Though many are aware of the late 20s Saturn Return, not as many know about the Saturn opposition around age 13/14. I remember this age myself as a desperate time, and a turningpoint when my life took a nosedive. At 14, Saturn (in Libra) opposed my first house Saturn in Aries. Normal teen angst became self-hatred, and began a years-long struggle with depression and an eating disorder.
Saturn's role is to bear down so a maturation process happens, as we dig deeper for discipline to make it through a tough time. But as Lynn Hayes of Beliefnet points out, today's 13-14 year olds are dealing with the added pressure of Pluto (in square to Saturn). In her article on Teen Depression and Violence, she writes, "This means that not only is Saturn stressing their charts, but Pluto is doing so as well. Pluto, in its role as the god of death, rebirth and transformation, can bring into our lives intense experiences that tear down our defenses and rebuild our seat of empowerment within."
Some teens are overwhelmed by the pressure and explode with violence or implode through suicide. Lynn found that a search for "teen suicides" showed more in this age group, than any other. She's written this as an alert to parents/teachers, so they'll have a heads-up. It's an important article for anyone with a young teen in their life.
Shudder.
My empathy goes out to them. I remember far too vividly that time in my life with similar transits.
I had both Saturn and Pluto opposing my First House Saturn (and Vesta) in Aries at 14. I was mercilessly verbally and physically bullied and sexually harassed to the point that I had to switch schools. All of this began after I befriended a girl who had a “reputation” (actually repeated sexual abuse by her Mom’s boyfriend ending in pregnancy and foster care placement).
I also left the Catholic Church and began exploring my spirituality on my own terms.
It all makes so much sense! Why I have never thought to look at PAST transits, I don’t know…
I know from reading books like ‘Raising Ophelia’ that it’s also a time when girls self-esteem drops. There’s puberty and the obsession with looks, peer approval. Also many teens are making that transition to high school, and with hormones on top of that….yikes!
Mari, thanks for commenting here and on Lynn’s blog! Let’s hope parents of today’s 13-14 year olds can use this info to watch out for warning signs.
The other aspect here is the cardinality — the impulse to take an action. With the first house, as we’ve been discussing, it can be self-destructive acts or external forces that harm the self-image in a devastating way. Mari, you and I must be about the same age. I’m definitely feeling a return — with the cardinal energies emerging — of the same intensity that I experienced in the Saturn return, and probably at that 13/14 yr mark, too.
Thanks for the link Molly, and for spreading the word.
Lynn
I was born 4 July 1968 so I think I am exactly a year younger than you.
I am very interested in the remarkable cardinal goings on of the coming summer. I look forward to reading what you will post about it.
With this in mind, I did my own solitary ritual of renewal at the Blue Moon in Cancer. With the Moon conjunct my Sun/Venus/Mars stellium, I just knew it would carry a bit of extra oomph. I am definately feeling the effect.
I was looking at Saturn’s future movements after reading your comment and I noticed (if I have your birth date right) that you will be experiencing your second Saturn opposition this fall. Talk about extra oomph…!
You’re right, I was born in 1967 and will have Saturn opp this fall. For me, it’s a reckoning of being provocative, a warrior for justice, a patriot (how can you not be when you have this birthday?) — and feeling that possibility of getting hurt, scorched, like I have in the past.
I remember reading an interpretation for this signature a long time ago that stuck with me: Saturn Aries, Sun Cancer “live a quiet life and make a lot of noise.’
With Pluto squaring as well, it raises the stakes, possibly involving the ‘powers that be.’ The recent Supreme Court decision is being called an uncloaking of fascism, and that we’re officially plutocratic. (interesting word there!)
A Plutocracy is one ruled by the elite, and in this case, trans-national corporations that put profit before all else in a destructive race to the bottom.
On a personal level, yes, these last two eclipses felt deep and foundational, about committing to being true to myself. I stirred up a bees nest of anger — at the first eclipse — by distributing a video of a young vet talking about who really benefits from the war industry.
So, on the one hand, I feel all this personal shifting, and on the other — very tuned in to what’s happening in this country in particular. Dramatic changes that are already being met with public outcry.
I wonder if you feel your destiny tied to America’s as a fourth of July baby – (or maybe you’re not American).
I’ll be sure to write about the cardinal t-square soon, and the summer’s intense aspects.
A second American revolution? The rumblings are certainly starting. I hope and pray that it will be a spiritual one.
I was born in 1961. The Saturn opposition went down in my 6th house, Saturn in Cancer opposing my natal Saturn in Capricorn, plus Jupiter and the Moon(in Cap) in my 12th house, and Saturn also conjunct my natal Venus in Cancer. At this time, my parents divorced, I lived with my mother for a while, visited my dad in his temorary home(an old trailer with no heat) then lived with my mom again. I was caught up in my parent’s squabbling and bickering, and them both using me and my brothers as pawns in their dirty custody battle. This is also when sexual abuse started with my mother(she wanted me to have sex with her boyfriend,he was a Cancer!!! she also came on to me) and my father would not provide adequate food for us to eat. My father wound up having the house(Saturn in Cancer) but there was no heat(except old electric baseboard heaters, it was an old brick farmhouse)and the house was heated just by a fireplace. There was also a lack of adequate clothing and food( courtesy of my father, Saturn=Cancer+6th house)and my brothers looked on me as their surrogate mother( Cancer emphasis again,I’m the oldest, and the only girl) and frankly they never got over the divorce and they are still living in the past and that time frame. I do not have a relationship with any of my brothers. I also do not have a relationship with my mother, and my father died of cancer five years ago, as Saturn was rolling once again into my 6th house and making the same oppositions to my 12th house planets in Capricorn again. I also had to have a total hysterectomy at this time, I became diabetic in 2001, and I’ve had thyroid surgery, too. Oh, and heart surgery in 2001. The current Saturn -Pluto square in my chart is as follows: Saturn in Libra sitting right on my natal Mars in Libra in my 8th house, and Pluto in Capricorn less than one degree away from my 12th house cusp, at 5 degrees Capricorn. I was born August 23, 1961.
I’m so glad you published this to bring the turmoil teens are feeling to the attention of adults who can better understand them through astrology. Your point about the cardinal signs in the current transiting picture making them more likely to act on their destructive thoughts is both well-taken and a bit alarming.
It makes me wonder whether Spring Break this year might not be bad news! It’s always wild, but as Uranus–the planet most connected to adolescence–moves into aspect with Pluto and Saturn, and prepares to enter headstrong, headlong Aries, there might be some really wild outbreaks on those beaches. If I were a parent, I think I’d say NO to spring break this year!!
Donna Cunningham, MSW