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Saturn - Father Time
by Martin A. Montes

Many astrologers and cosmic truth seekers have labeled Saturn our teacher. Its only fitting since Earth is our spiritual school room. Once we've identified the "roles" these two planets make, it is up to us to utilize both the platform, Earth and our teacher, Saturn.

Saturn, the sixth planet in our solar system, and the ruler of Capricorn, takes roughly 29 years to orbit all twelve zodiac signs and complete one orbit around the Sun. Very often; this fist completion marks a period of maturity and growth. Advancement in career, home purchase, marriage, or parenthood is common around the age of 29, which is clinically called our first Saturn return.

Saturn has many keywords to describe its attributes. Some include, time, patience, discipline, structure, boundaries, delays, authority, and responsibility. It also has a strong affiliation with the body, primarily the bones. In addition to being our Earthly teacher, Saturn also brings solid rewards, astonishing recognition, and personal fortitude but only with time, and with hard work. It is considered one of the most important planets in a birth chart.

Saturn teaches many spiritual lessons. One of them is humility. If our egos are inflated, or we are living a life based on fantasy instead of reality, Saturn will "restructure" our lives. It will expose fraud, deceit, and anything that is not based on solid facts.

Fear is another term commonly used to describe our Saturn lessons. The house where Saturn falls in is the area we must confront in order to liberate that energy and reap the rewards from our homework. Anytime you release fear or negative karma, the universe responds with abundance.

The birth position of Saturn by sign and house tells us "how" and "where" we need to master the Saturn lesson.

It also tells us which body part can manifest stress if we deny or resist our Saturn lesson. For example, Saturn in Pisces can cause foot problems because we haven't learned lessons in forgiveness, compassion, or understanding, and because the sign of Pisces rules the feet. Saturn in Aries can cause migraines, mouth problems, or anything pertaining to our head area, which are the areas ruled by Aries.

We need to embrace our lessons and not deny them. Saturn tells us not only where our lessons lie, but also our karmic obligation. Resistance to honor our Saturn agreement usually brings discomfort because Saturn's energy is alive and well and it needs to be used, constructively.

When Saturn makes aspects to other planets in your birth chart, the energies of those "other" planets take on more meaning. It is teaching you where you can succeed in a long period of time. Saturn is like chocolate icing on a cake. Regardless of the filling, (the other planets), if it interacts with Saturn, in any way, shape, or form; it is covered with Saturn's energy.

Those who were born with a strong Saturn or Capricorn presence have a huge responsibility theme in their incarnation. Saturn really stretches your soul, especially if you were born with tough Saturn aspects (conjunctions, oppositions, inconjunctions, or squares) to other planets. Tough aspects, especially squares, not only teach you where to focus the Saturn energy toward, it also teaches a lesson of receiving the rewards affiliated with the "other" planet. For the record, many successful people have a prominent Saturn in their charts, (especially Oprah) and many entrepreneurs have a Capricorn rising.

The law of attraction states that "like attract like," and so very often, Saturn's lessons are mirrored to us from others. If you were born with a Saturn square aspect, the lessons often come in some form of hardship. For example, Venus square Saturn is a classic indicator that one has to overcome a fear of intimacy in relationships. One must be willingly to believe they deserve a loving (Venus) and committed (Saturn) partner, so they can build a lasting union, instead of settling for many cosmetic relationships for fear of deep love.

Another strong Saturn lesson is the square aspect to the Sun. This always triggers issues with authority in some form or another. A verse in A Course in Miracles best described this obstacle. In Chapter 3, verse 8, it states, "The issue of authority is really a question of authorship. When you have an authority problem, it is always because you believe you are the author of yourself and project your delusion unto others." This belief usually triggers a defensive attitude in which you feel combative toward superiors.

The Sun square Saturn aspect is one of the most dynamic aspects that teach you how to be a leader and how to use your power responsibly over time. This aspect also teaches you to be disciplined, and to take full responsibility of your life, which is a prerequisite in order to achieve success. Many leaders have a Sun/Saturn aspect.

The twelve houses in a birth chart mirror the zodiac signs and show the area of life you've come to complete the Saturn lesson. When Saturn falls on an angle, on the cusp of the 1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th houses, there are burdens and boundaries to deal with, and the lessons are stronger, but so are the rewards. These houses are cardinal by nature, which means they emanate leadership abilities and a desire to teach others what lessons they've learned.

Saturn on the Ascendant (1st house cusp) teaches you to like yourself, to trust your own judgment, and to live a disciplined life. This position also teaches you to learn the body's limitations, and to establish personal boundaries with yourself and others. It also teaches you to manage your life responsibly and to eliminate self-imposed criticism and guilt.

Saturn on the IC (4th house cusp) teaches you to take ownership of your home, build a career in real-estate, or develop a home-based business. It also teaches you to release early childhood burdens, especially sins from the parents. Very often, you may experience domestic burdens, and family responsibilities when Saturn squares itself during the ages 8 and 9.

Saturn on the Descendant (7th house cusp) teaches you to learn diplomacy, respect, and practicality in relationships. It also teaches you not to settle for an average union, but to commit in a healthy and lasting partnership. Saturn on the MC (10th house cusp) teaches you how to be a leader, get organized, and establish realistic career goals. It also teaches you how to delegate and manage work demands and burdens.

But like all Saturn lessons, you first must be the student in order to be the teacher. Every master was once an apprentice.

The older you get, the more likely you will express the trait or energy of the Saturn sign, especially if you've mastered its lesson. For example, if you're born with Saturn in Sagittarius, you grow wiser, knowledgeable, and become sage-like with time. In Aries, you grow surer of yourself, live courageously, and feel more independent.

Saturn is currently transiting the zodiac sign of Leo. The conjunction, when one planet crosses over another planet's exact degree, triggers an event in that person's life. Saturn will bring structure to the part of life that lacks clarity and discipline. Leo's everywhere are feeling either the pressure of hard work and responsibility, or reaping the rewards for their hard work. Let's look at two examples to describe Saturn's power.

Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman and baseball player Barry Bonds are both Leo's. Saturn has affected both men diametrically. Philip Seymour Hoffman won the Oscar for best actor for the movie Capote. Whereas Barry Bonds is embroiled in a steroid scandal that has his record-breaking home run barrage questioned by a baseball investigation and by many in public opinion, including the thousands of hecklers at the ballparks nightly.

Overall, Saturn teaches us structure and consistency. After all, the universe responds to focus. How can the universe help support a goal when our energies are scattered in ten different directions? Whenever you encounter a Saturn transit or uncover a strong Saturn aspect in your birth chart. Slow down, listen to your intuition, and live a practical and disciplined life. Do what you desire, express your talents and gifts, even if it a minor avocation in your life. Saturn's energy shows us what our spiritual gift is to the planet. Discover your mission and work responsibly, in unison with the universe and reap the solid rewards you deservedly earned.

Martin A. Montes is a spiritual astrologer and member of the American Federation of Astrologers, Inc.