Saturn is not known to be the easiest planet in the heavens. This stern and powerful planet has been tasked with making sure we pay back the seeds of karmas sewn in previous incarnations.

So he gives us delays, restrictions, hard work, challenges, and obstacles. Often we pay back negative karmas, but remember, Saturn brings past life good karmas too, as long as we can behave, do the right thing, and honour our duties.

People misunderstand Saturn, thinking he doles out suffering needlessly, and in India, Saturn’s transit over the moon (Sade Sati) is feared above all. Yes, he brings suffering, he brings correction, and he often brings trouble, but all in the name of growing up, maturing, and evolving towards spiritual freedom. Saturn, in my view, is the greatest planet for spiritual growth.

If Saturn is poorly placed in your birth chart, or you’re going through a difficult transit or Saturn period, then it is wise to do remedies to mitigate some of the trouble. One of the most powerful ways to do this is Saturn fasting. This period begins after the new moon in the month of Shravan and it continues for 16 Saturdays thereafter.

Some of the benefits of Saturn fasting include:

• Hardships and challenges will be ameliorated (improved not removed)
• Finances will feel less blocked, more easily flowing
• Work and career can be helped and obstacles removed
• Physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing will improve

I highly recommend you observe this fast if:

• You are currently in a Saturn time period (dasha or bhukti)
• Saturn is transiting a sensitive point of your chart. So if your natal moon or ascendant is in Cancer (8th house transit) Scorpio (4th house transit) or Aquarius (1H transit).
• You are currently in Sade Sati (Moon in Capricorn, Aquarius, or Pisces)
• Saturn is weak in your birth chart or D9 (navamsa chart)

How to do the fast:

• Start this Saturday (Aug 10 2024) and fast for 16 Saturdays in a row
• Wake early on Saturdays and include Saturn (Shani) mantra in your morning practices. I’ll note some mantras below.
• For a full fast, drink only water and fruit/veggie juice between sunrise and sunset
• For a half-fast, eat only fresh fruits and veggies (or boiled veggies) between sunrise and sunset
• DO NOT consume meat or alcohol on Saturdays.
• Stay positive and joyful. Avoid anger, moodiness, and fear. Have faith.

Some mantras for Saturn

• Shani mantra – Om sham shanischaraya namaha
• Shani beej mantra – Om praam Preem praam sah shanischaraya namaha
• Maha mrityunjaya mantra – too long to write out here

Give this practice a try and see how it works. You might be surprised. Saturn causes a lot of challenges in our lives, and although this practice does not get rid of all the issues, it will help a lot. Donating, volunteering, or helping others on Saturdays will also boost this practice.

All the best with your Saturn fasting. I hope that it brings you boundless blessings, prosperity, and peace. As always, let me know if you’d like a reading to find out what Saturn is up to in your chart and which areas of your life he is purifying.