TESTED IN ALL RELATIONSHIPS AND LOVE

Saturn, known as the taskmaster, the tester, the authoritarian, the restricter and restructurer, and the bringer of Karma, began its journey through the sign of Libra on Thursday, October 29th, at 1:09 PM EDT ... Saturn represents the lessons in life we MUST LEARN ... therefore it illuminates what we are least sure of or simply put, what we fear ... as a result of the force of circumstances we are driven to find the discipline, effort and sense of order so we can surmount limitations and obstacles and thus pass the tests Saturn places before us ... often power becomes an issue in ones partnerships and sometimes ultimately the lesson ... it tends to want balance and fair play however still feel very responsible for working things out ... ones attitude here is usually disciplined, responsible yet very serious ... but one can also come across as pleasant, philosophical and with a great sense of justice and fairness ... this is often the natal placement for lawyers, judges and mediators ... its energy is useful for organizational planning, business arrangements and government work ...

Saturn in Libra often seeks out a serious partner ... after all, Libra is the natural ruler of the 7th house which governs partnerships and relationships both public and private ... relating to others is definitely one of the lessons to be learned with this energy ... those born natally with this placement frequently marry later in life as they realize marriage requires patience and hard work ... being unsure of strength and self-worth could lead to a fear of commitment due to the danger of possibly being hurt, criticized or rejected ... these fears can inhibit one from the capacity to make an intimate connection ... people often obtain positions of honor and wealth under this energy whether natally or through transit ... social awareness is high ... diplomacy and tact are preferred as it becomes obvious that working well with others requires cooperation rather than competitiveness ... Saturn is considered to be in Exaltation in Libra as its forces are increased here and its virtues are magnified ... Saturn is concerned with proper conduct and appropriate behavior, and Libra is highly associated with proper protocol, civilized manners, and all social graces ...

The essence of Saturn in Libra is being tested through relating ... it is said that this is the point where all other planet-sign positions converge yielding a focus or point of balance that must be found between the needs and urges of the individual on one side, and the demands and conditions of life and society on the other side ... naturally the most important test of all is the one of Relating - establishing the right relations between oneself and anything or anyone outside of oneself ... ultimately Order and Authority are most efficiently expressed through qualities of Balance and Justice ... the greatest lesson to be learned here is that of BALANCE ... through these balancing acts one will be able to determine and establish their place in the professional and personal landscape of their life ... the ultimate lesson of Saturn in Libra is learning that "another" is simply a reference point to which you are drawn, usually by love or fondness, and that empowers you to establish your own identity and elevate your place in this world ... this energy likes feeling committed, a worthy opponent, a serious partner, learning through love and establishing right relations ... it dislikes being without a relationship, being unevenly matched, unresolved relationships and leaving relationships to chance ... the energy of Saturn in Libra can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: sense of moral obligation, loyal, honorable, co-operative, just, impartial, diplomatic, tactful, socially aware, good timing, well-mannered, composed, abiding partner, esteemed, idealistic, responsible

NEGATIVE: over-committed, blind trust, weak sense of self, unforgiving, indecisive, stiff, socially unsure, bad timing, uptight, rigid, insecure partner, resented, unrealistic, too particular

In reference to all matters dealing with the energy of Saturn, a critical point is reached roughly every 29 years - known as the Saturn return and being the length of time is takes to make one complete transit around the natal chart ... during this return it comes back to the sign and degree position it was at when you were born ... this is what one might call a life progress report ... to many Astrologers this is known as the offical transition into adulthood at 29 years of age - even though many are mature ahead of their years ... during this time there will be inner and outer pressures which will tear down what is weak in you, and consolidate what is strong in order to form a firmer foundation .... for those of you who have had their natal chart done, look to where the beginning of Libra - that is 0 degrees of Libra - is and you'll gain some insight as to what area of your life this testing in relating may play out in ...

Saturn will remain in the sign of Libra until October 5th, 2012 ... however, due to its yearly retrograde journey it will briefly back into Virgo one last time from April 7th, 2010 until July 21st, 2010 - for some last minute business - at which point its transit of Virgo will be complete and its full transit of Libra will resume ...

Libra born individuals, this is a very significant time in your life and it may well turn out to be very trying ... at some point Saturn will be crossing over your natal Sun - and possibly other planets too if you were born with others in Libra ... but if you pay attention and not smash your head against the proverbial brick wall of stubborness, you stand to learn a great deal and build a much stronger foundation in your life ... if you are 29, 58, or 87, this will definitely be a significant period in your life ... my fellow born Capricorns, we also will most likely feel a little more intensity of this transit as Saturn is our ruling planet and therefore moving into a new sign is ready to teach us new lessons in another area of life ....

Everyone will feel the effects of this transit on some level of their lives ... relationships will be a major issue - some will become stronger and others will come to an end as a result of personal growth being blocked and inhibited ... lessons WILL BE learned whether through force or compliance ... in a way though we have been prepared by the Universe for this challenge as you may recall a lot of the personal planetary retrogrades this year have involved planets in signs dealing with partnerships and relationships with yet another major one coming soon when Mars retrogrades in Leo the end of December .... meanwhile, we might all look back and see what challenges and lessons we encountered in the areas of daily work and service, health and nutrition and possibly family issues while Saturn was transiting the sign of Virgo beginning back on September 2, 2007 ...

While Saturn transits Libra, be aware that where you are and who you are with is your reality ... seek harmony there ... being fair to yourself and others is the balance created between your views and others views ... in seeking the "perfect" partnership, it is wise to understand that the truly perfect partnership is one that is only as perfect as you are as an individual ...