Sun-Saturn

Sun-Saturn combines the central identity associated with the Sun archetype with the truth, limits, discipline, reality, and potential pessimism associated with the Saturn archetype.

This combination may be reflected in life through facing self (Sun) doubt (Saturn), and through one’s identity and life purpose (Sun) becoming solid by facing such self-doubt (Sun-Saturn) and converting it into discipline, perseverance, and structure (Saturn).

 

Below are examples of famous people born with this combination in their natal charts (natal chart is another word for astrological birth chart, or pictographic representation of the sky when they were born). When we witness how this combination shows up in the lives of others, we can become more self-aware of how this combination shows up in our own lives. The more we are conscious of the ways astrological alignments (otherwise known as “aspects”) show up in our lives, the more the archetypal tensions involved can become integrated in our lives, thus revealing inherent strengths to us.

Please note that the tension of this archetypal combination, as illustrated in the lives and creations of the famous people in the examples below, may be demonstrated in ways that are more integrated or less integrated.

 

  • The Sun-Saturn combination in the chart of author Kazuo Ishiguro is exemplified in the themes of mortality (Saturn) and truth (Saturn) that recur so frequently in his work that his literary identity (Sun) has become inextricably linked with these themes. His Sun-Saturn combination can also be noted in his identity (Sun) as a literary authority (Saturn) that has won some of the most respected literary honors, including the Nobel Prize.

 

  • The Sun-Saturn combination in the chart of actor Harry Anderson can be seen in the way he was known for the identity (Sun) of the role he played as a judge (Saturn) on the television show "Night Court."

  • When Jennifer Lopez, or “JLo,” was born the Sun was in the sign of Leo. Leo, as a zodiac sign, is associated with the lion and with a love of the spotlight. JLo certainly demonstrates this aspect of the nature of Leo. And, of course, JLo wears her Leo Sun well with that mane-like head of hair of hers. Though she was also born with the Sun combined with Saturn. Saturn is considered to “slow down” whatever it combines with. The symbolism of the Sun in astrology is associated with our identity, how we shine, and our mission in life. In the life of JLo we see Saturn lending a “slow burn” to the Sun. In other words, JLo’s mission in life, and the way she shines, is given a long sustain by Saturn’s presence. Thus three decades into show business she is shining bright and perhaps stronger than ever: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pgA72uGD7g

  • Nobel Prize winning author, Halldor Lazness, born with the Sun-Saturn combination in his natal chart, captures the challenges of this combination in the following passage in his novel “Independent People,” in which a brother and sister reunited are speaking about the hard task master (Saturn) within their father (Sun), Bjartur of Summerhouses, and within themselves, too, as his children:

“He stood deep in thought, eyes fixed on the ground for greater concentration. ‘There’s always someone in the valley there who rules over you and holds you in his hand,’ he said at length. ‘I don’t know who it is. And though Father may be hard, he isn’t free. There’s someone even harder than he, someone who stands over him and hold him in his power.’

She looked at him searchingly for a while, as if seeking to read in his mind how far he was capable of understanding. ‘You mean Kolumkilli?’ she asked in a tone of cold jocularity. Perhaps she was just as puzzled by him as he by her.

‘No,’ was his reply. ‘There is something that never allows you any peace, something that makes you keep on doing something.’

‘I should never have known you again for the old Gvendur,’ she said.

‘That’s because I’ve got money now,’ he replied. ‘You look at things differently.’

‘You’ll never be free of him,’ she said.

‘Free of whom?’

‘Bjartur of Summerhouses. You can hate him. But he is in you. You simply hate yourself. He who reviles him reviles himself.’”

  • Saturn’s association with humility, when linked with the Sun’s association with one’s identity, can show up as an identification with humility. Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, born with this combination in his natal chart, expresses this in his work entitled, “Thus Spoke Zarathustra.”

“‘What has the hide of my humility not borne? I dwell at the foot of my height. How high are my peaks? No one has told me yet. But my valleys I know well.’”(Thus Spoke Zarathustra [The Portable Nietzsche; Viking Press; 1954], p. 258.)

  • Actor Keanu Reeves provides a comical and light-hearted take on the Sun-Saturn combination in his natal chart in a scene from the movie “Bill and Ted Face the Music,” in which he meets himself (Sun) as an old man (Saturn) and carries on a brief conversation that is very humble and reality-based (Saturn) while simultaneously honestly admitting to classic Sun-Saturn traits of self doubt. The clip can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aZ5coSkoIg

  • The Sun-Saturn combination in the birth chart of Vladimir Putin can be seen in the way his identity (Sun) is known for a staid and stoic demeanor (Saturn) in which he rarely smiles.

  • Lead singer of Metallica, James Hetfield, was born with Sun-Saturn in his birth chart. The lead singer of Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant, also has this combination in his birth chart. Both had relationships with their fathers (Sun) that presented heavy realities (Saturn). James Hetfield’s father left him when he was young without saying good-bye. Robert Plant’s father (Sun) was a reserved figure (Saturn) bearing trauma from having fought in World War Two. The identities (Sun) of both individuals became known as the authorities (Saturn) in their respective musical genres.

  • The Sun-Saturn combination in the birth chart of author Lord Edward Bulwer-Lytton can be seen in his novel “Paul Clifford.” The main character is a thief whose father (Sun) is a judge (Saturn). The father (Sun), not knowing the thief is his son, sentences him to death (Saturn). This is a representation of the archetypal principle of judgement (Saturn) of the father (Sun) that lives in our collective psyche.

  • The Sun-Saturn combination in the natal chart of late night television personality Jimmy Kimmel can be seen in the very deadpan and unaffected way (Sun-Saturn) in which he delivers his jokes.

  • The Sun-Saturn combination in the birth chart of celebrity chef and television personality Paul Hollywood can be seen in his identity (Sun) as a judge (Saturn), who exudes authority (Sun-Saturn) in the field of baking, on the television program The Great British Bake Off.