Greetings!
I noticed that Saturn transits (conjunction, opposition, square) to the main CR usually invokes working on the weak points.
We all have weak and strong points, and we usually concentrate on our strong points, express and develop them, use them for the cause etc. I notice that Saturn transit likes to concentrate person's attention on his weak points so he could work on them and fix them too. For example, one is extremely Neptunian science student, while he is always glowing with insight and inspiration, his memory and other basic Mercurian qualities are close to non-existent, his engagement in science is based upon sole romance, pure love and occult night dreams creativity. He is an inventor instead of being a memorizer, but at least some bit of memory is still needed to involve in modern professional science at least to over the university. And Saturn transit might be making him to try to pass an exam demanding using some memory not only insight. And if he does not and tries to "create formulas out of dreams" during the exam he will likely not pass and it can badly affect all his career.
This is just an example of how Saturn can force people to work on their weaker points to enhance their whole development in the sphere.
Other example is martial arts. Somebody concentrating on the art and spiritual aspect only might experience situation where he can't go further without some fitness as well and need to build this side too.
Or, for example, Saturn conjunction to CR might invoke all complex karmic issues that are in general laid out in chart and their weakest points to face, for example people that are engaged into the scenic art sphere might experience facing their weakest sides and their sharp desire of fame (Saturnian career-related growth) while facing what is between them and their fame.
Saturn is one of Fate/Destiny signs and while on the high octaves it can show the path and protect on it, on the lower octaves it may warn of what you need to deal with first before you access your path. CR example is because it is the most speaking one. CR represents us as souls and our path. So Saturn working with CR works with the path of the soul.
As for non-CR planets, they might experience cleansing also but in less global way as the whole Chart Ruler. You might notice some weaker points if any in regards to specific sphere, not all chart, not all path. Or if your Saturn is harmonic and extremely high octave then even nothing bad should be present just some leading or warning signs.
If you experience somehow lowering the power of the planet, you have to analyze:
1) all your previous Saturn transits in the scheme related here:
Hello there. Looking at this natal chart, I ve seen that saturn is in 24 degrees 45' 10'' in Taurus in this chart , is it related to the violent degree of star Algol? It s also in the first house, with a loose conjunction to the taurus ascendant and it is also empowered by a debilitated 2...
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2) Learn why exactly (I mean real life reason) you feel weaker, so you could understand how exactly Pluto operates in your chart and how this influence might be affected by outer or inner issues. Planets are energies and the key here is how they play out in the real life. We work with the real life.