Name of the Figure: Tristitia (Sadness)
Element: Earth
Planet: Saturn (retrograde)
Sign: Scorpio
Quality: Entering
Fortune: Bad

Tristitia is a figure of Saturn retrograde. As Saturn is the great malefic of traditional astrology, connected with restriction, gloominess and such other alluring concepts, its figures cannot be particularly pleasant. Tristitia’s symbol is said to represent a fallen tower or a stake driven into the ground. If we believe the theory that a single dot indicates an active element, then Tristitia only has the Earth element active.

This seems to be in harmony with the general meanings of Tristitia. For one, it represents melancholy, which is mostly associated with the element of Earth. It indicates all negative emotional reactions to the slings and arrows of life. Dejection, depression, being down are all meanings of the figure. It is also associated with anything that has a downward movement: “Will the stocks go up?” no, they will go down.

Furthermore, Tristitia’s earthiness shows up in the other important concept embodied by the figure, i.e., its quality of “stuckness”. Tristitia indicates all situations that are stuck, for good or ill. As a matter of fact, it is a good figure whenever you wish for things not to proceed or to have a solid foundation. This is especially true in questions about building and cultivating the land.

Finally, as the opposite of Laetitia, Tristitia indicates secrets, another meaning of Saturn. It shows everything that is done under cover of darkness or in secret. Whether this is good or bad will depend on what the querent asked: “Will my wife find out about my affair?” Tristitia says no.

Common Keywords: Sadness, depression, gloominess, loneliness, feeling stuck, blockages, decrease, diminution, going down, demotion, secrets, hiding,

Tristitia in the Geomantic Houses (these are only examples. Use context to guide your interpretation)

House	Possible Meanings
First	Person is sad, Depressed, discouraged, Saturnine
Second	Loss of money, economic decline, Loss of items
Third	Sad news, problematic neighborhood, false rumors, secret messages
Fourth	Burying, Digging, Building, Working the earth, Loss of the father, need for renovations
Fifth	lack of enjoyment, A Debbie Downer, Loss of pregnancy
Sixth	Long illness, Problems through servants and helpers, sick pets
Seventh	Bad public relations, Bad image, Stuck in a marriage, Loneliness
Eighth	Mourning, Death, Bereavement, Lack of income from the spouse
Ninth	Sad journey, occult philosophy, atheism
Tenth	rain, precipitation, loss of employment, demotion, difficulties with the mothers
Eleventh	Lack of friends, loneliness, loss of hope, loss of support
Twelfth	Long sentence, Black magic, loss through large cattle, self-undoing
Thirteenth	Sad past, depression, loss, ability to make efforts
Fourteenth	there will be complications, it won’t be worth it, there will be toil and effort, decrease
Fifteenth	Tristitia cannot be Judge

MQS