by Maria Shaw

I have received many letters from people wanting me to write about the significance of Saturn in Virgo for each member of the zodiac sign and what it means. This article is based on sun sign astrology so if you know your rising sign, you should read it too. The exact dates for Saturn in Virgo are September 2, 2007 - October 29, 2009 and at that point Saturn will go into Libra but it does retrograde back into Virgo for a short time and these dates are April 8, 2010 through July 22, 2010. Then Saturn will be completely finished with Virgo for around 29 years.

Saturn comes around to visit each zodiac sign about every 2.5 years. We are all affected by his visit. He is here to teach and challenge us so we can grow on many levels. But Saturn also helps us get rid of what we don’t need in our lives to make room for something better. Many of us hang onto things that are uncomfortable because they are comfortable in some way. For many of you Pisces, it may be a relationship this year, that has run its course. For Sagittarius, it may a dead end job. The most important thing to remember is that Saturn is like a strict teacher and he will reward us for passing his tests when we complete them. These tests usually hit three times. The first test is an introduction to a problem; something we probably knew was bad for us, but we choose to live with anyway. We are presented with the problem and made to feel uncomfortable. During the second test, we are pressured by the energy of the universe to make a change or let go. If we do not, the pressure persists. The third hit, usually finds resolution for us. But if you do not make the resolution on your own, Saturn will make it for you and you may not enjoy how he handles it. Again, at the end of the cycle there is a big reward for all of your hard work. Let’s find out what your lesson is as well as the reward you can hope to expect if you pass Saturn’s tests.

These four signs will be most effected by Saturn’s visit because he will conjunct, oppose or square their sign/rising sign

Virgo • Your whole life is coming under scrutiny and you will be evaluated by Saturn for the job you are doing. If there are any areas of your life that need healing, helping, releasing, fixing, etc, expect problems and issues to pop up in them. Saturn may zap your vitality now so it is not a good idea to take on a lot of things. You will begin to clean house and clean your plate, symbolically speaking. Expect changes in almost every area of your life; marriage, relationships, family, money, health, work, friends, etc. You will work hard for everything you get. Keep your eye on the prize because you, more than most any sign, stand the most to lose but also to gain. So yes, even though you will be tested, challenged and possibly put through the wringer, you stand to gain the most, by transforming your life for the better. Saturn will also help you lose weight. I lost 40 pounds from April through August when Saturn was in my sign. So, Virgo, I do not want you to be scared of Saturn, but I want you to be aware that there could be more challenges than not. You may feel like you are working harder to maintain and hold onto things that are not worth holding onto. Release them. When Saturn leaves your sign, you will look back and say to yourself “Whew! I have been though a lot but I am stronger and better because of it.” This could be one of the best or one of the worst cycles in your life. It is your choice on how you want to live it.

Pisces • Your relationships will be under scrutiny. Some will last and others end. The ones that are meant to end will, so let them go, trusting that the universe will bring you something better and brighter. If you are a single Pisces, you could meet someone who you will choose to marry or you could tie yourself up with a real bum because Saturn is here to teach you lessons about love. You may not feel as if you always getting the support from others during Saturn’s visit but you will release negative people from your life and not put up with people taking advantage of you any longer. You will draw more positive people to you and healthier relationships as Saturn cleans house.

Sagittarius • Saturn will be in the 10th house of your solar chart and he works very well there. You could achieve great fame and fortune on the job front but also be working very hard to get to the top. If you have worked diligently since 2001, you will now be in a position to receive some great rewards in the workplace. You will continue to work hard and set foundations. You may be offered a new job with lots of responsibilities. You will have to prove you are worthy of it and work hard for the next two years. But you can do it. If you are in a dead end job and can no longer grow as a person, then you may lose your position or the pressures there may cause you to quit or look for new employment. Also on Saturn squares to your sun and rising sign, you would be well advised to get more sleep. You may feel less energy than usual.

Gemini • Your responsibilities on the home front increase now. With Saturn in Virgo you may be concerned with an elderly person and a younger person in the family. Also, many Gemini may look at relocating, moving or remodeling their homes. They also may have family struggles to deal with. However, the aspects to the 4th house also have much to do on a spiritual level with your soul. The 4th House represents the seat of the soul so you are changing on a very deep level. There is much growth on a spiritual level over the course of the next several years. This Saturn in Virgo cycle is also a time to take stock of family relationships.

Here are the other signs and how they will be most affected. Again, if you know your rising sign, you should read it for more accuracy.

Aries • Saturn in Virgo will fall in your solar Sixth House which has to do with health, co-workers, pets and service to others. Your responsibilities will lie mainly in those areas. You may have struggles with nasty co workers or find yourself working amongst a group of incompetent people so your workload becomes heavier. But Saturn is helping you get quite a bit accomplished too. You will learn how to deal with difficult personalities. You will learn more patience and how to multi-task. You will learn what you are truly made of and that you can accomplish a great deal. This is also a cycle in which one should safeguard their health. If you have any health problems that crop up now, it may be something that has been underlying and now you should be thankful that you get a chance to deal with it and begin the healing process.

Taurus • Saturn in Virgo will make a nice aspect called a “trine” to your sun sign so you may benefit from this Saturn visit in many ways. The challenge will be to your Fifth House in your chart, which has to do with children, love affairs (not marriage), gambling and recreation. Unless you make time to schedule fun activities and hobbies into your jam packed schedule, you may feel as if you are never having any fun. Also if you have children, your responsibilities lie with them. You may be concerned with at least one’s trials in life. Sometimes it is best to step back and allow them to work through their own karma but you still may worry about them. If single and dating, you are apt to learn some lessons now.

Cancer • Saturn in Virgo will sextile your sun sign so there will be some blessings and opportunities associated with its visit for Crabs. But as you know there is always a lesson in one area of your life that you must deal with, with any Saturn visit and yours falls in the Third House of your solar chart. You will have concerns with siblings, neighbors and perhaps in-laws. You could also have trouble with your vehicle and put a lot of money into it for repairs. Watch your driving with Saturn in Virgo as you are prone to more fender benders under this transit. Also be extra cautious with communications of all kinds, written and verbal. It may be more difficult to get your point across now and you will need to make sure that any written documents are clearly understood. If this is all you have to worry about Dear Cancer, you can deal with it!

Leo • With Saturn moving out of your sign and into the sign of Virgo, you will no doubt feel a sense of relief as if a heavy load has been lifted off your shoulders. Possibly the only challenge you will have to deal with is concerns of the Second House and this will have to do with money and finances. You will learn to do more with less over the next few years. You will learn the true value of a dollar but more importantly what you value. Your dollar will not stretch. If you are already experiencing financial difficulties going into this transit, things may worsen. I have seen people file bankruptcy, lose their home or have their car repossessed under this transit. Likewise, I have seen people get through this cycle without a hitch. I remember when I went through it, I worked three jobs and still never had money but I survived it and all was OK. So set money aside for a rainy day fund now because you will have to dip into it.

Libra • Saturn in Virgo will fall in the 12th House of your chart. This means that you will let the past go once and for all. Memories and hurts of the past, that you have been hanging onto, whether subconscious or conscious will rise to the surface and you deal with theses issues once and for all. You may find it necessary also to deal with people and situations from your past that you thought were once settled. This transit also has much to do with the settling of karmic debts. If there are any loose ends that you have left untied, this is the time you come to face to face with your past and your karma. You may find yourself in extended periods of isolation or feel the need for privacy more than ever.

Scorpio • Saturn in Virgo will sextile your sign so this could be pretty easy transit but there will be challenges in the area of friendships. You will come to understand who you can depend on and who you can’t. You will know who your true friends are and those you are not. Many times, long term friendships run their course during such a transit and it is much harder to keep a challenging one alive during this cycle. If you do find tension in your friendship circle, then don’t push any issues and let this transit pass. You could also have troubles when dealing with groups of people.

Capricorn • Saturn in Virgo will “trine’” make a nice and easy aspect to your sign. However, there will be lessons in matters that pertain to the 9th house of your chart. This house has to do with concerns for your in-laws, older relatives (except parents), challenges with bosses and people in positions of power. You may also have delays and problems with legal matters if you are involved in any. This period would not favor long distance travel to foreign countries unless it was for work. In fact you may be doing more traveling because of your work than usual if your position is inclined to offer it. Your spiritual or religious beliefs may change.

Aquarius • Your biggest issue will be financial drain because of Saturn in Virgo. Even if you make plenty of money, it will seem as if there is never enough to go around. You are advised to live within your means and not to create unnecessary debt. For debt could spin out of control these next two years. Unless you can afford it, now is not the time to buy a Gucci bag or a Mercedes or anything that would overextend the seams of your pocketbook. Your partner’s income could decline and other means of support that you are dependent on or are looking forward to, could fall short and disappoint.

All of us, will have issues with Saturn in Virgo. Some of us, will have easier times than others. But knowing what issues are coming, you can stop them for happening or prepare yourself so they are not as surprising or challenging, Forewarned is forearmed. As with any transit, you also have a Jupiter transit, which brings you good luck and balances out the energies delivered by the universe. I will write an article on the good luck you can expect to receive with the new transit of Jupiter in the sign of Capricorn coming this December.

Maria Shaw relationship astrologer, has offices in New Orleans, Detroit and Fort Lauderdale. Author of “Heart and Soul.” Workshops and lectures. www.MariaShaw.com. (810) 631-6887.