Astrology’s great Teacher, Saturn can be in one of 12 houses in the birth chart. In these houses, Saturn tells you how you see and structure your world. When Saturn transits a house, the planet’s aim is to test you to see if you’ve got what it takes to master the lessons of that house. (This is especially true during a Saturn Return!) Therefore, the house placement of Saturn (whether in the natal chart or during a Saturn transit) reveals how and in what way / area of life you experience your greatest struggle and tension. It also describes your sense of discipline, and shows what you need to do to be more disciplined.
In “Planets in Transit”, Robert Hand* says that Saturn “represents what you really want in life and, through those challenges and examining the behavior habits, helps you get it.” This, means the planet of restriction can help you manifest your wants by pushing you to let go of what is getting in your way. Still, what you need to let go of depends on where Saturn is in the houses of your birth chart. So, without further ado:
Saturn in the Houses
Saturn in the 1st House meaning and horoscope
In the 1st House, Saturn begins a new cycle of growth. You need to restructure yourself and your identity. During this cycle, you learn about yourself, defining your wants / needs / aims & goals. This is harder than it sounds, and many personal issues may pop up. These issues need to be dealt with, not evaded. Invest energy in yourself, but not at the expense of everything else. Introspection is normal for this placement. Accept it and move on.
Saturn in the 2nd House meaning and horoscope
In the 2nd House, Saturn pushes you to redefine your personal values and what is important to you, both materially, spiritually, and morally. This isn’t a direct indicator of financial loss, though. However, if money is interfering with your morality, then you’ll experience a crisis and feel pressured to break ties with greed. Be cautious and economical, don’t let fear of no money run your decisions. Accept the fluidity of wealth and don’t let money define your worth.
Saturn in the 3rd House meaning and horoscope
In the 3rd House, Saturn breaks down and rebuilds your mind and everyday mental patterns and attitudes, as well as your speaking and thinking styles, and ways of listening. This is to help you gain greater control of your everyday life and make you a more methodical and organized communicator. It’s important, though, not to worry so much about the opinions of other people. Redefine and restructure your inner truths, not those of the people around you.
Saturn in the 4th House meaning and horoscope
In the 4th House, any emotional issue or loose boundary you’ve been ignoring will be a major concern for you. This could lead to home and family issues, as the burden of home life–mortgages, repairs, etc. –becomes impossible to ignore. It’s also possible that you deal with parental problems and must learn to reparent yourself. Your independence and autonomy will be strengthened if you make the effort to face the difficulties in your home or family life.
Saturn in the 5th House meaning and horoscope
In the 5th House, Saturn wants you to work hard on your creative gifts and passions, give form through consistent efforts, and master your self-expression– but this takes immense effort. At times, typical 5th House things like romance and recreation may feel burdensome or difficult to access. Ultimately, this is to help you build a better sense of self that isn’t reliant on the validation of others. Organized and methodical work produces the most fruitful results.
Saturn in the 6th House meaning and horoscope
In the 6th House, Saturn pushes you to create a new routine for yourself to ultimately become more productive. This may mean a lifestyle change. The health and well-being of your body come into focus as well. (Skeletal-related issues in particular receive much attention, as Saturn rules the skeletal system in the body.) Your effectiveness and your meticulous skills are tested. You either undertake or are dealt many responsibilities that require continued, focused effort and hard work.
Saturn in the 7th House meaning and horoscope
In the 7th House, Saturn redefines your partnerships and tests your close associations through confrontations with others. Marriages / love or business relationships could end or be put to the test. This is to see if they’re strong enough to endure hardships and struggle. Your abilities–and especially your peacemaking abilities and mediation skills–are tested through encounters with others. This is to help you answer the question: Do you know who you are and what you can / cannot do?
Saturn in the 8th House meaning and horoscope
Saturn in the 8th House meaning and horoscope – In the 8th House, Saturn may force you to cut ties with other people’s resources or values. This serves a bigger purpose: helping you to become your own source of income, while aso redefining your value and self-worth. This is a time for profound transformation and the rebuilding of your inner reserves. Here, Saturn will repeatedly have you asking yourself: When cut off from others’ influence (whether financial or emotional), who do I know myself to be?
Saturn in the 9th House meaning and horoscope
In the 9th House, Saturn stabilizes your view of life, helping you make more concrete and lasting beliefs and gain an unshakeable understanding of who you are. Just be sure to remain open to mysteries. It’s easy with this transit (or placement) to think you “know” everything. A better way to think is that Life is a game, and now’s the time to learn how to “play” that game more skillfully. Learning is important during this time.
Saturn in the 10th House meaning and horoscope
In the 10th House, Saturn brings many work responsibilities that help you gain recognition. This is a period (or placement) for achievement. All the lessons you’ve learned up to this point have crystallized your sense of self. You know your worth (or are working towards knowing it), and are ready to make an impression on the larger world. Watch that you don’t get too fixated on career success and recognition that you ignore everything else around you.
Saturn in the 11th House meaning and horoscope
In the 11th House, Saturn tests and hopes to disintegrate your ego so that you can merge with a particular group.This leads to the assignment of unwanted responsibilities. By accepting these responsibilities, you gain favors. Another aspect of this transit / natal placement is that you face your hopes, wishes and dreams head on. Saturn rewards you when you sacrifice your ego and put forth serious effort towards these wishes.
Saturn in the 12th House meaning and horoscope
In the 12th House, Saturn pressures you to change in a tremendous way. However, obstacles and pitfalls make forward progress seem impossible. The ways you used to handle situations and confrontations, and even people, no longer work, so you must readjust. Still, you may feel confused about what you want or need to readjust and how to do it. You can clear away the barriers surrounding your achievements and start over. Just don’t get too bogged down by past failures.
Want to know more about Saturn in the houses of YOUR birth chart? Head on over to my shop to get yourself a Saturn reading with me! In this reading, I uncover all the shadows surrounding your natal Saturn sign and house placement, helping you to overcome obstacles and blockages, and feel more empowered to take control of your life.
And please note: many of these descriptions have been adapted from Robert Hand’s explanation of Saturn in the Houses from his book, “Planets in Transits”, which you can purchase, here. *this is an Amazon affliate link.
