Hard aspects (conjunction, square or opposition) from the outer planets can trigger depression or enhance an existing predilection for depression. I make this very clear, I'm not a doctor so I will not offer specifics on how to deal with your depression, but I will offer astrological insight on how to work with the energy of the triggering planet. This should not be considered a replacement for medical advice.

I will make a post to Neptune ad Pluto. This post will be about Saturn. Note that hard aspects from these planets do not always trigger depression.

A reminder of what the aspects mean:

conjunction: fusion, new beginning

square: crisis that prompts action or questions

opposition: ending, result

Depression from Saturn transits can result from the weight of extra responsibilities and/or restrictions. At the same time, you're likely to feel quite alone, even if you're surrounded by supportive people.

Isolation

Isolation is typical Saturn energy, and there's a reason for it - you are meant to develop strength, resilience and independence that can only happen if you have to rely on yourself. Turning to others will not cut it - they may be unable (even if they're willing) or unwilling to help. Or, you could literally be alone.

The crushing sense of separateness can trigger depression, and who wants to work on their "inner strength" when they're feeling like this? But this is what you must do- look at the planet/Node/angle that transiting Saturn is hitting and figure out where you need to be more independent. Which of your resources can be developed? For example, Saturn aspecting your Venus can be a time where you're unhappily single or in a relationship but feeling unattractive/unreceptive to love. You won't get what you want from anyone else as you're meant to work on self-esteem and inner values by yourself. Or, maybe you just need to become financially independent.

Responsibility

Saturn always signals extra work. Sometimes this is work you need to do on yourself or there can be obligations involving someone else (caring for a sick family member, for example). The weight of what you must do can grind you down, especially since you won't receive much appreciation or assistance during the transit (see the above section on Isolation).

Again, you're meant to shoulder this burden on your own. The extra work and frustrations can be draining. It's difficult to function when all you want to do is sleep and avoid the responsibilities. But avoidance will make it worse. So dig in and adopt a slow, steady approach. For example, Saturn aspecting your Mars demands patient, disciplined actions (the classic strength-training transit). Saturn aspecting your Moon demands emotional restraint and temporarily putting your comfort to one side as you look after someone else/take responsibility for your own needs.

Restrictions

Saturn tells you what you can't have/do/be. In some cases, this is a necessary reality check that redirects your focus towards a more suitable area. In other cases you're meant to try harder if you really want that achievement. It can be tempting to give up if you don't get the prize right away. It can be depressing when you're denied. But not everything is yours to have and some things take a lot of extra time and patience (you have to earn them). The restrictions are your tests.

Saturn aspecting your Sun can deliver blows to the ego if you initially fail. Do you roll over and give up? No- you choose to refocus your energy in a more realistic area (this is likely if you're experiencing some hard Neptune and Jupiter transits at the same time) OR you set the ego aside and do the work that's needed to gain recognition/respect.

Depression

When you're in the midst of being denied or alone or burdened, depression can feel like your only companion. Or, perhaps everything is flat - you simply don't care as you trudge through the daily grind. You don't have to muster up enthusiasm but know that the end of a Saturn transit can bring rewards. That's right - rewards. If you do the work (there's that word again) and look out for yourself/accept the obligation/get real, Saturn will deliver concrete results. You will deliver concrete results.

All transits have an end date, so it can help to know when Saturn makes its last, exact aspect to whatever it's hitting in your chart. One Saturn transit lasts about a year. During that time, you'll have a job to do and any ensuing depression can be remedied if you stop focusing on what you can't have/how alone you are/how unfair this is and start focusing on what you can do for yourself (or the person you're responsible for). "Remedied" does not mean the depression will go away, but focusing on THE JOB can distract you and in this case it's a healthy distraction.

Note that sometimes a Saturn transit (and accompanying depression) is meant to incapacitate you. If you've been working too hard (working in the wrong area) you'll find it almost impossible to continue (your health fails or you hit the emotional wall and burnout). In this case, the work needs to shift to a different area - there may be inner development or enforced rest. This can be just as challenging as the more typical examples of career ambitions or physical effort. Sometimes Saturn's work is about developing an area of your life that you've ignored.

Finally, give yourself permission to feel crushed/ugly/alone/apathetic. Whatever you're feeling during this transit, it's valid. Ignore those who tell you to "Smile!" or "Be Grateful!" Denying the depression (or feeling guilty about it) takes extra effort and you'll need all your energy to tackle whatever job Saturn has. You can make progress while not smiling. You can build strength while feeling alone or unloved. Even if you start by simply going through the motions, eventually the Saturn energy of manifestation will kick in and you'll discover that you're accomplishing something. And you're doing it by yourself which makes it even more notable.

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