Carl XV of Sweden

As readers of the Gryphon Astrology blog know, I am a fan of evidence-based astrology. So many of both traditional and modern texts are full of speculation or anecdotal information presented as fact. As the Buddha teaches: “Don’t go by reports, by legends, by traditions, by scriptures, by logical conjecture, by inference, by analogies, by agreement through pondering views, by probability…” In this spirit (though perhaps using some inferences), I am doing a series of mini-investigations of astrological truisms to see whether it really is true. [In a moment of delicious irony, I am writing this article in a coffee shop  that often hosts religious speakers exhorting the local youth to believe and have faith!]

Here are some basic ground rules for our study, this time and always. We will:

• Use birth times that are not on the hour or half hour, because they smack of inaccuracy
• Use birth times with a AA Rodden rating
• Use major (Ptolemaic) aspects, the seven visible planets, and traditional planetary dignities
• Use charts of people who are older or deceased to more clearly judge the entire arc of life  [I remember getting criticized for this by a luminary of the astrological world during my tender years.]
• Use charts where Saturn is in the same sign as the MC, to avoid issues around whole vs. unequal houses
• Examine a manageable number of charts, around ten. A small sample, but instructive
• Use charts that are more or less randomly chosen so long as they meet our other criteria (this is why most of the names are close to each other in the alphabet)
• Attempt to find, if possible, a conclusion that we can use in our astrological practice

Hypothesis:

Most astrologers accept as fact that Saturn, the Greater Malefic, located in the natal 10th house of fame, status, and career indicates a problematic career, infamy, or a public fall from grace. We will attempt to determine whether this is in fact the case, whether there are exceptions to this rule, and if so, when do exceptions occur.

Our Sample Horoscopes:

Paul Newman, the very popular actor, untainted by scandal, who enjoyed tremendous, life-long popularity and recognition.
Saturn at 13 Scorpio near the MC, sextile Mercury, sextile Venus, and sextile the Ascendant.

John Bradshaw, well-known counselor, speaker, best-selling author. Studied for priesthood but quit due to his problems with addiction.
Saturn at 15 Aquarius retrograde, conjunct MC. No major planetary aspects.

Tycho Brahe, the wealthy and successful astronomer, famous for his death from a burst bladder following a party.
Saturn at 27 Sagittarius, square Moon in Virgo.

Charles I of Austria, last emperor of the Austro-Hungarian empire, who attempted to regain his throne three times after WWI, and was exiled.
Saturn at 29 Cancer conjunct Mars

David Vernon Cox, a US Marine charged but then acquitted of the severe beating of another soldier. Found dead in lake with multiple gunshots. Subject of film “A Few Good Men.”
Saturn at 23 Pisces, trine Mercury, opposite Mars

Fernando Cardoso, popular president of Brazil and the only one re-elected to a second term, public intellectual.
Saturn at 22 Capricorn, opposite Moon, opposite Jupiter.

Carl XV of Sweden, who saw royal power greatly reduced during his reign in favor of the Rikstag but served out his reign.  Died in his 40s.
Saturn at 19 Gemini square Ascendant.

Barbara Cartland, extremely prolific, bestselling society novelist, who lived into her 90s.
Saturn at 13 Capricorn retrograde opposite the Sun, conjunct Jupiter.

Jerry Casale, founding member of the punk group Devo.
Saturn at 23 Leo, trine Moon, trine Jupiter.

Findings:

1. Saturn in the 10th house dignified by sign.

When placed in the 10th, Saturn in its own sign (Aquarius or Capricorn) is extremely helpful and its strength can mitigate even difficult aspects (Barbara Cartland’s Saturn opposite Sun; oppositions to the Sun are considered malefic). Similarly, planets seem less afflicted by hard aspects to a well-dignified Saturn (Fernando Cardoso’s Saturn opposite Moon and opposite Jupiter). John Bradshaw’s Saturn in Aquarius worked out well for him, though it was retrograde, suggesting a period of “going backwards” in his achievements, perhaps his ongoing struggle with alcoholism. Carl XV’s Saturn in its triplicity belongs here, as he was born during the day. Saturn in Gemini is moderately dignified and was strong enough to keep him on the throne, though in a much reduced capacity.  Also, he died an untimely death, so the lack of support to even a decently-dignified Saturn showed up eventually.

2. Saturn in the 10th house in minor dignity, or without any dignity or debility.

When placed in the 10th, Saturn in minor dignity or without dignity or debility, is strongly influenced by aspects to other planets. Hard aspects to the other malefic, Mars, are deeply problematic. See David Vernon Cox, Saturn opposite Mars. On the positive side, see Paul Newman’s Saturn in Scorpio, helped out by its sextile aspects to Venus, Mercury, and the Ascendant. Tycho Brahe’s Saturn in Sagittarius square the Moon did not seem to afflict his life so much as his infamously strange and painful death (Moon in Virgo in the 7th house rules the bladder).

3. Saturn in the 10th house, debilitated by sign

When Saturn is in detriment (or presumably fall, though none of our examples has him in Aries), he can be problematic unless rescued by good aspects to benefic planets. For example, see Charles I, who did not give up royal power gracefully, leading him to die in exile where he was sent after his third restoration attempt. Saturn was conjunct Mars in his natal horoscope and not making any good aspects to any other planets. Howevever, look at Jerry Casale, whose Saturn in Leo trines the Moon and Jupiter. Hence his great success wearing yellow plastic suits and plastic flowerpot hats! Nonetheless, in an interview, when asked whether Devo has achieved its goals, he answered: “Mildly.” Casale gave the strong impression that he felt the group could have gone further than it actually had. Saturn is within 5-6 degrees of Regulus, perhaps further mitigating the planet’s essential weakness, but not mitigating Saturn’s malefic nature entirely.

Conclusion:

As is often the case, the truism of “Saturn in the 10th = disaster” is only partly right.  It is only the case if Saturn lacks dignity and receives no easy aspects from benefic planets.  If you have Saturn dignified in the 10th house with no bad aspects, you can probably relax.

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