Saturn is the most feared planet in astrology. He is a good friend for all those who follow the right path and control their passion. He controls and checks human nature and never tolerates arrogance. He wants everyone to maintain discipline and take responsibility. He is termed as ‘Karmakaraka’ means who is responsible for maintaining the karma of the native. Karma means our actions and profession is the part of this karma. If one goes out of the moral and ethical path, he punishes those people, it may be in this birth or in the next birth. He is like a judge in a modern context. He is the karaka for hard work as well. He makes one work hard and does not give anything easily. We can say that Saturn is a life teacher and he makes one understand life and its turbulences. So an adverse Saturn in the chart can create havoc in native’s life. But at the same time, a favorable Saturn is a blessing for the native.

Saturn signifies longevity. He is called ‘Ayushakaraka’. So, anyone to have a long life with good health, Saturn must be in a good position. At the same time, a lot of things change from the effect of other planets.

In the solar system, Saturn is the last planet from the Sun in terms of distance and it is the slowest moving planet. The same things apply in prediction also. Saturn gives the results very slow. He gives the native qualities like laziness, slowness, inactive, heaviness, etc. On the positive side, it gives patience also. The significations of the house where Saturn is posited in a chart gets affected drastically with the above characters. So Saturn never denies but he only delays the matters.

Other Astrological Significations

He signifies farmer, social worker, politician, black soil, blue sapphire, black grains, litigation in court, misunderstandings, disputes, adamant nature, poverty, beggars, hardware merchants especially of iron, old materials, antiques, unclean cloth, thief, advance aging, forgetfulness, stupidity, etc.

Saturn rules over Capricorn (Makara) and Aquarius (Kumbha), Mooltrikona sign is Aquarius, exalted in Libra (Tula), and debilitated in Aries (Mesha). His enemies are Sun, Moon, and Mars. His friends are Venus and Mercury. Jupiter is neutral to him.

Diseases Caused by Saturn

Bone problems, arthritis, muscle cramps, chronic diseases, gastric problems, ear problems, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, degeneration of bones happening in old age, problems in the knee cap, impotency, piles, rules the sixth month of pregnancy in a female horoscope.

Saturn in Mythology

Shani is said to be born in Sourashtra country in Vibhava nama samvatsara, Krishna Chaturdasi, Dhanishta star, Kashyapa gotra, have four hands and rules western direction in the solar system. His wife is Jyesta. His shakti devata is Shakti, Adhi devata is Prajapathi, Prathyadhi devatha is Yama and Abhimana devathas are trimurthis i.e. Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara. Shanidev is the son of Surya and Chaaya. His brother is Yama, lord of death.

The shape of the mandala is like a bow. His vehicle is a crow. Number of japas to be performed is 23000, number of havans is 2300 and number of tarpans is 230 The sacred wood for havan is Shami, Charu or offering is gingili rice or black gram rice. The idol is made out of iron. The flower to be offered is shankha flower. The fire is maha tejagni. Number of days prescribed for graha shanti is 23 days. The nama japa is ‘Om Shanaishcharaya namaha’ and should be recited 1008 times. The gift to be offered is a black cow.

In Greek mythology, Saturn is called a god of agriculture. He is the son of Uranus and the father of Jupiter.

Saturn in Astronomy

Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun. Its mean distance from the Sun is 886 million miles and the diameter is about 74,000 miles. It is a gas giant and made up of hydrogen and helium. These elements are the lightest elements in the universe, hence Saturn is the lightest planet. Its density is less than water. Its orbit is nearly circular and inclined about 21/2° to the ecliptic. Its sidereal period of revolution is about 29.5 years. Its synodic period is only 378 days. It is surrounded by circular rings that do not touch the surface. These rings are spread about 169,800 miles wide. There are about 20 satellites of Saturn.