Saturn (Shani)

Saturn in Vedic astrology

Saturn is Shani in Sanskrit, also Shanaishchara, the slow mover, and in the Puranic story the son of the Sun and Chhaya. In the navagraha court he is the servant, and also the judge who gives each person the fruit of their own work. By tradition Saturn is a natural malefic and the great teacher: his results come slowly, through patience, and are the more lasting for it.

What Saturn signifies

Saturn's karakatva covers discipline, hard work, service, patience, endurance and working people. He is read for time and age, structure, labour, justice, humility and the responsibilities a person carries. He also shows where life asks for steady, unglamorous effort and where maturity grows.

Dignity: where Saturn is strong

Saturn owns Capricorn and Aquarius, with his moolatrikona in Aquarius. He is exalted in Libra, classically deepest at 20 degrees, and debilitated in Aries. In Libra, the sign of balance, his sense of justice is fair and measured. In Aries, the sign of quick action, patience is hard to find, and the lesson is to temper haste with steady planning.

Friends and enemies of Saturn

In Parashara's natural friendships, Saturn counts Mercury and Venus as friends, holds Jupiter as neutral, and treats the Sun, Moon and Mars as enemies. The tension with the Sun mirrors the Puranic tale of a son long unrecognised by his father.

Nakshatras ruled by Saturn

Saturn rules Pushya, Anuradha and Uttara Bhadrapada. Pushya, often called the most nourishing nakshatra, shows Saturn's protective care; Anuradha his loyalty and devotion; Uttara Bhadrapada his depth and steadiness. A person born with the Moon in one of these begins life in the Saturn Mahadasha.

The Saturn Mahadasha and Saturn's periods

The Saturn Mahadasha lasts 19 years in the Vimshottari scheme; it follows Jupiter and comes before Mercury. It tends to bring work, responsibility, structure and long-term building to the front. With a well-placed Saturn it is traditionally a time of steady rise through effort; under strain, delays and heavy duties are read as lessons in patience.

Saturn's transit periods are read from the Moon sign: Sade Sati, the roughly seven and a half years as Saturn passes the 12th, 1st and 2nd from the Moon; Ashtama Shani, Saturn in the 8th from the Moon; and Kantaka Shani, Saturn in the 4th, 7th or 10th from the Moon. Each is traditionally a time of maturing through effort.

Saturn in the twelve houses

Saturn brings discipline and slow, lasting results to his house.

• 1st house: a serious, responsible and patient nature
• 2nd house: careful speech; wealth built slowly
• 3rd house: perseverance and steady courage
• 4th house: duty towards home; peace that comes with time
• 5th house: a deep, structured mind; patience with children
• 6th house: a strong place for steady work and service
• 7th house: his strongest house by direction; a mature, dependable partner
• 8th house: longevity, research and patience with sudden change
• 9th house: practical faith and respect for tradition
• 10th house: a career built through effort and discipline
• 11th house: steady gains over time; older friends
• 12th house: solitude, spiritual practice or work abroad

Traditional remedies for Saturn

Saturn's day is Saturday, his colours black and dark blue, his direction the West and his number 8. His deity is Shani, and lighting a mustard oil lamp on Saturday is a common practice. His mantra is Om Praam Preem Praum Sah Shanaye Namah. Charity of black sesame, mustard oil or iron, and service to workers and the elderly, are his traditional remedies.

His gemstone is Blue Sapphire, traditionally set in iron or panchdhatu and worn on the middle finger, with amethyst as a substitute. Tradition advises wearing it on trial first. Consult an astrologer before wearing a gemstone; the mantra and charity suit everyone.