Transit Saturn Quincunx Natal Mars

“Frustrating stop-and-go energy”

Here’s what to do and not do when you have a Saturn Quincunx Mars transit. Below that are some interesting things about this transit.

Avoid During This Transit

• Don’t rush into arguments or conflicts- your frustration levels can spike easily now.
• Try not to take on too many responsibilities at once; you might bite off more than you can chew.
• Avoid starting big new projects that need lots of energy or drive- you’ll probably feel blocked or get discouraged.
• Don’t ignore your body if you feel tired or run-down; pushing through won’t help right now.
• Skip making impulsive or risky decisions, especially if you’re feeling stressed or pressured.
• Don’t ignore your need for rest- overexertion can lead to burnout faster under this transit.
• Try not to get frustrated with delays; things are going to move slower than you want.
• Don’t bottle up anger or resentment- find a healthy way to express how you’re feeling.
• Avoid power struggles with authority figures, bosses, or parents; it won’t go in your favor.
• Don’t neglect to plan ahead- impulsive actions are likely to backfire under this transit.

Do During This Transit

• Review your goals: This is a great time to pause and ask yourself if the things you’re working hard for still make sense. Are you using your energy wisely?
• Work on your patience: Things might not move as fast as you want. It’s a good time to practice patience and steady effort, even when things get frustrating.
• Adjust routines: If your daily habits or routines aren’t working, try making some changes. Small tweaks can help you get better results.
• Address frustrations calmly: If you get annoyed or angry, try to find healthy outlets for it- like exercise, art, or talking things out instead of bottling it up.
• Plan before acting: Think things through before you jump into action. It’s smart to look at the pros and cons before making big moves.
• Strengthen self-discipline: Use this time to build better self-control- like sticking to a workout plan, finishing chores, or setting limits for yourself.
• Face challenges head-on: If you run into obstacles, try not to avoid them. Facing challenges directly (but thoughtfully) will help you grow stronger.
• Seek advice from mentors: If you’re unsure what to do, don’t be shy about asking someone with experience for their perspective.
• Take care of your body: Stretch, move, and pay attention to what your body needs- this transit can sometimes make you feel tense or restless.
• Reflect on conflicts: If you’ve had recent arguments or tension, spend some time thinking about what you could learn from the situation.

What’s interesting about this transit?

Saturn quincunx (also called inconjunct) to natal Mars isn’t your usual everyday sky event, and the older astrology writers had some pretty quirky takes on what it means. Here are some gems you won’t hear everywhere:

• In a few ancient texts, this aspect was called the taskmaster’s dare. It was said to bring a challenge from authority (Saturn) that was not direct- like having to prove your skill in a game with rules you never learned.
• The Picatrix suggests that when Saturn and Mars connect this oddly, it can push people to “war with themselves,” creating strange insomnia, or even odd cravings for salty or bitter food. Some medieval astrologers thought this combo led to difficulty digesting both food and emotion!
• Guido Bonatti wrote that a Mars under Saturn’s quincunx gaze could bring “hidden injuries” or accidents that you don’t notice until later- like a bruise you don’t feel until the next day, or the consequences of a small mistake catching up weeks later.
• Some old writers believed this transit made you “lukewarm”- wanting to fight or go after things, but the fire never quite catching. Others said it meant “work at odd hours,” like keeping watch at night or having to labor when everyone else is asleep.
• Vettius Valens linked Saturn and Mars at odd angles (like this one) with the idea of “iron patience”: feeling forced to wait, grit your teeth, and keep pushing, but always with a sense of discomfort that never totally goes away.
• There’s also a folk tradition from rural France saying that this combination brings an urge to change your appearance (like cutting your hair or getting a tattoo), just for the sake of throwing off old patterns, but quickly regretting it!

Experiencing This Transit

When Saturn forms a quincunx (150-degree angle) to your natal Mars, it’s like having two strict teachers in your chart talking past each other, each demanding you do things their way. Mars represents your drive, how you take action, your energy; Saturn is about limits, discipline, and making you play the long game. With the quincunx, those energies don’t really “get” each other. This can make for a weird internal tug-of-war involving frustration, awkward stop-start energy, or pressure-points in how you handle stress, work, and anger.

Challenges during this transit

• Awkward Blockages: You might want to make things happen fast, but find yourself running into invisible walls. For example, maybe you get the urge to start a new fitness plan, only to have weird schedule problems or random injuries pop up every time you try.
• Bottled-Up Anger: Little things can suddenly irritate you, but expressing frustration doesn’t seem to help. You might snap at someone for no big reason, or feel grumpy with no clear cause.
• Out-of-Sync Timing: Your energy might be high when everyone else is quiet, and you feel sluggish when it’s finally time to get moving. Think: endless delays, missed buses, calls at the worst moment.
• Health Warnings: Old texts weren’t kidding about the body: pay attention to twisted ankles, tired muscles, headaches from stress, or weird sleep patterns.
• Motivation Drains: You could start projects with enthusiasm, then hit a wall and lose interest, or second-guess every decision because things aren’t moving smoothly.
• Unmet Expectations: You might notice goals taking longer than expected, or rules changing in the middle of the game- especially if you’re trying to impress someone at work or handle a tricky family situation.

Opportunities during this transit

• Creative Problem-Solving: You’re forced to work around obstacles, which can make you way more creative than usual. Out-of-the-box solutions are more likely to show up now.
• Patience Training: Whether you like it or not, you get to practice (or learn!) patience, persistence, and discipline. If you stick with something, the results can stick too.
• Learning Resilience: Since this isn’t a smooth ride, you build resilience by dealing with disappointment, delays, and the need to adjust your sails mid-journey.
• Better Boundaries: If you’re usually quick to give in or let others take the lead, this transit pushes you to say no, set limits, and not overextend yourself.
• Discovery of Hidden Strengths: You might find you’re stronger, mentally or physically, than you thought- maybe because you’re forced to handle something solo, or overcome a fear.
• Inner Awareness: You’ll probably notice what really stresses you out or ticks you off…and finally figure out why. That’s huge for self-growth later.

How the Sign of Transiting Saturn Modifies This Transit Quincunx to Natal Mars

Read the one for the current sign of transiting Saturn.

• Transiting Saturn in Aries: You might feel even more impatient and restless than usual. It’s like Saturn’s brakes are on, but you really want to slam your foot on the gas. Impulsiveness could cause frustration.
• Transiting Saturn in Taurus: You’ll probably get slowed down by stubbornness- either yours or others’. You’ll want results, but things move at a turtle’s pace, which tests your patience.
• Transiting Saturn in Gemini: Miscommunications are likely to pop up. You might struggle to express your drive, or your energy gets scattered- like wanting to do everything and getting nowhere.
• Transiting Saturn in Cancer: You could feel emotionally sensitive about your ambitions now, maybe questioning your motivations or feeling family pressure about your goals.
• Transiting Saturn in Leo: Your ego might take some hits. So, while you’re trying to push forward, criticism or feeling ignored could really sting and sap your motivation.
• Transiting Saturn in Virgo: Details trip you up. Perfectionism slows your momentum. You might feel blocked by too many small problems or a need for everything to be “just right.”
• Transiting Saturn in Libra: Cooperation is tricky. Other people’s needs seem to clash with yours. You might feel like you can’t find balance in your actions or relationships now.
• Transiting Saturn in Scorpio: Power struggles get extra intense. You might have to deal with your own (or others’) controlling behavior, or you feel like your passions are restricted.
• Transiting Saturn in Sagittarius: You could feel restricted by rules or beliefs. Frustration pops up if you can’t stretch your boundaries or follow your instincts for adventure.
• Transiting Saturn in Capricorn: You’ll feel extra pressure about responsibility and success. Ambition fights with obstacles, and you might get annoyed by all the red tape or rules in your way.
• Transiting Saturn in Aquarius: Expect weird interruptions or unexpected resistance to your goals. Group projects, friends, or new ideas could create tricky roadblocks.
• Transiting Saturn in Pisces: Motives get fuzzy. You might feel drained or discouraged, or like you’re swimming against the tide. It can make your drive feel unclear or easily sidetracked.