The Saturn-Venus opposition in a natal chart is often an indicator of relationships (Venus) with a significant age (Saturn) difference, relationship constraints (Saturn) or relationship skills which develop over time (Saturn). At a more trivial level, it can also indicate a penchant for old (Saturn) things of beauty (Venus), such as vintage jewellery or clothing.
A major theme of this configuration (and potentially also the Saturn-Venus conjunction, square or quincunx) is that of relationship boundaries. Where it appears in a natal chart, the native is likely to be required to actively engage with issues around personal boundaries within relationships from an early age, including, but not limited to, unwanted intrusions by others. These intrusions could take a number of different forms – constant demands for help or attention are one example. Unwanted sexual advances are another.
The intrusions are often insidious or ambiguous – the other party may deliberately blur the lines to confuse the native, or emotionally blackmail them. If unchecked, these behaviours may make the native feel uncomfortable or resentful, disempower them, put them in danger, or leave them with the sense that something has been stolen from them. The native must act quickly and assertively to bring the situation in line with their own sense of what is appropriate in the circumstances before it is too late.
The situation can be more challenging where the native has a tendency to be a people-pleaser, feels too much compassion for others, is naturally inclined to a sense of duty, or was brought up in household in which it was wrongly expected that children be unconditionally deferential to their “elders”.
The key is to identify any bullshit early on – and call it. The intuition is usually a reliable barometer of unacceptable behaviours – as is the visceral reaction of the body (“this doesn’t feel good”). Calling bullshit doesn’t necessarily mean aggression (although of course physical self-defence may sometimes be necessary). It could be as subtle as a polite but firm refusal of an unwanted advance – or telling the other party that one isn’t able to help them.
Whether or not the other party had intended to put the native in an uncomfortable position is irrelevant. Maybe they are a ‘bad’ person; maybe they lack the self-awareness necessary to understand the adverse impact that their behaviour is having on the native. It is also possible that others have unwittingly enabled their behaviour - however reprehensible - in the past.
The purpose of this pattern appearing in the natal chart is to cultivate a sense of inner strength and autonomy in the native so as to enable them to exercise appropriate discernment. Awareness, together with the exercise of right-thinking, empowers the native to assert their boundaries and (hopefully) put a halt to any behaviour which they deem inappropriate. By learning where their boundaries are – and how to thwart any purported breaches – the native continues to build a strong sense of self and self-sufficiency – both critical for soul growth.
I believe Aleister Crowley had a similar message in mind when he channelled paragraphs 43 and 44 of The Book of the Law:
43. Let the Scarlet Woman beware! If pity and compassion and tenderness visit her heart; if she leave my work to toy with old sweetnesses; then shall my vengeance be known. I will slay me her child: I will alienate her heart: I will cast her out from men: as a shrinking and despised harlot shall she crawl through dusk wet streets, and die cold and an-hungered.
44. But let her raise herself in pride! Let her follow me in my way! Let her work the work of wickedness! Let her kill her heart! Let her be loud and adulterous! Let her be covered with jewels, and rich garments, and let her be shameless before all men!