Mercury - Saturn Aspects: Conjunct Sextile Trine Square Opposition

Mercury conjunct Saturn
Saturn connected to a personal planet in hard aspect has a censoring effect on the planet involved. With Mercury in hard aspect to Saturn, whatever the person says and writes is self-censored to some degree. It's hard for these people to pour out their emotions, no matter how emotional or needy they feel on the inside. This is because they are always aware of what others might think of them with what they say. They are not necessarily deliberate talkers or thinkers. In other words, they don't always pick and choose their words carefully or speak slowly. However, they are careful with what they reveal to others. They make plenty of disclaimers, and often come across as negative or sarcastic without intending to. These are people who review conversations they've had with others, and who often kick themselves for saying something they didn't intend to, or for not saying something witty. Saturn tends to have a hobbling effect, and when it's attached to the planet of communication in hard aspect, there can be some feelings of insecurity about how we speak and communicate in general. These people tend to worry about what they've said and how they could have said it better. Some older astrology texts suggest that there can be learning disorders or "slowness" with this aspect, but this is rarely the case. In fact, many people with this aspect are very strong academically. The flow of their communication is blocked in some manner, however, and this is due to an automatic "self-censoring" tendency. Self-consciousness and hypersensitivity is experienced with regards to their intelligence and ability to get ideas across to others, especially in youth. These people need plenty of positive feedback from others in order to feel more confident and less "blocked".

If you have this aspect in your chart, recognize that you are most likely harder on yourself about how you communicate than others are. Ask people close to you for an objective point of view. Chances are, they find you to be astute, intelligent, and an effective speaker or writer. We often tell our kids "don't worry about what others think", but telling this to a person with a hard Saturn aspects is not enough, nor is it realistic. They will worry. Instead, I have found that the best way to handle difficult Saturn aspects is to get objective feedback from others! Mercury-Saturn people don't accept compliments whole-heartedly, yet they crave them and need them. Others around them tend to stop complimenting them, feeling that they either don't need compliments or don't want to hear them. Nothing can be further than the truth!

Alternate interpretation: Mercury/Saturn aspects indicate intellectual discipline, a serious outlook, good powers of concentration, and a knack for logical reasoning. You don't take things for granted, and you generally need empirical evidence to overcome your native skepticism. Not content with superficial understanding, you prefer to study subjects in depth. Some with this aspect prefer to work alone or in a quiet setting. Mathematical ability and a knack for working with figures are often present. Your work habits are careful, tenacious, methodical, and industrious. You are probably quite organized, hard working, and proficient at dealing with rules, regulations, fine points, and details. Writers with this aspect are typically masters of grammar and style. There is frequently great ambition, self-control, and a willingness to labor hard and long to achieve your goals. Others view you as honest, prudent, diligent, and cautious. This aspect is common in the charts of teachers, military leaders, and politicians.

If this conjunction forms stressful aspects with other planets, it can indicate lack of self-confidence, unwillingness to admit mistakes, and a proneness to depression. Children may have problems learning and difficulties in school. You may suffer hardships in your life that lead you to become cunning, bitter, cynical, callous, narrow-minded, or hard-hearted toward others. Shyness or social awkwardness is often present, and the tension associated with the aspect commonly manifests as acid indigestion.  -- Interpretation from our Career report.

Some Famous People with Mercury conjunct Saturn: Bo Derek, Robert Duvall, Bob Geldof, Boris Yeltsin, Anais Nin.

Mercury square or opposition Saturn
Saturn connected to a personal planet in hard aspect has a censoring effect on the planet involved. With Mercury in hard aspect to Saturn, whatever the person says and writes is self-censored to some degree. It's hard for these people to pour out their emotions, no matter how emotional or needy they feel on the inside. This is because they are always aware of what others might think of them with what they say. They are not necessarily deliberate talkers or thinkers. In other words, they don't always pick and choose their words carefully or speak slowly. However, they are careful with what they reveal to others. They make plenty of disclaimers, and often come across as negative or sarcastic without intending to. These are people who review conversations they've had with others, and who often kick themselves for saying something they didn't intend to, or for not saying something witty. Saturn tends to have a hobbling effect, and when it's attached to the planet of communication in hard aspect, there can be some feelings of insecurity about how we speak and communicate in general. These people tend to worry about what they've said and how they could have said it better. Some older astrology texts suggest that there can be learning disorders or "slowness" with this aspect, but this is rarely the case. In fact, many people with this aspect are very strong academically. The flow of their communication is blocked in some manner, however, and this is due to an automatic "self-censoring" tendency. Self-consciousness and hypersensitivity is experienced with regards to their intelligence and ability to get ideas across to others, especially in youth. These people need plenty of positive feedback from others in order to feel more confident and less "blocked".

If you have this aspect in your chart, recognize that you are most likely harder on yourself about how you communicate than others are. Ask people close to you for an objective point of view. Chances are, they find you to be astute, intelligent, and an effective speaker or writer. We often tell our kids "don't worry about what others think", but telling this to a person with a hard Saturn aspects is not enough, nor is it realistic. They will worry. Instead, I have found that the best way to handle difficult Saturn aspects is to get objective feedback from others! Mercury-Saturn people don't accept compliments whole-heartedly, yet they crave them and need them. Others around them tend to stop complimenting them, feeling that they either don't need compliments or don't want to hear them. Nothing can be further than the truth!

Mercury opposition Saturn
Your intellectual capabilities are well developed, and you can accomplish anything that you set your mind to. You are likely to possess academic "smarts" and writing ability. In some ways you are a loner. This is likely because your greatest feelings of security arise from a job well done. Be sure to exercise caution in entering into contracts. Don't overlook the important details that can boomerang against you later. It may be best to hire an attorney or other advisor to help you with these tasks. You might find that you are the victim of "red tape", mix-ups, and communication problems more than most.

You sometimes come across as more stern or harsh than you actually are! There is likely to be a negative or sarcastic style to your speech that you may not always be aware of, but that others pick up quickly. You will find that others often misunderstand your intentions rather easily, or that you misrepresent yourself unwittingly. You often kick yourself for saying (or, more often, not saying) something after a conversation is over. -- Interpretation from our LoveStyles Report.

Some Famous People with the Mercury in Hard Aspect to Saturn: Squares - Sheena Easton, Kevin Kline; Oppositions - Steven Seagal, Kurt Russell, Tiger Woods, Robert Redford, Patrick Duffy.

Mercury sextile or trine Saturn
Your mind is well-disciplined when it needs to be, and you possess strong powers of organization and orderliness. You are good at detail work. You are a person who says what you mean and mean what you say, and you can be baffled by, or impatient with, those who don't. You are very trustworthy and reliable, showing up on time for appointments due to a basic respect for others and for schedules and orderliness. You make a loyal friend. You are capable of exceptionally clear and realistic thinking. Making plans is something that comes naturally to you--you consider consequences and possible scenarios before arriving at a decision or embarking on something entirely new. You are somewhat of a doubting Thomas, and you don't naturally jump up and down with excitement about new ideas or plans. Your conversations may at times be spare but to the point.

The trine aspect is the more dynamic of the two harmonious aspects. Those with the sextile can call upon these traits when needed, and those with the trine between the Mercury and Saturn have incorporated the traits of the aspect into their personalities, expressing them naturally and consistently.

Some Famous People with Mercury in Harmonious Aspect to Saturn: Sextiles - Edgar J. Hoover, Paul Newman, Olivia Newton-John, Pierre Trudeau; Trines - Wilem Dafoe, Sally Field, Ed McMahon, Raquel Welch, Robert Urich.

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Looking for interpretations for other aspects? See quincunx, semi-sextile, and the quintile/biquintile.

Don't know the position of the Mercury in your natal chart? Find out how you can get your astrology chart positions free with our simple steps. 

Interpretations written by Annie Heese, unless otherwise noted. (Please note that some of Annie's interpretations are forthcoming).