Saturn in astrology

Saturn is the second-largest planet in our solar system. Its diameter at the equator measures
about 74,600 miles (120,700 kms), whereas the distance at the poles is only 66,800 miles
(107,500 kms). Its volume is 755 times that of Earth. The average solar distance is 886.7
million miles (1427 million kms). The orbital time is 29.46 years. It moves slowly through the
zodiac and has an average stay of 2-1/2 years in any sign. With the naked eye it is not very
visible, and its light seems leaden. Saturn was given the Greek name Kronos, the planet of
time's destiny. It is the prudent wanderer in the nightly sky and seems to be willing to
concentrate its distant power on itself.

In mythology Kronos (or Cronus)/Saturn is the god who swallowed his children because he
feared they would kill him. He had killed his own father (Uranus) in order to gain power.
However, the children are not killed as they are later regurgitated, two of them being Pluto
and Ceres. Fear is the driving force behind his actions, which can only be defeated and
overcome when all is under control. During the time when Kronos ruled over the gods, men
were first created, and this was called the Golden Age.

Saturn represents experience, tradition, examination of the new, the course of time, and
everything that needs time, as well as patience. It is called the planet of fate. Saturn
concentrates everything, even until the bitter end, no matter what is finally left. Here, the
serious task and moving forward even under trouble and strife are symbolized.

The most common energy Saturn is known for is perhaps restriction. However, this often
occurs due the natural law of cause and effect--which Saturn likes to manage. If it signifies
obstacles and restriction, it is usually due to an individual having an incorrect personal goal
or it is due to a karmic reaction which has been imposed. Saturn is the Lord of Karma
(Karma can be positive or negative as a result of promoting or interfering with someone
else's free will. It is also a debt to oneself, derived from actions that are aligned to cause and
effect). Accordingly, Saturn's placement in your chart can indicate the areas in life that you
need to work on.

A Saturn harmoniously positioned will consolidate events in a certain way. The Saturn energy
that is commonly seen as "The Restrictor" may also show a long term positive effect. This is
because it ultimately provides for control and maturation, and it prevents events from
getting out of hand. Due to the length of time that Saturn spends in any one sign, an
assessment of that sign is associated more with its respective generation. This may be one
reason why certain age groups understand each other particularly well and share a similar
way of life. Saturn is attached to the sign of Capricorn.