Jupiter & Saturn

Jupiter and Saturn relate to the principles of expansion and containment. Where Jupiter asks that we broaden our horizons, Saturn requires us to be stable and solid in who we are. Both planets offer wisdom. Jupiter the wisdom of aspiration, Saturn the wisdom of experience.

Jupiter - The Seeker & Guide

Jupiter is the adventurer of the gods. Psychologically he relates to the principle of expansion - be it the exploration of new opportunities or the furthering of one's mind.

Jupiter begins his development as the Wanderer. As the wanderer we open ourselves to new experience. We remain the wanderer until we stumble upon a greater vision of what could be.

Once a worthwhile pursuit has been identified, Jupiter becomes the Seeker. Jupiter takes us on a path of discovery. His placement within the horoscope describes both how we embark upon a journey as well as our path to wisdom.

Having taken the journey, and arrived at a point of knowing, Jupiter evolves into the Teacher. Jupiter's placement characterises both our wisdom as well as our ability to guide and inspire others.

We live our Jupiter as we seek to explore the greater fullness of life. A poorly integrated Jupiter leaves us with a feeling of going nowhere. We may become disenchanted and bored with our current existence. If we are possessed by Jupiter we become arrogant and inflated. In pursuing our dreams we may have difficulty living in the present. Life is always around the next corner. A well integrated Jupiter provides us with a confidence and enthusiasm to step out into the world. In following the call of Jupiter we are blessed with a sense of purpose and direction in life.

Saturn - Old Father Time

Saturn is the god of Time and Boundaries. Psychologically he relates to the boundaries of the ego. Without such boundaries we would be like a ship without a hull, we would simply drown in the sea of chaos. It is Saturn that adds structure and order to our lives.

Saturn's placement within the horoscope describes how we contain ourselves. To this end Saturn's boundaries characterise our defence mechanism.

If our defences are too strong then Saturn defines how we wall ourselves off from life. Instead of a fortress, Saturn becomes a self-imposed prison sentence.

Such self-confinement is not uncommon, for Saturn also describes our self-consciousness. His placement describes where we feel awkward and immature. And it is here that we tend to become hard and stiff in a bid to hide and protect our vulnerabilities.

Working with Saturn means embracing both ones faults and fears. Saturn reminds us that we are only human. However, through working with Saturn, and upon our limitations, we broaden our sphere of consciousness and mature as an individual.

It is important to remember that Saturn's restrictions are largely self-imposed. To a varying degree we are all conservative and hard on ourselves. Yet it is such discipline that allows us to establish ourselves and maintain a state of order in life.

We live our Saturn as we grow older and wiser. If the principle of Saturn remains undeveloped then we may lack the maturity required to function in the world. Here we become ill-disciplined and fail to assume responsibility. If we are possessed by Saturn we may become overly conservative in our approach to life. Our greater self is stifled, our destiny is denied and we become rigid and set in our ways.

A well integrated Saturn provides us with a steady base from which we may reach out and grow beyond ourselves.