This is the 19 years time period of hard work and persistence. Saturn emphasizes on strict discipline and labor by creating delays and difficulties and added responsibilities on the person. In short, this time period enables a person to lay the foundation to become strong and efficient, and reap the rewards in coming years. If the Saturn is well placed, it brings honor, authority and prosperity as a result of one`s work. In case it is afflicted, the time period brings major difficulties, sorrows and frustrations. Bone diseases, fractures, skin problems, rheumatism also come in the play as ill effects of the Dasha. This is a period when the person faces their limitations, and becomes aware of the possibility of their own mortality. Detachment from worldly concerns, spirituality, concentration, dutifulness, honesty, sincerity and constancy will be emphasized. Ill health, death of loved ones and/or the fear of those things will occur.
Sade sati which literally means seven and a half is the 71/2 years long period of Saturn (Shani), entering the zodiac sign as per the moon rashi. Shani takes 30 years to traverse all the 12 rashis. He stays 2 and 1/2/ years in one ‘rasi’ or moon sign. The effect of Sadesati will continue while Saturn transits through the one sign before the moon-sign and one sign after the moon-sign. For example at present shani is positioned in vrischika(scorpio)rashi thereby also causing an affect to Tula(libra)rashi i.e one sign before and to Dhanu(Sagittarius) rashi which is one sign after vrischika(scorpio)rashi. Saturn spends around 21/2/ years in each sign. To cross these three signs it takes about 71/2/years.