Saturn, Jupiter, Sun Conjunction in Valens

Every time I open Valens, things that I took for granted innumerable times in my previous studies will come as something interesting.

In Valens’ three planet conjunctions in Book I; Saturn, Jupiter, and the Sun are described as "unsteady and insecure." Valens says that when these planets are in such a condition, they can bring failure concerning possessions, friendships, and enterprises. They may first indicate assistance from unexpected sources, inheritances, reputation, authority, and advancement, but later bring ruin, accusation, danger, and instability.

At first glance, this seemed surprising and I chose to wear my thinking cap on. Saturn, Jupiter, and the Sun are among the most powerful planets. In the Indian tradition, my granduncle refers to them as Raja Grahas, the kingly planets, because of their association with authority, status, and worldly prominence. Jupiter and the Sun are connected with prosperity, honour, wisdom, rulership, and elevation, while Saturn signifies enduring structures, institutions, and established order. Why, then, would Valens associate these planets with loss, accusation, and insecurity?

I think the first step is to break and understand that these three planets have a common theme: they signify large structures of life. Saturn relates to enduring institutions, property, obligations, elders, and established systems. Jupiter signifies income, wealth, family, expansion, wisdom and protection through wisdom and also through powerful people. The Sun signifies honour, authority, reputation, leadership, and visibility. When these planets are strong and well disposed, they can elevate a person through these areas. But when they are poorly placed, the very things they provide become uncertain. This is common across ancient traditions.

A person may receive a powerful supporter through Jupiter, but that supporter may later become a source of difficulty. I feel like this can be so true when Jupiter is retrograde. One may gain position with the placement of the Sun and also gain visibility. However, the same visibility could eventually become source of criticism and challenges, or sometimes, even accusations. Saturn could bring institutional authority and responsibilities, but the the authority and responsibility might turn into burden. Naturally they become sources of insecurity.

Valens’ point is clear when he speaks of positions such as tax gathering, guardianship of others’ affairs, and salaries. These are not negative indications and, as a matter of fact, they speak to rank, trust, and social importance. However, such positions also expose individuals to conflict, responsibility, and political danger. The person gains elevation, but the elevation itself creates vulnerability.

I think this indicates a broader Hellenistic understanding of fortune or elevation itself. What elevates a person also places them in a position where they can fall. Great wealth can lead to enemies, and reputation in public service will bring exposure. The higher the position, the greater the consequences, and this will especially be true if the planets are poorly placed.

Therefore, the phrase that these planets make "the basis of the nativity insecure and worrisome" is crucial. The question is not whether Saturn, Jupiter, or the Sun give good things. They do, but the potential trouble also comes with those gifts.

I literally spoke about this in my class this morning from a Vedic perspective in teaching time lord systems.  Poorly disposed Jupiter can bring prosperity without permanence. Weak Sun can also bring recognition, but it might also indicate fall and create major insecurities. Poorly placed Saturn can indicate structures that will fail soon. So, the judgement should be that the native might experience elevation but may also have problems.

PS: This probably gives a clue to those astrologers who think traditional astrology is fatalistic, but I think the problem I show we read and how long we spend trying to understand the meaning of any statement.