Astrology 2006 – How Saturn in Leo is affecting all signs and generations

by Robert Wilkinson

Today we explore how Saturn in Leo is affecting all of us, some more than others. This powerful transit is a force majure in its own right, regardless of how any other planet is affecting us. In classical astrology, Saturn is considered to be in "exile" or “detriment” in Leo, due to Saturn’s co-rulership of Aquarius, along with Capricorn. Saturn was also in detriment in Cancer, since that sign opposes Capricorn, which Saturn is said to rule. What does this mean? Well, exile is to be out of one's realm, to be at a distance from one's home. Cancer and Leo are as far from Capricorn and Aquarius as we get in our zodiac. When Saturn transits Leo, we learn to restructure our heart, spontaneity, and how to enjoy our life more authentically.

Saturn was in Cancer between the Summer of 2003 and Summer 2005, and was not an easy time for many of us. However, it did make us aware of our needs, what we truly cared about at the “gut” level, how we wanted to relate to family, and how we needed to provide for ourselves effectively. In other words, all of our Cancerian issues were examined and reorganized. In Leo, the sign of the heart, creativity, children, sports, and all artistic creations, we are finding what in these areas we can and cannot live with, and are reorganizing whether we want to or not. We have begun to learn about blockages we have in these areas, and how our rules and restrictions, our “shoulds,” either help or hinder these important areas of our lives. Saturn in Leo shows how we limit ourselves in our connectedness with life, and how we place unnecessary rules on our self-expression, joy, pleasures, or spontaneity.

Wherever we have Leo in our charts is where we let the light in, or can find heart strength, love, and illumination. Saturn in this sign is helping us restructure what we need to, bringing new maturity and perhaps necessitating us taking responsibility in ways that allow us greater enjoyment than before, or more organized and structured creativity. This transit, which started July 16, 2005, will last through September 2, 2007.

During the last half of 2005 and continuing through the end of July 2006, it is primarily affecting the first half of Leo, or those Fixed signs born the last week of January, April, July, and October. Beginning May 2006, it will become a shaping force for those born the first week of February, May, August, and November. During the first half of 2006, it will powerfully affect all planets in the first half of the Fixed signs, those being Aquarius, Taurus, Leo, and Scorpio, by conjunction, square, or opposition. Obviously, it will affect those with early Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius, or Taurus Ascending through major endings, beginnings, emergences, and culminations.

The larger groups most profoundly affected by the changes portended by Saturn in the first half of Leo include those born (month/year) with Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, or Pluto in the first half of the Fixed signs. These periods include: 10/37-11/37, 8/38-7/48, 11/83-12/88, and 4/89-10/89. All these have Pluto in the first half of Leo or Scorpio. Neptune is most challenged for those born 7/15-7/22 (Saturn conjunct Neptune in Leo), 12/55-3/56, 10/56-9/63 (Saturn square Neptune in Scorpio), 1/98-8/98, and 11/98-1/05 (Neptune in Aquarius opposed by Saturn in Leo). Saturn is challenging the Uranus of those born 11/12-1/18 (Uranus in Aquarius), 6/34-9/34, 4/35-5/38, 11/38-2/39 (Taurus), 9/55-1/56, 6/56-7/59 (Leo), 11/74-4/75, 9/75-12/77, 4/78-10/78 (Scorpio), 4/95-5/95, 1/96-3/99, and 8/99-1/00 (Uranus in Aquarius).

Those with Saturn in Leo will be most impacted by their Saturn Return. These are the people born 6/17-7/18, 8/46-8/47, 3/48-5/48, 9/75-1/76, and 6/76-10/76. Others affected by Saturn square or opposition their Saturn include those born 1/24-3/24, 9/24-10/25, 3/32-7/32, 11/32-1/34, 7/39-9/39, 3/40-4/41, 10/53-11/54, 6/55-8/55, 1/62-2/63, 5/69-5/70, 12/70-2/71, 12/82-4/83, 9/83-10/84, 2/91-3/92, 8/92-12/92, 6/98-10/98, 3/99-7/99, and 10/99-3/00. People born during these times will experience a major shift in their priorities in the next year, and will learn what chains they must throw off because of ego-evolution necessities.

Some are going through new beginnings, while others are experiencing important culminations and fulfillments in their old rules, systems, responsibilities, or duties. If you were born during one of these times, you will find yourself changing, becoming more mature, more understanding, more patient about some things, understanding boundaries in easier ways while being unable to continue living under older, obsolete rules and expectations.

Part two of this post will examine what each individual sign may expect from this influence lasting through 2007, so stay tuned.

Comments

[Joy]

Hi again Robert. I'm an Aquarian, DOB 2/17/78. My natal chart reading has Saturn in Leo 27.05R. In my case, though I'm not certain as to how all these affect me astrologically, I have been undergoing a rather difficult time since June, but most especially beginning last month. I have observed that I'm maturing and yes, re-structuring/sorting my life -- throwing out what no longer serves my highest growth and embracing time-tested values such as patience, generosity, love and faith. I started looking for something more solid to stand on. Needless to say, until right at this moment, my life is turned upside down. I feel, however, that I'm on the right track and that I can see things very clearly despite the cloud right ahead my path. There's some kind of peace that I have never felt before and I see a new "me" emerging. But of course, sometimes I wish it wasn't this tough. It's like I'm groping in the dark, trying to find my way back into the light of the day.

Great, great articles here. Things are starting to make more sense to me. It's definitely helping. Thank you, Robert. You're helping tremendously.

[Robert]

Hi Joy - I linked you to my article on the Saturn Return but here it is again. It will help explain what you've been going through, and how to use this time most effectively. It sounds like you're already doing what you need to, and yes, it is a process of claiming "the unlived life" and getting on track with who you really are and what your higher purposes are really about, freed from the assumptions of the culture and your elders and teachers up to now that aren't working for you personally. And of course, you're most welcome. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[cindy]

I am an aquarioan born feb 1 1965. i lost my dad in april 2006 and have had no end of relationship betrayals and problems. help!

[Robert]

Hi Cindy - My condolences on losing your father. Your loving meditations keep the bond of unconditional love intact. I am sorry you've had relational problems; I believe you need to affirm immediately and constantly that false friends and betrayers are leaving your life and that you are open to attracting people who could be your true friends. Renounce and release all those who could hurt you, and open your magnetism to those who will like you and you could like them. Cultivate friendships, and the rest is easy. 42 is the start of a 7 year cycle, so feel what you care about and what nourishes you, and follow the seed of compassion and understanding that began to grow inside you at age 40.

[Sasha]

Robert,

just came across your site and found this article to be very applicable. Transiting Saturn in Leo has been sheer torture in my life.

Here are my chart locations for reference (Born November 5, 1962, 11:54 pm (79W48/36N04).
Ascendant - Leo 17.50
MC - Taurus 11.03
NN - Leo 3.21 (12th)
Sun - Scorpio 13.18 (4th)
Moon - Aquarius 24.47 (7th)
Mercury - Scorpio 1.48 (3rd)
Venus - Scorpio 23.48 (4th)
Mars - Leo 12.15 (12th)
Jupiter - Pisces 2.55 (7th)
Saturn - Aquarius 5.23 (6th)
Uranus - Virgo 4.44 (1st)
Neptune - Scorpio 13.13 (4th)
Pluto - Virgo 11.46 (2nd)

In March 1976 I was diagnosed with complete heart block (congenital) which required the implantation of my first pacemaker (17 March 1976). Saturn was making its first transit through early Leo (12th house) in my life. In June 1978 I had a problem with broken and displaced pacemaker leads which required several hospitalizations/surgeries that month. Saturn was still in Leo but in my first house while transiting Uranus (electricity) was conjunct my natal Sun/Neptune (4th house).

In April 2006 Saturn had returned to Leo for the second time in my life. As Saturn approached / crossed my North Node I began to have episodes of chills and fevers. At first they were minor but by July 7, 2006 as Saturn approached my natal Mars they became very intense and I was hospitalized. The doctors were looking for a specific condition - pacemaker endocarditis - but could not confirm the diagnosis. I continued to have periods of chills and fevers but not on a regular basis. I suspect most of them occurred around times when Saturn crossed my ascendant, turned retrograde, or opposed my moon. It wasn't until mid-May 2007 shortly after Saturn crossed my ascendant again (direct motion) that the doctors, nearly 10 months later, were finally able to confirm their original suspicions. I have to blame the delay on two things: Transiting Saturn in Leo was initially in my 12th house. By the time it was in my first house, transiting Neptune (illusion) was squaring my natal Sun/Neptune conjunction and sitting on/near my descendant while opposing transiting Saturn. From mid May until early July, as a part of my treatment, I had to take a series of antibiotics and suffered a number of side effects (rashes and stomach upsets) - chalking that up to Neptune (drugs) as well. The final part of the treatment was open heart surgery (June 29, 2007) to remove the pacemaker system and the infection. Of course, Mercury was retrograde, not generally a good time to have surgery. The only reason it went well must have been because the doctors were treating a previously unresolved problem.

As a side note, on August 16 2007 I had an electrical problem with the pacemaker after the doctor made an adjustment. Transiting Uranus at 17.40 Pisces (again electric) was quincunx my Leo Ascendant; transiting Saturn (constriction - my heart slowed/stopped) at 27 Leo was trine transiting Pluto at 26 Sagittarius and opposite natal moon at 24.47 Leo.

I am sure that there are other factors (like progressions, midpoints, and solar returns that I haven't even looked at) but I figured this was already enough.

I just looked ahead ~28 years to January 1 2036 - transiting Saturn will be 18 Leo (my ascendant) again; transiting Pluto at 18 Aquarius on my descendant; transiting Uranus at 12 Cancer trine my natal Sun/Neptune. I hate Saturn in Leo. Please shoot me now {sigh}.

[Robert]

Hi Sasha - Well, what you've outlined is a great analysis of Saturn's timing in your life. I also am a Leo rising as are many I know, and while yours is a fairly dramatic manifestation of the ruler of Leo's 6th house doing its dance on our body, I truly hope the next time it will be much different and more favorable to your sense of higher service and work. My experience this past time was work, work, work, and more work! Of course now Saturn is firmly in Virgo conjunct your Uranus and Pluto and very favorable with your Scorpio planets, so your higher genius should already have taken shape. Saturn still in your first off and on these next few months encourages you to take on a discipline where you can learn precision and attention to details.