posted December 11, 2004 07:14 AM            

Saturn in the 10th house.

(Howard Sasportas)

In his own home and elevated by position, Saturn operates powerfully in the 10th. Whether they acknowledge it or not, these people are extremel;y sensitive about how other people see them. Saturn in the 10th, like the personal ego itself, wants to be seen as strong, solid and enduring. Success is normally judged in terms of traditional values and roles - the career status, the kind of house htey own, the respectability of the marriage, etc.. Usually (and there are exceptions) there is the need to achieve position and recognition through some sort of work which is socially acceptable. They may be judgemental and condemning of others who venture to live outside of that which 'straight' society validates. If they must constrict themselves, why shouldn't others - and they may be both envious and angry at those who don't.

They will probably have to work hard to achieve the respect and status they want. If well-aspected, they can realize their career aims through dedication and logical step-by-step progression up the ladder. However, if Saturn is difficultly placed, there may be many delays and obstacles along the way. Some may feel that any means justifies winning their ends - thereby compromising themselves or using others for their own gain. They may reach a certain plateau, and then feel stuick and thwarted in their efforts to go further. Others may rise fairly quickly, misuse their power, and then topple just as fast. We usually land on our feet in Jupiter's house, but in Saturn's domain we may be brought down to our knees if we aren't careful.

Some people with Saturn in the 10th may actually rebel against their over-sensitivity to society's codes and values by trying to break the rules. (We mustn't forget that Cronus started out in life by transgressing the existing authority - i.e. his father.) Because of the pressure of social propriety that they feel, those with Saturn in the 10th may do all they can to kick against it.

And of course there is the mother: with Saturn in this house, she is often experienced as a strict socializing force, the law-giver who decides what is acceptable and proper. Children with this placement may internalize her rules or later believe that the kind of obedience Mother wanted is the same that should be given to society. The mother may be felt as critical, cold, demanding and unloving. Whatever the child does is never good enough. Or the mother may seem more like a burden and responsibility - someone the child has to care for, rather than the more usual way around. On a more hopeful note, the mother could serve as a model of positive Saturnian qualities, exemplifying patience, discipline, durability, pragmatism and determination.