SATURN STATIONS RETROGRADE ON 5TH APRIL 2017

Pondering life’s choices……

Saturn will remain in Sagittarius until December this year when it will enter Capricorn, the sign it rules. It will station retrograde at 27°47’ and will backtrack to 21°10’ where it will station direct on 25^th August.

Sagittarius is the sign of optimism and faith, its ruling planet is Jupiter, the planet of width, he who pushes us to go further, be it mentally or physically. This is the sign of the traveller, the one who loves other cultures and faiths, the seeker of the truth. Saturn is the planet of depth, the one who wants to limit, restrict and structure. So, as you can see, they aren’t really easy bed-mates thus we have to find a compromise for them to work well together in our chart.

Saturn’s sojourn in this sign might cause (or have caused at this point) a spiritual awakening inside of us, helping (or having aided) us gain more clarity and understanding by learning to identify ourselves with our inner guide or higher self and by crystallizing our beliefs in some way. We may even want (desired) to leave some habit patterns behind as clarity reigns within us. Or, we may fear (have feared) being thwarted by questions of faith, by hopelessness or by the incongruities of life or we might even panic (have panicked) about the fear of infiltration in our life by foreign elements (does the EU migrant crisis spring to mind here for you too?).

The wise old man is in the sign of the prophet.  Urging us to learn how we might better relate to all things foreign, to learn about tolerance towards others so that new views may come to be regarding religion and perspectives, some people may turn (have turned) inwards towards traditional religious values whilst others may want (have tried) to seek alternative ways to express their spirituality. Belief systems and how these fit into the world may well be at the forefront during this transit as will matters concerning tolerance and freedom. Saturn in Sagittarius will have become ever more the exacting keeper of our ideals during this transit.

Saturn’s passage in Sagittarius may (have) indicate(d) the following energies manifesting in your life, regarding the house axis it falls on:

a struggle to find faith in life resulting in depression if one fails

issues with moral codes and religion or dogmatic ideas about faith

a strong sense of right and wrong with feelings of guilt creeping in if you don’t reach your own high standards

swings of confidence and lack of it

alternation between optimism and pessimism

it could also indicate a steady growth towards whatever goal you prefix

…and it could be an excellent time to dream big with your feet firmly planted on the ground and slowly proceed towards whatever you have in mind

But……

Saturn will turn retrograde on the 5^th of April turning direct at 21°10’ Sagittarius on 25^th August.

At the start and at the end of each retrograde period the planet gradually slows down almost to a halt and if you have planets or angles in the mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces) around 26-28° or 20-22° then these will be particularly affected by Saturn over a period of roughly 15 days running at each station. During stationary periods planets seemingly have more impact.

When Saturn turns retrograde

it will slow down the normal speed of everyday things

in order for us to be able to develop

better procedures and tactics in our lives.

Saturn provides us with the rules and regulations with which we guide ourselves, our sense of responsibility ad our limits. Saturn defines boundaries, so what better time than its annual retrograde period to determine the possible from the impossible in our lives? Look to the house axis that this involves.

In fact, this is an excellent moment to assess and correct any commitments, refine any projects or consider any responsibilities undertaken in the past. Saturn retrograde gives us the opportunity to say NO to the burdens that prove too heavy for us. So during this period, re-assess past responsibilities without taking on any new ones and likewise postpone any possible long-term commitments that might come now until after the retrograde period is over because you might just realize that they are, in fact, too heavy for you.

During this retrograde you will indeed have the opportunity to renegotiate and review any past activities or commitments that have been a source of frustration for you. Say NO to others if this means a big YES to you!

In its backwards motion Saturn will make the following aspects in the skies:

Square Venus retrograde (27°47’) on 8^th April, square Venus direct (27°36’) on 21^st April, trine Mercury retrograde (27°31’) on 24^th April, trine Mercury direct (26°49’) on 11^th May, trine Uranus (26°22’) on 19^th May, opposition Mars (25°43’) on 29^th May, trine Venus (25°22’) on 1^st June, opposition Mercury (24°18’) on 18^th June, trine Mercury (22°19’) on 19^th July, opposition Venus (21°49’) on 24^th July and trine Mars (21°12’) 22^nd August.

The Sabian symbol for 28° Sagittarius: “An old bridge over a beautiful stream is still in constant use.” Indicating the enduring elements in a society which reveal its ability to significantly link in the genius of its individuals to the everyday needs of the collectivity.

For 22° Sagittarius: “A Chinese laundry.” Indicating making use of one’s racial-cultural background in order to survive and prosper in an alien environment.

“We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” A. Einstein

In which house is Saturn retrograding in your chart? Have you planets or angles between 29° and 19° of the mutable signs (Sagittarius, Pisces, Gemini, Virgo)?

How are or have you experienced Saturn in Sagittarius?

Bibliography

Rudhyar D. (1974) “An Astrological Mandala: the cycles of transformations and its 360 symbolic phases”. pp 226 and 223, Vintage Books Edition, Random House Inc., New York, USA

Image: The astrological Saturn, by Hans Sebald Beham 1539

copyright@my-sky-pie