Saturn, the Balance Wheel of the Planetary Pantheon

August 2021

Copyright © by Judith, 2021

Saturn’s bad reputation is certainly well deserved. ‘He’ so often indicates where, given time, restrictive conditions in the body become more chronic manifestations. Dr. Davidson referred to this planet as a reliable “the seat of disease”, and that, he is, at least of the chronic variety. That being said, Saturn is also the essential balance wheel of our planetary pantheon! This truth is aptly reflected by his ‘exaltation’ (most useful position) being situated in the sign of Libra, the celestial scales. Reverting to the ancient energetic model for planetary influence allows us to see how Saturn’s unique qualities both balance, and antidote the excesses of all other planets! Let’s make a simple list to illustrate this useful doctrine.

Sun: source of all light, hot, life, gold
Saturn: absence of light, cold, death, lead (blocks radiation)

Moon:  moist, cold, fluidic, changing, reflects light, weak
Saturn: dry, cold, astringent, constant, strong, blocks light

Mercury: fast, nimble, inconstant, unfocused
Saturn: slow, stiff, still, enduring, focused, reliant

Venus: relaxed, atonic, indulgent
Saturn: tightening, strong, disciplined

Mars: hot, dry, excreting, expending force, fast metabolism, hemorrhaging
Saturn: cold, dry, holding on, stamina, slow metabolism, hemostatic

Jupiter: fat, moist, expansive, warm, joyous, foolish, engorging, hemorrhagic
Saturn: lean, cold, astringent, hemostatic, depressed, wise, cautious

Uranus: spasmodic, extreme, electrical, disorderly
Saturn: grounding, conservative, orderly, the Great Chronocrat (marches out youth, age, etc.)

Neptune: dissolving of form (entropy), astral, dreamy, leaking, disorderly, opens the psychic boundaries
Saturn: building form, earthy, realistic, prevents leaks, orderly, seals the psychic boundaries

Pluto: temperature extremes, emotional extremes, volcanic
Saturn: steadying, emotionally calm, controlled

As we observe from the above list, Saturn is very essential to good health and mental balance! He is wise, cautious, focused, strong, and balancing to all planetary extremes. He tightens and tones, strengthens the bones, seals the periphery, guards our boundaries, and prevents all manner of excess.

Why are Saturn’s positive functions so infrequently cited? After all, he rules the bones…and where would we be without those? In palmistry, we see a reflection of his essential role as the balance wheel. He governs the third, or “flip the bird” finger.  It is thought that Saturn’s energy runs through the meridian of this third finger. This centrally placed finger visually balances the entire hand, and holds a similar meaning in palmistry. A malformed, tilted, or undeveloped third finger suggests a grossly weakened internal Saturn, requiring remediation. This condition corresponds to some of the physical or spiritual conditions noted for weak Saturn.

For best health, it is very important to have a strong, well placed and nicely aspected natal Saturn, and yet, one that is not too strong! For instance, we observe a chart’s natal Saturn to assess the strength and integrity of teeth and bones. If ‘he’ is weak, especially in certain signs, this may correspond to osteoporosis, lack of core strength, or dental issues (and much more).

Saturn plays a significant role in mental health too!  An excessively strong Saturn, is sometimes productive of OCD, isolation, or depression. Conversely, when found deficient and afflicted, (and/or ‘quincunx’ by angular relationship to Mercury, Moon, or Sun), a soul can float too easily between this plane and the next world ( sometimes referred to as “the astral world”.) One literally loses one’s anchor to this physical plane, and sometimes to consciousness of the body. This extreme and rare condition can sometimes cause the “hearing of voices”, involuntary clairaudience and/or clairvoyance, sleep walking, autism, etc.

Instability, wandering, an inability to care for oneself are all reflected in a weak natal Saturn. Likewise, career indecision or failure can all be blamed on this deficiency at birth! Or more accurately put, the weakened natal Saturn reflects the train of past life activities (karmas) that are being sorted out through this current life manifestation. Saturn, in fact, is regarded in metaphysical traditions as the primary balancer of the karmic ledger. Once again, we see his balancing role! Chronos (Saturn) balances bodies, as well as karmic debts.

When truthfully considering Saturn as one of our two, traditional ‘Great Malefics’, remember too, his role as The Great Balance Wheel of the planetary pantheon. In this manner, he balances himself!