I’m just gonna say it. I’m not a big fan of how aspects are described in astrology books, even in the most respectable ones. 

Generally, the sections dedicated to aspects are vague and lazy. 

It’s quite common to find a subtitle such as “Venus-Saturn” with a general description of possible manifestations of ALL the aspects involving these two planets.

However, a sextile between Venus and Saturn differs from a square. This seems obvious, but it doesn’t look like that when judging the indexes of astrological books.  

I get it. Books cannot cover all the aspects between all the planets, luminaries, angles, and nodes.  

But I don’t understand why their authors fall into the most extreme simplification. 

So, I’m here to offer the content I want to see in the astrological world. 

The guidelines I share below attempt to differentiate between harmonious and challenging aspects.

I couldn’t completely escape the reductionism that bothers me because each chart is a world unto itself and cannot be synthesized in this humble text.

But, hey, it’s progress. 

Today, I want to address Saturn’s aspects in a broader sense.

This text will be helpful for those going through their Saturn return and those who wish to deepen their knowledge about the planet of the rings.

Once again, I use Stephen Arroyo’s book Chart Interpretation Handbook: Guidelines for Understanding the Essentials of the Birth Chart as a guiding source. 

First, let’s introduce aspects in astrology, and then we´ll focus on Saturn’s connections with other planets. 

This is the table of contents:

1. What Are Aspects in Astrology?
2. 6 Facts About Saturn’s Aspects in the Natal Chart 
   1. Wait. What Does It Mean to Have a Saturnian Natal Chart?
3. Ascendant’s Aspects in the Natal Chart
   1. Facts About the Aspects Between Saturn and the Ascendant
4. Sun’s Aspects in the Natal Chart
   1. Facts About the Aspects Between Saturn and the Sun
5. Moon’s Aspects in the Natal Chart
   1. Facts About the Aspects Between Saturn and the Moon
6. Mercury’s Aspects in the Natal Chart 
   1. Facts About the Aspects Between Saturn and Mercury
7. Venus’ Aspects in the Natal Chart
   1. Facts About the Aspects Between Saturn and Venus
8. Mars’ Aspects in the Natal Chart
   1. Facts About the Aspects Between Saturn and Mars
9. Jupiter’s Aspects in the Natal Chart
   1. Facts About the Aspects Between Saturn and Jupiter
10. Aspects Between Saturn and the Transpersonal Planets
11. Uranus’ Aspects in the Natal Chart
    1. Facts About the Aspects Between Saturn and Uranus
12. Neptune’s Aspects in the Natal Chart
    1. Facts About the Aspects Between Saturn and Neptune
13. Pluto’s Aspects in the Natal Chart
    1. Facts About the Aspects Between Saturn and Pluto
14. What About Chiron and the Nodes? 
15. Saturn’s Aspects and Their Activation During the Saturn Return 
16. Journaling Prompts to Analyze Saturn’s Aspects in Your Natal Chart

Let’s go. 

What Are Aspects in Astrology?

The previous text in this blog offers a thorough introduction to aspects in astrology. Check it if you need a starting point, and then return to this post. 

In this text, I want to offer a gist about aspects in specific planets and also in conversation with Saturn. 

If you don’t want to read the previous text, here is the TL;DR of aspects in astrology: 

1. They represent the dynamic interactions between the various energies of life. 
2. They connect planets, luminaries, angles, nodes, asteroids, and other mathematical points. 
3. They are measured within the 360 degrees of the natal chart circle.
4. There are many aspects, but when beginning the natal chart analysis, it is advisable to focus on the Ptolemaic aspects: conjunction, sextile, square, trine, and opposition. 
5. They can be classified into harmonious (the “easier” ones) and challenging (the “harder” ones).
6. The challenging aspects are the square (90º), opposition (180º), and sometimes, depending on the harmony of the planets involved, the conjunction (0º). 
7. The harmonious aspects are the trine (120º), sextile (60º), and some conjunctions (0º), depending on the planets involved.

From now on, I will only use the term “planets” in a general sense and for simplicity. Don’t forget that the angles of the chart, the Sun, the Moon, the nodes, the asteroids, and other mathematical points can engage in aspects.

6 Facts About Saturn’s Aspects in the Natal Chart 

1. They show a theme where you concentrate your energy with a serious focus. 
2. They reveal the ease or difficulty with which you deal with the limits of your existence. 
3. One possible manifestation is using your power within acceptable limits. This means you recognize the limits and express your power within them correctly, without aggression, but with firmness and self-confidence. 
4. At the other extreme, you may feel uncomfortable expressing yourself. If you inhibit yourself too much, Saturn’s aspects in your chart will give you a message. The message is learning how to deal with self-discipline in a less demanding way. 
5. Saturn´s aspects involving one of the five traditional planets, the Ascendant or the Midheaven are very relevant. The five personal planets are the Moon, the Sun, Mercury, Mars, and Venus. 
6. Saturn’s aspects with the other planets can be fundamental if they are within 5 degrees of distance or if your natal chart is very Saturnian.

Related: Saturn’s Themes and Their Activation During The Saturn Return

Wait. What Does It Mean to Have a Saturnian Natal Chart?

A Saturnian natal chart is one where the planet Saturn is prominent. 

If you have one (or more) of these placements, your chart is Saturnian: 

• Ascendant in Capricorn or Aquarius
• Sun in Capricorn or Aquarius
• Moon in Capricorn or Aquarius
• Saturn in Capricorn or Aquarius
• Saturn is less than 5 degrees away from the angles: Ascendant, Descendant, IC, or MC.

Related: What Is the Natal Chart? Astrology 101

More factors could indicate a prominent Saturn. But I want you to slowly integrate the information about Saturn in your chart (and your Saturn return). 

This is a marathon, not a sprint. 

Now, you must remember this: If your chart has one or more of these five factors, then you have a Saturnian chart. 

Therefore, Saturn’s aspects to other points of the chart are very relevant in your life. 

Next, I want to cover some possible manifestations of the aspects that Saturn makes to other planets. 

Ascendant’s Aspects in the Natal Chart

The aspects that the Ascendant forms with the planets are vital because they color your focus and perspective according to the sign of your Ascendant and the other planets involved. 

These aspects act like a patina that covers specific themes or areas of life with particular and individual characteristics of your personality and worldview. 

If the aspect is harmonious, the patina would be optimistic and upbeat. 

If the aspect is challenging, the attitude towards life could be gloomier, or a higher degree of hard work may be needed to address specific issues that may arise. 

Facts About the Aspects Between Saturn and the Ascendant

• Need to express your ambitions and responsibilities publicly. 
• Serious and practical tone in your approach to life.
• Disciplined energy and integrity are your particular modes of expression.

Sun’s Aspects in the Natal Chart

The Sun’s aspects impact your physical vitality, ease of expression, what stimulates your creativity, what you identify with, and how easily you find satisfaction.

Planets, angles, or nodes in conjunction with the Sun symbolize something essential about your identity. 

Generally, planets in harmonious aspect with the Sun increase the sense of well-being. 

Conversely, challenging aspects reveal obstacles that must be overcome or integrated to achieve a state of well-being.

Facts About the Aspects Between Saturn and the Sun

• The desire to shine and to create is combined with a deep need for stability.
• Conservative tendencies make it difficult to manifest self-confidence and well-being. 
• The need for security colors all areas of life. 
• You may appear older than you are, even at a very early age. 
• You are very aware of your limitations and mistakes, to the point of exaggerating them and falling into self-punishment or inhibition. 
• A defensive attitude and feelings of inadequacy and uselessness can block the expression of creativity and love. 
• Depending on the houses involved, these aspects show the specific spheres of life in which you find it complex to understand or express yourself. 
• You can learn about your value through tangible results and by assuming responsibilities.

IMPORTANT: If you were born with retrograde Saturn, it’s likely that this planet will be in opposition to your natal Sun. For specific information about retrograde Saturn, check this post. 

Moon’s Aspects in the Natal Chart

The Moon’s aspects show to what extent you have an accurate and positive self-image and a sense of confidence and security within. 

They also indicate how you express and manifest your deepest feelings and creative imagination. 

These aspects reveal whether your immediate reactions to life experiences are constructive and comforting or inadequate and confusing. 

The aspects of the Moon in the natal chart reflect everything that stimulates or hinders emotional peace. 

The Moon and its aspects to other planets also symbolize how you react to and adjust to life’s changes.

Harmonious lunar aspects tend to indicate your personality’s most positive and pleasant characteristics. 

If the Moon is harmoniously aspected in a compatible sign, it will provide objectivity and a very accurate self-image. 

On the other hand, challenging Moon aspects show that you must put some effort into obtaining the objectivity that harmonious aspects already possess. 

These aspects are related to reactivity, to those emotional wounds that are triggered whenever we feel stress, fear, insecurity, or lack of confidence. 

Related: The Truth About The New Moon

When the Moon forms tense aspects, you will likely take everything that happens personally without detachment. 

In this case, you may find it complicated to adapt to the world’s changing circumstances. It is also likely that the way you perceive yourself is inaccurate. 

The specific characteristics of this “flawed” perception will depend on the energies indicated by the planets, signs, and houses involved. 

For example, the Moon in a challenging aspect with the Sun, Mercury, or Venus can represent the feeling of being unable to express something deeply felt. 

If the challenging aspect occurs with any other planets, angles, or nodes, it can reveal a feeling of inability to cope with life’s demands.

When the Moon is in conjunction with another planet, there is a lack of awareness and objectivity about what the other planet represents. 

Not all conjunctions to the Moon are tense, but what the conjunction indicates will emerge unconsciously and automatically. 

For example, being born with Jupiter or Venus in conjunction with the Moon is not tense at all. 

Facts About the Aspects Between Saturn and the Moon

• The satisfaction of basic domestic needs is combined with the need to acquire security through tangible achievements and taking on responsibilities. 
• You need to exert disciplined effort to feel comfortable, which can result in limited emotional expression. 
• You may be defensive and experience a lack of self-confidence. 
• Even when no one criticizes you, you may think they do, and as a result, you are not open to receiving positive messages or compliments. 
• Your childhood environment, especially if the aspect is challenging, may have been severe, lonely, or problematic.

Mercury’s Aspects in the Natal Chart 

The aspects of Mercury indicate your ability to communicate, express yourself, and acquire new knowledge. 

These aspects show how in tune your conscious mind is and how you express the thoughts that circulate in it. 

Mercury is also an essential indicator of the ability to coordinate mental and physical functions because it is related to the nervous system.

Related: The Phases of Mercury Retrograde

Harmonious aspects indicate that there’s enjoyment and fluidity in the process associated with the exchange of ideas, the learning of new facts, or the implementation of mental and manual dexterity. 

On the other hand, challenging aspects could indicate a lack of confidence in your mental skills or sabotage your learning efforts because you fear stepping into the unknown. 

Facts About the Aspects Between Saturn and Mercury

• Objectivity and clarity of expression are manifested in a disciplined, systematic, and cautious manner. 
• A practical sense of order and respect for traditions that keep the conscious mind stable.
• Persistent and meticulous intellect.
• Good memory. 

Venus’ Aspects in the Natal Chart

The aspects of Venus influence primarily the ability to maintain conscious relationships with others, both intimate relationships and social relationships of all kinds. 

They also indicate whether you experience emotional satisfaction in these relationships and how much you can freely give and receive affection. 

The aspects of Venus reveal whether it is easy or difficult for you to express pleasure (not only sexual pleasure) and how easily your desire to feel joy is satisfied. 

The most harmonious aspects show open channels for giving and receiving in the ways indicated by the planets, signs, and houses involved.

Related: Venus Retrograde by Transit

Squares, oppositions, and some conjunctions to Venus do not necessarily mean that no one loves you or you are incapable of feeling love. 

Instead, challenging aspects reveal that you might block the expression of love and refuse to receive it from others.

Working on clarifying those blockages and fears and improving the flow of energy in that area of life can help you experience greater pleasure and happiness.

Facts About the Aspects Between Saturn and Venus

• Expressing love is easier when you feel secure and stable. 
• Emotional bonds are strengthened through loyalty. 
• You can manifest a great depth of love if you overcome your fears. 
• The need to feel connected to others manifests through shared effort, mutual commitment, and accepting responsibilities. 
• You are likely to hesitate when expressing love unless there are guarantees. This approach may lead you to have a limited social life.

Mars’ Aspects in the Natal Chart

Aspects involving Mars signify asserting your own power and physical and sexual energy. 

They also connect with taking action in a decisive sense, leading, and having the pioneering courage to try new experiences where creative initiative can be activated. 

Patience doesn’t come seamlessly when Mars is active in a natal chart. However, it is necessary to develop it to achieve the best results from Mars’ original and impulsive actions.

Harmonious aspects involving this planet could indicate the ability to assert yourself, be determined, and pursue your goals with consistent action. 

Related: Mars Retrograde: Effects and Insights

On the other hand, challenging aspects could mean a blockage in being more decisive, or they could also indicate that you chase what you want in a very aggressive and harsh demeanor. 

Facts About the Aspects Between Saturn and Mars

• You need to structure and discipline the expression of your energy and self-assertion. 
• Patience helps you achieve your goals. 
• Focusing your physical energy and initiative on demanding objectives will help you reach concrete achievements.

Jupiter’s Aspects in the Natal Chart

The aspects of Jupiter can show in which sphere you try to improve and develop to the fullest, as well as how you manifest yourself in those areas where you constantly strive to be better. 

The expansiveness and optimism characteristic of Jupiter can also lead you to want to take on too many things in the areas indicated by the aspect, the signs, and the houses involved. Moderation may be necessary. 

Jupiter’s generosity and philosophical attitude can grant you masterful talent in those areas of life touched by this planet’s lucky energy. 

Generally, Jupiter’s aspects with the five personal planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars) and the Ascendant (or the Midheaven) are the most important in a natal chart. 

Related: Jupiter Retrograde by Transit

Harmonious aspects indicate that you may have an inviting and happy-go-lucky attitude. Your charm attracts abundance and exciting opportunities.  

The conjunction is usually harmonious and stimulates ambition and growth in concrete ways. 

Challenging aspects suggest that you exaggerate, go overboard with projects and expenses, and have trouble setting healthy boundaries with yourself and others. 

These aspects are problematic because they can hinder your ability to achieve your ambitions or long-term goals. You may be chasing instant gratification instead of focusing on more tangible results. 

They can also highlight a deeply rooted feeling that you don’t have enough money, work, or opportunities. 

However, you can later expand excessively and have too many things to manage simultaneously.

Facts About the Aspects Between Saturn and Jupiter

• The desire for expansion can descend to a more earthly level and stabilize. 
• The constant drive for expansion combines with the need to maintain existing structures to feel secure. 
• Learning to feel satisfied with what you have in the present while seeking to achieve other ambitions is necessary. 
• The feeling of having too much or too little is frustrating.
• Enormous ambition. 

Aspects Between Saturn and the Transpersonal Planets

Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto are known as the transpersonal planets. They spend years in the same sign, and whole generations will have these planets in the same signs. 

Sometimes, they even make the same aspects to other planets in the natal charts of thousands of people. 

The aspects between Saturn and Uranus, Neptune and/or Pluto are relevant if they are five or fewer degrees apart. Conjunctions and challenging aspects are also more noteworthy than harmonious aspects. 

Let’s review some specifics about each planet in connection with Saturn. 

Uranus’ Aspects in the Natal Chart

Uranus aspects indicate areas where innovation, unconventional thinking, and a little rebellion are needed. 

Related: Uranus in Gemini

Harmonious aspects can produce a creative combination of practicality with progressive ideas and the implementation of innovative methods to achieve goals. 

The more challenging aspects indicate that transitioning from old to new can be difficult, as the person desires freedom and stimulation without letting go of the past.

Facts About the Aspects Between Saturn and Uranus

• You need to apply effort to express yourself originally and shape unconventional ideas. 
• The desire for change and living new experiences combines with the need for social acceptance. 
• You can benefit from a traditional work environment with room for creativity.

Neptune’s Aspects in the Natal Chart

When Neptune is active in a chart, it shows facets where imagination, transcendence, connection with other beings, unconditional love, and creativity are enhanced. 

Harmonious aspects indicate confidence in your creative power and the certainty that you are not alone. You know that some invisible forces always protect you, no matter what. 

Related: Neptune by Transit Conjunct the Natal Saturn

Conversely, challenging aspects could indicate that you have trouble setting boundaries, are too needy or generous to your detriment, or even suffer from a martyr complex. 

Facts About the Aspects Between Saturn and Neptune

• You direct your disciplined effort toward achieving your spiritual aspirations and ideals. 
• The interaction between the material and spiritual worlds can create confusion and lack of organization or hinder the practical grasp of ethereal realities. 
• Desire to transcend overly rigid physical structures and their boring limitations. 
• Idealistic approach to ambitions and commitments.

Pluto’s Aspects in the Natal Chart

Pluto’s aspects deal with the most profound and transformational themes. 

Nothing is light when this planet is involved, meaning it’s associated with topics such as death, trauma, psychological transformation, immense power, and enormous sums of money. 

Related: Pluto in Astrology and the Shadow in Jung

When Pluto is in a harmonious aspect with other planets of the natal chart, this means that you know how to channel your ambition and desires constructively. 

However, if Pluto is in challenging aspects, there may be an element of disproportion in your way of going after what you want. Secrecy, betrayal, and deception may emerge in a very destructive style. 

Facts About the Aspects Between Saturn and Pluto

• Drive aimed at transformation and rebirth to achieve inner security. 
• You apply effort to leave behind past obsessions. 
• Urgent need to understand your priorities, desires, and motivations deeply. 
• Intense ambition for power.

What About Chiron and the Nodes? 

Aspects to Chiron and the Nodes are essential, too. 

But, again, I want you to take the process of understanding your Saturn return step by step. 

Related: Chiron: Its Meaning and Purpose

First, you have to focus on the aspects involving the traditional planets, aka the Moon, the Sun, Mercury, Mars, Venus and Jupiter. Saturn is a traditional planet too, but of course, it’s involved in these aspects when we analyze its return in your life.  

Then, you can check the aspects that involve the transpersonal planets, meaning Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.

Related: Eclipse Season and the First Saturn Return

After analyzing this information, you can focus on Chiron and the nodes. 

Don’t worry. In future texts, I’ll cover them too. 

Saturn’s Aspects and Their Activation During the Saturn Return 

When you are experiencing your Saturn return, not only does this planet become activated, but everything in conversation with it lights up. 

Since aspects are conversations that the different planets and mathematical points of the natal chart have, you need to pay special attention to Saturn’s aspects to such planets and points. 

But where do you start?! I know the information can be overwhelming. 

So, let’s take it one step at a time.

For astrologers Chris Brennan and Leisa Schaim, squares and oppositions involving Saturn indicate evident manifestations in a person’s life.

During the Saturn return, these natal squares and oppositions will be activated, whether for “good” or “bad.”

When you begin to analyze your chart and want to learn more about the challenges that may manifest during your Saturn return, focus first on analyzing the squares and oppositions that this planet makes to other planets and points.

Once you identify all the squares and oppositions involving Saturn, pay special attention to those within 5 degrees of exactness. 

Journaling Prompts to Analyze Saturn’s Aspects in Your Natal Chart

1. Do you have a Saturnian natal chart? To identify it, note if you have one or more of these factors: 

• Ascendant in Capricorn or Aquarius
• Sun in Capricorn or Aquarius
• Moon in Capricorn or Aquarius
• Saturn in Capricorn or Aquarius
• Saturn is less than 5 degrees away from the angles: Ascendant, Descedenatnt, IC, or MC.

2. Return to point 1 in the exercise you did in the previous post. Now, identify all the conjunctions involving Saturn. It doesn’t matter how far they are. Write them down. 
3. Now, read all the aspects you have written in point 3 of last week’s exercise. Select the ones that involve Saturn. Write the degrees, but ignore them now. 
4. You know the drill: Find the aspects to Saturn within the 5-degree range, write them down, and mark the tightest aspect with an asterisk. 
5. Read about the specifics of each aspect in this text, find the planet in conversation with Saturn, and do some free-flowing journaling about the aspects within the 5-degree range. Take into account the following questions: 

-Is the aspect challenging or harmonious? (You can go to the previous post to check the meanings associated with each aspect)

-What are the signs involved in the aspect?

-What are the houses involved when using the whole sign houses system? (Go back to this text for instructions on how to get your natal chart.)

-What facts associated with the aspects between Saturn and the planet in question are manifested in your life?

-What would you like to change or improve about the manifestation of this aspect in your life? 

-Did something unexpected come to mind while you were following your stream of consciousness? Write it down! It has a message for you! 

If you have a tight Saturn aspect that involves the nodes, the MC, or Chiron, let me know in the comments, and I will write a text about how to interpret it as soon as possible. 

Thank you for your time, and I hope this is helpful!