Whether Astrology is science or magic, we’re open to most things, if they may be of benefit. ~ Ed.

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*Vedic Astrology, or Jyotish, is one of the oldest sciences on the planet and considered a relative of astronomy. It is an important and valuable part of the ancient Vedic texts. This complex, logic-based and also intuitive science, has survived thousands of years in India’s Vedic tradition and is still considered a highly valuable tool of guidance and life insight. It is not a religion, but rather a philosophical understanding of human and cosmic existence. In Sanskrit, jyoti means light. Essentially, the study of jyotish is the study of light and how we interact with the cosmic light—within us and within the cosmos. Vedic astrology, or the sidereal approach to astrology, casts charts differently than Western or Tropical astrology. The meanings, implications and purpose of jyotish is therefore different, as are the details used for prediction and the indications given below.

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Saturn is a powerful planet, one that dishes up our karma to us, but not on a silver platter.

He creates our greatest suffering and sorrow but ultimately, our greatest enlightenment.

Saturn travels slowly and methodically, taking two and a half years to move through each sign. Sidereal Saturn began transiting Sagittarius January 26, 2017.

He offers us the depth of our humanness—through experiencing our human bodies or our reactions.

Life might be easier without Saturn, but it would truly lack depth, lessons learned and the consistent effort which is necessary for us to grow and evolve.

Saturn is worth studying—working with, not against. Familiarizing ourselves with his ways is vital for life and living. On the other side of suffering is the opportunity for great alliance with nature and her wisdom.

Saturn shifted to Sagittarius on January 26, 2017, and into Mula nakshastra, where he will be transiting the majority of the year.

At the time of this powerfully-restructuring transit, Saturn, the planet of grief, will move through the nakshastra or lunar constellation called Mula, which is notorious for bringing adharma (that which is against dharma or one’s truth).

It is imperative to stay close to resources, support and guidance that will help us stay true to our inner wisdom, our dharma and life path.

Saturn spends the majority of his time in Mula nakshatra this year, which is the first constellation situated in Sagittarius. It will be easy and tempting to succumb to fear and anxiety during this transit. It will provoke challenges and discomfort that might make us lose hope, trust or certainty about our inner truth.

By facing our fear directly—using it as a resource for deep inner growth and transformation—we can awaken spiritually in empowering ways during the coming months.

This transit of Saturn in Mula can bring great awakening, but only through our diligence, willingness and consistent desire to show up for our inner wisdom. This process will take resolve. We must continue to be present for ourselves and others, in order to harvest the power of this process.

Ask these questions:

What is my highest truth?

What intentions am I aligning with right now?

What is my heart and soul longing to bring forth into this one precious life?

Saturn will stay in Mula nakshatra until June 21, 2017. Saturn will retrograde on April 5, 2017. Saturn will then re-enter Scorpio on June 21st for another four months, before re-entering Sagittarius and Mula nakshatra on October 26th, for the remainder of his two-and-a-half year transit through this fire sign.

Sagittarius also correlates to the ninth house of our natal chart, which is the house of dharma. The ninth house is considered the most auspicious house of the chart, offering support and resources, more than challenges and struggles. It is also the house associated with teachers, but most importantly, one’s guru. This can include coaches, therapists, healers, teachers and anyone who shows up in a supporting role.

The ninth house is spiritual, wisdom oriented and connected to higher education. There is also a correlation to the father, but most often the step-father (as the guru was in ancient times). Right now it is important for everyone to understand their natal ninth house and how it expresses itself in their chart.

As Saturn shifts into Sagittarius, Rahu, the shadow node, which is currently in Leo, gives his gaze directly to this heavy, challenging planet of hard work and structure.

When the energies of Rahu and Saturn come together, storm energy is enlivened and the power of Rudra (the Storm God) is invoked.

Find the calm within the storm and activate grounding, embodiment and core strength.

This lengthy transit will be the most provocative and transformational, since Saturn is the slowest-moving planet and the grief giver. He impacts the physical body directly and brings ongoing duress because he is so heavy, old and slow.

Why is this transit so provocative?

There is a risk in the coming months of losing our path, getting stuck in the storm of uncertainty, confusion and misalignment by succumbing to fear, doubt and challenges. This is because of Mula, the lunar constellation that is ruled by the dark goddess, Nirrti, who is notorious for causing chaos and misfortune, while pulling us from our dharmic path.

If you lack clarity about your life purpose or have increased confusion, it’s time to seek support and guidance.

However, with great diligence, this can also be a time to strengthen our determination, focus and alignment with dharma.

This Saturn transit will be challenging for many, but it is an opportunity to do some powerful healing work in ways that will support deep, lasting change for the physical body.

As painful as this letting go and uprooting process will be during the coming months, it’s also an opportunity for great change and transformation. Releasing allows new space and possibility to arrive—on all levels of our being.

How we work with our pain, grief and challenges will determine the outcome. Remember that there’s always a resource hidden in the challenges. The trick is to find them! It will be important to get extra support, resources and guidance in the months to come to help you transform challenges into possibilities.

Do not lose sight of your visions and dreams, goals and aspirations. Stay close to your body and breath and deepen your inner roots.

Use resources to help you expand your creativity and what you think is possible for yourself.

Horoscopes for Saturn in Sagittarius and all of 2017.

*Horoscopes are based on your sidereal or Jyotish rising sign, not your Western or Tropical sign. You may also use your sidereal moon or sun sign for extra insight. For these particular horoscopes, understanding where Saturn sits in your natal chart is key. This will determine your relationship with him and how he gives his effects.

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Aries: As Saturn steps into your ninth house of dharma, it’s time to truly enliven your purpose for being alive. How you share your wisdom and gifts with the world are transformed. You are embarking on a dharmic process that will test your courage and abilities, but this will be well worth your effort in the coming years.

Taurus: This is a vital year of transformation for you, as Saturn dips into your unconscious territory, the eighth house. Think of it as a major internal house clearing. You will be forced to look at parts of yourself that you’ve had under lock and key for years. You must acknowledge the parts of yourself that are brought to the surface, in order to release and heal them.

Gemini: For the majority of the year, Saturn will be moving through your seventh house of relationships. There is a radical release and restructuring process taking place within you and your relationships at this time. It’s time to let go of the people you’ve been hanging on to for no good reason—the relationships that drain you and take more than they give.

Cancer: Saturn transits your sixth house as it moves into Sagittarius for the majority of 2017. This is a house of conflict, strength and determination, as well as finances and debt. It is also a place of great healing and overcoming your enemies. The enemies you face are nothing more than parts of yourself that must be honored and healed.

Leo: The fifth house is enlivened as Saturn moves to your place of power and passion. It is also the house of children, romance and past-life relationships. Saturn’s passage through the solar plexus of your chart, increases challenges, hardship and grief with family and romance. Try to lighten up and soften your load. Right now, you are learning a new way of being.

Virgo: The fourth house of heart and home, mother and land, will be the focus of great transformation as Saturn transits through your chest for the majority of 2017. Grief must be attended to, digested and released. Pay attention to the heaviness in your lungs and heart, so that you can fully acknowledge your attention-seeking grief.

Libra: This transit of Saturn impacts your third house of courage and creativity, as well as self-expression and artistry. Step into your artistic endeavors more fully and use your hands! Write, draw, paint and dance. Find new ways to share yourself with the world. This is a big part of your dharma—which is currently coming to life in new ways.

Scorpio: This year, as Saturn moves out of your head and into your mouth, nourishment becomes the primary theme for you. This also marks the tail end of Saturn’s return and major restructuring (only two and a half years to go). Saturn is uprooting and transforming your second house of wealth, food, speech and sustenance.

Sagittarius: This is a time of radical transformation as Saturn moves into your first house of self and head. Sadness and depression can surface because of the heaviness of Saturn moving through your head. You are going through a Saturn return in many ways, which provokes deep, inner change. You won’t be the same person on the other side.

Capricorn: Your ruling planet, Saturn, moves into your 12th house for the majority of 2017, invoking deep introspection and a need for alone time and retreat. This is a time of deep silence and inner listening. It represents an ending, preparing you for a new Saturn cycle, with new structure and physical body awareness. Think of this as your final harvest of the last 30 years.

Aquarius: For the majority of the year, your ruling planet, Saturn, moves into your 11th house of gains. This is a house of pluses and minuses which requires you to let go and release, in order for more receptivity. Become more aware of your needs—especially with relationships. What is serving you and what needs to be released?

Pisces: With Saturn in your 10th house, your career will require consistent effort and action steps in order to feel rewarded. Your offering for the world is being activated, but you must be diligent and stay true to course. Saturn likes hard work—which means consistent and focused efforts over a long period of time. This is how he gives his rewards.

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Relephant:

Author: Saraswati J.

Image: Flickr/Jeffrey

Editor: Ashleigh Hitchcock