Karmic Saturn in Capricorn

Your karmic Saturn in Capricorn holds the secret to manifesting your soul purpose.

Capricorn symbolizes your karmic responsibilities, duties and obligations. It shows you what you need to do, and how to structure your life to achieve your soul purpose.

It's about facing your karmic (Capricorn-related) fears. Then step-by-step… living empowered Capricorn. Think of it another way…

Saturn in Capricorn is the karmic reality you need to face about yourself. And once you do that, it becomes your bridge to accomplishment in the material world: the answer to your “how”.

j

Fears to face: That you aren't strong enough

Commitment to make: Meaningful achievement

Clues to “doing” your purpose in the real world

With karmic Saturn in Capricorn, you're here to adopt an ordered, structured, responsible approach to life and business. This karmic path is designed to help you reach a new level of spiritual maturity, strength – and wisdom.

With karmic Saturn in Capricorn, making decisions according to (just) emotion, or societal of family “duty” will painfully backfire.

It's true that with this Saturn position, you may experience a delay in material achievement… but the purpose is to give you the time and space to cultivate persistence – and ensure that your role in the world is rooted in meaning.

Saturn is ruled by pragmatic, uber-dependable Capricorn. In its highest sense, Capricorn is the “stable, dependable father”. But when stressed, Capricorn can also be rigid and emotionally cut off.

So for all of us, Saturn symbolizes the area of life in which we feel some challenge and constriction. And where we're being called to face reality.

You need to cut the umbilical cord…

Capricorn is dependable, pragmatic and understands how to achieve status and position in the material world. But with Saturn in this position, you may defer to tradition without thinking about your own preferences, separate the family you grew up with.

Nothing wrong with tradition. What tangles you up… is when you do something “that has always been”, or which is attached to the influence of a dominant parent… without running the idea through your own filters.

On the other hand, you may have been rejected or unsupported by a parent, and your choices then become reactionary: wanting to “prove” yourself for example. In this case, you may fail to be successful (at first), or achieve great success that feels hollow.

Thing is, you're not only here to achieve material success (however you define it). You're also here to do meaningful work, defining your own traditions – and legacy.

This life is about embracing spiritual adulthood

Always...Capricorn (and Saturn) require work. Do you have a sense that you're here to "up-level" your experience? Yet the task feels heavy, and looms? Some will dive in, with a vengeance. And others will shy away, making every excuse in the book.

With some good old Saturnian effort, you do have the capacity to assume great responsibilities and authority. You really do…

But at first, “doing” your karmic Saturn will not be easy peasy. Especially if you began life with a strict upbringing, isolation or pressure to succeed. This may follow by years of fearful avoidance, or business failures. If you experience delayed success, think of it as a test of character and strength. It's from this humble place that omething tangible can be built.

Success (however you define it) is possible. But it will not be handed to you on a silver platter, or golden spoon: success will be earned.

Your fate: a meaningful role in your family and society

Saturn abhors laziness. But Saturn's earthy energies also reward effort. Your progress will be in proportion to how much effort you put in to turn your disciplined “do what it takes” Saturn around. Progress may be slow, but don't give up!

Capricorn is a hallmark of tradition and a wise father. As your life unfolds, your Saturn in Capricorn may require you:

• to be a father to yourself
• be a good parent to a child in your life
• offer protective father energy to others in society.

But at first, your Saturn in Capricorn may deliver not respectable success, but tests of strength. You may be forced to live in the frustrating shadow of another person's ambition. Or experience painful losses that test your resolve.

You may be surrounded by people who stick to rules that no longer work. Or who wring their hands in worry “what will the neighbours think” – instead of claiming their own inner authority.

Yet there's a greater plan here. Because souls with karmic Saturn in Capricorn are urged to acknowledge and commit to their own strength and ambition. And to define achievement and tradition for themselves… not by what anyone else thinks.

The hardest part is taking that first step…(right?)

After facing their own inner resistance, the hardest part for Saturn in Capricorn is taking the first steps to get started on their journey.

If your Saturn in Capricorn creates delays, roll up your sleeves. This life isn't about relying on others… it's about relying on yourself. Yes: you are strong and competent – you can do this!

In your early years, you may have been in the shadow of a bigger than life family. Or you may have worked to contribute to another's vision. That's okay, just remember. Being in the shadows won't work for Saturn in Capricorn long-term. So sure, pick up those valuable skills. Learn humility and figure out what you don't want. But never forget, your legacy is to lead.

You might also choose to be a trusted, relied-upon right hand. That works: as long as your strength is respected and your work is meaningful to you.

But if you're resenting your position, or cleaning up for someone else's incompetence, move on. Be pragmatic. And put yourself on a path you can be proud of.

You're a founding member of “the reality club”

You may have heard that Capricorn is all about money and earthly success. But Saturn can also play out both sides of the extreme. So Saturn karma can also show up as being judgemental, righteous, severe – and a bit of a stick in the mud. Spontaneous – not so much!

Capricorn symbolizes maturity. The wise father. Spiritual adulthood. Wisdom. It's not about living a life devoid of emotion. It's knowing when to offer support, when to be diplomatic and compassionate. At work, and with those you love. Personally, Capricorn can also be the friend who never lets anyone down!

Your path is self-actualization in the material world… while loving, protecting and supporting your (blood and soul) family.

Does Capricorn scare you a bit?

Does the mention of “facing challenges” and “hard work” make you feel a bit squeamish or scared? Or anger you?

That's understandable. Saturn's dampening influence on any sign can make anyone shy and awkward.

In extreme cases, karmic Saturn in Capricorn can create delay or failure in a business sense. But getting back up and trying again can help you to confront your fear of success. Here's a Cappy idea: why not study what you actually need to do – step by step – to create the success that your soul desires. Then actually do it!

Yes, Saturn in Capricorn can be unsteady on its feet. It may prefer that someone else lay down the rules! Or even reject money and material success. On the other hand, it may admit to craving success: but want it magically gifted, instead of earned.

But what if your challenges and delays are really an invitation?

To roll up your sleeves and do the work. To lead with diplomacy, statesmanship and also compassion. To never stop trying. To claim your own authority and ambition and walk that road to achievement, instead of sitting on the road in tears.

Remember, committing to your karmic Saturn in Capricorn is an important key to manifesting your soul purpose. You can read my take on Saturn in karmic astrology here.

If you are willing to keep trying, even when facing self-doubt, you'll discover the potential of a Capricorn Saturn. You'll work through your inner resistance. You may decide to influence change through government service, civic affairs, legal advocacy, regulatory work or politics. Whatever you choose, your goal is to create structures that work: win-win.

How Capricorn karma might show up in your life

From a karmic point of view, Saturn in Capricorn symbolizes past lifetimes where you “did” Capricorn in an extreme (dictatorial?) way, or you didn't even try!

When caught up in negative extremes in this (or past) lifetimes, your soul may respond in a number of ways.

• You continue in the extremes of negative Capricorn: you're rigid, authoritarian, materialistic, judgemental, controlling and prone to following the rules without questioning, or
• You over-compensate by rejecting materialism, capitalism entirely (sometimes, even the “earth”) ; or you're very materialistic and ruthless yourself, or
• You project your unhealthy Capricorn onto family who is strict, authoritarian and not empathetic; or personally, you build walls of privacy and emotional protection, never letting anyone in.

Capricorn is a cardinal earth sign. When healthy, it's loyal, sensual, a hard worker, that friend that never ever lets you down. It seeks respect, stability… and is able to shoulder the burden for others.

But Capricorn can also be so obedient to rules, it loses logic. It can be the dictatorial manager, who doesn't care about “EQ”. It can be stubborn and caught up in its own pride, that it won't admit that it's wrong. It can have a closed-heart. It can be a snob, thinking that status and money creates a natural caste system and entitlement. Even if your money was gifted by inheritance or Trust Fund, you feel you've earned it.

Afflicated Capricorn lacks humility. It believes: we live in a social hierarchy - and it's just the way it is. And by the way, I'm on top and I deserve to be.

Careful of placing others into your secret, social hierarchy

Shadow Capricorn may place others lower in their social hierarchy. It may obsess about their social standing and prestige – or be triggered by others who want to achieve in the material world.

Because of Capricorn's sensitivity to social standing and reputation, karmic Saturn may desire a public profile, yet fear public humiliation. Is it no wonder that Saturn in Capricorn can attract situations that are publicly embarrassing in some way.

There is nothing wrong with money or success -- earned or inherited. Your key to the “kingdom” is to live commitment, honour and integrity. Saturn asks: are you up for the task?

Now let's talk about the family who didn't support you...

Saturn in Capricorn has a role in business, or at least: “taking care of business”. But Capricorn is also about father energy, and so Saturnian wounds can also play out at home: from the family you grew up with, to the family that you raise.

At the beginning of your karmic Saturn in Capricorn journey, your mother may have been the most dominant parent (or perhaps, your father was dead or absent). Maybe your parents were stern, lacking in warmth or preoccupied with status and image. Your family might be seen as a business or institution, rather than made up of individuals with their own hearts, opinions and desires.

You may have been rejected or demeaned by your family. Been the black sheep. These painful, isolating situations might have lead you to obsessing about external success “to prove your worth”. But the thing is, even if you achieved worldly success, it'll never feel like it's enough…

Remember: Capricorn may be the ultimate pragmatic. But true wisdom also encompasses the Heart.

Says karmic Capricorn: emotions are a messy nuisance!

Shadow Capricorn famously clamps down on its heart and walls itself off. It may love solitude and privacy, and avoid intimate involvement. And even if it's hurting, Capricorn hates to show it. It's as if messy emotions feel weak and humiliating somehow…

In men, Saturn in Capricorn sometimes shows up as an early emotional rejection by mother, which may lead to mistrust of women. In women, mother may not represent femininity, but skewed power. In gay men, there may be difficulty relating to women.

If you're drawn to, you may want to review “accepted” masculine and feminine roles. And when you see the damage that skewed masculine or feminine energy can perpetrate, you're on your way.

This is amazing potential, right? But when you have Saturn in Capricorn, it's like your thrusters are being throttled.

To identify “Saturnian” challenges, ask yourself…

Did you experience a lack of empathy, or emotional rejection from a parent that's stayed with you?

Did your family (or you) care more about following the “rules” and maintaining their “position” and image, than about the effect of such rules on people?

Have you experienced intense, internal ambition, that you've never expressed?

Have you worked for (or met people) who are well-off, yet scrooge-like controlling authoritarians?

The “gold” of these Saturn in Capricorn experiences, is to force you to question structure and authority – and claim your own authority.

You're not here to be cut off from your emotional life, or blindly follow the rules, etiquette or tradition. You're here to set tradition. Create a workable structure, a plan for your family, and perhaps even society. Protect the vulnerable. Be a mentor. A pillar of integrity.

Does this resonate for you so far? If so, what's the source and what can you do to transform your Saturn in Capricorn?

H2 Possible Saturn in Capricorn past lives

“Psychic energy does not vanish, it just takes another channel.”

– by Liz Greene

Here are some past lifetimes that might relate to your karmic Saturn in Capricorn. Hint: these themes may also be symptoms of present Capricorn challenges. Consider them soul clues…

• A stern, emotionally-stunted father who controlled his wife, was sexually cold and mechanical, and treated his children with detached indifference
• A soldier who was blindly dutiful and killed a loved one because (excuse!) he was following orders. Warning, this is harsh but very interesting… Mark Passio order followers
• A good man who grew a business with his sons, ran into difficult times, lost his business and committed suicide in despair
• A successful, publicly prominent businessman who had their “dirty laundry” aired in public, ruining their reputation
• A cold, scrooge-like personality, well off yet stingy and selfish
• A child raised in a wealthy family “institution” whose emotional needs were ignored and unique differences punished
• An entitled, ruthless CEO who embezzled money
• An investor who lost a great deal of money for wealthy clients during an investment crash
• A man with a high status, title and position in government, who punished those who stepped out of line.

Recognizing your karmic Saturn in Capricorn

“What we hate in others is consciously living within us.”

–
Liz Greene

Your fears, projections and overreactions in this lifetime may have their roots in past lifetimes. The nature of these may have Capricorn themes.

Your fears

• Fear of anarchy: that others will refuse to obey “the rules”
• Fear of controlling men, or men in “authority” (who abuse their authority)
• Fear of being seen as “not proper”, an obsession to follow etiquette and “rules” of society
• Fears of losing title, status or reputation (either from within an organization, or from the public)
• Fear that even if you do work hard, you won't ever succeed (Dig into this: what's scary about success to you?)
• Fear of becoming a parent, as if that responsibility will crush you
• Fear of losing money that you do earn (so why bother)
• Fear of others stealing from you (so you go to great lengths to hide what you have… beyond just being careful)
• Fear of commitment, as it may lead to painful rejection or create a burden
• Fear of having what you've worked for stolen or otherwise destroyed
• Fear of change, or of people “breaking the rules” (you like to be in control)
• Fear of emotionally cutting the umbilical cord to your family (What is it… being shunned? Judged? Cut out of the family legacy? Do you not feel strong enough to stand on your own?)
• Fear or judgement of your emotions (so you build a wall)
• Fear of business or financial) failure, loss of status or position.

Your projections (karmic mirrors)

• You attract cheap, authoritarian bosses, who bully, dominate subordinates and rigidly enforce rules
• You've had people (a parent?) who are emotionally stunted, yet obsessed with social ritual, etiquette, tradition, protocol… what is “proper” and “what will the neighbours think”
• You've had relationships (parent, spouse?) who can be very cold and walled off… inaccessible emotionally
• You've run into political animals who believe that “image” and “reputation” is more importance than authenticity, being real and kind (for an extreme example, think the TV series House of Cards)
• You've known someone who has “moved up” and due to their new status or position, dumps you as you (suspect) they see you as lower status
• You have people (or a person) in your life who has extreme loyalty to an institution: whether that be a corporation, government or military – but it's almost like they cannot think for themselves
• You know people who either submit blindly to authority, or automatically rebel against it – neither position is reflective

Your overreactions

• You either refuse to commit to working hard toward a goal – or you are a workaholic, damaging your family and relationships (one of two extremes)
• You rigidly wear a social “mask” revealing nothing of your personal life to the public – and you're withholding with those close to you as well
• As a woman, you're very “traditionally” feminine, married right, made the right meals, been fairly passive – but living a frustrated life through your spouse (there is nothing wrong with being a homemaker if this is meaningful: the clue is in your frustration)
• On the other hand, as a woman you deny your own femininity, becoming masculine and aggressive (again, those Saturn extremes)…
• You either reject taking any self-responsibility for your life – or you are overly-responsible, taking on other's problems and blaming yourself
• You're an executive who has become a “taskmaster”, authoritarian boss… instead of seeking ways to empower and support your team (what's your leadership style?)
• You over-manage people and situations: if in government, you enact laws, legislation, government measures of control, thinking that more control, more rules is the answer to every problem.

Three steps to claiming empowered Capricorn

Keep in mind that these aren't really a linear “process”, it's a lifetime unfolding. But hopefully, they're a good place to start.

Step one: Read up on Capricorn

Read about Capricorn to understand its highest potential – and it's pitfalls. Notice your emotional reactions, that's where the growth is.

Step two: Face your Capricorn fears

When fears come up, take that as a clue. Stay open to receiving insights on your present life or past lives that might help explain your symptoms. When you have an insight, tears mean yes.

Step three: Commit to empowered Saturn in Capricorn

When you're looking for “How” to launch a venture, make a move, manage a situation: look to healthy Capricorn. Your venture needs to be practical, realistic – and have a plan. Work hard, be persistent – earn your success and respect.

Take on challenging projects that are meaningful to you. When they come up, confront obstacles head on: you can win. Adopt patience, perseverance, work for a future goal. Trust your capacity for strength, stewardship and success.

Activities that align with healthy Saturn in Capricorn

(Are you already doing some of these? Awesome!)

• Focus on career success: slow success may be karmic, but that's what you're here to overcome: be strong, embrace the challenge and you will succeed!
• If you're already successful in a business or money, set up a foundation, or a structure that helps others (Hint: it may be a cause that's close to your heart)
• Study ethics or integrity… in your area of specialty. Work to implement systems, process or regulations that protect and empower others.
• If your family has let you down, resolve to be the best parent you can be. You may be called to be the family leader, in times of trouble
• Learn about how money works, how to use your resources to shape a meaningful enterprise
• Enjoy your work! If it's drudgery, get out. You need meaningful work.
• Be there for your nearest and dearest, whether that's listening, offering resources or support – or just offering your strength
• Offer your business “smarts” to a cause you believe in
• Be someone else's “rock”...Capricorn can also be a solid right hand or person who runs things in the background, for the person in the public eye
• Claim your privacy and build your strength. You don't have to share everything, wiht everyone! Reserve your vulnerability for those you care about.

Last word. Saturn in Capricorn is not a “fated” endless string of challenges with no success in the material world. It's about cultivating the necessary approach and patience to build success.

Mastering karmic Saturn in Capricorn is not easy. Your “dark night” may involve material loss, or delays (at least not as fast as you would like!). But this is actually a test of your commitment and character. In this life, your success will be a result of your sweat (great work you can be proud of).

If your family let you down, be a father to yourself. Then as you become stronger, offer protective father energy to others.

Your legacy may indeed be monetary – in grand amounts – if that's your skill and desire. Or it may be the memories of wisdom and friendship you leave with others.

In this life, you are here to be a symbol of strength and integrity: this is your purposeful Saturnian “gold”.

References and further reading:

• Saturn: A New Look at an Old Devil – Liz Greene
• Discovering Your Soul Mission – Linda Brady
• Twelve Faces of Saturn: Your Guardian Angel Planet – Bil Tierney

Want to go deeper?

If you found this helpful, why not book a private karmic astrology session with me. I work with professionals on an awakening journey who want to consciously align their personality with their soul.

By the way, practising karmic astrology is one of the ways I “do” my own Saturn in Aquarius in the 7th. Aquarius rules astrology, among other things.

---

Take me to:

North Node – Life-changing descriptions of the North Node, by sign and house.

Saturn in karmic astrology – Empowering perspectives on Saturn – your unique bridge to accomplishing your soul purpose in the real world.

Book a private karmic astrology session with me now (or just read about my sessions).

Home page