with one of the dynamic planets (Mars, Sun, Jupiter, and Uranus), with
no alleviating sextiles or trines: In this instance, a planet which is
outgoing in expression is compelled to forsake the house of its rulership and
express itself in terms of Saturn's requirements, for fulfillment of the
conditions of its house position and house rulership. Thus, the dynamic planet
is enslaved, "in bondage to earth."
Second, a dynamic planet squared or opposed by Saturn,
with no alleviating aspects: This type of frustration allows much more leeway
for the afflicted planet to express itself than the first instance because it
does have, by influence of house rulership and house occupancy, "room to
breathe."
Because no other planetary contacts are "enjoyed" by the dynamic planet, in
this case, its expression has to be made in terms of constructive Saturn
qualities in order that its own negative expressions may be avoided. This
vibration blending does, then, give the planet scope for expression in its own
house, and its house of rulership, if otherwise unoccupied, is also activated.
The requirements of Saturn's house of occupancy are fulfilled much more
satisfactorily and constructively to the degree that the constructive
qualities of the dynamic planet are "poured" into Saturn's house. This process
on the inner planes corresponds to the redirecting of water from its original
or natural flow into the field by irrigating channels. The dynamic energies of
the planet are as life-giving, water to Saturn-Earth. Until this process is
done consciously by positive transmutation, the person will be compelled by
his spiritual necessities to do so — unconsciously — and the result will be the
suffering we call frustration. On the inner planes, Saturn has the first — and
last — word. Progress in the larger sense cannot be made until Saturn's needs
are fulfilled and its expressions perfected.
Third, a dynamic planet, with one sextile, squared by
Saturn which has no other aspects: In this instance, the dynamic planet has
alchemical assistance from the planet that it sextiles; but Saturn, having no
other expressions, acts as a vampire, sustaining itself on the "life blood" of
the dynamic planet. Because the alleviating aspect is a sextile, not a trine,
this aspect seems to indicate a chronic or lifelong condition. If it is not
worked on and worked with, it is easy to perceive the possibility that in the
next incarnation Saturn will also afflict the sextiling planet as well as the
one it now afflicts — a heavy burden!
Fourth, a dynamic planet squared by Saturn, but
having one trine: This repeats, to a degree, example three with the
qualification that the trine promises much more in favor of the Saturn-squared
planet. This example may indicate also a lifelong condition, but the dynamic
planet will have much more capacity for self-expression and compensating
factors for the Saturn square can be utilized for greater happiness and well-
being. The person or persons represented by Saturn will be the agencies of
restraint and responsibility, but the persons who "tie in" with the trine
aspect will be those who compensate for the deficiencies induced by the Saturn
fulfillments. In every one of these Saturn-patterns, the development of the
constructive qualities of Saturn is the purpose of the aspects.
Fifth, Saturn conjunct or afflicting one of the
negative planets (Moon, Venus, Neptune, or neutral mercury): Saturn, as Earth,
is itself negative or feminine. However, its function, being gravitational,
does imply action or process. (Capricorn, its sign of rulership, is cardinal,
and so is Libra, its sign of exaltation). In this type of Saturn affliction,
the other planet — particularly Mercury, Venus, or Neptune — needs the dynamic
stimulus of another planet to energize its expression, or serious
crystallization can result. Even a semi-sextile to the afflicted planet must
be considered of value in this case, as it does indicate a start, a reaching-
out for the afflicted planet.
Saturn gives us the clearest picture of our identity
with experience on the physical plane, and thus, serves as a measuring rod of
our progress on the particular cycle of manifestation we are now on. Let us
consider examples of Saturn as cycle-development-indicator.
Saturn unaspected: The start of a new cycle of earth
experience; there is little "ballast" in the nature, except if Capricorn is
rising, or Saturn is in the first house; scope of expression is indicated by
planets in Capricorn or planets in the house ruled by Saturn. If the latter
conditions are shown in the chart, the promise of a well-aspected Saturn is
indicated for future incarnations if the house of Saturn's occupancy and
dispositing influence are expressed in terms of Saturnian virtues and
constructive qualities.
Saturn with one semi-sextile: A start on the path;
contact has been made with the chart through direct expression with one
planet; the birth of an alchemical agency through the planet aspected.
Saturn with one sextile: A member, in good standing,
of the family of planets; an effective channel for transmutation; agency of
restraint if the aspected planet is dynamic and otherwise unafflicted; promise
of future trine.
Saturn with one square: treated, in part, in the
earlier part of this article; a vampire, drawing energy from the planet
aspected; need to express two-fold constructive qualities through house of
occupancy; this condition of Saturn can indicate a blessing in disguise,
though felt as a frustration, if the chart contains many cardinal and/or
mutable afflictions — in which case the fulfillment requirements of Saturn
serve to give focus and point to energies that would otherwise be disordered
and incoherent. The person who possesses this kind of set-up will redeem the
aspect, and himself, if he lovingly, willingly, and courageously accepts the
opportunities to work and live with his Saturn, not against it in conflict.
Saturn with one trine: the planet aspected has been
productively and harmoniously integrated with Earth; through Saturn 's house,
wisdom has been developed and knowledge can be beneficially expressed to
others; older and more mature people benefit the person through the house of
Saturn 's occupancy — they serve to stimulate that which he has already built
into his pattern; a reliable counter-active to escape tendencies; a trine from
Saturn to any planet is a point of maturity for the planet itself, Saturn, in
this case, is a most effective antagonist for the squares and opposition of
the planet so aspected; a trine aspect of Saturn is a flowering of the
saturnian virtues.
Saturn with one opposition: a frictional aspect that
draws the energies of the planet aspected into the opposite side of the chart;
a polarizing through responsibility and fulfillment needs; an "exchange of
currents" is indicated by this pattern — each planet needs the virtues of the
other for mutual fulfillments and the establishment of balance on the inner
planes.
Saturn afflicted with various aspects: a varied
development of saturnian qualities, representing different stages of growth
that has gone on for a longtime. The person with this pattern is well along on
the cycle, much has been learned, much is yet to be learned; integration with
Earth has been made in many different degrees and many types of "Saturn
experience" are indicated for this incarnation; the qualities of the planets
which receive the trines and sextiles from Saturn can be utilized,
alchemically, to harmonize the afflicted planets The person so represented is,
in relation to this cycle, an "old-soul" — give careful analysis and
consideration to his trines in order to gauge his ability to transmute the
squares.
Saturn unafflicted: Saturn identified with other
planets through sextiles and trines is indicative of great development and
soul power. It serves as a counteractive to evil second only in scope to Sun
trine Moon; it is a panacea for any frictional aspecting the horoscope and the
saturnian virtues can be used as aides to any psychological problem indicated
by other planets; if cadent in a chart containing many frictional aspects in
cardinal signs and houses, its power may remain dormant during the early years
of life, but since it promises much of value in the life of the person, it
will, sooner or later, be activated into full expression; progressed Sun or
Mars square or opposition natal unafflicted Saturn may indicate the period of
activation — the energies of the dynamic planetary thrust can awaken Saturn to
its objectification. A person with such a Saturn should not ignore any
responsibility that comes to him — he has the power to fulfill it and he must
utilize it to direct and give scope to his other planetary conditions. The
person with unafflicted Saturn is blessed with the assistance of those in
authority, and those who are advanced on his particular paths of life
expression. They are truly his "brothers in Spirit," since both he and they
have distilled Wisdom from their response to Saturn's command: "Thou must
fulfill!"
This web page has been edited and/or excerpted from reference material, has been modified from it's original version, and is in conformance with the web host's Members Terms & Conditions. This website is offered to the public by students of The Rosicrucian Teachings, and has no official affiliation with any organization.
