The Lessons of Saturn

Saturn... he really wants the best for us, right?

Lots of beginner astrologers and astrology enthusiasts are used to summarizing Saturn's purpose to create hardship and difficulty. But this is not the case... at least, not 100% of the time.

Saturn wishes to teach us lessons to bring maturity and realism to the house it is located, and oftentimes this can be through hardship. But aside from this, Saturn wants to push us healthily. Saturn can be sobering and grounding.

The ring around Saturn's body is indicative of not just the boundaries and duties Saturn likes to induce, but the boundaries and restrictions we put on ourselves.

Yes, routine and discipline is helpful and necessary, but can be hard for those who want complete freedom with no consequence. Saturn shows that this discipline will lead to long-term success and longevity. The most successful and happy people we know are those who had a desire and held onto it relentlessly.

Saturn does not solely want to punish its children (although Saturn can rule banishment and legal punishment). It wants growth and movement away from outdated beliefs and habits. Hardship will only be a result to the resistance of the growth that Saturn desires from you.

Saturn can be a wake-up call to those who do not enjoy accountability, or to those who wish to stay comfortable. This is where Saturn can be helpful to us, rather than scary and baneful.

Whatever house Saturn transits in your chart is a clue on what area of life needs a reality check so you are able to move forward.

These ideas are where the iconic Saturn return comes into play. As most of us experience our Saturn Return right before our 30's, Saturn begs us to reassess all the areas of life it has passed through, and the house it returns to could be a key to what will require the most adjustment and attention.

For instance, Saturn returns in the 11th house will have to think about the people they surround themselves with and if they are aligned with what they really want. Is your community holding you back or uplifting you? Are you working in collaboration with your community or are you isolating yourself? Do you feel included or isolated from your surroundings?

Saturn returns in the 5th house will want you to break free from the constraints that stifles your creative expression. Creating a disciplined schedule or routine dedicated to exploring your creative abilities would be helpful. This may even be a time to reassess your childhood and how it affects your own view of childhood today.

Ironically, the more dedication and discipline you have to living out who you really are and what you want, the more likely you will feel free without the ropes and rings holding you back.