Saturn Cycles-Facing Responsibilities

The planet Saturn is the cosmic teacher and task master of the Zodiac. Saturn rules discipline, duty, work, and responsibility. It provides the rules we must follow and the expectations that stem from those rules. It provides structure that can make us feel secure, but also limitations that can make us feel inhibited. The positive side of Saturn helps us learn from experience. The negative side represents the difficulties we encounter in that learning. Saturn transits show us where its time to learn and grow. Under Saturn's rules, if we do what's considered right and live up to expectations, we get ahead. If we break the rules or ignore problems, we pay the consequences. The difficulties we encounter under Saturn transits most often stem from problems we've been avoiding, but knew we should pay attention to. ("Should" is definitely a Saturn word.) Saturn cycles force us to deal with situations as they are, not as we'd like them to be. How we handle these situations depends on what we're like to begin with. If Neptune and Jupiter (idealism, spirituality, and optimism) are more emphasized than Saturn in the birth chart, we prefer to see what's good in the world or in other people. If this causes us to avoid dealing with the way things really are, we'll experience disillusionment under Saturn transits as reality collides with unfulfilled expectations. In addition to handling problems, we must also face disappointments. If we're the type of person who does what's expected, handles responsibility well, and faces situations clearly, we experience have less external difficulties during Saturn transits. We know what we have to deal with--as pleasant or unpleasant as that might be. We're more likely to encounter lessons with regard to setting limits with others, learning how and when to say no. As Saturn makes its trek around the Zodiac, it stays in each of the twelve natal houses for approximately 2 l/2 years. The Saturn return occurs when Saturn returns to its own place in the birth chart around ages 29 1/2, 59, and 88 1/2 (if we live long enough). The first Saturn return is astrologically synonymous with growing up. In previous years as Saturn made its way through the chart, we were forced to deal with the way things are supposed to be in each of the houses and with each of the planets in the horoscope. Now hopefully, we've gained enough experience to maturely interact with each segment of life. Generally the age of 29 represents a critical time of life, a crisis in consciousness. We've grown up, gotten out of school, and been working for at least a few years. Now what? We look back at our accomplishments, or lack of them, and review our lives. We usually ask ourselves, "What have I done, what haven't I done, and why isn't it more, better, and different." These questions don't necessarily reflect bad choices or even difficult turns in events. Whether we're unemployed or have made our first million dollars, we question, "Where am I compared to where I think I should be?" And regardless of the level of success, we reevaluate. At age 59, this same reevaluation occurs at a more mature level. A good way to reevaluate our lives regardless of our current age is to recognize the lessons that Saturn brings as it makes its way through the twelve houses. Right now Saturn is in the sign of Aries. It entered the Aries in April, 1996, and will remain there until March, 1999. If you have Aries Rising, Saturn is transiting your first house, changing your outlook on the world. With Saturn here old cycles are ending and new ones beginning. It's time to let go of situations that didn't work out, set new goals, and start long-term planning. You'll find your outlook on the world more serious, your responsibilities on the rise, and the need for self-discipline a must. This pressure may make you physically tired or hamper you're confidence; yet, it's time to begin moving forward on long-term personal and professional goals. If you have Pisces Rising, Saturn is transiting your second house of money. You may find yourself feeling poor and fearful about finances regardless of your income. It's time to evaluate how much you earn, how much you save, and how your earnings compare to what you believe you're worth. If you've been overspending, your debts will catch up with you. It's time to organize your finances, learn about investments, and do long-term financial planning. If you need more money, devise new ways to make it. If you have Aquarius Rising, Saturn is transiting your third house. If you want to further your education, this is the time to do so. Increased mental discipline, coupled with increased intellectual demands, coincide with this cycle. It's time to evaluate how you how you think, speak, and listen. Since the third house also corresponds with short-distance travel, you may encounter more delays than usual. If your car is a old clunker, now's the time to replace it. If you have Capricorn Rising, Saturn is transiting your fourth house. Home and family responsibilities increase. An elderly parent may need more care. If you've been avoiding family problems, they're likely to blow up. This can lead to your feeling isolated and misunderstood or overwhelmed by obligations. On a purely physical level, your home may need repairs now. Now's the time for home and family planning, whether you plan to buy a house, have a baby, make home repairs, or take care of elderly parents. "How much responsibility should I undertake?" is the question to bear in mind. If you have Sagittarius Rising, Saturn is transiting your fifth house. Affairs of the heart, whether they involve children or lovers or creative endeavors, become major concerns. If your children are adults, your worries may increase as you learn to let them face responsibilities on their own. If your children are still at home, you're likely to make grown-up demands on them. If you're in a current romance, any rose-colored glasses come off. It's time for things to become more serious or to come to an end so that you can meet someone with more serious intent. A lover from the past may reappear. If you have Scorpio Rising, work and health become major concerns as Saturn transits your sixth house. Demands for hard work, discipline and responsibility on the job increase now. The way you handle this responsibility will determine both your current and future success. It's a good time to evaluate your commitment to your current career. If you're going to work as hard as is likely to be required, you might as well be doing something you care about. Also it's time to pay attention to your health. Start a diet and exercise program. It's no coincidence that a heavy work load frequently coincides with health problems. If you have Libra Rising, Saturn transits to your seventh house bring increased responsibility toward others. Your spouse, business partner, co-workers, or best friends may demand more from you. If you've been overly idealistic in any one-to-one relationship, you see things clearly now. Relationships become more like work; and if you've avoided any personal problems, you must deal with them. This is why separations often occur during this transit. If you're single, you're more likely to become romantically involved with an older, mature person than a young, idealistic one. It's time to determine what you want in significant one-to-one relationships and what you must give in order to get it. If you have Virgo Rising, Saturn's transit of your eighth house focuses your attention on what you derive from relationships. This includes tangible things like joint finances and inheritances and less tangible things like a sense of appreciation and sexual satisfaction. Spend some time evaluating what you derive from significant others and whether there's a good balance between what you give to them and what you get from them. If you have Leo Rising, Saturn is transiting your ninth house. If you need further education to enhance your career, this is the time to enroll in classes. Saturn helps with discipline in studying, although a challenging class load is likely. It's also time to rethink your social, religious, and ethical beliefs. Travel is more likely to be related to work or education than enjoyment, but it's a good time to learn about the rest of the world. If you have Cancer Rising, Saturn transiting the tenth house focuses your attention on career. You'll attract more attention in your career. This can be a plus or a minus. If you've worked hard and handled your responsibilities well, you'll shine. If you've been dishonest in any success you've achieved, a fall from power could occur. If you've done just enough to get by or less than what's expected, you could lose your job. Whether you've achieved great heights or sunken to unexpected lows, it's time to evaluate your ambitions. And, if things are going well at work, be careful not to overlook family needs. If you have Gemini Rising, Saturn is transiting the eleventh house. It's time to re-evaluate goals and objectives in light of the past few years when Saturn was in your tenth house. If you succeeded beyond your wildest dreams, what's next? If you lost your job or fell from grace, what can you do about it? Friends and professional associates can assist you in these goals. If you have Taurus Rising, Saturn is transiting your twelfth house. The twelfth house represents the subconscious mind, what's behind the scenes, and what we can't see clearly about ourselves. Saturn represents the practical, material approach to life. During this transit it's time to face old fears. There may be a tendency to withdraw to deal with situations, but this is the time to clear away old barriers so that you're ready to begin anew when Saturn enters your first house.