In my own chart Saturn occupies the fifth house in Pisces. It is one component of a stellium. In my father's chart it resides in the second house in Taurus.
Saturn in Leo or in the Fifth House:
Although artistic himself, the father may have inhibited the child`s self‑expression or creativity. He may have belittled the child`s efforts so that he or she became unsure and intimidated about expressing talents. The child probably held the father in high esteem and believed him to be an extraordinary person, and was quite proud of him. However, male children especially can find themselves caught up in the "famous father" syndrome, believing that they cannot possibly match father`s achievements so why bother to try? Such people need to be made more cognizant of their own abilities and not worry about equalling their fathers. It is quite possible that these individuals will not realise their talents ‑ or make a success of them ‑ until they reach maturity.
I can affirm outright how applicable this is. It is strongly on the nail in most respects. First of all, Saturn induced in me from an early age a devoutly, perhaps austerely, disciplined approach to creative pursuits. From drawing to music to writing, and what I may regard as the trifles in between. That my fifth house is strongly accentuated by the presence of the Moon, Mercury, Mars & Saturn means that the stage has almost always been there. I have not struggled to receive attention, wholesome or unwholesome, sought or unsought, for my efforts in this field. I have been too diffident or defiant of it though. My father was disposed at each point of departure to offer something constructive in the way of fatherly praise or feigned interest, but these seldom came to be. He and my mother parted ways while I was in infancy. I revered him as a human being, perhaps something more than that, as a god. And as the delineation above states, I believed him to be an extraordinary individual of singular attributes whom I was proud to call my father, and to speak highly of him at every turn.
But somehow I never had sufficient reason to feel that that was wholly reciprocal. He is given to be domineering, and has an expressed lack of faith in me to succeed in life (ostensibly what it amounts to). I have no memory of him being affectionate. When I began learning the guitar, his precise words were "No one makes money playing the guitar". When I expressed my interest in Philosophy, he was again reproving on the issue of the money to be made. I have forborne my instincts in this situation to avoid potential conflict, but it is so maddening that I imagine one utterance of mine might lead to war.
More maddening still is his seeming indifference. We have spoken three times since September; my grandfather's mass, Christmas, and my Birthday in March when I turned 18. These occasions are so few and far between as to make the possibility of an affectionate correspondence impossible. Of course it is further compounded by his words of disapproval when they do happen.
There is also an imperiousness about him, a tendency to adopt a bullying manner, which I find bothersome. In family congregations I usually retire to a quiet room alone, as I am not close to my paternal family and - since my grandfather's death - I do not feel welcome among them. Instead I tend to isolate myself (how can I not, being that he has a whole new family, wife, two children, affluence). It is not uncommon for him at these gatherings to pass some rude mockery my way. Sometimes it is within reason - such as jesting on the fact that I am the tallest of the family, taller than him - but other times it can be something about another aspect of my appearance, or my quiet disposition among them.
I have come far from the idolatry of my childhood. I will always have a special, inviolate reserve of affection for my father, despite his folly, but he has let himself become estranged. We are unknown to each other, but I realise that it must be so, as I have outgrown the time of tolerating his impositions and his carelessness. He may disapprove of my decisions, but I disapprove of his no less. Perhaps that is the one point of intersection.
I would like to hear the experiences of others with his placement. I would be interested to know whether or not it is a common phenomenon.
INT.