Saturn’s mean distance from Earth is 14.11 x 10⁸ kilometers. The nearest distance of Saturn from Sun is 13.29x10⁸ kms and farthest distance from Sun is 14.93x10⁸ kilometers. It completes a revolution around the Sun in 29.46 years. The mass of Saturn is 95.14 times that of earth, volume 743.7 times that of earth and its density is only 0.7 times that of water. Saturn has 10 satellites. The Titan and Lapetus are massive satellites of Saturn. Titan is about the same size as the planet Mercury. Its diameter is 4777 kilometers. The diameter of Lapetus is 1752 kilometers. Three concentric rings surround Saturn. These rings are separate and there is only black empty space in between any two rings, Saturn appears like a blue ball with 3 yellow rings.

Sometimes Shani is associated with Yama because it is the chief governor of longevity. Shani is the father of Gulika and Mandi. It is also called Neelan and is associated with Shiva's form - Mahakaala. It is said and be ‘Lame’. Shani is the son of Surya (Sun). Shani is the counterfeit of Guru (Jupiter) as former destroys while the latter applies pressures and expands. Saturn is also called St. Peter holding the keys of both Heaven and Hell. It rules over hard and laborious work as well as over responsible positions in life. Shani is a great ruler of time and delays.

Shani is barren, binding, cold, constant, dry, defensive, hard, nervous and secretive planet. It is the lord of West direction and governs Shishir Ritu (February and March). Its color is blue, jet black and indigo. It is considered as an evil (malefic) planet and it reigns over poverty, misfortune, death, unending problems, delays, hindrances, chronic and lingering diseases, old age etc.

Shani gives the native dark color, thin built, prominent veins, thick nails, protruding teeth, coarse and thick hair, long hands and feet. From the face native appears older then his actual age. Native is dirty, angry, dreadful, foolish, full of wrinkles and a talebearer. Native is merciless and melancholic. Shani makes one a little deaf.

Parts of the body represented by Shani are the right ear, obstruction of bodily fluids, obstruction in urine and retention of waste materials, hardening of synovial membrane, teeth, bones, knees, spinal chord, hair and growth.

Where Shani is afflicted it causes delays, disappointment, disharmony, dispute, despondency, dejection, differences, distrust etc. It gives persistent bad luck, up-hill struggles, sorrows and disappointments. It makes the native drunkard, gambler, lazy and lethargic.

When Shani is beneficial it gives good qualities like endurance, economy, thrift, patience, perseverance, power of retaining secrets, permanence, stability, self control, sense of duty towards God and man, accuracy, precaution in all matters. It develops in an individual truth, charity, power of meditation and concentration, sincerity, prudence, asceticism etc.

Health
The diseases indicated by Shani are cancer, paralysis, sciatica, Bright’s disease, colds, deafness, tooth decay, diphtheria, insanity, rheumatism, asthma, consumption, defective speech, catarrh, gallstones, curvature ofspine, hemorrhoids, asthma, gout, skin disease, fracture etc.

Products
The products represented by Shani are kerosene, petrol, coal, mine ores, leather, hides, skin, wood, potato, black pulses, barley, rye, mustard oil, wine, black articles, plantain, ivy, hemp, hellebore, aconite, thistle, leguminous seeds.

Animals
Shani represents animals like cat, asses, hare, wolves, bear, crocodile, serpents and venomous creatures, buffaloes, camels. It also represents birds like eel, sea fish, bats and owls.

Abode
Shani represents places like hills, forests, deserts, caves, dens and old and ruined buildings, churches, temples, trenches, wells, stinking places, slum areas, dirty places tanning factories, bone factory etc.

Precious metals & Gems
Precious gems/ metals represented by Shani are blue sapphire, amethyst, iron, lead, steel and antimony. Native whose Lagnesh (lord of ascendant) is Shani can start wearing the ring of blue sapphire in iron metal on a middle finger in Nakshatra (the constellation) ruled by Shani (Pushya, Anuradha, Uttara Bhadrapada).