Good Fences Make Good Neighbors

This is likely going to be a series of Saturn posts. Consider it a form of remediation during Saturn’s fallen Rx in Aries…

So, Zamboni Funk (the official Circle Thrice Astrologer and font of endless awesomeness) and I met for a Circle Chat «- recording on my YouTube, go check it out because it was great! In our wide ranging talk, we touched on the theme of Saturn and boundaries.

Among other things (time, responsibility, discipline) Saturn governs boundaries - AKA the big ‘no’.

Now, I’m not going to argue that Saturn isn’t hard. Saturn is both challenging and difficult. But Saturn is more nuanced than just “bad stuff.” Because in addition to telling you no, She (and yes, I often think of Saturn as an elder female teaching figure) pushes you to think about what you also can/should/must say no to (and, by process of elimination, what you are willing to say yes to).

She does this TO you but also FOR you. In your own chart, Saturn asks you to decide what you will and will not tolerate and what you will and will not allow. And in the sky Saturn asks society to do the same.

Now, on the surface, this sounds limiting… but it’s also liberating. As anyone who’s set a healthy boundary understands, saying no to what harms or doesn’t serve you is empowering and can even be healing. Knowing the boundaries can help us be freer within them and setting out boundaries can free us from what is not in line with our core values. Good societal boundaries also help those within the society feel more comfortable and free as well.

During the chat, I used an example of visiting a beautiful island on vacation. This sovereign nation had set clear boundaries on what visitors were allowed to do. And those boundaries made the experience better for them and for us, because we could all be comfortable and connect in a positive way. They can be as friendly and welcoming as they choose to be without concern that I will take advantage of their hospitality. And I can enjoy being a guest in their beautiful country without the risk that I will overstep. Because even though I don’t want to appropriate or take advantage, my intention and what’s in my heart don’t matter here. What I do matters, and having clear boundaries about what that is helps us all.

When we examine situations where someone has violated a boundary that they were aware of, the reason they did is less important than the fact that they did. That’s the tough lesson of Saturn.