Saturn in Synastry: Let’s Get Rid of Misconceptions

After hearing so many astrologers talk negatively about Saturn, you may feel discouraged upon seeing Saturn in a synastry contact with your partner.  The fact is you don’t see many long lasting relationships without a significant Saturn contact.

Saturn’s role is to create order and consistency in your life through limitation, and this applies to your relationships as well.  Without Saturn’s involvement, you will most likely switch partners as soon as you encounter even a tiny bit of discomfort.

This article will help you understand your Saturn synastry aspect in a new way.  At the end of the article, I’ve also shared an additional tool you can use to explore this important aspect further.

Bonus Content: Download The Relationship Worksheet to explore your Saturn Synastry aspect with your partner.

Saturn Synastry: Understanding Its Challenges and Gifts

Now that you’re becoming aware of Saturn’s importance in creating lasting relationships, let’s talk about the challenges and opportunities it represents in synastry contacts (here we’re mostly concerned with “hard” aspects such as conjunction, square or opposition, but it’s OK to include other aspects as well.)

 Saturn – Sun synastry contact: “An Important Bond”

A synastry contact between Saturn and Sun is a vital contact for both parties.  The Saturn person’s commitment may add a much needed structure and safety to the Sun person’s life, while the Sun person may provide warmth and energy to the Saturn person’s stern exterior.  The danger exists if the Saturn person’s gloom and negativity proves too strong for the Sun person to break through.

 Saturn – Moon synastry contact: “Weighty Emotions”

In contrast to the previous synastry combination, Moon can be more vulnerable to Saturn’s restrictive pressure – but it greatly depends on the Moon’s sign.  A Capricorn Moon will be able to shrug the pressure off, whereas a Moon in Sagittarius may have more of a difficulty giving up the freedom.  All the same, this combination could be as significant as that of the Saturn-Sun contact, especially if the Saturn person is mature enough to be able to protect the sensitivity of the Moon person.

Saturn – Mercury synastry contact: “Leading to Wisdom”

Synastry between Saturn and Mercury can be excellent for a business or a mentor-student relationship.  Saturn person’s wisdom or maturity can shape the Mercury person’s thought process.  Or the process could reverse itself and the Mercury person’s knowledge could add to the Saturn person’s maturity – a role reversal like that tends to depend on which one is the older of the two.

Saturn – Venus synastry contact: “Maturity Adds Grace”

Similar to the Saturn-Moon interaspect, a lot hinges on the Venus’ sign placement.  Venus in an Earth sign deals better with the responsibility and commitment demanded by Saturn.  If both parties are mature enough, the Venus person could add the necessary social grace to the Saturn person’s life.

Saturn – Mars synastry contact: “Controlled Energy”

This relationship can breed a lot of resentment if the Mars person isn’t able to tolerate restrictions well.  In a close relationship, it helps if you can work together at doing something productive.  Noel Tyl said the key to handling this aspect is in realizing that energy (Mars) needs control (Saturn) in order to be channeled effectively – this seems to apply just as well in relationships (needless to say, this contact is easier to handle in a business relationship.)

Saturn – Jupiter synastry contact: “Purpose and Progress”

This can be a highly productive relationship, as Saturn and Jupiter “get” one another and respect each other’s necessary functions (stability and expansion.)  As long as your long term goals are aligned, you will most likely experience great teamwork in the areas affected by this contact.

Saturn – Saturn synastry contact: “Testing Your Own Complex”

You will have this synastry contact if you were born within a few months of each other (or, of course, if your ages are about 7 years apart, 14 years apart, etc.)  The key point is that you will strengthen each other’s natal Saturn complex – perhaps you might even represent the Saturn figure in the other person’s life (father, mentor, boss, etc.)  This then becomes a test or a learning experience to see how well you’re handling the lessons implied in your natal chart.

Saturn – Uranus synastry contact: “Old vs New”

In this relationship the Uranus person might present the Saturn person with a shocking new idea, perhaps due to generation gap.  Such new idea may be hard to accept, or it could be ultimately liberating.  Generalization is difficult, as both planets move slowly enough to become a generational interaspect.

Saturn – Neptune synastry contact: “Special Influence”

Synastry between Neptune and Saturn could represent a spiritual or an aesthetic influence from the Neptune person, as long as the Saturn person is receptive to it.  In an extreme scenario, Neptune may represent something more sinister like deception or influence of alcohol, drugs, etc, but again it’s not possible to generalize these slow moving interaspects.  The Saturn person’s role may be to represent the sober but necessary truth, while the Neptune person’s role may be to open the Saturn person’s eyes to a more joyful world.

Saturn – Pluto synastry contact: “Powerful Duo”

The interaspect between your Saturn and someone’s Pluto (or vice versa) can be heavy and serious, and carries with it an awareness of status or power.  What is the underlying motivation behind this relationship?  Is the overall tone of relationship productive or destructive?  The right combination of people could accomplish so much here.

Famous Example: Apple founders Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak (Jobs’ Saturn square Wozniak’s Pluto).

Saturn – Ascendant synastry contact: “The Mentor”

Since Ascendant is a point and not a planet, possibly the Saturn person could wield more influence over the formation of the Ascendant person’s identity.  This may be a classic teacher-student combination.  At the same time, if the age gap is reversed (i.e. Saturn person being younger than the Ascendant person), the Ascendant person’s persona could influence the maturation of the Saturn person.

Saturn – Midheaven synastry contact: “Career Impact”

This can be a highly influential relationship.  The Saturn person can affect the Midheaven person as an authority figure, and could shape the future professional direction of the MC person.  Here again if the Midheaven person is much older than the Saturn person, the role could be reversed and the MC person’s social status can aid the Saturn person’s professional development.

Summary: Saturn Synastry Builds Long Term Relationships

We need the pressure of responsibility Saturn represents to grow and accomplish things, and this includes the pressure of committed relationships (here we include a broad range of important relationships: marriage, teacher-student, even a relationship to a group or a cause. )

The existence of a challenging Saturn interaspect in synastry does not doom your relationship – it simply makes it more real and meaningful, the longer you keep learning from it.

A Free Bonus: Saturn Synastry Relationship Worksheet

Astrology is a good tool for introspection, and Saturn offers a great deal of food for thought.  In case you wanted to consider things in more depth, I prepared a “Saturn Synastry Relationship Worksheet” to help you isolate the Saturn interaspect you have with your partner’s horoscope.

Download the Synastry Worksheet here, and spend a moment considering each Saturn synastry contact in terms of its positive and/or challenging expressions.  Do the same for the synastry contact your Saturn makes with your partner’s horoscope, and see how you may be influencing him/her.

Moon in Vocational Astrology

In vocational astrology, natal Moon’s placement in your horoscope has much to do with what you need for work satisfaction (for a basic introduction on Moon signs related to your career, read Moon’s emotional need in the workplace.)

Although you’ll always want to look at the entire horoscope for a full understanding of your vocational potential, you can nevertheless learn a lot from studying your natal Moon position.Keep Reading >>

When functioning normally, each planet in your horoscope helps to generate a certain set of positive emotions.  Here is a simple table to show you some of the positive emotions associated with each planet.

Isn’t it interesting that missing even one of these planetary functions could generate feelings of unhappiness?  Consider a few scenarios:

• Lack of healthy Mars (vigor) function means lethargy – it’s difficult to get up in the morning.
• Jupiter’s “Hope for Reward” equals a “vision of a better future.”  If your Jupiter function isn’t working well, you might start believing that nothing better will happen in the future, and become depressed.
• Without Saturn’s sense of necessary control, you may end up feeling victimized by life, unable to focus yourself enough to accomplish meaningful goals.
• When Neptune is ignored, you turn your back on your dreams and inspiration.  You may end up with the sense of quiet desperation, asking yourself “Is this all there is to life?”
• Without Pluto, you may become weighed down by burden of your past, unable to renew yourself through catharsis and elimination of toxic emotional residues.

Heavy Aspect Tension Signals Challenges to Overcome

Nothing in a horoscope can prevent a planet to function well and generate positive emotions.  However, a presence of heavy developmental tension (i.e. hard aspect by Mars, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune or Pluto) often suggests that a challenge has to be overcome before the planets involved can begin to function well.

Peregrine Planet Tends to Become Hyperactive

If a planet is peregrine (i.e. unaspected by another planet by a major aspect), its function may go into overdrive and turn excessive.  Example: Mercury peregrine could make the mind work overtime, so much so that it tends toward excessive analysis or criticism instead of (or, in addition to) generating positive emotions of curiosity.

Retrograde Planet May Require Special Effort

When a planet is retrograde, straightforward expression tends to become challenging.  You may need to make a conscious effort in order to tap into the positive emotions associated with the planet. Example: Someone with Jupiter retrograde may have to consciously cultivate a positive vision of the future in order to maintain a positive attitude.

In Closing: Horoscope as a Diagnostic Tool for Emotional Well Being

Looking at the table above, do you feel a lack of certain positive emotion?  Your natal chart may hold a clue as to why that emotion may be difficult for you to experience naturally.

If there is a heavy tension placed upon a natal planet by transiting Saturn or an outer planet, check to see if feeling the positive emotions associated with that planet suddenly became difficult (or somehow different) during the transit.

If you become aware of a blockage, you may be able to activate the missing positive emotion through conscious effort.  Examples: Mars can be invigorated through exercise; Jupiter can be lifted up through gratitude and faith.

Looking at your horoscope this way, astrology can be used as a real-time diagnostic tool for your emotional well-being.

photo: Werner Kunz

Neptune represents dissolution of boundaries, which can manifest in a thousand different ways.  Here we’ll explore the interpretation of natal or transiting Neptune aspects.

Neptune – Sun aspect: Sun represents the sense of self, so a strong contact from Neptune threatens to melt down the boundaries of the ego.  In a best case this can heighten intuition or a sense of inspiration (accessing the previously unknown psychic resource).  In other cases there may be a possibility of confusion (losing the framework of where one stands) or deception (suppression of authenticity).

Neptune – Moon aspect: Often a special sensitivity is added to emotional needs.  There could be refinement through aesthetic pursuits or spiritual studies.  There could be a strong awareness of one’s own subconscious that manifests in the form of dreams or imagination.  Being grounded becomes key.

Neptune – Mercury aspect: Mercury represents the conscious mind, whereas Neptune represents the massive sea of subconscious impressions.  In this aspect, the conscious mind could become an explorer of deep feelings and visions, communicating and accessing profound depth.  Or the mind could be prone to fantastic imaginings, not fully connecting with the here and now.

Neptune – Venus aspect: When boundaries melt away in love, often a strong romantic tendency results.  There could be a tendency to lose oneself in love (resulting in confusion), or potential for extending love to a great number of people (resulting in compassion).  Aesthetic sensitivity could be heightened dramatically.

Neptune – Mars aspect: Mars represents our methods of action. When Neptune dissolves the boundary of Mars’ procedures, an imaginative quality enters all of our actions.  Because Mars is most often associated with action, this combination has potential for inspired, visionary action.  When not grounded, vision and imagination could overwhelm and paralyze the decision-making process, resulting in loss of focus.

Neptune – Jupiter aspect: When boundaries disappear in Jupiter’s higher mental pursuits, there is no stopping the enthusiasm.  There could be grand idealism with a spiritual or philosophical bent.  Lofty philanthropic vision may require a focus of action to bring it down to earth.  If the primary focus is on having fun, extreme self-indulgence could result.

Neptune – Saturn aspect: Saturn builds order and structure in life.  When Saturn’s boundaries are dissolved, you could feel a real loss of control that may even lead to depression.  Ambition could go to sleep as you question the meaning of working so hard.  After a deep contemplation, you may emerge with a less rigid sense of goals and inspired long range plans.

Neptune – Uranus aspect: Uranus intensifies the individuation process.  When boundaries dissolve in the course of self-realization, intense creativity or spiritual sensitivity could awaken.  In a less developed ego, Neptune’s effect could result in a blurry self-image and questionable independence.

Neptune – Pluto aspect: Pluto represents the dark, primal part of our subconscious.  When Pluto’s boundaries are dissolved, our consciousness opens up to a deep and powerful undercurrent of psychic energy.  There may be unusual, supernatural experiences or sensitivities.  Interest in the occult or other realities may emerge.

In Closing: Neptune’s Gift

Neptune represents our mind at its vastest, unbounded state.  When Neptune archetype is activated, the concept of time often ceases, and ego awareness fades into the background.  Through such experience, we expand our self-awareness and become more present to all aspects of our being.

All Neptune aspects could be viewed as contacts with the unbounded sea of impressions within your subconscious.  Learning to recognize and direct Neptune’s inspirational energies can dramatically enrich your day-to-day experience.

Emphasized Uranus, either in natal chart or through transit & solar arc, seems to grant us the capacity to ignore rules and traditions that keep us stuck in a rut.  Uranus represents our ability to think outside of the box, as well as deviate from the unspoken code of conduct imposed on us by others or (more often) ourselves.

If some people with strong Uranus emphasis choose illegal means to get what they want, it’s not because they lack conscience – they’re merely more able to ignore rules of morality imposed upon them by society (all revolutionaries, by definition, break rules.)

Uranus Aspect in Natal Chart or Transit & Solar Arc

Uranus involved with 7^th house or its ruler suggests an involvement with alternative thinkers or individualists that break rules in various ways.  The suggestion here is that such influence may be necessary in order for you to break out of your limiting patterns.

Uranus – Sun aspect suggests a drive to break free from the mold, by becoming someone different from your former self.  Reinventing the self does not always work out positively, however – some become more withdrawn and reclusive under this placement, moving into a fringe of law and society.

Uranus – Moon aspect represents emotional shock or turmoil, and the drive to escape it.  Some people shut down in order to distance themselves from the pain.  Other people renew themselves with intensity, investing all to fulfill their needs.

Uranus – Mercury aspect suggests the need to know or think of something new, as well as intense fear of boredom.  There may be nervous drive and anxiety, and an escape into the world of abstract ideas.

Uranus – Venus aspect suggests the need to extricate oneself from stifling relationships.  In both love and friendship, there tends to be a drive to seek excitement through people.

Uranus – Mars aspect may manifest as a burst of anger at any obstacles.  The feel is that of a sudden attack in order to win.  This aspect intensifies the Uranian drive for freedom and the need to extricate oneself from confining circumstance.

Uranus – Jupiter aspect suggests the drive to broaden one’s worldview.  There may be a tendency to feel constrained by one’s own culture or religion, which leads one to seek out new knowledge.  There is also a strong drive toward optimism.

Uranus – Saturn aspect represents a clash between the old and new: Valuing the old, yet seeing the need for change.  This could manifest as frustration with the world, or a patient resolve to effect change.

Uranus – Neptune aspect could lead one to reach out for new inspiration, or escape into fantasy and intoxication.  Neptune lures us with the promise of freedom from difficulty – but the easy way out tends to be costly.

Uranus – Pluto aspect suggests a deep desire to right a wrong.  There may be a need to extricate the self from negative or malicious circumstance – and perhaps a drive to help others do the same.

In Closing: When Your Old Pattern No Longer Works

Living under Saturn’s inertia, which could be thought of as “repeating what worked for us over the years,” our thinking and behavioral patterns tend to solidify and stiffen.   We stay out of trouble that way, but in exchange we may also feel stuck in the same disempowering pattern year after year.

Observing the natal or transiting Uranus’ placement could help us recognize the opportunities we have to reinvent ourselves in a certain area.  Just like a butterfly extricating itself from the cocoon of its old life, doing so could help us form a brand new identity with much more inner & outer freedom.

Share Your Experiences & Insights

If you want to add your own experiences and insights regarding Uranus in your horoscope, please feel free to do so in the comment section below this post.