After Jupiter, the next stop in the line of ancient planets is Saturn.
In astrology, this planet is associated with hardship, discipline and limitations, the latter being reflected in the famous rings composed of rocks and ice surrounding it.
Saturn is named after the Roman god of agriculture, who was also in charge of conformity, social order and creating civilisations.
Saturn is ruler of Capricorn, hence the presence of the Devil amongst the Saturn cards.
Saturn’s prime attribution in the Major Arcana is to the World. In the Rider Waite deck, we see the wreath around the figure, which we can link to Saturn’s rings.
Although the World is a card of completion, achievement and self-realisation, the Saturn energy also suggests boundaries and limitations.
Additional meanings of the World derived from Saturn: the end of the line; as good as it gets; the need for self-regulation; maintaining of what has been achieved.
Saturn reflects our innate desire for structure and order, and in the Devil its energy is reflected in a hard-working nature, which can easily descend into slaving along in dull routines, narrow-mindedness and lack of growth.
In astrology, Saturn is regarded as the greater malefic, which means it can indicate negative energy such as hardship and sadness.
Saturn in the tarot is linked to the following pip cards:
- Five of Wands (Saturn in Leo)
- Ten of Wands (Saturn in Sagittarius)
- Eight of Cups (Saturn in Pisces)
- Three of Swords (Saturn in Libra)
- Seven of Pentacles (Saturn in Taurus)
How does Saturn influence the card meanings? Here are some suggestions:
Five of Wands – quarrels and misunderstanding due to narrow-mindedness; everyone is just focused on their own agenda. No discipline; rules not adhered to; lack of progress; a dull routine interrupted, pushing boundaries
Ten of Wands – awareness of self-limitations; bogged down; carrying the World on your shoulders; discipline and self-reliance creates suffering; sense of duty
Eight of Cups – leaving something behind that offered no more growth; having outgrown a situation; leaving the comfort zone; looking for something more unconventional; walking away from responsibility
Three of Swords – sadness, melancholy, emotional endurance, cold-heartedness; a painful lesson learned; having lost something comfortable or secure; being restricted by grief; absorbed by loss, not seeing a way out; stuck in a gloomy world
Seven of Pentacles – new growth outside the comfort zone; sowing new seeds; perseverance; hard work paid off; hesitating about taking a risk; security is important; frustrated about limited success
These are just a few ideas how Saturn influences the meanings of these cards. You are welcome to share yours in the comment box below.
You can also try this exercise:
Pick out all the Saturn cards from your deck. Which of the pip cards would you relate to which Major Arcana card?
Take into account visual clues as well as similar meanings. For example, I see the Ten of Wands linked to the Devil, and the Seven of Pentacles to the World.
But you may have different ideas. How do you see the Saturn cards connected with each other? Post your ideas in the comment box below.
For this exercise I have created journaling sheets, which you can download from my Tarot Astrology online course page.
Warmest wishes,
Christiane
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