A few hours after Mercury retrograded last week, Saturn (teacher, discipline, structure, Dweller on the Threshold), entered Sagittarius, sign of the Archer, after two and a half years in Scorpio. Saturn remains in Sagittarius until Dec. 20, 2017. Saturn teaches us caution, helps build foundations of true knowledge and calls us to practical, useful and meaningful living. Saturn teaches moderation. Enlightenment (a fire) comes slowly and in moderation. Or else we burst into flames. Sometimes with Saturn we can feel melancholy, distant and cold. We learn what our limits are. Saturn builds an identification with our courage and inner strength.

With Saturn in Libra, we learned right relations; in Scorpio, discipleship training. In Sagittarius, we begin a new journey. “Out on the plains, in plain sight, on a white horse, Hercules on a noble journey, eyes set on the prize—the mountains of Capricorn.” In Sag we consider what truth and justice are, we attempt to see behind and remove the veils hiding Lady Justice’s eyes. We seek to know our principles, their origins, where they are taking us. We want principles to guide us like an arrow directed at the target of authenticity and truth.

In Sagittarius, we seek knowledge and wisdom that makes us teachers. Saturn, the Great Teacher, sees to all of this. The usual excessive behaviors of Sag are curtailed when Saturn enters Sagittarius, ruled by Jupiter. Jupiter’s expansiveness becomes more defined, structured and more realistic—good lessons for both Sag and Jupiter. We become practical and responsible, embarking finally on our “noble journey.”