Saturn in the natal chart by sign illustrates the lessons necessary for the indi-
vidual to define himself and his focus in order to integrate into society. Saturn has a
21 ⁄ 2 -year passage through each sign. The element of the sign highlights the area of
greatest restriction that needs to be restructured through the individual’s process of
development.
Hellenistic astrology gave greater emphasis to planets ruling houses than plan-
ets inhouses. Modern astrology has given more emphasis to planets in houses. The
houses in the chart ruled by Saturn are the places where it has greatest influence on the
native’s life experiences. Saturn rules the natural tenth and eleventh houses and has its
joy in the twelfth house. Using traditional rulership of signs, Saturn rules both Capri-
corn and Aquarius. Modern astrologers have adopted Uranus as the ruler of Aquarius.
In Jyotish (Vedic astrology), Saturn is known as Shani, or Sanaiscara, which
means, “moving slowly.” Saturn is the farthest visible planet from the Sun. One story
tells of how Saturn was born of the Sun. The Sun’s wife grew tired of the glare and
heat from her husband and decided to visit her family. She left her shadow in her
place. The Sun could not tell the difference between his wife and her shadow and had
sex with the shadow. Out of this union Saturn was born. When the ruse was discov-
ered the Sun banished Saturn and refused to acknowledge him as his son. This is why
Saturn is not a friend to the Sun.
The other important story about Saturn involves Ganesha, the elephant-head-
ed god. After many centuries of practicing meditation and other forms of spiritual
practice, Parvoti decided to have a child with her husband Shiva. Shiva stayed up in
the mountains meditating while Parvoti went down the mountain and gave birth.
The child was exceptional and like any proud mother, Parvoti called all the gods to
come and see her beautiful son. All the gods came and cooed and murmured in amaze-
ment, except for Saturn who stood away staring at his feet. Parvoti took offense and
demanded that Saturn look at the child. Saturn tried to explain that nothing good
could come from his glance, but Parvoti insisted. Saturn raised his head and just barely
looked at the child, and the child’s head was burnt up into ash. Everyone was aghast
and very upset, most especially Parvoti. To soothe her Brahma went to find a new
head for the child. The first creature he found was a huge bull elephant. He took the
elephant’s head and fixed it on the body of the child. That is how Ganesha got his
head. (There is another version where it is Shiva who cuts off the child’s head because
he did not know Parvoti had gone off to have a child.)
In the celestial cabinet, Saturn is the servant. He represents the outcasts of
society, beggars, and people who do not follow religious practices. His elemental quali-
ty is air, and his gender is neutral. He is the indicator for disease, death, and all sorts of
bad things. Ironically, a well-placed Saturn indicates good longevity.
Sources:
Bills, Rex E. The Rulership Book, A Directory of Astrological Correspondences.Richmond, VA:
Macoy Publishing & Masonic Supply Co., 1971.
Crane, Joseph. A Practical Guide to Traditional Astrology.Orleans, MA: Archive for the
Retrieval of Historical Astrological Texts, 1997.
Greene, Liz. Saturn: A New Look at an Old Devil.New York: Samuel Weiser, 1976.
THEASTROLOGYBOOK [599]
Saturn