The Stars This Week — January 24th v. 2/4

Saturn turns Retrograde: Traditions in Focus

Saturn takes center stage this week as the Great Malefic turns retrograde on Wednesday at 23 degrees of sidereal Virgo, where it will begin its 4-month backward journey in the sky.   The time around these retrograde stations are often accompanied by an intensification of the planet’s influence, as if it is idling at a higher RPM and building up energy in anticipation of its new direction.  In the case of Saturn, this may mean a greater emphasis on traditions and routines, and a recognition that there are limits to what we can achieve.    Since Saturn is considered the planet of Time, its retrograde station may coincide with situations of delay and postponement, as our desires may be confronted by the unforgiving circumstances of cold, hard reality.  

The retrograde cycle of Saturn may also correspond with situations of seclusion and renunciation.  This may mean that there is a turning away from the material dimension of the world toward a search for deeper meaning and enlightenment.  For spiritually-oriented people, Saturn’s retrograde period from now until early June may bring new opportunities for clarity in their search. For those of us who may have a more secular, mundane orientation, the renunciatory dimension of Saturn can work at cross-purposes to fulfilling our worldly desires.  At very least, this slow, backward moving Saturn may compel us to rethink our relationship withthe material world and help us prioritize what we really need.

What is especially interesting about this Saturn retrograde is that it will occur at the same time that it aligns in a square aspect with Mercury.    When these two planets combine, there can be a mutual enhancement of influences as Saturn’s persistence and focus meshes well with Mercury’s communication and thinking.  The result can be an ability to tackle complex problems and work out every minute detail.   The difficulty here is that the square aspect often causes problems or distortions.   A desire to focus deeply on a problem can easily descend into an unhealthy obsession or a fixation on trivial details.   There is also a greater likelihood of misunderstanding and miscommunication here as Saturn has the power to do damage to our stated intentions.  

At the most basic level, there is a greater risk for the interruption of computer and transportation systems here as Saturn interferes with the normal functioning of Mercury’s significations.    So this is not a great week for buying a new computer, switching servers, or starting up with a new mobile phone carrier.  The Saturn influence here may mean that transportation or communication systems are too old and out of date and no longer able to function properly.

With Saturn extra-powerful this week, there could be a special emphasis on age and aging, as we are reminded of our indebtedness to older generations.  The Mercury aspect suggests there will be an attempt to share and discuss some of the legacy of our forebears and the traditions they have handed down to us.  I see that President Obama is due to give his State of the Union speech on Tuesday just one day before Saturn turns retrograde.  It’s possible that there may be a special manifestation of this Saturn influence in the speech or perhaps in the reaction to it.  We already know that he will be talking about more government spending on infrastructure.  Since Saturn rules structures and buildings of all kinds, a new commitment to spend more on infrastructure is very appropriate near a Saturn station.  Interestingly, Mercury rules transportation and communication, so the Mercury-Saturn aspect could represent new money for programs in those areas.  The fact that the planets are in a tense 90 degree aspect is somewhat concerning, however, as if Obama’s plans may not quite come off as intended either this week, or down the road.   Remember that new projects of any kind are inculcated with the planetary energy at the time of their "birth".  New programs announced at a time of this Saturn-Mercury square aspect may therefore have a bit of an uphill battle.

So there could be a lurking sense of disappointment or sadness this week as we may be tempted to think or ruminate (Mercury) about our past (Saturn) a bit too much.  One way to avoid succumbing to the more negative side of this aspect is to focus on planning and organizing one’s mundane life.   This could be anything from doing a thorough cleaning and culling of closets to reviewing the household budget.  By shifting the emphasis towards detailing (Mercury) one’s routine (Saturn), we may be able to avoid falling prey to Saturn’s gloomier side.  Of course, if you’re in the mood for a good bout of mid-winter rumination in all its self-absorbed glory, then this is definitely the week to do it!

Have a great week,
Chris