Saturn transits: when things get serious

Saturn transits bring themes of restriction, discipline and structure to the area of life ruled by the house through which it is passing. Many things will be torn down and rebuilt, as Saturn reorganises the affairs of each house he passes through. Whether these structures are spiritual, physical, intellectual or emotional in nature will be shown by the element of the Planet on the house cusp, as well as any planets that Saturn touches as it passes.

Saturn transits the 1st House

When Saturn transits the house of the perceived self and identity you are likely to experience a decrease in confidence as you confront areas of your persona that may not be genuine. As you restructure these behaviours you may find yourself coming across as more introverted than usual, perhaps even overly serious. On the positive side, others will increasingly see you as someone they can rely on, who is responsible, patient and organised.

Saturn transits the 2nd House

The 2nd house is the house of the home. It represents all our worldly possessions and our earthly environment. Our niche. When Saturn transits this house we may experience a period of lack, in terms of money and material resources. We may have to rethink our lifestyle choice and priorities. Delays in buying or selling real estate are common.

Saturn transits the 3rd House

When Saturn transits the house of communication, siblings and short journeys you may find yourself less articulate than usual. Relationships with brothers and sisters may feel strained. However, although getting your ideas across may be more difficult, on the other hand you will have more determination to express yourself than ever before, and so will probably work harder to say the things you need to say.

Saturn transits the 4th House

When Saturn transits the 4th house you may find yourself drawn back into childhood experiences to relearn any lessons you missed. Saturn is often called the teacher and while it moves through the 4th House it raps its cane over your knuckles and tells you to sit up. Old neural pathways, emotional patterns born of childhood traumas, may have to be rewired with disciplined practice to create new healthier habits. During this transit you might also feel frustrated or trapped in your living situation, or in your relationship with your mother.

Saturn transits the 5th House

When Saturn transits the house of fun, romance and (pro)creation it can sometimes feel like you’ve become the wet blanket at parties. A serious case of writers-block or painters-procrastination may set in. Creativity of all kinds will feel much more difficult and your inner critic (Saturn) will likely pipe up and tell you exactly why you shouldn’t bother even trying to create! If you’re trying to conceive you may have difficulty, but unless there is an underlying health condition this should pass once Saturn transits into the 6th House.

Saturn transits the 6th House

Here Saturn’s influence of limitation, structure and discipline are bought to bear on your work, health and service to the world. You may experience new dedication to you work, especially if it involves serving others. Alternatively, if your role is not true to who you are, you may feel claustrophobic and overburdened by your responsibilities, and prompted to make changes. This is not a good transit for health and all kinds of maladies characterised by constriction are indicated here.

Saturn transits the 7th House

Your partnerships, both intimate and business related, may begin to feel heavy, especially if they have become too routine or if you are partnered with someone who is very Saturnian. Alternatively you may develop a relationship with someone who has these characteristics, or you may find yourself taking a relationship to a new level of commitment. However it plays out things are going to get serious in love!

Saturn transits the 8th House

In the 8th House Saturn’s lessons are deeply emotional in nature. The 8th House represents all the consequences of our deep interactions with others. Children, shared resources and debts, inheritance, sex and death. During this transit you may experience constriction in any of these ares of your life. Even the happy event of an inheritance will quite likely be delayed, heavily taxed or swallowed up by debts. You may also experience those closest to you as very needy, burdensome or controlling, but may find yourself with no choice but to care for them. This is a difficult transit but its lesson is compassion and the sacrifice of one’s own desire for the sake of another. Or where the demands of the person are unjustified you may need to have more compassion for yourself: to walk away from limiting relationships and emotional connections.

Saturn transits the 9th House

When Saturn transits the 9th House one’s philosophical outlook and beliefs may be sorely tested. Grandiose ideals are put under the spotlight and examined, often leaving you disillusioned, however a new, more holistic vision will eventually emerge. Long trips are likely to be difficult and testing, as many of your ideas about yourself and the world will be revealed as naive. However you may feel hemmed in and desirous of adventure. Travel that is for the purposes of building some project or in the service of your vocation may be most successful.

Saturn transits the 10th House

The 10th House represent our place in the world. It is Saturn’s own house. Saturn’s passage through this area of life may well bring a feeling of intense discontent with your role at work, as you question the value of what you do for a living. You may feel as though you are trapped in your job, or that you are severely restricted in what you can achieve. Commonly a boss will be very strict, though not necessarily harsh, and can either be a mentor or a tyrant. Towards the end of the transit you may find yourself breaking free of your work and moving on to something to which you feel a real commitment. However this depends on the sign on the 4th House cusp, as well as the Planets in that house and any aspects to them.

Saturn transits the 11th House

As Saturn transits the 11th House you will be called to reassess many of your friendships and social networks. Disappointment and feelings of betrayal are common and towards the end of the transit you may find yourself disassociating yourself from certain groups or organisations. It is also possible that during this Saturn transit you take on a leadership role within an organisation or group, however your leadership may or may not be appreciated by other group members!

Saturn transits the 12th House

As Saturn transits the 12th House things you’ve been hiding from yourself will be brought to light and you will be asked to face up to the emotional implications of the choices you have made. Saturn will totally clear out and reorganise the archive of your sub-conscious. As it goes it throws onto the discard pile many things you may nostalgically hold onto, but that no longer serve you. Addictions, escapist behaviours and negative self-talk are just some of the things you will be challenged to let go of.

If you don’t have one yet, you can get a free birth chart at astro.com. To understand how to read your birth chart, and follow the transits in your own life, download my free ebook The Language of Astrology.