Testing old limits.
Here’s what to do and not do when you have a Saturn Sesquisquare Saturn transit. Below that are some interesting things about this transit.
Avoid During This Transit
- Don’t make big, risky commitments (like new jobs or major purchases) unless you’re absolutely sure- they might feel heavier than you expect.
- Avoid ignoring your responsibilities. Saturn’s energy is all about accountability, and lapses can come back to haunt you.
- Don’t let fear or self-doubt take over your decisions. This transit can make challenges seem bigger than they really are.
- Try not to isolate yourself. You might feel alone, but shutting out support from friends or family only makes it harder.
- Don’t procrastinate on important work or decisions. Procrastination now can lead to more pressure later.
- Avoid being overly hard on yourself. Self-criticism can spike during this time, but go easy- you’re learning, not failing.
- Don’t take shortcuts or try to cut corners. Saturn rewards hard work and patience, so quick fixes might backfire.
- Avoid clinging to old habits that aren’t working anymore. This is a time to let go of what’s not serving you, even if it’s tough.
- Don’t overcommit to others’ expectations- set clear boundaries so you don’t get overwhelmed.
- Avoid avoiding (yep, double avoidance!) tough conversations or situations. Facing them head-on is the way forward with Saturn.
Do During This Transit
- Reflect on your long-term goals and see if they’re still working for you.
- Take a closer look at your responsibilities and daily routines. Are you taking on too much? Or not enough?
- Work on building patience- things might feel slow or frustrating, but steady effort pays off.
- Set healthy boundaries. Say no when you need to and protect your energy.
- Handle unfinished business, like old tasks you’ve been putting off or problems you’ve been avoiding.
- Get organized. Tidy up, make lists, and simplify where you can.
- Stay humble and open to feedback, especially from authority figures or older people.
- Accept any delays as a chance to improve your plans, skills, or attitude.
- Practice self-discipline- whether it’s about work, health, or emotions.
- Give yourself credit for how far you’ve come, even if things feel tough right now.
What’s interesting about this transit?
The Saturn sesquisquare to natal Saturn is pretty rare to see written about directly, especially in older astrology books. But if you dig into the obscure, dusty texts, you’ll find a few interesting interpretations and odd little tidbits:
- Some 17th-century astrologers called the sesquisquare (135° aspect) the “aspect of blind labor,” suggesting a period where folks work hard but may not see the immediate results.
- In ancient Greek astrology, it was considered part of the “struggle sequence.” They believed it was a subtle trigger for generational tension, especially when transiting Saturn hit this angle with natal Saturn.
- Renaissance texts sometimes call uncomfortable Saturn aspects “Saturn’s Goad,” implying a sharp, poking discomfort meant to spur you into maturity- even if you’re resisting.
- Some obscure Russian astrology books from the early 1900s suggest that this aspect brings up “a shadow of old fears,” especially around authority, career, or father figures, and that confronting these is necessary for forward movement.
- There are also some old French texts that refer to this transit as “the tightening ring,” where you feel as though responsibilities are closing in, testing your boundaries and your patience.
- A stray note from an 18th-century English astrologer says, “this is Saturn’s patience school- its lessons are rarely applauded, but often remembered.”
- Some medieval Arabic astrologers described this kind of aspect as “hidden pruning,” trimming away what won’t be useful for the long haul, sometimes without you even realizing it.
Experiencing This Transit
When Saturn forms a sesquisquare (135-degree aspect) to your natal Saturn, it’s like getting a nudge from the universe- sometimes a bit too sharp for comfort. Saturn is all about time, delays, maturity, and getting real about life. This isn’t a full-blown crisis transit, but it does poke at any laziness or shortcuts you’ve taken, making you face up to stuff you’d rather ignore. It can feel pretty tense, but also pretty productive if you lean in.
Challenges during this transit
- Annoying obstacles: You’ll probably hit little roadblocks- nothing massive, but super frustrating, like paperwork issues at work, or delayed answers to important questions.
- Old issues rising up: Problems you thought you’d buried (especially from around 3-4 years ago, or since your last Saturn aspect) can show up again. Maybe it’s a recurring issue with your boss, parent, or even self-doubt.
- Feeling boxed in by responsibilities: Your duties might feel heavier than usual, or just a bit “too much.” You could feel like you’re being nagged or like every little thing is demanding your attention.
- Struggling to see progress: Sometimes, it feels like you’re working so hard but not getting anywhere. It can make you question your long-term plans or wonder if you’re going in the right direction.
- Authority issues: Fights with bosses, or running into blockages with organizational rules, can flare up. It’s common to feel judged or misunderstood by authority figures during this aspect.
- Inner critic overdrive: Saturn loves to point out your flaws, and during this transit, your inner voice can get a bit harsh. It’s easy to be way too hard on yourself and focus only on mistakes instead of progress.
Opportunities during this transit
- Getting super organized: If you lean into the Saturn energy, you can actually make huge strides by tightening routines, fixing your schedule, or purging distractions. It’s the perfect time to clean up that one area of life that’s gotten messy.
- Facing and conquering old fears: If you’re willing to look at what keeps coming up, you can get rid of some old baggage for good. It’s uncomfortable, but freeing.
- Learning patience: This transit can really teach you how to take things one step at a time and not rush things. That patience ends up helping you later, sometimes in totally unexpected ways.
- Refining your goals: If you realize you’re putting energy somewhere that’s going nowhere, this transit makes it very obvious. It’s a good time to redirect energy and cut out dead weight, even if it’s tough.
- Building true resilience: By meeting obstacles head-on instead of ducking them, you come out of this tougher and more self-aware. It’s character-building, even though it’s not fun in the moment.
- Resolving authority conflicts: If something with a boss or parent comes up, it’s a chance to learn better boundaries, or assert yourself in a mature way, which can really pay off in your career or family life later on.
How the Sign of Transiting Saturn Modifies This Transit Sesquisquare to Natal Saturn
Read the one for the current sign of transiting Saturn.
- Transiting Saturn in Aries: Frustrations come from feeling blocked when trying to act independently. You might struggle with impatience or feeling like you can’t get started on things the way you want.
- Transiting Saturn in Taurus: Challenges hit your sense of security or finances. You could feel stuck or frustrated by slow progress, especially around money or building stability.
- Transiting Saturn in Gemini: Communications feel heavy. You might have trouble expressing yourself, dealing with doubts, or feeling misunderstood by others.
- Transiting Saturn in Cancer: Emotional issues or family responsibilities weigh on you. You could feel isolated or burdened by the past or by family duties.
- Transiting Saturn in Leo: You might feel blocked when trying to express yourself or get recognition. Creativity feels restricted, or self-confidence takes a hit.
- Transiting Saturn in Virgo: Frustration comes from perfectionistic expectations or work routines. You could overthink problems, especially about health, efficiency, or being “good enough.”
- Transiting Saturn in Libra: Relationships create stress. You might feel like you have to compromise too much, or you’re stuck dealing with old patterns in close partnerships.
- Transiting Saturn in Scorpio: Emotional intensity gets ramped up. You might deal with control issues, secrets, or power struggles, and it can be tough to let go of fears or resentments.
- Transiting Saturn in Sagittarius: You feel limited in your ability to explore, travel, or expand your knowledge. Philosophical crisis or a sense of restriction around freedom can surface.
- Transiting Saturn in Capricorn: Authority figures, career, or responsibilities weigh especially heavy. You might feel pressure to achieve or live up to expectations with little room to relax.
- Transiting Saturn in Aquarius: You feel blocked expressing your uniqueness, or connecting with groups and friends. You might feel overanalyzed, judged or that your ideals clash with reality.
- Transiting Saturn in Pisces: There’s a sense of emotional heaviness, confusion, or drained energy. Boundaries might blur, and it can be hard to trust your intuition or creativity during this time.