Shani

In Jyotish the full name of Saturn is Shanishcharaye and has many meanings. As one of the furthest planets from Surya, one of the meanings is “dimly lit”, and “slowest moving”. The root “Shan” is also the root for “shanti” which is peace, silence and stillness. “Charaya” is a teacher, a master. The slow teacher who teaches through experience, Shani spends 2.5 years in each zodiac sign and takes 29.5 years to circle Surya. Therefore, Shani is the outermost “clock” within the chart. Even though it moves slowly through the solar system, it has the fastest rotation on its axis. The combination of the slowest travel and the fastest spin creates a very unique wave pattern vibration in the cosmos.

The effects of Shani are deeply felt in part because of how long it stays in each sign. Saturn also acts as a protector for Earth by collecting debris and asteroids from hitting the inner planets. Saturn has countless moons at this point and keeps collecting more. Just like Brihaspati, Shani is very light in density.

In the Vedic system, Shani is the child of Surya. Shani as the least bright and Surya as the brightest represent opposing values on the surface levels ~ Surya is externally focused and our ability to lead and project while Saturn, on the surface level, is negation, the value of destruction, dissolution, inwardly focused. Ultimately, however, as one evolves in consciousness, Shani’s energy and influence is essential to our growth and they inform each other. (It is important to note that the Rishis were aware of Uranus, Neptune and Pluto but for intentional reasons did not include them in astrological analyses.)

In the Himalayan Kriya yoga tradition, Saturn is located at the Muladhara root chakra and exalted in Libra at the Anahata heart chakra. Saturn is debilitated in Aries. This is again opposite of Surya in the astrological chart. Once again, we are reminded that “being in the world” is Surya. “Transcending the world” is Shani. As Krishna says to Arjuna in the Baghavad Gita, “be in the world, but not of it”.

Saturn represents many challenges in life and to a certain extent opposition. However, we all know that challenge is inherent to life ~ all life is about growth and learning, exploring and discovering, evolving and therefore, challenge is essential. Depending on the maturity of the soul, its relationship to challenge is different. On the lower levels of consciousness and the absence of growth, Saturn is suffering. However, when challenges are met as opportunities for growth then Shani becomes evolution.

A mature soul who is evolving does not find suffering and fear in challenge. From the higher levels of consciousness, Shani is growth, expansion, self-realization and soul evolution. There might be pain, but it becomes a transformative power rather than a reason for suffering. From the Yog-Vedantic perspective, if we are afraid of pain, then we are afraid of life.

When we have not accepted the fundamental invitation of life to evolve, then death is a frightening prospect and we suffer in fear of living and dying. But, when we are consciously evolving, tuning in and facing our fears and challenges, then Shani becomes exalted at the heart and we come to know the love that is the Source of this universe and beyond. The clear invitation of Shani is to evolve or suffer. If one really meditates on this, one realizes this is an incredible gift and true grace.

When we are in denial of fundamental truths, we live in fear ~ existential threat of life haunts humanity. We think we can deny, ignore and numb out our fears through consumption but then Shani stays at the root chakra and fear dominates our reality. Kundalini cannot rise in fear so we suffer and rather than awakening from within, pursue the elusive “Saviour” from without.

One of the highest symbols of Shani is vairagyam ~ surrender, detachment, kriya ~ which is authentically born out of the recognition of impermanence. All people, circumstance, situations are impermanent and when we accept this and embody “the isness of isness”, we set ourselves free from the dukkha, the suffering, of fearing the loss of something that no one can hold onto forever. Then there is natural kindness, compassion, gratitude for being here at all. When this profound awareness is not yet found, then Saturn represents suffering and this is why so much fear around Shani exists.

Pop culture astrology loves to play up the “satanic” idea of Saturn as some kind of evil entity out to “get you”, but this is a very low consciousness astrology which preys on people’s fears to gain followers and control. Shani is never to be confused with Satan for this fundamental confusion is at the root of an ignorant life where we look at life from a dualistic perspective where there is “a God” and “a devil” and one remains helpless in the middle praying for salvation. Praying is a wonderful act, but it is not to be confused with begging. As long as one is stuck in a victim mentality, one can never access the unity of life.

For the yogi, Shani is Shiva. Saturn in a chart becomes the marker of spirituality and our spiritual life from the higher level. It also represents our challenges, but from a spiritual perspective, these become our opportunities for expansion and growth and Shani becomes our great ally. Therefore, from the Yog-Vedantic perspective, Shani is most interested in our soul’s liberation.

Bhukti and Mhukti ~ Celebration & Liberation ~ we must have both for life to be full. Every graha has this pull for us, but Shani’s pull is predominantly in the direction of yog ~ unity, for without that, there cannot be the highest expressions of celebration. Shani is taking us higher if we realize the opportunity present for us.

The aspects of Saturn and Jupiter in a chart are the most dominant of all the planets. In every reading we carefully look at all these aspects from where it sits in the chart. Saturn rules Capricorn and Aquarius and is the karaka, or significator, of the 6th, 8th and 12th “shadow” houses in the chart. On a certain level Shani represents the strongest karmic forces in a chart. The transits of Saturn are crucial for understanding one’s path. Each transit has an important effect. The three fundamental transits of Shani are: Saturn Return (27-30yrs old ~ for everyone), Sade Sati (the 7.5 yr transit of Shani over the natal moon) and of course, the 19yr duration of Saturn’s dasha. The primary focus will be to get grounded, get focused and learn. Service becomes essential for harmonizing with the highest energies of Shani.

In our modern world of instant gratification, when Shani comes, it can be a shock to the system. When people are stuck in ego consciousness, Saturn’s time can often become about seeking control because without correct understanding, one may feel as if life is spiralling. Therefore, the highest calling is about becoming mature and finding a spiritual practice ~ sadhana.

Shani’s calling is the dharma of the Atman. Shani will support us in finding our highest calling and soul purpose, but we have to do the work. Like everything in the cosmos, it is a co-creation. The choice we all have is to organize our life either around kriya or karma. Therefore, the time of Shani can be for some a time of testing. Ultimately, a time of transformation.

It is a potent time to heal, transform, evolve and dive deep with intensive, focused holistic healing work. The introverted nature of Shani makes the times of its heavy influence an amazing time for going within. This can make it a challenging time for relationships. Depending on the state of consciousness, this pull to go within can be either a self-centredness and disinterest in others, or it can be a very sublime level of connection with another. Relationships receive the great opportunity for the individuals within them, who choose, to connect on the very high level of Spirit.

Shani represents our spiritual relationships with our elders, ancestors, Spirit, Source and Soul. Ir represents how we serve and also how we relate to those who need help in life.

On a creative level Shani represents long-term vision. Think of a pilgrimage…. a journey. The slow moving nature of Shani means change and manifestation may happen slowly, but what is so beautiful is that what we create endures. Saturn knows no short cuts. It is often said, “Shani delays but never denies”, because Shani is supportive and creative but supports mature endeavours and if the individual requires greater vision and deeper self-awareness, Saturn will delay as long as the individual is predominantly stuck in ego. Therefore, the transits of Saturn can feel like limitation, restriction and struggle, but the call is to look within… look, look, look, as my teacher would say. Really look, because the same way you cannot cheat death, you cannot cheat Shani.

The true nature of Shani is innocent and the vast peace and stillness of Shiva. Life has Shiva in it ~ we cannot avoid it. However, the sublime Shunya of Shiva and Shani can feel very disruptive for one who deeply caught up in the noise of the restless mind. When that stillness comes knocking on our door, whether we want to face it or not, we really don’t have a choice but to face it, for if we try to run from it, it will only be a matter of time before it finds us again… it is Natural Law, it is Dharma.

If Saturn is debilitated or afflicted in the chart, the nature of its strong effect means that it requires remedies and support. In an unrefined state, Shani can be depressive and bring a heaviness to the individual. It is important to understand Shani’s calling for it is the call of Soul.

Individuals with strong Saturn in their chart may not be as interested in traditional and formal forms of education, but will often have natural access to subtler realms and occult forms of Divine knowledge.

Shani supports us in letting go of all that no longer serves us ~ releasing that which we no longer need brings liberation and the more we try to hold on, the more we struggle to embody our dharma and highest joy and truth. Remember that the person who starts a pilgrimage is not the same person who returns from the pilgrimage, and that is the point. Pilgrimage has an element of purification in it, transcending challenge and going beyond our limits.

To find out more about Shani in your unique astrological birth chart, I invite you to book a personal reading. In Jyotish everything must me seen as a whole and all aspects and interconnection of all the planets have to be considered to draw accurate conclusions and insights. It may be tempting to take one of the characteristics above and apply it to your chart, but all aspects have to be considered to reveal the highest cosmic insights to elevate one’s consciousness with wisdom and bring greater joy, health, wealth and peace into one’s life.

Wherever there is depth, Shani shows up in a very enlightening manner.

Om Namah Shivaya. Jai Guru Dev! Jai Shiva Shankara!