In this episode of “5 Minutes,” Dr. Robert Svoboda explores Sade Sati and the traditional Jyotisha understanding of Saturn’s influence.

Sade Sati in Hindi means seven and a half. Sati refers to the seven and a half year period during which Saturn transits the sidereal constellation before the Moon’s constellation, the constellation where the Moon is placed, and the constellation after it.

For example, if your Moon is in Pisces, then your Sade Sati begins when Saturn moves into Aquarius. It continues while Saturn is in Pisces, and it ends after Saturn leaves Aries and enters Taurus. Remember that we are speaking about the sidereal constellations here, not the Western or tropical astrology signs, which are different systems.

Sade Sati indicates a period during which Saturn’s qualities are strongly experienced. Saturn is constricting, hard, slow, dry, disappointing, and associated with limitation, while the Moon is gentle, soft, luminous, changeable, and connected with enjoyment and emotional nourishment. The Moon is full of juice, while Saturn is dry, and therefore Saturn tends to remove some of the sweetness and ease from life during Sade Sati.

It is common that during the first Sade Sati of a person’s life, they may lose grandparents. During the second Sade Sati, they may lose parents. During the third, they may experience the end of their own life. This is not always the case, but traditionally it is understood that some kind of chatra may occur.

Chatra means a roof or protection over your head. There is also the word bhang, which means to break. When the roof or umbrella of protection is removed, you become exposed to the elements. The Sun can burn you, the rain can overwhelm you, and the wind can move you around.

Saturn does this because that is his function. He is not acting out of cruelty or personal anger. Within the Navagraha system, the circle of the nine planets, Saturn’s role is to remove protections and expose people to reality, even when they may have been trying to avoid facing that reality.

Sade Sati also has a less intense version when Saturn is fourth from the Moon or eighth from the Moon. This means that in several positions Saturn can create difficulty, but this is simply the nature of Saturn’s work.

During Sade Sati, it is very beneficial to find appropriate ways to honor and work with Saturn, especially on Saturdays. You can fast, read about the greatness of Saturn, perform service for others, and engage in practices that help you develop humility and awareness.

If you genuinely work with Saturn and approach him with humility, there is a strong possibility that Saturn will show mercy and make your experience less difficult than it might otherwise have been.