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SATURN IN SCORPIO:
THE IMP OF THE
PERVERSE
BY GARY O'TOOLE
SATURN MOVES INTO SIDEREAL SCORPIO ON
NOVEMBER 2 2014 AND TRANSITS THROUGH
MARS' SIGN UNTIL JANUARY 26 2017 AND
AGAIN IN 2017 FROM JUNE 21 TO OCTOBER 26.

If you were a primitive man or woman, protecting yourself against predators, you would
probably be physically very active. You would use up the extra stress produced through
intense bursts of physical activity. In modern times we sit around worrying about what
we cannot control by watching scenes of horror - whether real or fictional - on our TV
and computer screens. We indulge our worries and subject our minds to disturbing
images with news media, but feel helpless in doing anything about any of it. This sends
us into a fight or flight response. Our bodies cannot sustain this type of stress long term
so we then experience what is known as a resistance phase which eventually leads to
exhaustion.
This phase requires strength building in order to counteract the release of stress
hormones and their ravaging effect on the body.
Stress can be heightened by the presence of Saturn in Scorpio so get out and practice
appropriate exercise in order to release some of the tension produced in your body in
worrying about what you cannot control e.g. what anyone else is doing. While Saturn is
transiting Scorpio we may worry about forces outside our control which we cannot
tackle to the ground and eat. These days the predators are mostly unseen and yet their
affect on us psychologically and physiologically is powerful.
Saturn in Scorpio can lend itself to a feeling of a life or death situation. Mars' influence
lends itself to an all or nothing, black or white thinking. This then leads to a distortion of
perceived threats. It is important to structure your feelings in a way which allows free
expression.
Did you catch the paradox?!
I am a firm believer in discipline ultimately granting us freedom. Dynamic meditations
may be beneficial in expressing what has been left unexpressed in the nervous system.
Expressions such as dance or structuring one's feelings into a yoga or martial arts
practice may suit some.
The discipline of such practices leads to a great sense of freedom and release. However,
expressing ourselves freely may be a challenge as Scorpio likes to keep things secretive
and Saturn only adds to our secret fears.
As the saying goes, 'we are only as sick as our secrets'.
Sex and Death
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In our modern age we are very uptight about sex despite the plethora of sexual images
on our screens. Primitive man, or woman, would not have been uptight about their
sexual needs. They had structures which may have led to a need to repress their urges
of course, but not to the extent we experience in our modern age. Sex and its use in
power games becomes a hot and cold topic when Saturn is placed in Scorpio.
Mars is hot. Saturn is cold. There is a tendency to manipulate others with sex. The
natural sexual impulse becomes distorted.
The entertainers Madonna, Prince and Michael Jackson were all born when Saturn was
placed in Scorpio between November 1955 and November 1958, as were the actresses
Sharon Stone and Michelle Pfeiffer and the movie director Tim Burton.
So what do all of these have in common?
They are all known as entertainers of course, but they have all in their own way
captivated the public's imagination with regards to sex and death - two significations of
the sign Scorpio. Manipulation of sexuality or images of death may have a place in a 3
minute song or in a movie studio, however, most of us are not on a movie set or
expressing ourselves through song and dance. Instead we must pay particular attention
to the way in which we express our sexuality, and face our mortality, if we are to
experience a more balanced state while Saturn is moving through Scorpio.
The Imp of the Perverse
The singer Prince (born when Saturn was in Scorpio) was labelled an 'imp of the
perverse' in the 1980's. The Imp of the Perverse was originally a short story by the
author Edgar Allan Poe who was born in 1809 when Saturn was placed in (yes, you
guessed it) Scorpio. The 'Imp of the Perverse' is a metaphor for the urge to commit
certain acts against our own best interest, which is Saturn's influence on Mars - the
planet of action. Poe was of course known for his horror stories and is credited as being
the 'father of the detective story' and a 'master of the macabre'. Both Saturn and Scorpio
represent death, and things we would prefer to hide from prying eyes. As the 'Imp of the
Perverse', Saturn in Scorpio compels us to say and do the inappropriate thing if we are
not conscious of its influence.
The singer Madonna has always welcomed sexual controversy in her career and in
Saturn's previous transit to Scorpio between September 1985 and December 1987
another icon of popular culture was born who uses her sexuality to manipulate the
masses. Her name is Stefani Germanotta, also known by the stage name Lady Gaga.
Michael Jackson, another artist who was born with Saturn placed in Scorpio, had a
mysterious sex life to say the least. The actresses Sharon Stone and Michelle Pfieffer
played with their sexual nature on screen, and the film director Tim Burton went to his
dark side on every single occasion in film making that I can recall.
Let us not forget that Saturn represents darkness, structure and form, and Scorpio
represents sex, death and transformation. This combination is a heavy one which needs
a good deal of humor, as I'm sure the film director Tim Burton would testify. It may be a
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challenge for those with Scorpio prominent to express themselves in an open and
carefree manner. However, the more you can do this the less you experience the
oftentimes opposite of expression - depression.
The expression I refer to here is not an intellectual discussion about how you feel. It is
about expressing your raw emotions as you feel them, allowing all that has not been
discharged through your nervous system (Mars) to be released (Saturn). We have had
our instincts blunted by overexposure by engaging in worry and scenes which disturb
the mind. By the time it does come around to acting appropriately to an actual real life
threat we are usually too drained of energy to be 100% effective in dealing with it. This is
especially the case for those with Scorpio prominent as either your rising sign, Moon or
Sun sign. If you have one or more of these positions in your horoscope (using the
sidereal zodiac for your analysis), or you have any planets placed in Scorpio, then you
would benefit all the more from this awareness from November 2014 until October 2017.
Jupiter's influence on Scorpio until July 2015 will ease us into Saturn's transit and make
it more easy to manage initially. Saturn's position in Scorpio no longer restricts Jupiter
in its place of exaltation which further increases Jupiter's benevolent influence.
Dealing with our Fears
The fear is of losing ourselves in union with another - a task which is easier in Libra becomes more of a challenge in Scorpio. This is because Venus' sign Libra represents a
negotiation and Mars' sign Scorpio represents a fight for our own emotional well-being.
We begin to look at the messy side of a relationship: the sex; the jointly held resources;
getting so close to another that it creates a fear of losing control of ourselves.
We begin to look at hidden forces in our interactions and fear loosing control to
something we cannot see.
Secret activities and spying may increase as a result of this transit.
If you feel fear, face it and go beyond it. Everything you want is beyond your fears. Use
this transit to investigate your fears. If you can sit with an uncomfortable feeling you
may see it pass a lot more quickly than if you try to avoid it by indulging in power games
to try and control how you feel, or what someone else is doing. You cannot.
Saturn in Scorpio may lead to many a power game in relationships because of the
aforementioned fears. Money, loyalty and sexuality may be ways in which the
relationship is tested. You will be personally tested in the area of life Scorpio represents
for you.
As much as you will resist, it will slow this area of your life down so you can take a long,
hard look at it.
Go deep and face your fears and insecurities. You will be rewarded.
Where were you and what were you doing between September 16th 1985 and December
16th 1987; the last time Saturn transited through Scorpio? The terrain is very different of
course but common themes and experiences may return once again. Ask yourself what
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is it you really want in relation to the area of the zodiac you experience the sign Scorpio
during this transit.
Saturn on the Move
Saturn's transit to Mars' sign can create problems. Mars' need to push ahead and
Saturn's impulse to slow you down leads to an inner struggle with yourself which can
lead to accidents, especially if your sign rising is Scorpio - representing the body.
However, movement is necessary in order to balance the slowness of Saturn, although
you may be forced to slow down if you take on too much and push too hard during this
transit. This is especially the case if you have the sign Scorpio rising in your horoscope,
as you may find heavy responsibility unavoidable. Ultimately this is a time for you to
restructure your life. You may do so by finding out now what, or who, you can and
cannot commit to.
'It doesn't matter how slowly you go as long as you do not
stop'. - Confucius
Those with the Moon in Scorpio need to be aware of this transit as a psychological
phenomenon which will of course impact on your physical well-being. Those born
between November 16th and December 15th in any given year may experience this as an
identity crisis. The Sun positioned in Scorpio will have the slow pressure of Saturn
testing your commitment and depleting your vitality, giving you ample opportunity to set
healthy boundaries for yourself.
Diligent and consistent exercise is a must if you have your rising, Moon or Sun sign
placed in Scorpio, as well as the signs Capricorn, Taurus and Leo - all of which receive
the restrictive influence of Saturn during these years.
Have you ever observed a bodybuilder at work?
Saturn represents the muscle tissue. These 'Saturn-type' individual's work hard on all
that they can achieve within the constraints of their physical form. Saturn and Jupiter's
influence on Scorpio will add to building a stronger body for those with Scorpio rising. It
will add to a stronger mind for those with Moon in Scorpio and a stronger identity for
those with the Sun in Scorpio. This strength can only be experienced once you have
seen where your weaknesses lie. Work on yourself and invite pain into your life in a more
constructive way. If you do not then you may have to feel the pain of Saturn's transit
through pains of all kinds other than those of hard work.
'Work consciously... Suffer voluntarily'. - G. I.
Gurdjieff
Marital arts or yoga are beneficial because of their more exacting nature and because
they counteract the weakness experienced due to the resistance phase mentioned.
These types of exercises lead to an increase in energy as opposed to some forms of
exercise which overexert the body and deplete energy reserves. Any precise physical
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exercise would be beneficial as it involves the use of the muscles (Saturn) and nerves
(Mars) in executing the perfect form.
Have the strength of your weaknesses. In other words, realize your limitations and work
within these, whether physically, emotionally, mentally, financially, or ____________ (fill
in the blank). This would be indicated by the house position of Scorpio in your
horoscope, as well as any planets positioned in Scorpio, and what these planets
represent in your birth chart.
Saturn's Transit from your Moon Sign
For those with the Moon in Leo, Scorpio represents the home and peace of mind. You
may need to work on your home life and at your happiness. This is known in Vedic
astrology as Kantaka Shani - the 4th house transit from one's Moon. If this is the case for
you then investigate what it is that makes you happy. Home life may go through some
major changes at this time if you have the Moon in Leo.
Those with the Moon in either Gemini, Virgo or Capricorn benefit from Saturn's transit to
Scorpio, as these signs will focus on improvements.
Those with the Moon in Aries may be going through some major life changes during this
transit.
Those with the Moon in Scorpio need to be aware of the possible emotional heaviness of
Saturn's transit. It can make you unclear in your thinking, leading to wrong decisions (an
imp of the perverse) and generally making you feel more isolated and depressed,
especially after July 2015 once Jupiter's influence moves elsewhere. If you have
something to complain about in your life then lighten the mood with some good cheer
and sunshine. Be aware of the quality of the food, thoughts and impressions you indulge
in. Try to lighten them up. Do the hard work you need to on yourself, but add some play
into the mix. Keep your heart open.
There are many who delve deeply into the workings of the mind that have the Moon in
Scorpio. Delve deep but come up for fresh air often. The coming years will add to a
strong work ethic and may produce some new therapies and practices, both physical and
mental, for us all to benefit from thanks to all your hard work.
To your good health.
Saturn Returns
For those born between September 16th 1985 and December 16th 1987 this is your first
Saturn return. This is a time in your life when you 'grow up' in the truest sense. You will
be looking at your life moving forward now with more sobriety. You may make some
major life transitions at this time, as Scorpio is all about changes we cannot control no
matter how hard we try to.
If you were born between November 12th 1955 and November 7th 1958 or between June
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2nd and November 6th 1958 then this is your second Saturn return and a new cycle of
growth is upon you. We often only think of our youth as periods of growth, but of course
we are growing throughout our lives - growing old and growing up all the way along our
life trajectory. If this is your second Saturn return you may be looking forward to see
how you will spend the next part of your life, as you are looking back to see how well
you spent the last. Either way, its a time to take a long, hard look at your life and how
well you are living it. Just take a look around you and see where you can make any
improvements now. The Lord of Time will inevitably bring your mind to the past and into
the future, creating all kinds of stress as a result of this loss of the present time. Stay in
the present as much as you can, appreciating all you have achieved in your life and all
that you continue to enjoy in your golden years.
If you were born between January 1st 1926 and December 23rd 1928 then this is your
third Saturn return. At this age you have receded from life to the point where you may be
now contemplating how you are about to leave your physical body and its restrictions.
Saturn's Stations in Scorpio
The degrees at which Saturn stations, whether retrograde or direct, in the sign Scorpio
for the next two years are useful to be aware of. This is especially the case if you have
any planets, or your ascendant degree - in Scorpio, Capricorn, Taurus or Leo - at these
particular degrees. Though I have given the exact dates for the station, be aware that
Saturn stations approximately 5 days before and after these dates.
March 14th 2015: Stations Retrograde at 10 degrees.
August 2nd 2015: Stations Direct at 4 degrees.
March 25th 2016: Stations Retrograde at 22 degrees.
August 13th 2016: Stations Direct at 15 degrees.
April 6th 2017: Stations Retrograde at 3 degrees of Sagittarius.
August 25th 2017: Stations Direct at 27 degrees of Scorpio.
NB: Saturn re-enters Scorpio on June 21st 2017, remaining retrograde in the sign until
August 25th, before finally leaving Scorpio on October 26th 2017.
Saturn Through the Lunar Signs: Vishakha, Anuradha & Jyestha
Saturn is placed in the last section (pada) of the lunar sign Viskakha from November 4th
to December 1st 2014 as it first enters the solar sign Scorpio. Vishakha is ruled by
Jupiter which is currently placed in exaltation and influencing Scorpio from a place of
strength. This is a good start for Saturn's transit as it eases us into the sign Scorpio and
the sometimes tough lessons we need to learn here.
Saturn then moves into its own lunar sign, Anuradha, on December 1st. It finds the
depths of Scorpio to be an ultimately strengthening position and Mars is placed in
exaltation for the beginning of this transit in December - another strong indication for
Saturn's initial transit to the sign. Saturn remains in Anuradha from December 2014 to
December 28th 2015 - due to its retrograde period in Anuradha from March 14th to
August 2nd 2015.
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It then moves into the last lunar sign in Scorpio, known as Jyestha, on December 28th
2015 and remains in this sign until January 26th 2017, apart from a period spent once
again in Anuradha from July 8th to September 17th 2016 due to its retrograde motion. It
returns to Jyestha from June 21st to October 26th 2017 due to its retrograde transit back
into Scorpio. Jyestha is a lunar sign ruled by Mercury, a friend and ally to Saturn.
Other Influences
During these years the transits of Mars, Ketu (the Moon's south node), Jupiter and
Mercury become important in how we experience Saturn. Though the ongoing influence
of the faster moving planet Mercury cannot be broken down into the constraints of this
article, we can look to see its influence being more pronounced in 2016 as Saturn
transits Mercury's lunar sign, Jyestha. Mercury and Saturn are friendly to each other and
work together at times when they are placed in helpful relationships to each other during
Mercury's transits.
Jupiter's influence, while exalted in Cancer, will guide our thinking for better decision
making between November 2014 and July 2015, after which time we must rely on our
previous good deeds to be returned in kind. Jupiter moves into Leo in July 2015 and
grants the sign Leo relief from Saturn's sole influence, which it experiences for the first 9
months of Saturn's transit. This eases the transit for those with Leo prominent between
July 2015 and August 2016, at which time Jupiter then moves into Virgo. The remaining
period between September 2016 and January 2017 leaves Leo to deal with Saturn's and
Rahu's (the Moon's north node) stressful influences. This will be particularly stressful
time-period for Leo as Rahu transits Leo from January 2016.
The earth-dominant signs, Taurus and Capricorn must experience the restrictive
influence of Saturn's stare mostly without the concurrent beneficial influence of Jupiter.
Rahu also influences these earth signs by being placed in the other earth sign, Virgo
until January 2016. They both have a drying effect on these earth signs. Capricorn does
experience Jupiter's more beneficial influence until July 2015, but it also has the
advantage of being Saturn's own sign. Taurus must feel Saturn's sole influence for most
of this transit, except for the last five months of 2016 while Jupiter is placed in Virgo August 2016 to January 2017.
Ketu, the Moon's south node and the other ruler of Scorpio, is placed in the other waterdominant sign, Pisces for the first year of this transit. This brings more harmony
between the two impulses, although they have fundamentally different objectives. Saturn
creates a need to deal with practical issues in the hear and now, while Ketu adds an
other worldly dimension which may seem out of our grasp at times. Ketu's position in
Pisces requires a more philosophical approach to the work we need to do on ourselves
in eradicating our fears. Ketu transits Saturn's own sign, Aquarius during 2016 and
Capricorn in 2017. This exchange of signs between Saturn and Ketu keeps the more
philosophical impulse of Ketu closely tied to the realism of Saturn. Humanities shared
fears allow us to think on a larger scale and act accordingly.
The challenges of Saturn and Scorpio strengthen us, as ultimately Saturn exalts Mars 7

the planet of courage and strength. This disciplines us. However, because Mars
debilitates Saturn we may have to go through feeling our insecurities and weaknesses
before we can feel strong and more in control once this transit has ended. The initial
stages of Saturn's transit are boosted by Mars being placed in exaltation in December
2014 and into the New Year in 2015, granting us a kick start to proceedings. However,
once Saturn has entered the last 10 degrees of the sign by February 2016, a stronger
impact of Saturn will be felt for the last year of this transit.
Mars will also transit Scorpio for a longer period in 2016 due to its retrograde motion
from April 17th to June 29th, placing Mars in Scorpio from February 20th to September
18th 2016 (excluding a brief period where it backs up into Libra from June 17th to July
11th). This places both Saturn and Mars in retrograde motion in Scorpio from April 17th
to June 17th in 2016 and may hammer home all of the of the issues mentioned.
Saturn's retrograde period in 2017 brings it back into Scorpio from June 21st to October
26th. Saturn's return to a sign it has already left shows some unfinished business we
may have to deal with. If you have any planets, or important degrees, placed in the last 3
degrees of Scorpio this will be a transit for you to work with more consciously and
deliberately. During Saturn's last transit through Scorpio in 2017 it will be influenced by
Rahu, as Rahu moves into Cancer on August 18th 2017. Mars transits Cancer from July
11th to August 27th 2017 which may be a challenge for the sign Scorpio as it hosts a
returning Saturn, and its ruling planet, Mars is placed in debilitation and conjunct Rahu
by August 26th/27th 2017. We may see some dramatic events unfold, both globally and
personally, at this time.

The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra

The best remedy I know for Saturn (apart from fasting on Saturdays, living a responsible
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life, and accepting that one hasn't always done so and must experience the
repercussions of this through Saturn) is the recitation of the Mahamrityunjaya mantra.
For those who do not usually chant mantras I would encourage you to investigate the
use and effectiveness of these ancients remedial measures, especially if fear dominates
your life experience.
This mantra is a very special one when it comes to allaying your fears. It is chanted for
Lord Shiva, the Lord of destruction. The destruction referred to here is that of one's
fears. It is for the purpose of overcoming fears of all kinds that this mantra is used and
has been effectively used for thousands of years. You can log onto countless online
resources which will give you the correct pronunciation. However, there are many
translations of this mantra but the one I have included is by Pandit Sanjay Rath. As you
will see from the translation all fears stem from our ultimate fear of death, which this
mantra helps us to overcome. It is a powerful tool and makes us feel strong on every
level of our being.
As you will read in the translation the sounds of the mantra directly correspond to the
meaning of the words being chanted. So, for example, the Sanskrit word Yajamahe, when
chanted correctly, captivates the meaning 'we sing thy praise' very well. The Sanskrit
word Bandhanaan really captures the sense of being 'bound down'.
Om Tryambakkam Yajamahe
Sugandhim Pustivardhanam
Urvaarokameva Bandanan
Mrityormooksheya Maamritaat
Translation from 'Vedic Remedies in Astrology' by Pt. Sanjay Rath. Used by kind
permission.
"O! Three-eyed Lord Shiva (three luminous eyes represent the Sun, Moon and Holy fire)
we worship Thee; Thy (name and fame) spreads like sweet fragrance as Thou art the
savior of all beings. I am under the bondage of dreadful diseases (of the mind, body and
soul) and pray that Thou shalt deliver us from (all evils including) death (for the sake of
immortality) by granting us some life rejuvenating nectar".
"OM is not spelt out in the Rig Veda, but has to be added to the beginning of all Mantras
as given in an earlier Mantra of the Rig Veda addressed to Ganapati (Ganesh).
TRYAMBAKKAM refers to the Three eyes of Lord Shiva. Trya means Three and
Ambakam means eyes. These three eyes of sources of enlightenment are the Trimurti
or three primary deities, namely Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva and the three AMBA (also
meaning Mother or Shakti are Saraswati, Lakshmi and Gouri. Thus in this word, we are
referring to God as Omniscient (Brahma), Omnipresent (Vishnu) and Omnipotent (Shiva).
This is the wisdom of Vashistha Maharishi and is referred to as Sri Dattatreya having
three heads of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
YAJAMAHE means, We sing thy praise.
SUGANDHIM refers to His fragrance (of knowledge, presence and strength i.e. three
aspects) as being the best and always spreading around. Fragrance refers to the joy that
we get on knowing, seeing or feeling His virtuous deeds.
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PUSTIVARDHANAM: Pooshan refers to Him as the sustainer of this world and in this
manner; He is the Father (Pater) of all. Pooshan is also the inner impeller of all
knowledge and is thus, Savitur or the Sun and also symbolizes Brahma the Omniscient
Creator. In this manner He is also the Father (Genitor) of all.
URVAAROKAMEVA: URVA means VISHAL or big and powerful or deadly.
AAROOKAM means Disease. Thus, URVAOOKA means deadly and overpowering
diseases. (The CUCUMBER interpretation given in various places is also correct for the
word URVAROOKAM, but not apt for this mantra). The diseases are also of three kinds
caused by the influence (in the negative) of the three Gunas and are ignorance (Avidya
etc,), falsehood (Asat etc, as even though Vishnu is everywhere, we fail to perceive Him
and are guided by our sight and other senses) and weaknesses (Shadripu etc. a
constraint of this physical body and Shiva is all powerful).
BANDANAAN means bound down. Thus read with URVAROOKAMEVA, it means I am
bound down by deadly and overpowering diseases (of the body, mind & soul).
MRITYORMOOKSHEYA means to deliver us from death (both premature death in this
physical world and from the never ending cycle of deaths due to re-birth) for the sake of
Mokshya (Nirvana or final emancipation from re-birth).
MAAMRITAAT means please give me some Amrita (life rejuvenating nectar). Read with
the previous word, it means that we are praying for some Amrita or get out of the death
inflicting diseases as well as the cycle of re-birth".
Rath, S. (2000) Vedic Remedies in Astrology, New Delhi, India: Sagar Publications.

'To-day I wear these chains, and am here!

To-morrow I shall be fetterless! - but where?'
- Edgar Allen Poe

OM TAT SAT

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