Saturn Stations Direct in Aquarius

AstroGnosis || Functional Astrology

Nov 13, 2024

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On November 15th, 2024, Saturn will station direct at 18°29' Aquarius in the U.S. 3rd house.

This is kind of a big deal in the US chart. Especially in light of everything else going on relative to the US astrologically.. And to top it all off, we are fast approaching next spring’s Saturn - Neptune conjunction.

There are two very direct ways we can interact with astrology if we are not actively working with clients. One is to track transits as they affect us through the collective (for this I use the US chart), and how the particular transit affects us personally, through our own chart. With the compare and contrast of the two being very illuminating.

When I consider transits like Saturn turning direct, I like to first cast a big net by looking at the sign and house of the transit. Then, drill down further into the Lunar Temple involved. Then, of course into any alignments made by the transit.

That’s a bit much to cover here. However, these are the things we deep dive into in our Functional Astrology community.

But we can definitely start with some broad strokes, here: Saturn’s being in Aquarius’ zip code demands a structured reform of society, blending progressive ideals (Aquarius) with discipline and determination (Saturn). It demands accountability - not just from individuals but from institutions and governments - driving change toward a more equitable and interconnected society. This placement pushes societies to address social and technological needs through responsible, lasting changes, promoting a vision of progress that benefits everyone.

In the US, this is being played out on the stage of the 3rd house. Saturn’s placement here prompts a serious, structured approach to matters of information, media, the way the nation communicates and connects with itself, and the nation’s infrastructure. The 3rd house governs these areas, and Saturn’s influence here calls for accountability, thoroughness, and a focus on integrity in discourse and information flow.

Here’s a closer look at the themes of the 3rd house in mundane (national) astrology:

Communication and Media: The 3rd house governs the nation's communication channels, including news media, journalism, and the way information is shared with the public. This house reflects the state of public discourse, as well as the overall tone, openness, and reliability of the nation's communications.
Transportation and Infrastructure: This house covers local transportation systems, roads, public transit, and infrastructure within communities. The 3rd house can indicate the condition and effectiveness of these systems, as well as any changes or reforms needed to improve mobility and connectivity.
Education and Public Schooling: As the house of learning and intellectual exchange, the 3rd house also represents primary and secondary education. It reflects the nation’s approach to education, local schooling standards, and policies regarding youth education and literacy.
Local and Neighboring Relations: In a national context, the 3rd house governs relationships within the country’s various regions, including neighboring cities, states, or provinces. It often reflects interactions among local governments, policies affecting municipalities, and overall community cohesion.
Public Sentiment and Local Communities: The 3rd house also represents the mood and mindset within local communities. It can show how information flows within communities and the level of community engagement, as well as attitudes toward local and national issues.

Saturn is the planet of reckoning, of deadlines, of the cold, hard, reality check. With Saturn, there’s nowhere to run to, nowhere to hide - and no dodging - the facts.

Saturn’s turning direct now shifts the focus from reflection and internal restructuring to outward action - implementation of the lessons learned during the retrograde phase. For the U.S., this means actively driving toward stronger, more responsible foundations in areas governed by the 3rd house, supporting disciplined growth and structural improvements in communication, infrastructure, and the community cohesion that comes from the effective establishment of these things.

Saturn has been in his backward trek through Aquarius since stationing retrograde at 25 Aquarius 14 on June 29th of this year. And as with every planet (Sun and Moon excluded, of course), we have a pendulum action of progression through the zodiac, with each point in the zodiac being hit three times per cycle swing. In this way, our psyches - both collectively and individually - are able to absorb whatever lessons we are to learn. We have the opportunity to clear any karma as defined by the placement, or to fulfill whatever dharma is ours to fulfill. The key here is choice. The stars do not determine, they only compel.

Let's look at this pendulum-like movement specifically through the lens of Saturn.

In general (and this is where most astrological assessment stops), we need to first consider two distinct planetary (in this case, Saturn) phases:

Retrograde Saturn: focuses on internal review, delays, and addressing weaknesses. It brings unresolved issues to the surface and often halts forward progress until essential adjustments are made. The emphasis is on discipline and restructuring, with a deeper dive into the “why” behind goals and responsibilities.

Direct Saturn: outward-facing, supporting the execution of plans and the manifestation of ideas into concrete action. This phase encourages DOING. Taking responsibility and applying insights with a renewed sense of purpose and maturity. There's a forward momentum, making it a time to finalize and solidify commitments, build stable structures, and pursue long-term goals with a sense of authority and clarity.

But to truly understand what’s going on, we need to dig a little deeper…

Three Phases of Psychological Growth

Saturn’s pendulum-like motion through his direct and retrograde phases establishes a rhythmic process of encountering, confronting, and integrating life lessons. Each phase of Saturn’s transit over a particular natal point brings a different psychological stage in this journey of maturation.

First Exposure (Direct Motion): Initial Encounter and Challenge
When Saturn first contacts a natal point in direct motion, it brings a fresh realization of responsibilities or limitations. This encounter may feel like a throat punch, starkly highlighting (in true Saturian fashion) where structures or discipline are needed. Psychologically, this is often the shock of accountability—a clear look at what needs to be built or restructured.
Second Exposure (Retrograde Motion): Deep Reflection and Integration
As Saturn moves retrograde back over the same point, he demands deeper introspection and a reconsideration of responsibilities. Here, the psyche processes the initial lesson, often confronting fears, resistance, or past decisions. This phase is a reflective period where we wrestle with and integrate Saturn's themes, bringing a more grounded sense of understanding.
Third Exposure (Direct Motion, 2nd Pass): Resolution and Commitment
In its final direct pass, Saturn tests whether the lesson has been learned. This phase offers closure and a chance to solidify new structures, habits, or commitments. Psychologically, it’s the time to move forward with a stronger sense of purpose, having integrated Saturn’s lessons of maturity and discipline.

And while the above tees-up a fantastic opportunity for intellectualizing and philosophizing, what we really want to know is what in the hell might actually happen in the 3-D?

The way I unpack this is to look back to when Saturn made his first direct hit on 18 Aquarius 29. This was on March 9th of this year. What were the prominent things that came to light - in respect to 3rd house / Aquarian issues - that the country was grappling with - from then until Saturn’s retrograde station on June 29th? What were the big issues that seemed to linger, requiring a deep, introspective review (again, in respect to those 3rd house / Aquarian issues) from June 29th until now? We will now, in a very matter-of-fact, Saturn kind of way, deal with those issues head on for the next several months.

Here’s one example, of numerous possible examples, of things we might see:

Story: The FAA’s examination of the nation’s aging air traffic control systems and growing calls for funding to upgrade the infrastructure.

First Pass (March - June): Early in the year, several high-profile system outages disrupted flights, raising awareness of vulnerabilities in the air traffic control network and highlighting the need for modernization.

Retrograde (Reflection): During Saturn’s retrograde, discussions around infrastructure funding, especially for air traffic and transportation, grew louder, with questions about prioritizing these upgrades as part of broader federal infrastructure initiatives.

Direct Phase (Now): With Saturn direct, we may see concrete steps taken to secure funding, implement system upgrades, and establish a long-term plan to improve air travel safety and reliability.

Another example here is the potential east coast dock worker’s strike. A “kick the can down the road” tentative agreement is holding things in place until early next year. But as Saturn goes direct, that impasse will have to be dealt with.

To do effective astrology (and make accurate predictions) we not only have to be well steeped in esoterics, but also have a firm grasp on what is actually occurring in the collective. That is, we can’t just be lost in the esoteric clouds; we have to have boots firmly on the ground as well.

Now, Saturn’s transit, of course, isn’t happening in a vacuum. So let’s dig a bit deeper to see what transit Saturn is activating in the US chart.

Two Key Saturn Alignments in the U.S. Natal Chart:

I’m only touching on the high points here. I teach my method of determining these conclusions, and dive really deep into these forecasts, here.

Transit Saturn square natal Uranus: expect strikes, or protests within essential workforces. Maybe an upheaval within government workers. Supply chain destabilization. That east coast dockworker’s strike is looming. I know the market and crypto are screaming up currently, however, all astrological markers are pointing to a massive upheaval here. Established financial institutions will be exposed as severely weaker than purported. Severe cracks in the nation's infrastructure will be exposed and the costs and energy capital associated with shoring up will be crippling to the economy.
Transit Saturn Trine natal Sun and Jupiter: on the upside, there is the potential here for the US to form innovative partnerships to navigate the changing financial climate. “Allies” is the theme here. But not in the sense that we normally think of, i.e., government to government. This feels a lot more like a transparent partnership of what for the last 150 years has been an “in the shadows” control of the government. A transparent “Deep State”, if you will.

So what to make of all of this? I think the two big take aways are:

Are you prepared for an infrastructure failure? A grid down scenario or a communications outage? Or maybe a supply chain disruption?
Do you have some form(s) of trade - cash or precious metals - on hand just in case the financial system stumbles?

I used to live in coastal North Carolina, and we always were prepared to go a couple of weeks with absolutely no services. No power, no (city) water, no access to the supply chain.

Being that prepared is not as heavy a lift as what you might think. And if you’re not at the point of being self sufficient for a couple of weeks, set yourself up for being self sufficient for a day. Then 3 days, then a week. You get the idea.

And lastly, this: predictions aren’t intended to instill fear or anxiety. Rather, they offer a tool for grounded awareness and resilience, encouraging us to take a proactive approach to future possibilities. Think of it like dedicating 5% of our forward-thinking energy to exploring potential challenges or “worst-case scenarios.” This small dose of planning allows us to build a solid foundation for navigating life’s unknowns, leaving the remaining 95% for fully embracing the present moment and leading a vibrant, joyful life.

By briefly addressing potential challenges, we free ourselves from lingering “what if” worries, creating the space to live in the “now” with more ease and presence. Instead of getting stuck in worry, we gain the freedom to focus on what matters most—our relationships, creativity, growth, and happiness. Preparedness can be empowering, and a little proactive planning ultimately allows us to walk through life with greater confidence, knowing we’re ready to face whatever comes our way.

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Keith Amavi-Norris

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