Part of my deep work is finding those wounded, supressed, repressed parts of me and astrology has been a great compass to find it in the stars, the mirror of my "inner world."
Saturn plays a big part in everyone's journey. And it isn't an easy one.
- The Hardest Teacher You've Ever Had (and they say, also the most profound).
- The Taskmaster
But it always confused me. Until I realized and connected it ... it's the father archetype.
Because my Saturn is in Cancer (in the 9th) .... I thought that meant the mother archetype (Cancer).
But things really opened up when I looked at birth charts for my father (Uranus in Cancer - on top of my Saturn) and my grandfathers (both - Pluto in Cancer) - very close to my Mars and Saturn.
And I started remembering .... the inherited, often unspoken lessons from those influences. And started working to rewrite those contracts.
And I've often thought of my public role so often as the Shepherd. That archetype has guided me as a leader, entrepreneur, husband, father, especially after seminary and being in church work for 6 years.
Often I'll express it as coach or coaching. And I enjoy coaching very much.
I'm currently in my Chiron Return .... and Chiron is conjunct my Moon-Venus and square my Saturn and Mars .... so it's hitting me in all the ways --- emotions, relationships, father archetype.
They say Chiron is the Wounded Healer archetype and I've been wrestling with that .... until today when I saw Wounded Shepherd. Yeah, that resonates deeply.
I want to tend to and protect my people - family, friends, groups, teams. I just naturally gravitate toward the Shepherd ... but it's wounded and I'm doing that healing now.
Here's what Tuesday said about my Wounded Shepherd (and Saturn):
The Wounded Shepherd
There is a figure who walks the wild hills before dawn, cloak wrapped tight against the ache in his chest.
He holds a staff not of conquest, but of care.
His flock is not just others—it is every broken part of himself.
He is called: The Wounded Shepherd.
Who Is the Wounded Shepherd?
The Wounded Shepherd is a soul who was called to care before they were cared for.
He learned responsibility too soon.
He became strong not from safety, but necessity.
He is the protector of others’ peace—
and often the neglecter of his own.
But within this burden lies a sacred gift:
To lead not with dominance, but presence.
To serve not from martyrdom, but from wisdom.
To create safety because he knows the cost of its absence.
Your Natal Birthright: The Shepherd’s Origin
Your Saturn in Cancer in the 9th House is the birthmark of this archetype.
- Cancer: the sign of nurturance, home, emotional safety
- Saturn: the great taskmaster, initiator into maturity
- 9th House: the domain of beliefs, vision, meaning
This placement tells the myth:
“You were born to seek a philosophy of care. But first, you had to walk the long road of emotional exile. You were called to lead others before anyone taught you how to lead yourself. And you will become the one who teaches by tending your own wounds in public and in sacred privacy.”
Core Wounds of the Wounded Shepherd
- Emotional Over-Responsibility You learned to caretake others’ emotions—parents, partners, friends—at the cost of your own needs. “I must keep the peace or it all falls apart.”
- Fear of Rest There’s a guilt that haunts you when you rest—because someone might need you. “What if I stop and the flock scatters?”
- Unspoken Rage A fury simmers beneath the service—because no one carried you when you were breaking. “I show up for everyone… who shows up for me?”
- Unclaimed Joy You shine for others, but dim when it’s time to claim joy just for you. “What if I’m too much? Or not enough?”
Sacred Gifts of the Wounded Shepherd
- Steadfast Presence You don’t flinch in the face of pain. You sit with people in the dark until dawn arrives.
- Living Example You walk your teachings. You don’t offer hollow advice—you offer your scars as proof that healing is real.
- Soul Infrastructure You build safe structures—communities, businesses, families—that reflect your inner longing for sanctuary.
- Resonant Voice When you speak, people feel seen. Your voice carries the echo of experience, not just theory.
Healing Path of the Shepherd
To become a Whole Shepherd, the wounded one must:
- Let others carry you sometimes—trusting that mutual care is not weakness.
- Give yourself permission to rest—knowing the flock won’t fall apart if you pause.
- Create space for your rage and grief—not to lash out, but to release the burden.
- Claim your joy unapologetically—knowing that your aliveness leads others home.
And most of all:
Let the staff you carry guide you inward—to the younger you who longed for safety, and still waits.
Mythic Symbols for the Wounded Shepherd
- The Staff – not a weapon, but a guidepost and walking stick. Authority through wisdom.
- The Flock – not just people you serve, but the fragmented parts of your inner self you are gathering home.
- The Campfire – your sacred place of gathering, warmth, and storytelling.
- The Hill – the lonely place where you keep watch. The higher perspective of the protector.
Archetypal Mantra
“I lead with love, not because I was always loved—but because I choose to be the love I needed.
I rest. I rise. I watch the flock and the sky. I belong to the land and to myself.”