Mars – Saturn Opposition – The Tin Woodman

The higher and lower principles of the planets enter into direct contradiction in an opposition, creating a storm of emotions in the native’s soul, which later spills over into external conflicts with the world. Here, the focus should not be on influencing external circumstances, but on removing the imbalance within the soul; then life itself will begin to improve.

With the Mars – Saturn opposition, the native cannot find the right strategy for interacting with the surrounding world: aggression is replaced by apathy and indifference toward their own fate. The person rushes about in search of a way out of a difficult situation, and then abandons everything and goes with the flow. The roots of the problem go back to a difficult and painful relationship with the father, who did not provide boys with an example of masculinity or girls with a sense of support. Rudeness and violence are sometimes perceived as the only way to fight for a better future.

The Influence of the Mars – Saturn Opposition on Destiny

Men have an especially difficult time with this aspect. The best masculine qualities — decisiveness, courage, willpower, the ability to stand up for oneself and earn a decent living — are bound by Saturn’s icy fear and precautions. As soon as a fortunate opportunity appears to move ahead or show initiative, the native begins to hesitate. The person fears infringing on the interests of rivals, provoking negativity through unexpected wealth, or simply considers themselves unworthy.

In women, the Mars – Saturn opposition primarily affects relationships with men, causing shyness and timidity in communication and physical intimacy, as well as a feeling that they are unworthy of a high salary and career success. When the aspect falls in the Third and Tenth Houses, there may be difficulties with siblings, with teachers at school, and with superiors at work; in the Fifth and Seventh Houses, difficulties arise in marriage. The characteristic manifestations of this aspect in different areas of life are:

• a despotic father and grandfather, teachers, or pressure from business partners if they are significantly older than the native;
• encounters with physical punishment in childhood;
• selfishness and stubbornness, and a lack of understanding of how to defend one’s desires without completely suppressing another person’s will;
• emotional insensitivity and weak health that requires disciplined hardening and routine;
• religious fanaticism, unwillingness to see beyond the basic tenets of faith, and blind trust in clergy;
• cunning, resentment, vengefulness, and secret gloating over the problems of rivals;
• injuries closer to old age due to professional risks at work or carelessness;
• the unconscious creation of an atmosphere of hostility, misunderstanding, and resentment around themselves.

Since a person with the Mars – Saturn opposition finds it extremely difficult to develop an independent strategy of behavior that would command the respect of others, professions with strict subordination are suitable for them: military service, law enforcement, and sports. In the arts, the native has good chances of succeeding in sculpture, documentary filmmaking, and literature.

Love Relationships

The sensuality and heartfelt attachment of men and women with the Mars – Saturn opposition were deeply affected in childhood by the cold or cruel attitude of the father. Most likely, he did not provide support in difficult situations, did not praise the child, and did not spend much time with them, which created an inner gap in the native’s consciousness.

The absence of an image of kind and loving strength leads to a deep need to earn love by following rules, including out of fear of punishment. A person with the Mars – Saturn opposition gives the impression of being calm, reasonable, and proper precisely because they are afraid to violate the established order of life and look ridiculous in the eyes of others.

However, because of unhappy love and nervous shocks, such a person may sometimes attempt suicide, as they lose the meaning of existence. At a low level of development, strangely enough, the thirst for revenge encourages them to live and continue fighting.

At a higher level of spirituality, disappointments draw the native toward seclusion in a monastery. For happiness in marriage, the person needs to learn to overcome shyness, become freer in the sexual sphere, and get rid of guilt and the idea of a God who punishes pleasure.

Working Through the Mars – Saturn Opposition

Only the development of willpower and patience can help harmonize this harsh confrontation of energies. The fact is that, although the aspect does not bring obvious destruction, it drives the native to despair by methodically postponing important events until later.

Just as the person gathers courage and goes to the superior’s office with a proposal for a new and interesting project and a request for a salary increase, the superior leaves on a business trip, and it is unknown when they will return. The native decides to propose to a beautiful woman, but she is already getting married.

Here, the person needs either to develop patience and move persistently toward the goal, or to choose another summit to conquer. As a rule, success comes late, and marriage also tends to occur after the age of forty, when the native has gained experience through hardship and developed a philosophical worldview.

Astrologically, Eastern martial arts and healing gymnastics are indicated: qigong and yoga. Hiking in the mountains and practicing mineralogy, jewelry making, mosaic work, and embroidery are also beneficial.

A talisman that gives a surge of initiative and optimism with the Mars – Saturn opposition is obsidian, sardonyx, and carnelian. Black onyx will awaken leadership qualities. The classic stone of Saturn, blue sapphire, is not recommended with this aspect: it makes the person rigid and arrogant. However, malachite will awaken the heart chakra.  ✓