Bringing Shape to Water - Saturn in Pisces 2023-2026

by Alexandra Karacostas

Homage to love
 Source: Eustache Le Sueur, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Saturn has entered Pisces on March 7, 2023, where it will remain through February 13, 2026.* Saturn has an important relationship to Pisces, bringing structure and order to the boundaryless oneness of Pisces. The interests of the whole need to be reorganized and guardrails established against extremes. Saturn’s power is being able to walk into a room and respectfully command attention, requiring that its issues be addressed. It will be very interesting to see how the organizing principles of Saturn play out in the Piscean arena of infinite possibility and compassion.

In this article, we will discuss Saturn’s archetype in Greek mythology, its astrological and psychological applications, and how its characteristics can be expressed in the sign of Pisces. We’ll conclude with a discussion of the implications of this transit.

Saturn in Myth and Metaphor

In the heavens, Saturn is the sixth, second largest, and furthermost planet visible to the naked eye in our solar system. It has three major rings, with several dustier rings surrounding them. Viewed through a telescope, Saturn is beautiful. The rings serve metaphorically as the boundaries, restrictions, and structures this giant planet is known for in astrology. Its visibility in the sky and its ringed equator portray life within the bounds of nature, and reflect the pragmatic limits of unaided vision. Saturn hosts a diverse community of more than 80 moons, some larger than Mercury or Pluto, the largest and most famous one being Titan. Our star, the Sun, and the planets extending from it out to Saturn articulate the subjective journey. From Chiron outward, we incorporate the collective ethos. Saturn’s glyph is comprised of the cross over the semi-circle or scythe/sickle, representing matter over soul/spirit.

In mythology, Saturn was the youngest of the seven Titans. He was a child of Ouranos, (Father Sky) and Gaia (Mother Earth). Gaia was born out of chaos, and as the story goes, Ouranos was unhappy with Gaia’s unruly offspring. Being the tyrant he was, he shoved them back into her, not allowing them to emerge into their own light. Not appreciating the gesture, Gaia asked her son Saturn to castrate and kill his father, offering him a sickle. Saturn obliged, becoming king of the Titans and replacing his father. It is the authority figure taking action that is important; Saturn’s concerns cannot be avoided.

Saturn married his sister, Rhea. Conscious of the pattern in his family system, Saturn was aware that one of his children would overthrow him. So, as soon as Rhea gave birth to each of his offspring-first Hestia (Vesta), then Demeter (Ceres), Hades (Pluto), and lastly Poseidon (Neptune) - Saturn ate them one by one. When Jupiter, was born, Rhea tricked Saturn by wrapping a stone in a blanket instead, to replace Jupiter and keep him safe. When he was older, he became a cupbearer for Saturn. One day, Jupiter gave Saturn a potion to drink that made him vomit out his children. With the help of his siblings, Jupiter fought against the Titans and Saturn, and won after ten years of war.

Saturn and his siblings were exiled and sent to prison at the far corners of the Earth, to Tartarus, a dark, inverted dome beneath the Earth. This dismal, depressing hole became the last home of the defeated Titans. With Jupiter now promoted as king, the triumphant gods and goddesses assumed their places on Mount Olympus, embodying all the qualities of the human spirit. As the story continues, it reveals that, consistent with the inherited family complex, Jupiter was (rightfully) suspicious that he, too, would be overthrown by one of his children.

Psychologically, the isolation and exile that Saturn is subject to is significant, and it plays out inside Saturn’s sphere of influence. Recollections and chains to the past can shroud the present with feelings of guilt, shame, and inferiority, imprisoning us within, compelling us to struggle against the constraints in finding a way to rise up and into the Sun’s spirit. Saturn is often referred to as the lord of “karma,” the consequences of our past actions. Saturn’s contacts, natally, by transit, or progression, can summon painful feelings and remorse from long ago, affording opportunities to review, revise, and craft practical, prudent approaches to old patterns and predicaments.

Saturn
 Source: Carole Raddato, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

On the path to growing into the wise mentor from the insecure tormenter — both reflections of Saturn — we grapple with our shortcomings. Perceived weaknesses percolate to the surface, generating causes that force one to grow up, take responsibility, and heal. We discover that the only way to overcome our internal and external fears and failures, to climb out from our own Tartarus, is through humility, vigilance, and accountability. This is part of the precious Saturnian curriculum.

Ouranos and Saturn were both swallowed up by an external authority “father figure,” and eventually became kings/authorities themselves. But their success was ultimately hollow, subject to the repeat of the family pattern. Ideally, we discover and cultivate the inner authority that we all possess somewhere within, emerging empowered, no longer subject to the domination of another person(s) or social dictate.

In astrology, Saturn’s archetype is that of the Wise Old Man. It rules Capricorn, but remains associated with the signs of both Capricorn and Aquarius. Prior to the discovery of Uranus, Saturn also ruled Aquarius. Both sides of Saturn’s nature are represented by the attributes of these signs: the conservative, practical, and traditional disposition of Capricorn, alongside the intuitive and intellectual nature of Aquarius, which can be woven together to improve social structure and organization. There are many keywords for Saturn, including maturity, diligence, discipline, contraction, limitations, boundaries, conservation, the cycle of time, and our responsibilities. Saturn can be also described as the teacher, the “father figure,” one’s inner guide, ultimately, one’s authority in one’s life. The process of developing into that sober, judicious adult often brings us to our knees, the part of the skeletal body ruled by Saturn. Saturn’s rulership includes the skin, bones, and teeth, and the entire skeleton of the body.

As the overlord of limits and boundaries, Saturn rules the skin, encases and defines the bones and structure of the physical body. Whenever we overextend ourselves emotionally, psychologically, physically, or psychically, the body informs us through the sensations of pain, anxiety, and discomfort that something is amiss. An effective teacher, pain brings attention to the injured area, the attention necessary to facilitate repair and healing. Saturn instructs us to create things that are solid and lasting, like the bones, which remain long after we are buried.

The most fundamental limitation we confront in life is “time,” a phenomenon of perception that correlates with the universal cycle of birth and death. In accord with the concept of time, Saturn signifies endings. Saturn in Greek is Kronos, chronos, which literally means “time.” Mark Twain once quipped,

Time is the way that we keep everything from happening at once.

Against the backdrop of time, Saturn achieves goals through sensible organization. Through the process of reevaluation and reorganization, Saturn invites resolution and closure, creating a sense of self-assurance, completion, and freedom.

Saturn in a specific house in the natal horoscope indicates where we may lack confidence, have doubts about our competency, and/or suffer from anxiety. This is where we may experience disappointments, obstacles, and difficulties. Saturn bids us to dive deeper, looking within, to explore the challenges/issues associated with that specific area of life. By nature, fear and feelings of incapacitation slow down progress. It is as if Saturn has explicit lessons to teach us, and wants to make sure we get them. The Saturnian experience frequently elicits anxiety, because Saturn asks us to improve the foundations upon which we stand. Ultimately, with lesson learned, the energy transforms into contentment and serenity.

Like the mountain goat, one of the symbols of Saturn, we slowly climb to the top of our mountain with perseverance, ownership, diligence, and concentration. Along the way, we acquire wisdom and expertise. Reaching the mountaintop feels well deserved and deeply rewarding, both materially and spiritually. The “no pain, no gain” principle applies here. It is about the harvest we reap from the seeds we have sown. As the saying goes, liberty is the luxury of discipline.

Every 29.5 years, the period of Saturn’s orbit around the Sun, we experience a return of Saturn to its natal position at the time of our birth. This is called a “Saturn Return.” The year before the exact conjunction, or return, life begins to significantly change. Frequently, we become aware that the time has come to let something(s) go, an ending. Or it may be a period of expansion and increased responsibility, often professionally. Usually, it is a bit of both. Either way, we mature and gain greater confidence, self-knowledge, and respect during the culmination of these milestone cycles.

The Dimensions of Pisces

Saturn's ingress into Pisces

At its ingress into Pisces in March 2023, Saturn will be accompanied by an entourage of planets. The particular cast of planets creates a distinctive backdrop, where the players join the act and express their traits, often taking turns as they orbit the Sun and shift relative positions. This time, the ingress chart shows Saturn sandwiched between Pluto at 29° Capricorn and Neptune at 24° Pisces. (See Chart 1, **wherever.) Symbolically, these are powerful agents of transformation and change, especially as they are found in the latter degrees of their respective signs, signifying endings. The t-square made by the Sun and Neptune in Pisces opposing the Virgo Full Moon and squaring Mars in Gemini advocates for resolution, though ignited perhaps by ideological conflict.

Pisces, by Regiomontanus
 Source: Deutsche Fotothek, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Pisces symbol is two fish swimming in opposite directions. One of the fish swims toward the mundane existence of life, while the other swims toward spirit and the cosmic collective. Pisces is more practical than is often credited, but equally otherworldly. There are three manifestations that offer insight into this last sign of the zodiac: that of the artist/dancer/poet, the mystic, and the substance abuser/addict. What all three have in common is that they involve, consciously or not, unification with the sacred and divine.

Every sign offers gifts, its own lessons. Pisces is about the establishment of healthy boundaries, connection with the divine, and the wholeness of life shared by all sentient beings. Piscean energy is ultra-sensitive, acutely influenced by the subconscious, feeling everything in its surrounds. Dreams, imagination, spirituality, compassion, delusion, film/images, mind-intoxicating substances, and escape, all belong to the Piscean domain. There exists a close relationship to Christianity, sharing the same symbol of the fish, the Age of Pisces, the messages of martyrdom, unconditional love, suffering, and self-sacrifice. Understanding and acceptance are key to alignment. Pisces rules the feet, which support the entire mass of the body. Seeing the suffering of others, somehow feeling responsible, and desiring to be of greater service are elements of the theme. As the last sign of the natural zodiac, Pisces embodies endings in preparation for a new cycle of experience, articulating the Alpha and Omega of existence.

When a planet first enters a sign, we experience a jolt as the quality of energy morphs and emerges. During the middle degrees, we learn to constructively cope. In the last degrees, there is a peak and a measure of resolve.

So, how might Saturn’s qualities manifest in Pisces? Because of the inherent lack of structure in Pisces, Saturn may initially fear loss of control, like it is tripping into some chaotic abyss. It is a time for reexamination of religion and spirituality, a time of greater conflict regarding beliefs, morals, and associated behaviors and concerns. Courage, effort, and discipline will be necessary to ground the situation, to counter the irrational fears, confusion, and disillusion arising from the oceans of our collective psyche and anguish. My colleague and friend, Jacqueline Janes, describes the big picture as “getting our sea legs on,” as if we’re in the vast ocean on an oil rig anchored to the sea floor, working to gain balance in the deep currents of the turbulent environment.

Speaking of water, Saturn’s passage through Pisces will likely bring even greater attention on the issue of clean water. The pharmaceutical industry may also feature prominently. We will strive to collectively address mental health, addiction, and spiritual purpose. We could reach a broader understanding and acceptance of our common experience and needs, compelling us toward behaviors and actions that reflect our hopes and dreams.

Saturn demands concrete, visible results. Our natural environment, the global and social conditions that bind us together, help us to recognize our wholeness, part of Piscean territories. Pisces seeks unity and connection above all. Faith is vital as we navigate the path forward. With Saturn in Pisces, it may well be stormy and precarious in the powerful, deep currents of life’s oceans.

In January 2026 Saturn catches up to Neptune in the 29th degree of Pisces. Our collective suffering and pain are intended to encourage a willingness to try remedies we have yet to imagine.

Saturn in Pisces endeavors to make order out of the unfolding, unruly circumstances of the times. There is a longing for common ground and a reliance on faith, in an environment conducive to the sharing of dreams, hopes, and fears. New social structures, material and spiritual reorganization, and accountability feature prominently in achieving the objective of this placement. It is a collective journey that we take together.

As we confront climate change, globalization, and issues that affect humanity across the planet, the Saturn in Pisces backdrop empowers the intentional planting of seeds that can benefit everyone, not just the few. Religion and spirituality can sync more closely, addressing the common pain, instead of exacerbating conditions that cause suffering. Saturn in Pisces can help us to heal spiritually, fostering faith instead of fear. We recognize our commonality as members of the human race. We all have need for shelter, clean water, air, food, safety, and love. It is with an attitude of humility, responsibility, self-respect, and faith, carried out in conscious intention, that we find the path to growth and fruition.

History in Brief

The last three dates of Saturn’s tenure in Pisces are:

• February 1935 – January 1938
• March 1964 – March 1967
• May 1993 –April 1996

Following are a few interesting examples illustrating how Saturn’s limits can be stretched, venturing into cosmic, uncharted, unmapped, and imaginative territory, Piscean-style — results be damned.

1935–1937

These astonishing times are still remembered by some. Dogma and belief systems had gone astray. Waters were constrained, boundaries were splintered, imagination, flight, and fantasy were embraced. Fear colored the landscape.

• In 1935, the Nuremberg Laws were enacted. These were anti-Semitic, racist laws forbidding marriage between Jewish and German people, later including the Romani and Black populations. These populations were referred to as “enemies of the state.”
• River dams have been around since Mesopotamian times. In 1936, the “engineering marvel” of the Hoover Dam was completed, harnessing the waters of the Colorado River basin. This was the beginning of an era marked by increased energy demands and hydroelectric power. Today, almost 70% of the world’s rivers are choked by dams.
• In 1937, Amelia Earhart disappeared, Howard Hughes broke his own flight speed record, and the German airship, the Hindenburg, burst into flames.
• Disney premiered the animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and J.R.R. Tolkien published The Hobbit.

1964–1967

• These remarkable times are also remembered by many of us. Out of a plethora of momentous events, a few are listed below. One of the important and unique features about the 1960s was the rare occurrence of Uranus and Pluto conjoining in Virgo and making a series of oppositions to Saturn in Pisces. The push against authority added impetus to pass some groundbreaking legislation in the United States. In the US in 1964, the “War on Poverty,” the Civil Rights Act, and the “Great Society” anti-poverty bill were passed, along with numerous other social movements, including the Free Speech student protests in an effort to create greater equality and unity.
• The Beatles arrived in America and appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show. For some of a certain age, this turned on the lights in an otherwise dark and dismal world. In 1965, almost 800 people were arrested, many injured by police, in Selma, Alabama during “Bloody Sunday” protests organized by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.
• The Voting Rights Act was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, making it easier for Blacks in the southern US to vote. The violent Watts riots in Los Angeles left many dead. Racism, poverty, neglect, and division within the predominantly Black communities led to the riots.
• Large quantities of LSD became available when Stanley Owsley started the first LSD factory. The term “hippie” became official in San Francisco and described the counterculture. Free love, sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll were embraced by the younger generation.
• In 1965, Timothy Leary held a press conference announcing formation of a psychedelic religion, the “League of Spiritual Discovery.” LSD got bad press when the FBI released government files. The great “Human Be-In” took place in Haight-Ashbury as Timothy Leary asserted, “Turn on, tune in, drop out,” which became the catchphrase and call of the counterculture movement.

1993–1996

• We saw the European Economic Community created, eliminating trade barriers within the European Union. The EU was formalized, and the Schengen Agreement became effective, allowing EU citizens to cross easily between participating countries.
• DreamWorks Animation was founded by Steven Spielberg, David Geffen, and Jeffrey Katzenberg.
• The first conference devoted to the World Wide Web commenced in San Francisco. Rupert Murdoch launched Fox News. The Hubble Space Telescope took the first photographs of Pluto. South Africa adopted a permanent post-apartheid constitution.
• The Bosnian war between the Serbians, Croatians, and the Bosniak Muslims, resulted in a devastating religious war between 1992 and 1996. Members of the UFO-based religious cult, Heaven’s Gate, took part in a mass suicide near San Diego. Federal agents raided the Branch Davidian religious cult of Waco, Texas. California announced the end of affirmative action, ending discrimination based on religion, sex, race, or national origin.

Let’s look at the charts of two famous people who beautifully reflect the strengths of Saturn in Pisces.

Keanu Reeves

Keanu Reeves, Keanu Reeves, September 2, 1964; 5:41 a.m. EET; Beirut, Lebanon (33°N53^, 35°E30^); C: rectified from approximate time.
Source: Astrodatabank

The Saturn in Pisces qualities are well illustrated in the natal chart of Keanu Reeves. With Saturn opposing his Virgo Sun, Mercury, and Uranus, this Canadian actor and deeply spiritual philanthropist has expressed his philosophy through numerous quotes, such as “If you have been brutally broken, but still have the courage to be gentle to other human beings, then you are a bad-ass with the heart of an angel.” And, “Energy can’t be created or destroyed. Energy flows. It must be in a direction, with some internal, emotive, spiritual direction. It must have some effect somewhere.”

The 14th Dalai Lama

The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, Dalai Lama XIV, July 6, 1935; 4:38 a.m. LMT; Takster, China (36°N23^, 101°E52^); C: rectified from approximate time.
Source: Astrodatabank

Saturn’s placement in Pisces is highlighted in the birth chart of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, born in Tibet in 1935. His natal Saturn opposes Neptune and likely the Moon in Virgo. At the age of 15, he became the spiritual leader of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions, and the temporal head of the Tibetan people. He is a universal symbol of wisdom, compassion, peace, and social and political leadership. As an activist, he founded many institutions promoting educational, cultural, economic, and spiritual advancement.

In summary, Saturn's entry into Pisces invites a welcome breath of order; welcomed discipline will be brought to the playground. The challenge to social constructs that Saturn brought in moving through Aquarius, now resolves into a more deeply ordered, spiritually oriented norm. Love, forgiveness and surrender will play a part. Our concepts of community will evolve to a more collective orientation, better addressing the needs of the many. The possibilities are limited only by our imagination in this last of the zodiac signs.

Notes:
All charts use Koch houses and the True Node.
1. Saturn will briefly visit Aries May 24 through September 2025 before returning to Pisces to finish his tenure there.

Published in: The Mountain Astrologer, AriesNox 2023.

Author:
Alexandra Karacostas is a professional astrologer based in northern California and Greece. Avid student since 1975, she has been practicing astrology professionally since 1984. Alexandra teaches, lectures, serves clientele around the world. Since 2007, Alexandra has served on the board of directors of the Organization for Professional Astrology, as President (2010–2014), and continues to serve on their educational board. As OPA faculty, she facilitates Peer and Consulting Skills groups. Her work has appeared in many astrological publications, including TMA, and OPA’s books, The Professional Astrologer and the forthcoming Essential Astrology. Alexandra also leads sacred site tours in her beloved Greece.

© 2023 - Alexandra Karacostas

Taken from this issue:
This article was published in The Mountain Astrologer, Aries Nox 2023 and can be purchased here.

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