Saturnian Relationships

Astrological Saturn quite often gets a bad press, sometimes deservedly; but there is a positive side to the planet's astrological reputation too.

Astrologer Dena L. Moore's 2002 article about the role of Saturn in Relationship Astrology is an interesting read. The points raised could relate to all kinds of relationships including marriage, partnerships, friendships and professional liaisons when Saturn in one person's natal chart makes close aspect to a planet in the chart of the other party.

Key snippets from the article (which needs to be read in full for overall understanding):

"Saturn’s importance in relationships should not be overlooked........ In synastry, Saturnian contacts are often viewed negatively if there is a square (90 degrees), opposition (180 degrees), or conjunction ( 0 degrees) involved..... A positive Saturnian contact such as the trine (120 degrees) and the sextile (60 degrees) is easier to work with in the relationship because Saturn and the other planet have more of an understanding between them........ Without the strength and support of a significant Saturn contact, it is fairly difficult to think in terms of long-term possibility in a relationship."

Testing this theory on myself and my husband: my natal Saturn at 12.55 Aries trines his Moon at 13.35 Leo; his Saturn at 26.3 Pisces trines my Mars at 28.54 Scorpio. Maybe we're OK for the long haul then, each teaching and learning a few lessons on the journey. We've both been through all manner of relationship grinders over the years, such experiences must have smoothed off many rough edges.

I investigated my parents' charts too. They managed 55 years of often turbulent but always loving and faithful relationship. For much of their lives they worked and lived together 24/7. A testing ground indeed! My mother's natal Saturn conjoined Dad's Neptune in Cancer. The clincher in their charts, I think, was the fact that Mum's natal Uranus was only 6* away from Dad's Aquarius Sun, and sextiled his Saturn in Aries.

Although long term possibilities in relationships may be less of a certainty in the absence of positive Saturn contacts, other placements and aspects could supply a strengthening effect powerful enough to overcome a lack of strong helpful aspects from Saturn. External factors too, such as environment, education, context, background etc. carry as much weight as the astrological in any situation.

Whatever is indicated by any astrological theory is a potentiality to bear in mind, rather than being an outcome chiseled in stone.