One of the great things about Vedic astrology is that the systems has healing rituals and techniques that help you heal and overcome negative karma. A planet that can cause suffering in the chart is Saturn.
Here is a list of negative Saturn traits:
- Physically, he can cause excessive dryness, constipation, joint pain, issues with your legs/mobility, and exhaustion.
- Emotionally, he can cause depression, fear, pessimism/negativity, loneliness and phobias
If any of these traits are being triggered in you at this time, I suggest the following.
Sesame oil massage
Sesame oil is related to Saturn and can help battle the dryness he brings, both in body and spirit.
- Massage your feet and ears with sesame oil each evening before bed.
- Do a more extensive massage once a week where you also massage your scalp along with your feet and ears, and anywhere else you have joint or muscle pain. Take a warm bath afterward, then go to bed.
Herbs
The following food/herbs help bring more balance or boost solar qualities, which is a natural remedy (see below) for too much Saturn.
- Ashwagandha
- St. John’s Wort
- Citrus fruits
- Saffron
- Rosemary
Feed Saturn’s “children” on Saturdays
A good way to pacify and balance negative Saturnian energy is by taking care of those he rules on his day of the week, which is Saturday.
Animals ruled by Saturn: crows, goats and reptiles
People ruled by Saturn: the elderly, the poor and disadvantaged, the terminally ill, the homeless
Saturnian institutions/concepts: unions, democracy
Basically, you just need to do good by one or more of these Saturnian children on Saturdays. For example, you could feed some crows in your neighborhood (unsalted nuts or dried cat food is best), visit an elderly relative, donate food or clothing to a homeless shelter, donate money to a charity that helps protect tortoises, and so on.
Boost the Sun
Strengthening the Sun provides a good counterbalance to Saturnian energy, particularly since the Sun is hit heavily by Saturn over the next several weeks.
Here are a few tips:
- wear red or yellow on Saturdays
- keep a steady routine; if possible rise and go to bed with the Sun
- meditate each morning on the Sun; sit comfortably, close your eyes and imagine its light and warm rays radiating from your chest. If your mind wanders, simply bring it back to this image. Meditate between 5 to 15 minutes.
- listen to or chant the Gayatri mantra
- avoid wearing black, navy blue, ripped and/or dirty clothes, all of which are related to Saturn
Mantra recitation
Saturn is related to the god Brahma. However, since Brahma is generally not worshiped, Shiva is often used for Saturn remediation.
A simple mantra that anyone can chant and gain benefits from is: Om namah Shivaya If you don’t know how to pronounce it, you’ll find hundreds of YouTube videos that will help you along.
Suggestion: Start on a Saturday and chant daily 108 times at least until the end of April. Chanting can either be done out loud or silently.
Saturn is also related to the goddess Kali. Despite her rather gruesome appearance in images such as this one, Kali is a very loving-yet-fierce mother goddess.
I do not recommend working with her mantras unless you’ve consulted with an astrologer or spiritual guru and confirmed that they are suitable for your chart. Shakti (divine feminine) energy is very powerful and intense and can cause problems if approached incorrectly. This is particularly the case for Mahavidya goddesses such as Kali.
However, if you feel drawn to Kali and would like to work with her during this period, I suggest meditating on her image and learning more about who she is and what she stands for.
I’ve worked with Kali before and may write a post about my experience in the Deity, Mantra, Myth section of my newsletter, so stay tuned.
This post originally appeared on my Substack newsletter, Good Stars Jyotish. You can find it and subscribe for free here.