Saturn in Libra

Saturn is the making-it-real planet, as well as the one that reflects the establishment of systems within culture. Therefore, in addition to how it may impact us personally depending upon our natal chart, Saturn transiting into and through a new sign—something it does about every two and one-half years—can have very clear effects upon collective trends and social consciousness.

Saturn is a taskmaster whose aim is to help us create structures of lasting value, those that are reality-based and purposeful. As such, Saturn tests limits, finds the weakest link, and applies pressure—all for the sake of showing us how to forge a creation that has integrity and meaning. Given that Saturn is about doing the work, and not about the quick-and-easy, many people struggle with the energies of this planet. Yet, if we listen as Saturn provides us with guidance, following its one-foot-in-front-of-the-other reality-based tactics, we will be rewarded tangibly since Saturn represents the material and the mundane.

When Saturn transits through a sign, those areas of life ruled by that sign are what the planet of structure focuses its attention upon. What does and doesn’t work is brought to light in a way that we often become very aware of; you can see a lot of it if you focus on themes in the “news.” Hopefully, once faced with knowledge of what doesn’t work, we—both individually and collectively—take this awareness and responsibly work to refine and recreate the broken pieces so that the whole better serves our needs.

A new Saturn mini-era is upon us since on October 29, 2009 Saturn will move into Libra where it will stay until April 7, 2010. After a three-month retreat back into Virgo, Saturn will again take up residence in Libra on July 21, 2010, where it will remain until October 5, 2012.

Looking Back to Look Forward

Looking back to the past two-plus years that Saturn has been in Virgo can serve as a great way to see how this planet works when it transits through a sign, giving us a foreshadow of what Saturn in Libra may offer. Known as the sign of the harvest, Virgo rules agriculture and our food supply as well as healthcare, crafts, labor, and pets. These are among the areas that have caught our collective attention during this time.

For example, questions about the integrity of our food—Where and how is grown?…Is it safe?…Is it genetically modified?—are now on the minds of a much broader audience than in the recent past. As we’ve seen the fallibility of the commercial food industry in such instances as salmonella-contaminated peanut butter and e. coli-tainted hamburgers, we’ve also see the rise of farmers’ markets and the grow-your-own-food movement as well as an increased scrutiny about the way our food is grown, processed, transported, and sold. Another example of Saturn making its way through Virgo is our focus on healthcare, a premier Virgoan arena, something that has taken center stage during this time in the United States.

Saturn in Libra Trends

Saturn in Libra will have impacts upon varied aspects of our culture. Under this sign’s purview are law, femininity, relationships, art, fashion, cosmetics, weights and measures, and other areas related to the Libran ideals of fairness and grace. These sectors of society are likely to face scrutiny and go through litmus tests as we also turn our eyes to focus on questions related to equality and justice. That which has integrity will likely flourish while transience is uncovered. Saturn through Libra will potentially expose areas where fairness may be a concept or ideal but is not being practiced as a reality.

This period of Saturn in Libra is certain to be evocative. That’s because while Saturn’s cleaning house in Libra-related areas of our lives, it will be doing so with assistance from other planets with whom it’s in relationship: transformative Pluto (Saturn/Pluto square: 2009-10), unconventional Uranus (Saturn/Uranus opposition: 2010), and expansive Jupiter (Saturn/Jupiter opposition: 2010).

As I find Saturn transits fascinating, it’s tempting for me to write more here about a wide array of potential trends. But, I want to honor Saturn and create a narrow framework for this article, one more in sync with Planetary Apothecary. Therefore, I’m going to hone in on how its residence in Libra may affect some of our perspectives on health as well as the wellness trends it may usher in, while offering suggestions on self-care practices that may be especially beneficial during this time. (If you’re interested in other trends as related to Saturn in Libra or other astrology transits, follow me at @AstroTrends on Twitter.)

So, what will Saturn in Libra portend for our approach to wellness? I want to share with you my thoughts on four Libran topics—sugar, blood sugar balance, skin, and relationships—and offer you self-care tools that can help you enhance your health and well-being in these areas.

Sugar

In astrology, sugar is under the domain of Venus, the ruler of Libra; therefore, as Saturn enters Libra, sugar will likely be a topic to which we will all pay more attention. Already, we’ve seen shadows of this with talks of rising sugar prices and its declining availability through the world; the idea of taxing soda; the rising awareness of the negative impacts of high-fructose corn syrup; and the court ruling that the USDA illegally approved genetically modified sugar beets. I expect these and other sugar-related issues–including more insights into its effects on health–to become even more top of mind as Saturn journeys through Libra.

Self-care suggestions

If you’re looking to reduce your intake of added sugar, here are some ways to do so.

• Sugar is often a “hidden” ingredient in many packaged foods. Even those you wouldn’t think would contain it—such as chips, pretzels, and crackers—may as manufacturers add it to create their product’s unique taste. Therefore, read the food labels carefully, looking both at the ingredients list as well as the grams of sugar per serving. Remember that the ingredients are presented in the list in descending order; if sugar is one of the first ingredients, it comprises a good portion of the food product.
• When you have a sugar craving and just can’t ignore your sweet tooth, grab a piece of fruit rather than a cookie or baked good.
• See if there are places that you can cut back on the amount of added sugar you use. For example, buying plain yogurt and adding  fruit and honey (or fruit jam) will provide you with less refined sugar than if you bought flavored yogurt.
• Expand your snack repertoire to include savory ones in addition to sweet ones.
• Make your own “soda” by adding some 100% fruit juice to sparkling water.

If you haven’t tried more natural forms of sugar, Saturn in Libra presents a great opportunity to explore them. These can be used in place of refined sugar in coffee, tea, and other foods. Many can be used in baked goods recipes as well. (You can find conversion guidelines for refined to natural sweeteners on many websites.)

While there are a lot of natural sweeteners available, my personal preference is the tried and true, the ones closest to whole foods. These include raw honey (except for infants, pregnant women, and those who are immunocompromised), maple syrup, and blackstrap molasses. There is a mini-cornucopia of others to try, including raw sugar, agave nectar, brown rice syrup, xylitol, and stevia.

When it comes to sugar alternatives, I’m partial to natural ones, no matter which ones, over artificial sweeteners. Saccharin may cause cancer, aspartame is thought to be a neurotoxin, and while sucralose hasn’t been found to have any negative impacts yet, I still think it’s more prudent to trust nature rather than laboratories with the foods we ingest.

Blood Sugar Balance

Another way in which our attention may be drawn to the topic of sugar is via a renewed focus on conditions related to blood sugar balance. Not only is Libra related to sugar, but in medical astrology it is also associated with the islets of Langerhans, which produce the glucose-regulating hormone, insulin.

Hopefully, we will see not only new treatments for diabetes types 1 and 2, gestational diabetes, insulin resistance, and other conditions related to blood sugar dysregulation but also a focus on preventing them in both children and adults. Just as our lexicon has grown when it comes to foods that are “heart-healthy” or “cancer-preventive” potentially so it will for foods that are “blood-sugar balancing.”

As Saturn goes through Libra, hopefully it will also bring increased awareness to what seems like a more under-the-radar blood sugar condition—hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia may occur in those with diabetes and more chronic blood sugar imbalances as well as in “healthy” individuals. When blood sugar dips below a certain level, we may manifest hypoglycemia and any/all of its related symptoms: fatigue, mood swings, anxiety, sudden hunger, nausea, et al.  While there are many causes of hypoglycemia (including diabetes, some medicines, and alcohol intake), some people just experience a mild form of it during the day as a result of imbalanced food intake patterns.

Self-care suggestions

Here are some dietary tips that can help you promote more regular blood sugar balance. (If you have or are concerned you have health conditions related to glucose imbalance, see a licensed healthcare practitioner for guidance.)

• Reduce added sugars in your diet (see section above for suggestions).
• Ensure your diet provides you with enough fiber-rich foods, as fiber is essential for maintaining blood sugar health (as well as health in general). Fruits, vegetables, beans and legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains are your best bets.
• While fiber is important to healthy blood sugar balance, there are many others nutrients as well that play a role. If you’re not sure that your diet is providing you with ample amounts of all the essential nutrients, consider taking a good quality multivitamin.
• If you’re going for more than three hours between meals, eat a light snack to keep your blood sugar on an even keel. Best are snacks that combine complex carbohydrates with some protein or fat, since the latter two macronutrients help to blunt blood sugar elevations that the carbohydrates may cause. Some ideas include whole grain crackers with cheese, rice cakes with almond or cashew butter, fruit with your favorite nuts or seeds, and crudite with yogurt- or tahini-based dip.
• There are many foods that have reputations for helping to keep blood sugar balanced. These include onions, bitter melon, fenugreek, and cinnamon.
• As alcohol can cause hypoglycemia, this is another reason why it’s better not to drink on an empty stomach. Have snacks available to ensure that you are giving your body enough “fuel” to sustain blood sugar levels while imbibing.

Skin Health

As both Saturn and Libra are related to the skin, I’m anticipating that skin care and cosmetics will draw more of our attention when Saturn transits through Libra. While we often focus on the beauty (Libra) of the skin, its structure (Saturn) is integrally important in our health. The skin is the body’s largest organ and a vital component of our detoxification system. Plus healthy skin creates a barrier that protects us from bacteria and infections.

The next few years may see new breakthroughs in skin care research, products, and techniques. Just as likely, there may be a focus on whether existing approaches to skin care have the merit they claim. As we’ve looked at our food supply, individuals may be more inclined to review what’s in their cosmetics and beauty products, with resources like the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Safety Database holding even more value.

Self-care suggestions

While Saturn’s in Libra, it’s a great time to focus on skin care, developing new habits that can stay with you throughout your life. Following are some tips.

• Drinking adequate amounts of water can be a wonderful boon to skin health. Water hydrates, keeps cells working efficiently, and helps flush out toxins. Water is also inherently important for the health of the kidneys, another area of the body associated with Libra. The U.S. Institute of Medicine suggests general daily guidelines of 9 cups of water for women and 13 for men.
• There are a variety of nutrients important for skin health, including vitamin A, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids. The best approach to bolstering skin through diet is to eat a variety of whole foods—vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, and beans (and sustainably caught omega-3-rich fish, if you’re not a vegetarian).
• Breakouts, dermatitis, and eczema may be caused by food sensitivities/allergies. If you suspect this may be the case for you, consider going on an Elimination Diet with the guidance of a nutritionist or dietitian. Or do a modified one yourself, focusing on the several of the most commonly allergenic foods. To do so, go for two weeks without eating such foods as wheat, dairy products, and soy and see whether your skin condition improves. After the two weeks, you can then add the suspecting foods back one by one, waiting several days before the reintroduction of the next, to determine which—if any—are one(s) to which you are sensitive.
• Exfoliation removes dead skin cells, helping your skin to breath. Plus, it enhances blood flow. For your face, you can exfoliate while you clean (using a gentle skin brush), use a store-bought natural face scrub, or make your own–using ingredients such as oatmeal, almond powder, or rice flour mixed with yogurt (DIY scrub recipes can be found in books and websites). Also, do a skin scrub once a week over your body while in the shower or bath (or use a dry brush if you prefer). Skin scrubbing tools—such as brushes and mitts made from sisal or nylon—are available in many beauty stores and natural foods markets.
• There are many essential oils that provide skin-health benefits. You can add a drop or two to moisturizers, lotions, or body oils. Some of the essential oils that can benefit skin include: frankincense, with its skin-regenerating and wound-healing properties; chamomile, with its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties; and rose, with calming and hydrating properties.

Relationships

Libra is also the sign of one-on-one relationships. Interacting and relating with others is important to Libra because it is through this that learning and greater understanding of self can occur. The sign of the diplomat, Libra likes to negotiate and create accord and gets fulfillment from doing so.

With Saturn in Libra, we’ll see pressure applied to relationships of all sorts, helping us ideally to define what is a true and healthful partnership and what is not. Potentially we will see that real treasure can be found through partnerships that afford us an ability to create a crucible where two people can honestly and openly be themselves.

Self-care suggestions

While Saturn is in Libra, consider engaging a friend or partner to join you in your wellness activities. This may be especially beneficial if there are hurdles that you’ve faced—such as waning motivation—related to starting an exercise program or pursuing a healthier way of eating. For example, consider finding a workout buddy or seeing if a friend will commit to going to yoga classes with you. Sharing the experience of learning to cook or growing your own vegetables with a friend or partner can also be a great activity. Not only will your relationships deepen, but undertaking wellness activities with another will also make them more fun and provide you with another social outlet (which is of special great benefit when, for example, you’re trying to lose weight and are looking for additional social opportunities that don’t involve meeting for drinks or dinner).

Saturn in Libra can also provide us with an excellent opportunity to focus on our relationships and see whether adjustments can be made to them so that they become more satisfying. It’s a good time to reflect and ask ourselves questions such as: Are my relationships fulfilling? Am I showing up authentically? Is my partner? Are my friends? Are my relationships balanced and fair?

Since our relationships can have a significant impact upon our emotional life—and therefore our emotional health—taking the time to focus on them can provide great benefits. With Libra associated with the mediator and arbitrator, if you become aware of imbalances in the relationship and need an objective perspective, consider seeking the services of a relationship counselor or therapist who may provide the objectivity and insight that can help you renegotiate a harmonious partnership.

If you’re not currently in a partnership, Saturn’s voyage through Libra can be very fruitful as well. It provides an auspicious time for looking back at relationships and the patterns that may have colored them, inventorying what your relationship needs are, and then honestly assessing what type of partner and partnership would truly fulfill you. Doing this type of work is often an important step in manifesting satisfying relationships.

Balancing The Collective With the Personal

Ideally this overview of the potential trends that will capture our attention as Saturn transits Libra has been enlightening and will provide you with opportunities to further enhance your health and well-being. Yet, in addition to how Saturn in Libra may affect us collectively, it will also have an impact upon us individually depending upon the relationship it makes to the planets, personal points, and house(s) in our natal astrology charts. You can learn more about the opportunities that transiting Saturn—as well as the other planets—may present to you by having a personalized consultation with an astrologer. Many astrologers also offer computer-generated written reports that can provide some illumination. You can also find websites offering free mini-reports and services–such as the Free Forecast Report on Astro.com and Planet Forecast on StarIQ.com–that may be helpful. By knowing more about your individual birth chart you can learn more deeply how the cycle of the planets–including Saturn–can provide you with an understanding of the current cycles of unfolding and growth that you are experiencing. To me, this is of essence when it comes to well-being, since self-knowledge, in my opinion, is an instrumental part of attaining health and wellness.