Saturn will transit Libra (western astrology) for almost three years, and then won’t be back in Libra again until 2039. (see end of article for more dates and times re transit and retrograde periods). You can also find more information about SATURN’s position in the sky and how to locate it at nakedeyeplanets.com .

This is a great time to get out onto the beach or headland, if you are near BYRON BAY , to greet  Saturn as it enters into its almost 3 year sojourn through LIBRA ( “I Balance“). It will look rather faint in the sky, unless you happen to have a telescope or binoculars handy. The declination will be almost 2 degrees north of the ecliptic, so it will rise pretty much where you see the sun rising on the day of the spring or autumn equinox.

Lynda Hill’s Sabian Symbols blog :   insights into the Sabian Symbols.

Molly’s Astrology : insights into Astrology.

At the end of this article, I’ve written briefly what this Saturn transit may mean for your SUN sign and more particularly, YOUR  RISING “STAR SIGN” .

“The Master of the Earth learns about the Lightness of Sharing with Others”

The Sabian Symbol for Saturn on this day of entry  is all about a butterfly becoming perfect as it is pierced by a dart of light.  Whilst the butterfly is a complex life cycle, time is part of it’s cycle. No amount of rushing can make it suddenly turn from an egg into a butterfly overnight. PATIENCE in others is a key feature here. And patience in oneself.  However, the promise of the sun shining to highlight its colour and network of delicate veins, shows us that complexities are sometimes required for perfection in the “light”. The balancing act of simplicity with complexity requires much patience and perseverence.

The cycle of a butterly can be a great analogy for this 3 year period. First the egg. The “seed” the “direction” and NORTH. Then the WEST with its work and lessons = the caterpillar, the feeding of the MIND and how it relates to others.  Then the SOUTH, with its REST, and deep subconscious activities and matters of faith and acceptance. These bring about the final EASTERN position of the BUTTERFLY, the end of the cycle, the mastered GOAL, the fruition of  focus, work and rest. The beginning of the next cycle.

This is a most beautiful symbolic point – the first degree of LIBRA.  Ruled by Venus (considered to be a lower octave of Saturn), LIBRA is about harmony, balance, the Arts, writing, negotiating, partnerships and your perceived and known opposites. SATURN is EXALTED in the 7th house of LIBRA(air).

• Libra is that sign of the zodiac where we leave our personal lives and reach out to others, thus beginning the journey to understand mankind. It is the first steps in awakening our mass consciousness to a higher, more complete level, away from the “beast”. This transit has much significance for community, corporate and political leaders. It is their chance to bring harmony, balance and discernment into our world, via their leadership and partnerships.
  

On a mundane level, wars, foreign trades and international diputes and partnerships may be re-arranged during this period. It isn’t a very good period for wars, with them becoming long drawn out affairs – so what’s new?

Regarding Australia, and using its Federation chart (January 1, 1901, 1:35 pm AEST, Sydney), womens and childrens issues should start to subside. The passing of Saturn over Australia’s natal Mars in its fifth house was marked by the Howard Government’s horrific paternalistic actions against the women and children of the Northern Territory, by way of legislation and intervention in 2007. Saturn, when it transited over Mars brought all types of horrors towards women and children,  in the fifth house of Australia’s Federation Chart.

This is slowly being rectified, but with the passage of Saturn into Australia’s sixth house soon (VIRGO), and it being ruled by LIBRA in the Australian “federation” chart, affairs to do with health and “daily bread”, work and life style  are becoming a priority for the Australian Government.  Mostly, the passage of Saturn through this house indicates conservatism, authoritarianism and slow moving actions. Air quality issues will of course, also become a priority, as they will for the rest of the world, with Saturn transiting an AIR SIGN.

General over-control with regards to  health or perceived lifestyle issues can occur, and beaurocratic interference into our daily lives may also occur. Oh great! Does that mean more advertisements about how sick we all are going to get are to be made for television viewers?  Try not to get too brainwashed into thinking you are sick, when infact, it is something toxic in society or bureaurocray that is making you “feel” ill. Hopefully, the paternihilistic (sic) streak that Saturn brings with it won’t also extend to the concept of Stewardship in Land and Water issues. Hopefully the more gracious and harmonising side of Libra will prevail!       ever hopeful…….

Saturn can bring with it restrictions, all types of life lessons, authority and building of character and position. Saturn can represent the Father or paternal figures, and so why not practice compassion for your fathers, uncles and older brothers during this time. The rewards will slowly come for your kind actions.

Government and partnerships that the Government forges can have bearing on everyones’ daily lives. These partnerships, if based on hostility, fear and repression can lead to untold damage in our environment and collective psyche. Politicians and corporate “what begots”, beware. After Libra is the sting of the Scorpion, and though karmic lessons come quickly when the Scorpio teacher arrives, they may  not go away so speedily.

**  Saturn(karmic teacher & builder) was opposite (opposing forces) Pluto (transformer and guardian of the underworld) in early August 2001. Saturn is now almost exactly squaring (tensions mounting)Pluto. The last time that these two planets squared (tensions mounting) each other was in April 1996, and again at the end of 1996-early1997.  Saturn(teacher/builder) will conjunct Pluto (transformer) next, late 2019 and throughout much of 2020. Jupiter (knowledge)will also join in on this conjunction at times. There is more to be said on this, but not here.

In general, for each RISING STAR SIGN , the TRANSIT of SATURN through LIBRA 2009-2012 can mean the following:-
ARIES:  the next two years or so can have overtones re personal relationships, work partnerships and periods of going it alone, with the partner absent. Partnerships with older people can occur, and be cemented. If you are a writer, knuckle down, as your work will pay off over the next two years.
TAURUS:  you may find health issues start to control your life, but the upside is – you can learn the lesson and slowly make your daily life your own again. A wonderful time to reorganise your daily work patterns and help create a more environmentally sustainable lifestyle.
GEMINI:- children may come to stay, new creative energy can be found and much of this will conspire to somehow make you feel constricted and alone in your creative endeavours. Just keep plodding, and things should work out. Hard lessons from speculations may cause you to rethink what causes you to take risks. Older children may enter your life, or if you are older, but wishing to have children, this may occur.
CANCER: great time to build, rework your family issues and spend some more time with your Mum.  This is a great time to work on your homemaking skills. They may seem somewhat thwarted during this period, but the rewards will be great should you go the extra yard of perseverance.
LEO: neighbours may become a little tyrannical or overwhelming, so chill out regarding neighbourhood and relative/sibling issues. Communications may seem tedious at times, however, it is also a great time to undertake short studies, and rethink your modes of transport.
VIRGO: the next 2-3 years  have overtones of money money and more money – saving is the key. It is a great time to work on your self esteem, especially if your father was somehow implicated in your self -worth  issues when you were younger. Also, these two years are great for planning and learning how to become a successful Land Steward or Custodian, if you have a special block of land that you care for. It is also a good time to stay focused. -
LIBRA:  time to work on your character. Some hard lessons may be learnt over the next two years or so, but if you slowly build up your character and integrity, it can pay off. Prepare to feel alone in the world at times, and enjoy your solitude. Learning how to express your true self to others can also pay off, especially if you practice discernment and mindful decision making.
SCORPIO:  some repressed issues may rear their little heads over the next two and a half years. Go deep into your subconcsious to retrieve your  faith in spirit. Matters of faith and institutional controls can give you opportunities to work out what the meaning of “freedom” really is. Get lots of sleep and keep a dream diary if you can.
SAGITTARIUS:   could be a fun time for you these next two-three years. There is potentially plenty of travel, old friends returning and new ideas being slowly formed. Much of how to live your ideal life for the sake of humanity will come to the fore now . Volunteer work could turn out to be a blessing.
CAPRICORN:  well, some partnerships that have been formed may tend to bog you down now, but it is also a splendid time to build on some new ones. Respect your heritage. Learning on the job is helpful. A great time to build your career, even if some compromises need to be made. Just remember to relax, relax, and relax some more.
AQUARIUS : in general, you may become more aware, more philosophical. A warning here – try not to let the horrid state of environmental matters make you feel horrid. You, above many of the other signs, have it in your power to lead by example over the coming two year period. Share your ideas with others, and consider some higher form of learning.
and lastly, PISCES:  the sign that is all the signs. Big changes for you ahead. Some may overwhelm you, so stay centred, and learn to forgive and forget. Acceptance is a big issue to learn in this coming two-three year period. Also, many things that were once hidden will become apparent. So straighten out your subconscious, and hidden fears, guilts and worries. Self honesty will help.
These above little astrological morsels are generalizations. Everyone is different, and astrology is just an indicator of opportunities and potentials. Each  Sign can read the sign either side of it, as the signs will overlap a little, depending on when you were born. Also, read your sun sign as well, as this can also be relevant.  And above all, Have fun!!

Concerning the Fixed stars, Saturn has recently passed Markeb (in the sail of the Constellation Argo Navis, which is a fair way away by declination), and which, when connected with Saturnian things, those things that are bad, somehow turn out for the better, in the end.

The next significant fixed star that Saturn will pass by, in its Libran transit will be   NODUS l,  called Al Dhi’bah by the Arabs, in Draco . It is far away by declination also , but with Saturnian qualities. Draco is the Dragon. This transit will start to occur about mid to late November 2009.

There are elements of protectiveness of children associated with this star and this constellation, as well as mentions of symbolism attached to Ravens. When comets arise here, it is said that the poisons are scattered over the earth, and the “death” card is associated with this point. (Anne Wright constellationsofwords.com.)

Have a look at Anne Wright’s constellationsofwords.com and you will be able to track Saturn as it transits further fixed stars, on its 3 year journey through LIBRA. You will find that there are about 22 fixed stars that Saturn will transit by. Some transits will be quite close, so enjoy the journey!

Saturn in Libra October 2009 : google search results

Some background information regarding times and zodiac positions for the last and the current Saturn Transit of LIBRA:-

• The last time that Saturn transited this sign of Libra was back in the eighties. Entering Libra back then on September 21st 1980, close to midnight, Byron Bay AEST time.

• and leaving the sign in November 29th 1982. It again briefly retrograded into LIBRA May-August 1983, then continued out of the sign and into SCORPIO. Roughly that transit was a 26 month transit.

• This time, Saturn will enter the sign of Libra at approximately 4.09am Byron Bay (AEDT),30th October 2009.
• After travelling about 4 degrees into the Libran astrological zodiac, it will become retrograde  January 14 th 2010 (between 3-4am Byron Bay AEDT)
• Between 9th April  2010 and 22nd July 2010, it will again be transiting VIRGO.
• It  enters LIBRA,again – 22nd July 2010 in the early hours of the morning, Byron Bay (AEST) and stays there until  the 6th October 2012 (between 7-8am Byron Bay (AEDT) .
• SATURN then will not come back to transit LIBRA again until 6th Sept. 2039.

oh, yes, and so typical of me, here I am tacking on another little morsel, after I finally finished posting this…. Pharmaceutical Companies:- Virgo and health matters,opposite the institutionalised Piscean domain has had a large impact on the way we view our health and lifestyles, as Saturn wended its way through Virgo and thus, opposite Pisces the last couple of years or so.

With Saturn entering LIBRA(air), a new balance can be formed, where personal responsibility for ones health and society’s health in general can gain weighting. Saturn, being opposite ARIES, can give tensions to personal responsibilities. This can equal personal growth, if you dare to take the hard yards. Saturn was once, in the “less enlightened years” , the RULER of AQUARIUS(air).

Social patterning, hopes and community well being will undergo strains, but also be a cornerstone for negotiated activities and vision building. Get out into your gardens, plant some herbs, grow in tune with nature and sample some healthy “natural vitamin pills” in the form of organic herbs, fruit and vegies. SHARE this food with others. Eating from nearby to where you live will help you GROUND yourself with nature and the earthly cycles. This IS a GOOD thing!