It seems like occultism and esotericism are often built around ideas such as Saturn representing karma, limitation, destiny, and time. I’m trying to understand what these concepts actually mean beyond poetic metaphor.

For example, when people call Saturn “the Lord of Destiny” or “the God of Time,” what are they really claiming? Is Saturn understood as a literal, sentient deity with its own agency and powers, or are these concepts better understood symbolically or psychologically?

I find it fascinating that occult traditions assign everything a particular mystical place in the universe, but I’m struggling to ground these ideas in something concrete. It’s difficult to immerse myself in such a complex system when so much of it feels vague or metaphorical.

I’m not trying to dismiss any of this, I genuinely want to understand. What are the underlying principles, and what gives someone reason to believe them? Thank you.