Sade Sati the 7 and half transformative years

The much dreaded 7 and half years of Sade Sati is the time when Saturn transits the sign (Rasi) before the natal Moon (the Moon in a person's Birth Chart), the sign of the natal Moon and the sign after the natal Moon. As Saturn, the slowest moving planet, takes 2 and half years to transit a zodiac sign, the transit of these 3 consecutive signs takes 7 and half years. The severity of this often turbulent and deeply transformative period depends on the Birth Chart of each individual. When evaluating Sade Sati, keep in mind that planets always give better results in their own sign, so if the Sade Sati includes Capricorn and or Aquarius, that makes this period a lot less challenging. 

Saturn (Shani) riding his vehicle the crow.

If the natal Moon is in Sagittarius, for example, Sade Sati will occur when Saturn transits Scorpio, Sagittarius and Capricorn. The first 2 segments will be difficult, as Saturn transits 2 enemy signs, but the last 2 and half years when Saturn transits its own sign Capricorn can be expected to go a lot easier.

There is also a question of the Moon's house (bhava) position in the Birth Chart. If the Moon is in a difficult place (for example in the 6th or 8th House) then Sade Sati tends to bring a lot of turmoil and emotional upheavals regardless of the Moon's sign placement.

Generally speaking Sade Sati is a period of reevaluation and growth. Hidden issues and problems that have not been properly dealt with will invariably rare their ugly heads during this time. Discipline, determination and hard work, the values of Saturn, can turn the period of Sade Sati into a time of opportunity and progress.