Saturn in Capricorn–Reality Checks

Mention the planet Saturn, and often you hear a low groan of trepidation.  Of course, there is nothing inherently wrong with Saturn, or any other planet for that matter.  Every planet represents a force of creation and a vital psychological function within us. Condemning any part keeps us from realizing our whole potential. Saturn is the force of real-world manifestation, security, authority, and structure. It is our soul work- what we are here to DO.

So why is Saturn left off the astrology party guest list? 

Because Saturn keeps it real.

Saturn is our inner parent, mentor, and taskmaster. Saturn is the small voice within us that reminds us when we are out of alignment with our integrity and what we need to do to make it right. It points out we often have to work for what we want, and improvement is always possible. Saturn is our inner boundary setter and stabilizer. The master timekeeper Saturn holds the ticking clock to our destiny, including the reality of our mortality.

Not the most popular guy at the party.

In truth though, we need checks of reality to balance fantasy.  We need form to our inspiration.  While Saturn often teaches through illuminating limitation, it equally reminds us of our magnificent power of co-creation. We can deny reality, or we can embrace it. The latter leads to real and concrete Saturnian change, while the former keeps us stuck in the same habitual feedback loops.

Much of Saturn’s negative press comes from our own conditioning with this force in our lives. Saturn very much tells us quite a bit about the flavor and tenor of our downloaded inner parent. Indeed, this part can feel like an inner coach, positively reminding us how far we’ve come while subsequently offering suggestions of improvement.

Advising us there is no failure, only feedback.

High Saturn is all about functional assertiveness, appropriate boundaries, and healthy authority. It represents the inner gifts of perseverance, commitment, and discipline. Saturn is where we are meant to be an expert, leader, and example. It also describes how we feel “safe” in a unsteady world.

But many of us grow up with environmental conditioning that is less healthy, and our own Saturnian force gets channeled through imbalanced messages.  A harsh inner critic takes the place of an inner advocate. Then, Saturn sounds brutally caustic, controlling and critical, striving for a sense of perfection that doesn’t actually exist. Shadowy Saturn can seem emotionless, steadfastly independent, everlastingly belittling, and exhaustively shaming. Likewise, our inner security meter can get set on high alert as an early coping strategy and then our Saturn force is over-activated, ready for the next calamity to strike. This can look like feelings of impending doom, trepidation, control, and anxiety. Of course, we can re-balance this force within us. That’s where a good astrologer comes in. To help you look at your specific Saturn placement and find the balancing remedy. (One hint- Much of the work of healing Saturn in Capricorn is through the compassionate, empathic, nurturing and feeling sign of Cancer. )

Why all this talk about Saturn?

Saturn’s orbit is predictable and stable like the planet it represents. Saturn changes signs about every two and a half years and takes about 30 years to circle through the entire zodiac. December 19, 2017, Saturn entered Capricorn where it will remain until March 23, 2020. Anytime a planet changes sign there begins a new cycle and chapter, both individually and collectively.

Saturn in Capricorn is all about cashing checks of reality. 

Collectively, Capricorn rules structure, politics, and big business so I expect some interesting transformational soul work in that arena. I also anticipate some reality slaps concerning the environment and our relationship with it. Saturn as a timekeeper doesn’t argue facts. Truth has a way of emerging despite the spin. And as far as Saturn is concerned, our honor knows what is universally right and wrong. We can defend convenient truths as if we are separate countries, that our actions do not have consequences, and that we have an endless amount of natural resources. We can even maintain our own spin for the reality showing up in our lives deftly dodging and weaving facts. Saturn is like the parent that catches us sneaking back into the house in the middle of the night.  At some point, our reality catches up with us, and there is no denying truth. Integrity has a way of finding us no matter how we try to avoid it. 

While Saturn was in Sagittarius (the last two and half years), some buried beliefs and ideologies rose from the depths of our collective and personal consciousness. Now, Saturn commands us to DO something with them.

Sometimes we make the right choices and sometimes we have to make the choices right. 

Capricorn rules the same values, ethics, and standards on a personal level as well. We must evaluate what we personally stand for and our relationship with integrity. We cannot stand idly by hiding behind political correctness and “bless your heart” truth-bypassing platitudes whether it is in our world, country, family, or ourselves.

Saturns’ placement in your chart Nataly and by transit reveals where you need to get real with YOU. It also reveals where the gifts of Saturn are showing up for you to claim. 

House placement and aspects are extra vital to finding just what personal reality checks you are being asked to cash  (personal identity, security, relationships, health, money etc…) and how to best utilize the potential healing Saturn is offering you. So, contact me if you want to dive a bit deeper. The intent of understanding how and where the energy is showing up for you is for you to do the work consciously, so it doesn’t unconsciously work on you.

Capricorn decisions and actions are not the kind that make you necessarily “feel better” instantly. They are not “easy” as they require some sacred discipline, patience, and routine. Saturn times ask us to mature, grow up, and align with our highest principles.

The high road is often the one less traveled.

However, Saturnian times ultimately create more grit and resiliency both of which are being studied extensively to create a growth mindset which ultimately leads to more overall success. 

Success, it turns out, is not determined by talent or some particular characteristic, but the ability to keep going despite setbacks. It is the ability to embody the belief you have the power to change, improve, and seek a better way. It is continuing to show up even when it’s really hard. It’s the daily practice that creates the expert.

(Check out the ted talk by Grit and resiliency researcher Angela Duckworth if you want to celebrate more Saturn in your life.)

“I have a feeling tomorrow will be better is different from I resolve to make tomorrow better.”

― Angela Duckworth, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance

What does it all mean for you?

Bottom line your life.

What reality is showing up in your life that you need to attend to once and for all?

Where might you have a tendency to ignore or bypass reality?

Where do you need to replace the inner critic with the inner advocate?

Where is your sense of safety and security stuck on high alert?

What systems, habits, or functions in your life require revision?

This is your soul work for the next two years.

Saturn in Capricorn does indeed remind us when and where we need to embrace the sweat equity in our lives, yet it also promises a stellar return on our investment. The results we experience are a direct result of the discipline and practice we put in now. With great power comes the responsibility for tremendous change. That is the potential and purpose of this time.

Want more information about how to best use this energy in your life? Contact me