Saturn
Saturn is the second largest planet in the solar system, and until Uranus was discovered in 1781 it was believed to be the outermost planet. It is the most distant planet that is visible with the naked eye. The planet was originally named Kronus by the ancient Greeks, but the Romans called it after their god Saturn and the name stuck. It is the sixth planet from the Sun and is most well known for its prominent ring system which is mostly made up of ice crystals, rocky debris and dust. It takes Saturn 29.5 Earth years to complete one orbit of the Sun.
Saturn is known to have at least 82 moons of which 53 are named, this number does not include the hundreds of smaller moonlets ( I love that word :)) in its rings. Titan is the largest moon, being larger than the planet Mercury. Saturn is a gas giant, mainly composed of hydrogen and helium. It was known to the ancient Babylonian's but the first telescopic observation was by Galileo Galilei in 1610, although due to the crude telescopes of that time, he failed to see the rings which were discovered by Christian Huygens in 1659.
Like many Roman gods, Saturn was appropriated from Greek Mythology and is very similar to his Greek counterpart Cronus. He was a god of agriculture and harvest and his parents were Caelus, the sky god and Terra, the earth goddess. Saturn was a popular god, worshipped as far back as the 6th century BCE. The Roman's built his temple near Capitoline Hill in Rome where they left offerings of animals, wine, cheese and bread. His festival was called Saturnalia, it was originally celebrated on December 17th, but later spread to a week long celebration of feasting that was presided over by the King of Misrule, who dressed in funny clothes and told jokes. People were allowed to wear casual clothes and masters and slaves swapped roles for the duration of the festival.
In astrology Saturn rules the sign of Capricorn. Capricorns are generally hard working, ambitious and disciplined. They love structure and order and tend to be super-organised people. Capricorns know what they want and remain focused on their goal, sometimes to the detriment of other things in their lives.
Correspondences
Day: Saturday
Colour: Black
Element: Earth
Deities: Arianhrod, Branwen, Cerridwen, Cronus, Hecate, The Morrigan, Saturn
Metal: Lead
Numbers: 3, 9, 29, 333
Crystals: Hematite, Jet, Obsidian, Onyx, Quartz, Serpentine
Herbs and Plants: Aloe, Beech, Belladonna, Blackthorn, Cleavers, Comfrey, Cornflower, Cypress, Datura, Elm, Foxglove, Holly, Horsetail, Ivy, Knotweed, Lobelia, Mullien, Pansy, Patchouli, Pine, Skullcap, Solomon's Seal, Witch Hazel, yew
Suggested Incense: Frankincense, Sandalwood, Comfrey, Pine needles
Food: Beetroot, Cheese, Pine nuts, Quince
Symbol:
Influences: Agriculture, Austerity, Boundaries, Discipline, Duty, Focus, Harvest, Legal Matters, Limitations, Old Age, Order, Perseverance, Politics, Protection, Responsibility, Restrictions, Structure, Time, Tradition, Wisdom.
Call on Saturn for focus, wisdom, legal matters and discipline.
Animals: Lapwing, Cuttlefish, Mole, Ape, Cat
Astrological sign: Capricorn
Tools: Hourglass, Scythe, Scales, Shadows, Sickle, Veil
Saturn Magic
Burn pine incense to bring the influence of Saturn to your spell work.
Add holly leaves to protection jars
Use Ivy or knotweed in binding spells
Soloman's Seal can be added to spells for wisdom and knowledge
Carry hematite for focus
Carry Obsidian for perseverance and determination
Saturn spell for Wisdom
For when you are struggling to make a decision
Best done on a Saturday
You will need:
A black candle in a candle holder and something to carve it with (I used a cocktail stick)
Matches/lighter
Herbs - either from the list above, for wisdom, or any you are drawn to use. I used sage for wisdom and pine for Saturn
Crystals - either from the list above, for wisdom, or any you are drawn to use. I used Amber for wisdom and black obsidian for Saturn
An apple, a sharp knife and plate
Carve the symbol of Saturn into the candle
Light your candle and gaze at it while taking a deep breath in, down to your stomach, hold it for a count of 3, then slowly breathe out, do this 3 times.
Place the apple on the plate and cut it in half across the middle so you can see the pentagram inside. Place the 2 halves beside your candle and gaze at the flame thinking about your decision and the effects on your life that your choice will bring. When you are ready repeat this chant 3 times:
'Saturn lord of wisdom and might
Come and aid me in my plight
Show me what I need to see
And grant your wisdom unto me'.
Eat the apple while continuing to gaze at the candle, by the time you have finished you should have your answer.
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