Queen Elizabeth II: Saturn returns the third time

Queen Elizabeth II of England,  was born Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary on April 21, 1926, in London, to Prince Albert, Duke of York (later King George VI), and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. She became queen on February 6, 1952, and was crowned on June 2, 1953, at age 27, just before her first Saturn return.

Queen Elizabeth is a 6 degree Taurus Sun, with an ascendant in Capricorn (21 degrees) which gives her a serious and dignified persona, ruled by Saturn. She is a practical and down to earth woman who is interested in results. Her moon at 12 degrees Leo is proud and comfortable with attention and the spotlight, and lies next to her 22 degree Neptune, both falling in the 7th house of partners. This shows her partner, and gives her an intuitive edge.

Her Mercury at 4 degrees of Aries gives her a quick wit and a sharp mind. Venus at 13 degrees of Pisces gives her a sensitivity and perhaps psychic leaning to a degree, and Uranus in Pisces gives her compassion, as well.

The Queen is part of the Cancer in Pluto generation who takes family matters very seriously and places family as a top priority. Jupiter conjunct Mars at 22-20 degrees of Aquarius in the first house is known as the 'kingmaker transit,' and gives her independence, a drive for freedom and flexibility, as well as an interest in subjects that could include astrology and other esoteric studies. Some combination of Jupiter-Mars is almost always found in the charts of a monarch. Prince Charles has a Jupiter-Mars combination in Sagittarius.

Many politicians/leaders are born with planets in Aquarius, and this often gives a world type of view.

Saturn is located at the top of Queen Elizabeth's chart, at 24 degrees of Scorpio on the midheaven (25 degrees Scorpio) and on the cusp of the 9th-10th house. Saturn's placement here shows a life dedicated to service, duty and responsibility, along with exclusive power and responsibility. Her career stands out as one of service and discipline, and this has been the cornerstone of her very public life. Saturn in Scorpio knows how to keep a secret and be discreet.

Saturn squares Neptune in her 7th house of marriage, and Jupiter-Mars in her first house, creating a T square between the 9th, 7th and 1st houses. T-squares are difficult configurations that when aspected become a source of trouble or difficulty, but can drive an individual to success and achievement, or in some cases failure, depending on the individual. In the case of the Queen, the difficulties could involve career and foreign affairs, husband and partners, and issues of a personal nature. Much has been published over the years concerning her husband, the Duke, and his exploits outside the marriage especially in his younger days. I cannot confirm or deny these reports, rather just mention they are and have been published for many years.

Throughout his marriage, rumours spread concerning the Duke's alleged extra-marital affairs. The first public media report of the allegation appeared in 1957 in the Baltimore Sun, which claimed REPORT QUEEN, DUKE IN RIFT OVER PARTY GIRL. In a breach with precedent Buckingham Palace commented on the story, denying it in a forthright manner.

There is no doubt Phillip has caused numerous public relations headaches with his seemingly inconsiderate off-the-cuff comments and rumors of possible infidelities, which clearly shows in her chart with Neptune square Saturn in the 7th house. The Queen however,  referred to Prince Philip in a speech on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee in 2012 as her "constant strength and guide." Saturn-Neptune transits can also show a spiritual side to life, and the ability to seek deeper meaning and forgiveness. Abraham Lincoln, Nelson Mandela, and the current Pope all have a form of this transit.

Saturn trines her Uranus at 27 Pisces. According to astrologer Robert Pelletier, this transit shows the individual has learned from their experiences and acquired discipline, earning the freedom they enjoy. This shows a talent to mobilize and exploit resources, and can teach others to utilize their potential, and makes the individual well qualified for executive positions, and gives keen judgment and uncanny insight.

Saturn can have a  bad name, and it is well justified in many instances when we experience hard transits  of the planet known the taskmaster, the planet of discipline and structure, Father time, and the Lord of Karma.

But Saturn is the planet that gives us structure and shows us where our limitations (and strengths) may be found, depending where it is located in our natal chart.

Queen Elizabeth of England will experience her third Saturn return this November, something that only those blessed with long lives will experience.

Saturn returns to its birth placement every 29.9 years, and this is known as a Saturn return, or  transiting Saturn is conjunct Saturn in the natal chart.

As Saturn returns to its birth placement we enter into new levels of awareness. Saturn returns at ages 28-31, 56-60 and 84-90. A fourth return occurs for the very few, age 114-118.

The First Saturn return coincides with a time when we are forced to grow up in our late twenties and the influence of this most important transit continues into the early thirties. A second Saturn return occurs at age 57-60, and if we live long enough a third Saturn return will occur 29.5 years later or at 87-88 years.

In the late 20's the first Saturn return coincides with coming of age and is often difficult-some say the most difficult. There is often a desire to put down roots, settle down and join the adult world. Sometimes a Saturn return period can bring a 'fated relationship,' and some get married. Prince William and Catherine Middleton married on their first Saturn return. Over the past several years, they had a baby and have settled into the working world of Royals and are expecting baby number 2 as this post is written.

For some however, a Saturn return involves choices made before the individual was mature enough to chose the correct path, and this can be a time fraught with discontent, unhappiness and change. Divorces can occur, careers change and love affairs end. Over a period of time, life can become more meaningful if the dreams of youth do not coincide with the reality of getting older. Many people make life changing decisions and get serious about a career or family around this time, and it has a reputation of being a difficult period. Sometimes a crisis can occur that can put you in contact with the decisions that have been made thus far, and previous decision are often found lacking.

Queen Elizabeth's first Saturn return coincided with her coronation, and the new responsibilities she assumed during that period as a new Queen. It must have been difficult, moving from at least some degree of private life to life in a gold fish bowl and a commitment to duty for the rest of her life, especially as she was not raised to be Queen.

Shortly afterward the royal couple, Elizabeth and Phillip Mountbatten, embarked on a 6 month tour of the commonwealth. Just after her ascension Elizabeth issued a declaration that Windsor would continue to be the name of the royal house. The Duke complained, "I am the only man in the country not allowed to give his name to his own children."  As her Saturn squared her natal Mars, there must have been friction over this decision.

Amid preparations for  the coronation, Elizabeth's sister, Margret informed Elizabeth  that she wished to marry  Peter Townsend, a divorcee 16 years Margaret's senior, with two sons from his previous marriage. The Queen asked them to wait for a year; in the words of Martin Charteris, "the Queen was naturally sympathetic towards the Princess, but I think she thought—she hoped—given time, the affair would peter out." Senior politicians were against the match and did not permit remarriage after divorce. If Margaret contracted a civil marriage, she would be expected to renounce her right of succession. Eventually, she decided to abandon her plans with Townsend. Elizabeth had the final say in the matter and was blamed for years as the reason her sister was denied marriage to the man she loved, and those of her generation still remember this, whether this is entirely the truth or not.

Queen Mary, also died in 1953.

By the time of her accession in 1952, her role as head of multiple independent states was already established. As Queen and her husband embarked on their six-month around-the-world tour, she became the first reigning monarch  to visit those nations. During the tour, crowds were immense; three-quarters of the population of Australia were estimated to have seen her. Throughout her reign, the Queen has been the most widely travelled head of state in history. Film of her coronation was flown across the Atlantic so it could be broadcast on American television. She was the first monarch to invite cameras into the palace. "It is inevitable that I should seem distant to you," she said in 1957.

Internet documents mention only a few instances pertaining to Elizabeth's life during this first and second Saturn return, but by all reports she assumed her responsibilities with grace, dignity and success, and became the standard bearer in her country and around the world for responsibility.

Saturn returns a second time in the late fifties-58-59. By this point most adults know who they are and if they don't, this may seem like a last chance period to get it right. While it once meant the passage into old age, today it is more like a passage into the most productive and mature time of life, especially as 50 is the new 30, in terms of social application with healthcare, plastic surgery, diet and exercise.  In a nutshell the second Saturn return is the journey into a time of wisdom in the late fifties. By now, an individual generally knows who they are and what their life course is, but life is not over, and sometimes changes are marked at this time. If the individual is not living life in an authentic way, this transit marks the final chance to 'get it right-now or never.' This is a period when divorces  often occur, along with age 30. At the second Saturn return comes the knowledge age and old age is inevitable, and it is time to start to reap the rewards of a life lived, and prepare for the next cycle f life.

Elizabeth's second Saturn return occurred 1984-85. It was during this period difficulties between her son, Prince Charles, and Princess Dianna were reported to have begun, and the Prince is said to have resumed his affair with then married, Camellia Parker Bowles, and in later years published books state during this time Dianna was 'suicidally unhappy." Prince Harry was born in 1984 to Charles and Dianna.

Also In 1985, Mark Phillips, Princess Anne's husband, fathered a daughter, Felicity, with his mistress, Heather Tonkin. Tonkin was an art teacher in New Zealand. Princess Anne and Mark Phillips divorced in 1992.

Prince Andrew married Sarah Ferguson in 1986, but in previous few years before his life was very much in the tabloids, especially after dating actress Koo Stark who starred in a  soft porn movie. By all appearances, based on publically available information, Elizabeth's second Saturn return centered around issues connected with family and especially her children.

It was during this period that Princess Diana became a worldwide star and eclipsed Queen Elizabeth and every other member of the royal family in popularity. As the time also coincided with the start of troubles in the Princesses marriage and these events must have been troubling to the Queen as divorce had not yet occurred in the royal family and during this time was basically still unheard of.

Yet, in spite of this and all other situations, the Queen lived her Saturn placement and continued on as the image of duty and responsibility.

If we live long enough Saturn returns to its birth placement a third time. There have been few major astrological studies on the third return of Saturn but the next stop, obviously at this time of life will be our final phase. The third Saturn return does not necessarily bring death and many live on for years, but as Saturn is the keeper of time, we are now entering into very old age, and for the most part what we can do in life has been done, and thoughts often turn toward the spiritual side of life, and all that has been accomplished in the life. Some may enter into a second childhood of sorts at this time.

As the Queen experiences he third Saturn return another planetary configuration occurs that has been related to the British royalty. Astrologer, author Nicholas Champion wrote the transit of Neptune to Saturn (1952-Saturn conjunct Neptune 23 degrees Libra), " coincided with the death of George VI of England and the ascension of Queen Elizabeth II., and the beginning of an important new phase of the evolution of the British monarchy." Nicholas continued, "Curiously enough it has been observed the British Royal family has responded very strongly to this cycle (Saturn-Neptune) for the past century. This is perhaps indicative of its relationship to self-sacrifice, and dedication to higher ideals.

In August 1979 Lord Mountbatten, uncle to Prince Phillip along with  three other people, including a grandson Nicholas, was assassinated by the Provisional Irish republican Army (IRA), who planted a bomb in his fishing boat, thus shaking up the Royal family. At this time Neptune opposed Saturn at 17-15 degrees of Virgo-Sagittarius. Prince Charles was extremely close to his uncle and  viewed the Queen’s second cousin and former Viceroy of India as a second father and mentor. It was this funeral Princess Diana often spoke of and stated her observation of Prince Charles' sadness, stating "You (Charles) looked so sad when you walked up the aisle at Lord Mountbatten's funeral." Diana reported that Charles was all over her, "he leapt on me practically..." and he became quite interested in her after that. Apparently the funeral marked a turning point in the relationship between the two.

Prince Charles Married Diana Spencer in 1981, and by 1982 she had taken the world by a storm, rapidly becoming the most popular royal perhaps of the century.

Saturn was conjunct Neptune in Capricorn in 1989, and that year Princess Anne separated from her husband, a rare occurrence in the royal family. Up until this point divorce had not been permitted. Just a few years later both her brothers, Prince Charles, and Andrew divorced, making 3 out of 4 of the Queens children divorcees and changing precedence among the royals.

In 2006 Saturn opposed Neptune, and Charles entered his first year of marriage to Camilla Parker Bowles, the only British heir to the throne to marry more than once since Henry V (1386-1422).

Saturn will once again be in a square to Neptune 2015-2016, as Elizabeth's third Saturn return completes and no doubt we will see changes in the British Royal family once again.

Author-Astrologer Erin Sullivan summed up the third Saturn return quite well when he wrote, "the third Saturn return is a juncture many of us will not achieve, but for those who do, if their bodies are relatively comfortable and well-managed, then they are an honor to the community and considered almost 'holy' by the people who know them and care for them.

Because of longer lives, this is a time not only when one might have grand children and great grandchildren to relate to, and with that see one's own future. The people I have talked to who are in their nineties have openly, without emotion or sadness, talked about their death and their feelings about it as they come to meet their own ethnicity at the third Saturn return and take a step beyond the family and toward the great unknown.

The first Saturn return at 29 and 1/2 years was emergence from the family matrix and a departure from the family as the primary point of reference.

At the second Saturn return we saw there was a recapitulation of the first one wherein the family again becomes a focal point for the identity, but in the sense of being the elder and this having some gravitas in the family. Often the second Saturn return family issues that were problematic at forty are no longer so at 60.

(After the third return) At age ninety the entire chart is in harmonic agreement that the creative force for life --libido-eros-has reached a creative juncture. And since the trine that the Solar Arcs form to the natal planets is a first/fifth house trine we are looking at a creative return to selfhood.--to childhood--only in the sense there are no projections upon life but meeting life as it arrives."

Good luck to Queen Elizabeth during this important astrological juncture, and long live the Queen!

 

 

 

 

many people having this aspect, you will may either become more successful with age, or repeatedly start over again due to the many obstacles in your way. You have great business sense, but frequently have problems with your dominant parent.

IF Saturn is in your ninth house AND also within 4° of your Midheaven (check the orb in the header), THEN its expression through your tenth house is at least as strong as through your ninth; if its orb is less than 2°, it should be read as though it were in the tenth house and not in the ninth at all!

t significant aspect in your chart! Power is a great test for you in this incarnation: you need humility in your climb to the top or those you abuse on the way up will bring about a great fall. You will have a lot of lessons through the way in which you strive for success.