Cruel Saturn Conjunct Mars?

 

July 2, 2004

 

http://cainer.com/ericfrancis/july2.html

 

Hello Jonathan:

I studied astrology a while ago at a local college (when we had to learn to draw Charts longhand from the ephemeris!). The teacher told us that we should be very wary of men with Saturn conjunct Mars as often these people had a cruel streak.

 

Seven years ago, I got involved with a man before I checked his chart and later discovered he had this, plus conjunct Pluto in the 8th House! And yes, he can be extremely emotionally manipulative etc. (but then he also has four planets in Scorpio!).

 

The question is: I saw that one of the younger royals has Saturn conjunct Mars. When his Chart has been discussed (and I have not drawn it personally) no one has made mention on this. Was my teacher right, or have I just happened on a particularly mixed up Scorpio? And if so, does it mean this particular Royal will have a hard time finding lasting romance? And will his partner perhaps like me have to good olf venus in Taurus in the 7th house and therefore hang on in there?

Andrea

 

 

Eric replies:

 

Dear Andrea,

Personally, I am reluctant to make blanket assumptions about a person based on one aspect in a natal chart. I concede that this is not an especially easy aspect, because Mars and Saturn have such different natures: hot vs. cool, fiery vs. earthy, quick vs. slow, and so on.

There is, however, no aspect that cannot be put to good use, and Mars conjunct Saturn is a powerful point in any chart where it appears. Since we cannot live without Mars (energy) or Saturn (structure), we need to get a grip on how to put this aspect to work. And if you aspire to being an astrologer, it is your job to help the people who come to you (for readings, that is) make the most of their charts, no matter what they may say.

 

If you encounter someone in your personal life who has any personality trait that you do not like or cannot stomach, then you have a personal decision to make. Obviously if someone is mean to you, you don't need to stick around. But it is your choice in any event.

 

Now, in your note, you described an aspect that is much more than Mars conjunct Saturn. Pluto adds a BIG factor, and the 8th house adds another -- this whole aspect as you describe it is pushing issues of survival to the maximum. Each of those four separate factors (Mars, Saturn, Pluto and the 8th house) are all about POWER and it's a concentrated aspect. The question is always how a person uses the energy granted by any aspect, and how they work out its complications.

 

Since your studying astrology, I'll add here a few short proposals for how to get an understanding of any conjunction. You have already used some of these ideas.

 

Okay, here we go.

 

1. Conjunctions represent the beginnings or endings of cycles, in this case, as an example, the Mars to Saturn cycle. Is this conjunction at the beginning of a cycle or the end -- that is, is Mars occupying an earlier degree (end of cycle) or later degree (beginning of cycle) than Saturn? You can apply the same method to the Mars to Pluto cycle and the Saturn to Pluto cycle.

 

2. When you have a conjunction, generally this means both planets are in the same sign. Which of the planets is happier in the sign the conjunction is placed? For example: if the conjunction is in Aries, Mars, as the ruler of Aries, will tend to function with greater ease in this sign than will Saturn. If the conjunction is in Libra, Saturn (as the exalted planet in Libra) will be stronger or more at ease and Mars may feel awkward. If the conjunction is in Capricorn, both planets have dignity in this sign and both may be quite comfortable and work together well.

 

3. What house is the conjunction in? This is a very different aspect in the 10th house than it is in the 4th. It would be much easier to work this out in the professional world than in the emotional world, and different kinds of childhood experiences would be indicated. In the 8th house, the question is always one of power, and it would be wise to get an understanding of the person's sexual history. If they are into past lives, I assure you they will have some interesting stories to tell.

 

4. What are the aspects to the conjunction? Squares to the conjunction will create a kind of "alternate reality" or alter-ego where the person may take refuge from the challenges the conjunction suggests. Trines will offer opportunities for where the considerable energy of the aspect will be channeled. Study the houses involved carefully.

 

5. What has happened when a conjunction has come under major transit? As "major transit," I mean: a Saturn square, opposition or return; a Pluto square, opposition or conjunction; or any transit of Chiron, particularly a conjunction. I am partial to examining transits of Chiron for very big clues as to the true nature of how an aspect or placement works. I can say more about this if people are curious.

 

The bottom line is that a chart provides the astrologer with working material -- not the basis for judging a person. There is a very big difference: in fact, all the difference in the world!

 

See you next week. Thanks for the great questions.