Saturn square Neptune: sweet illusion meets cold hard reality

Saturn square Neptune is upon us. If you’re affected strongly by this transit it’s likely something you’ve put a lot of time and energy into building is now dissolving right before your eyes, something you’ve come to rely heavily upon now seems to have no substance at all, or perhaps a belief or philosophy you based your life upon now seems flimsy and insubstantial.

The question that Saturn square Neptune asks us to ponder is: what exactly is real? The answer may be difficult for some people to swallow as many of the things we base our careers, relationships and identity upon simply will not stand up to close scrutiny.

The shattering of illusion is like waking up from a beautiful dream. It’s hard. When the dream is something we wanted very much, something we’ve become very attached to, grief and depression may set in. After all Saturn is not known for his gentleness! Fears and self doubt are also likely, as you begin to wonder what in your life you can actually rely on.

The exact dates for Saturn square Neptune

Due to retrograde motion, the Saturn square Neptune transit will make three exact aspects over the coming year:

• 26 November 2015 at 7 degrees (active from 24 October to 26 December)
• 17 June 2016 at 12 degrees (both Saturn and Neptune will be retrograde)
• 10 September 2016 at 10 degrees (Neptune will be retrograde)

As both planets are in mutable signs the Saturn square Neptune transit may have a shifting, unreliable quality to it and at times we may feel we have very little left to anchor us. Decisions may be difficult during this time as we strive to find a grounded position from which to act. Indecisiveness and feelings of stuckness are both likely reactions.

Those who’ve been indulging heavily in Neptune’s lower aspect, turning their backs on reality and escaping into television, alcohol, drugs or other forms of denial, are likely to be hit especially hard by Saturn square Neptune. This is because we use these things as a means of putting off the inevitable painful realisation and the longer we avoid facing up to reality the harder we will be hit in the end.

On the plus side, Saturn can provide the focus and stamina that is necessary to turn dreams into reality and can guide you towards those goals that have real potential. In the end, although Saturn can seem harsh at times, he’s there to show you the best way to move forward and succeed in your life. Saturn square Neptune will also bring discernment and the ability to differentiate truth from lies.

Although it may seem trite to say so, faith is the key to the Saturn square Neptune transit. When things seem to be disintegrating around us we need to hold tight to the things we know to be true, and one of the things that I know for sure is that nothing is permanent. Everything passes. And Saturn square Neptune will pass as well.

When the dust settles on the Saturn square Neptune transit we may find that Saturn has put us on a new path, towards a new dream. A dream that is realistic and achievable. A dream that is based firmly in the here and now. In the aftermath we may thank Saturn square Neptune for opening our eyes to see things as they really are.

Meanwhile in another part of the cosmos…

A number of transits are occurring during this first Saturn square Neptune transit that work together to help us process this challenging energy.

On 25 November, the day before Saturn square Neptune is direct, the Full Moon will rise in Gemini, exactly opposite Saturn in Sagittarius. This will create a t-square with Saturn square Neptune, accentuating the emotional impact of this transit. The disappointment may be excruciating but hold tight, everything passes and Moon transits most quickly of all!

On the same day Mercury will conjunct Saturn, squaring Neptune, and it’s likely you won’t be able to stop thinking about your troubles! All manner of negative thoughts will be floating through your mind, clouding your ability to see things clearly. If you’re strongly affected, taking time out for meditation or to write down some of your thoughts may help clarify things.

On 28 November Chiron will station direct and this is when the grief is likely to hit you hardest. Be brave and take it on the chin instead of trying to avoid the pain with food, drugs or other distractions. Sit quietly with the feelings and let them flow through you. This is the quickest and most straightforward way to process negative emotions and ensures they won’t get locked up inside to poison you down the track.

On the 30 November the Sun comes into conjunction with Saturn, squaring Neptune. The Sun brings light whereever it goes so some people may find they can see a little more clearly now, perhaps opening up to new possibilities and potential directions. Be careful though as Sun square Neptune is notorious for creating delusions and unrealistic idealism, so if you’re thinking of giving it one last try perhaps you should wait a few days and think it over.

How will Saturn square Neptune affect you?

Those with planets or points between 4 and 10 degrees of the Mutable signs (Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces) will be most strongly affected by Saturn square Neptune. Check also to see through which house Saturn and Neptune are transiting as this can tell you a great deal about how this transit will affect you. If you’d like to learn how to apply current transits to your natal chart, check out my free astrology mini lessons.

Right now Saturn is conjunct my Descendant so I’m feeling this transit big time. Not surprisingly my primary relationship is at the centre of things. Neptune is in the 9th house so much of my disillusionment revolves around the idealistic expectations I’d built up around ‘living abroad’ – all my romantic notions have dissolved in the face of the financial and emotional realities of our situation.

Working positively with Saturn square Neptune

Are you feeling Saturn square Neptune strongly right now? What aspects of your life are coming under Saturn’s scrutiny? What strategies are you using to work with this energy in a positive way? Share your thoughts below so that we can all learn from each other.