The process of transformation is never easy. It’s usually through the catalyst of loss and disappointment that we discover the potent alchemical mix that pushes us towards personal mastery. How do we know what we’re made of if we’re never tested? How do we know what needs to be healed if we never experience the gnawing pain of an old wound? How do we know we’re alive if we don’t confront the specter of mortality?
Scorpio has a well deserved reputation because it’s the sign that deals in bracing honesty. It’s also the sign that shows us everything we’d rather not see about ourselves, whether it’s our fears, our shame, or our shadow. Scorpio is life and death situations. Scorpio is sex — the kind of sex where there’s no illusion or pretense. Scorpio is raw. Scorpio is soul baring truths. Scorpio is seeing the ashes of your life and knowing that there will be life again. Scorpio is life through the prism of death. And what is death but another form of transformation.
So here we are on the threshold of rebirth, poised to take another turn in this evolutionary adventure called life. With Saturn’s ingress into Scorpio on October 5, 2012, we’re moving from the relative comfort of Libra, where it is exalted, into the darker waters of Scorpio. By now, hopefully, we’ve mastered the relationship lessons of Libra. Or rather we’ve mastered courtship, but now we’ve got the wedding night to contend with. Feel that clench in the pit of your stomach? That’s Scorpio knocking.
Obviously this is enough to make a person nervous and I don’t want anyone to think I’m peddling fear because, as with anything, the energy is what we make of it. True, no one likes to face the music and do Scorpio for the next two and a half years. No one wants to see what they’ve been hiding away or reminded of their mortality. But it is through these experiences that we truly know who we are and experience the biggest growth. (For a 101 level breakdown of Saturn in Scorpio, click here.)
So what can we expect between now and 2015?
Saturn makes us learn our soul lessons. Saturn is the karmic chicken coming home to roost. Saturn makes us conscious of lack and the people in power above us. But on the flip side, Saturn pushes us to be our own authority and when Saturn is in Scorpio, we’re learning to be an authority in lessons of power, intimacy, and shared resources. Yes, Scorpio rules debt, but at the end of the day all Saturn wants is for you to balance the checkbook. That’s mastery — mastery over the exchange of energy between two people, whether it is money or sex.
Other Saturn in Scorpio themes include:
- Banking and debt restructuring
- Taxes
- Lessons in privacy
- Uncovering corruption and abuse
- Sex scandals
- Political falls from grace
- Lessons in power
- Taboo
- Lack of resources and money
- Trouble with inheritances
- Domination
- Dark father issues
- Sexual shame
- Transmuting shadow into light
- Interacting with the dead
- Mediumship
- Empowerment
- Becoming our own authority
Before you run for the hills, thankfully there’s a Saturn/Neptune trine to smooth out the ride. Neptune in its home sign of Pisces softens the hard Scorpio edge and the Saturn/Neptune trine is about dissolving boundaries, going beyond the physical, and surrendering. So what are we surrendering to? Intimacy? Transformation? Vulnerability? Our own darkness? If Saturn in Scorpio is all about facing our fears, a dash of Neptune at least takes the sting out. Small miracles, I know.
Here are some tips on how to work with Saturn in Scorpio proactively:
- Utilize talk therapy to deeply explore the psyche
- Be more vulnerable
- Transmute fears into strengths
- Share your energy and money only with worthy partners
- Heal any shame associated with sexuality
- Purge any needless superficialities
- Confront the shadow self
Much like Pluto in Capricorn, this is a transit we all have to face. Death is a natural and necessary part of life. And it is through Scorpio that we strip bare, cast off the old aspects of self, and step into the fire to be reborn.
Facing the muic AND facing my fears…..OKAY! I AM GUNNA ROCK THIS TRANSFORMATION and transition of my life!! I am pretty sure I set my self up for success for this transition without even knowing it! Thank you libra for the relationship lesson of me myself and I. I am now ready to rock and roll my beautiful complex life!
Work it, gurrl. That’s the right attitude!
Just wondering why you and Susan Miller have the exact opposite take on this. She’s ecstatic that Saturn is entering Scorpio. Her forecasts tout this as a wonderful thing. Your take seems to lean toward the Mark Lerner doom and gloom. Although you claim to not be peddling fear, your forecast seems to leave one with a sense of trepidation.
I’ve only recently discovered you, and I do like the more spiritual side I’ve seen you take. This was just a puzzling article to me.
Fair enough. But I’m a Scorpio so admittedly my perception is biased as I’ve lived Scorpio. And I’ve survived Saturn’s transit of my 8th House. Barely.
I think we can be upbeat about Scorpio and talk about all the great transformations we’ll have, but there’s a lot of shadow material that gets dragged out during transits. And shadow material is precisely what is is — material that we’d like to not acknowledge and material that is inherently uncomfortable. But from this, and this is where I, hopefully, am not doom and gloom, is where there’s a LOT of power in facing this shadow material. Because any Scorpio worth his or her salt will know that by confronting the dark, you transmute it into the light.
We still are operating in a dimension of duality. With light comes dark. It is up to us as free willed souls to take this Scorpionic energy and use it as a force of good. At the end of the day, regardless of the transit, that’s what I espouse. I hope it didn’t come across as the opposite, Zack.
It is about time. You can’t take your baggage with you if you plan on moving to higher vibrations, and if you plan to participate in the ascension process. Also, it is high time the truth is revealed about EVERYTHING!
As a double Aquarian, I was fortunate to make it through the monster moon quite smoothly. Actually, I had a stretch of good fortune. But all I read the month before that moon was basically that the world was going to end, life was going to be drastically altered, and I should probably lock myself in a safe room and not do anything for 10 days.
And while there was dangerous energy around me – I could feel it – I just chose to filter it, and not let it affect me. Forewarned is forearmed. But it has been a tough few years for me, and as someone that grew up with an astrologer for a mother, I turn to astrology as a sort of GPS to help me navigate the difficult times.
I have turned away from Mark Lerner, because I found that he tends to be “doom and gloom” quite often, and I think it contradicts the unofficial motto of astrology that “the stars impel, they do not compel, what you make of your life is largely up to you…” I got turned on to Susan Miller as a fluke, and I’ve been quite loyal to her because I think her positive energy is infectious. And when there are troubling aspects, she has a way that doesn’t scare you, but at least gets the message across of “Hey! Watch out!” without inducing a riot. I’ll admit it’s a tightrope to walk.
My mother is also very metaphysical, and I grew up understanding a lot about energy and “new age” spirituality. I found you when searching #monstermoon on Twitter. I read your blog and your postings, and I really like your take on so many things. There is most definitely a place for your message. Astrologers that understand their practice is a tool that can be used in concert with other metaphysical activities I think are the most powerful.
Okay, so, I was long winded here. My unsolicited critique was actually more of a compliment than a complaint. Like I said, I just bristle when I read (and you didn’t write this) a forecast like “Batten down the hatches! Life is going to suck!” It doesn’t help, and it only induces anxiety. Rather, “There’s a potential for some tricky encounters. Just remember that the energy may be a bit off, but you can choose to filter that energy…”
I’m not sure I’ve made much sense. But I’m a fan. I’ll keep reading.
So, Katie, in my NATAL CHART _ Saturn is in my 2nd house at 8degrees Gem. with Uranus at 3 deg Gem. – that means I will have “issues” with finances – Gains and losses? Sense of security and self-confidence? with Uranus helping to break the rules? Spark Creativity? I was also checking out Astrology Zone tools to help me understand the implications for me.
I am simply trying to put 2 and 2 together. Thanks for any insight you could provide!
Love your posts and insights, Katie!
I’ve been looking forward to this major avent all year, so I’m pretty relieved it came to pass. My past couple years have been rough like yours and I was
forced into all that this means prematurely so I am on my way with a head start while everyone else is at the gate! Now I can watch the drama unfold from the comfort of a higher level of being transformed! Yaaa!
Karen, belated response to your question. People born with Saturn/Uranus in conjunction are innovative with structures. Uranus in the 2nd can bring instability with finances, but you have Saturn helping to even things out. If anything, you’re great at thinking outside of the box about how to earn money. Saturn in the 2nd will make you work hard to acquire material resources.
I was wondering how to find out what house my Scorpio falls in. May 4 1977 birth date. Taurus sun, Aquarius ascending, Scorpio moon. Or did I just answer my own question and not realize it :). I also am a Susan Miller follower and stumbled across you on twitter. Very intriguing to read your reports vs hers. I get incite from both and use it for my own well being ( so to speak ). The Sept moon didn’t really effect me but I did watch on side lines of others lives and what the happenings were.
Hi Tarah, you did answer your question! If you have Aquarius rising, then you likely have Scorpio on the 11th House cusp. You’ll want to double check and you can do so by entering your birth information into the free natal chart form at astro.com 🙂
The September moon was a powerful moon, but I felt that it gave people the wrong idea or put them into a place of fear by calling it a Monster Moon. I just wanted people to know that they could set powerful intentions with the moon.
Thank you and yes 11th house
Wow! I knew this was coming, and with my transiting pluto sitting at 7 degrees cap.. (natal descendant being at 4 degrees cap) things have been coming to light, more of a reality check due to my natal neptune at 5 degrees cap… I must say, as hard as its been, literally BAM BAM BAM!!! One thing after another, saying to myself “no way, another problem… another grievance !” They just keep piling up! I know Im not alone! I must say though, I find myself embracing my life right now and seeing things clearly for once. I think because Im learning the reality is, it is NOT possible to live a life without pain and heartache, it comes hand in hand with joy and happiness . It has to be ’embraced’ and feeling this, its been teaching me to let go of bad habits, relationships, thoughts, and leaving it in the hands of God… or for others, whatever is greater and higher than our own beings. So it is true that we have a choice to work with the energy that is upon us, because if I don’t I will and would be very lost and in a very dark place… May we all find peace within the night sky, when all we wanna do is cry, but up there… THERE is the only way we would ever learn to fly.. CW
What a wonderful sentiment, Celia. May we all be brave enough to embrace the pain as well as the joy. I’m glad that you’ve found your clarity in what could have been a very dark time. It sounds like you’ve truly made a friend of Pluto and he will serve you well your whole life.
I am reading about Saturn in Scorpio a little late on 22nd October. I have had a bad time for decades. I have rejoined college and will be studying for the next 3 years at least. After reading this ,I am more determined and I am going to put in long hours to make up for the lost years. Thanks for the article.
Forgot to mention , I was born 9 November 1979. Scorpio Sun , Virgo Ascending , Cancer Moon. Sounds like a recipe for disaster. 😀
Hi! I am a Susan follower as well. I was wondering how to figure out what planets are in what house. I tried to do it on astro.com but i am a disaster! (11-11-1984) I would love to know what house neptune will be in; want to “prepare” myself mentally! Thank you I enjoy reading your outlook also :))
If you can look up your chart on astro.com, then you’re almost there! Just look at the wheel. The sections of the pie are labeled in the center of circle with their hour numbers. Neptune by transit will be in the house that has the start of Pisces in it. Pisces looks like this: http://www.cafeastrology.com/images/piscesglyphtitle.gif
I just found your website via Twitter and wanted to tell you how much I am enjoying your perspective. I’ve been an astrologer for 30 years so I’m always seeking new viewpoints for upcoming transits. I’m 6 Libra rising with 7 Libra Sun and 7 Nadir along with a stellium in Scorpio so of course I’ve been a bit anxiety prone with the recent Pluto/Uranus/Saturn transits affecting me on such a personal level. It was a rough couple of years with Saturn in Libra. I just couldn’t seem to relate well to people and spent a considerable amount of time in complete solitude. I am actually looking forward to Saturn in Scorpio, hoping it brings a new way of seeing and operating. I am also experiencing my 2nd Saturn return (natal 8 Saturn, 2nd house) so I’m getting hit in all directions! I’ve always been the type of person to operate well under pressure but this particular series of transits has pretty much knocked the wind out of my sails. I’m actually counting on the Saturn transits to focus my energies and transform and heal me.
Good luck, Sherry! We’re all having to purge and heal so much right now.
Dear Katie, I am just discovering your blog and I am reading it with most interest.
I am a scorpio too so I am a bit concerned with saturn transiting scorpio although I just had the saturn return (in libra, in the 8th house, I think ) and it was really challenging. Hope this transit will be more positive.
I have a question regarding the house of transit. I have aquarius rising so scorpio should be in the 10th house. My natal saturn is in Libra and 8th house according to the chart. Also, the 8th house is also a bit in scorpio (so my sun is on the 8th too on the 6th degree) and then scorpio is in the 9th house : I guess that is why scorpio is noted as being in the 9th house on every natal chart I did. So Scorpio straddles two house (8th and 9th) in my natal chart. So my question is: in which house saturn is now transiting?
Then, as consequence, I feel like I share some real features of aquarius rising but when I read aquarius forecast, they are always wrong as the houses and transits they are referring to are wrong too. Should I read pisces instead as the transits are always right?
Many thanks for your help.
Hi Isabelle. In the equal house system, Scorpio would be your 10th. I, however, use Placidus. Double check your chart over on a site like astro.com. That will tell you where Saturn is transiting. Also, I understand your trepidation about Saturn since you experienced your Return in the 8th House. The 8th along with the 12th seem to be two of the more challenging placements. That said, don’t fear Saturn. If you had your Return in Libra, Saturn might be in your 9th, which is about learning big lessons in the higher mind, travel, expansion, philosophy, and religion. Again, double check your chart. That will answer your question as to where Saturn is transiting.
You can read for your rising sign, but sometimes that’s a little difficult if you have a late degree ascendant. For instance, I have a late Sag ascendant and when I read for Sag, I find that the interpretation is a little off and Capricorn makes more sense since my transits line up with Cap more.
Hi
I am a Virgo with Scorpio rising. I had a very tough time a few years ago, when Scorpio was in Virgo and I see that it is coming back to my rising sun. How do I get through the next few years?
Hi Misty,
Saturn coming to the first is actually good because it’s not in your 12th anymore, which is a house that Saturn is not comfortable in. Saturn to the 1st is a time of feeling the start of a new cycle, taking on responsibility, and this sense of getting yourself in order. Don’t be afraid. Work with Saturn. Saturn only wants our mastery and nothing less.
very, very good piece of writing!
I was born with saturn in Scorpio in my 10th house. For me what you mention in this article has been going on my entire life. Will this Libra ever get to breathe a sigh of relief? Welcome to my world everybody!
Hi, I appreciate the way you have explained the role of saturn , indeed it helps in making a master of us and helps us to cleanse ourself.
I have aquarius rising with saturn in 8th house and scorpio in 10th
Can you please throw some light what effect it will have on me,
Just recently lost my father .
Thanks
Dear Katie,I read with interest,your article on Saturn in Scorpio; finding it informative.
I myself have the Saturn Pluto Mars conjunction of 1947,Jupiter conjunct the south node and Sagittarius rising. I have had to dig deep to find the light…..rather than focus on the dark…. I found your article balanced and delicate….as I think a person has to live the experience (Saturn)and all experiences are relative to the person involved.
Karen.XXX
Hi Karen,
Thank you for this enlightening post! This information is very relevant for me as I have Aquarius rising, too. I burned up this past year (following the death of my dear mother in Dec./12) It’s all good because I’ve made some tough decisions in order to become who I am meant to be. Rising up from the ashes! All the best and once again, thank you for the work you do.
Cathryn
Hi Katie
I am a scorp born 30/oct/73 with scorp ascendant. When saturn hit libra my cleansing began. My toxic mother died under tragic and criminal circumstances. Then i had lots of upheavals at workplace. Lots of good things took place plus sufficient stress. But by the end of 2011 i had a severe breakdown which we scorps are famous for. It was due to caffeine addiction and allergy one of the latest things in psychiatry and millions of people are suffering because of the same. The first 6 months of 2012 were filled with severe death and health anxiety. I was put on BP meds. The later six months went cool and after saturn entered scorpio, things went really well except for my anxiety issues. My BP had been going up and had to take meds for this. Almost every thursday of every week this year some minor disease or infection strikes me or my family and by saturday it dies down. Sounds funny!!!.
What beats me is i was perfectly normal till end of 2011 and wham … from the time the anxiety breakdown struck me which caffeine induced, i have been a different person now. Though saturn is making me more sober and mature, silent hermetic, i wish this silly health anxiety would go away. My health i know is perfect, i am an avid athlete, i do weights training ….. What is your take on saturn transit sun and anxiety disorders. For in my personal experience saturn rules undue pessimism, gloom, death, funereal stuff. Awaiting your reply.
I am a Virgo with a Scorpio rising. Pluto and Jupiter are also in my Scorpio. I have been dealing with health issues for more than a year? How am I gonna get through this?
Querida Katie,
Eu tenho o sol em libra, ascendente em sagitário, lua em gêmeos, e stelliun de 4 planetas em escorpião.
Eu venho atravessando por momentos muito difíceis desde 2011, relacionados ao término do meu casamento, desconforto financeiro, troca de trabalho, abandono e algumas.
Vejo que saturno está prestes a deixar escorpião e estou muito feliz com isto.
O meu medo é:
Será que o trânsito de saturno em sagitário, meu signo ascendente, vai continuar a ensinar me lições por mais dois anos?
Eu não agüento mais!!! É muito sofrimento…