Saturn is sometimes seen as the symbolic god of the alchemists. Considering most were Mohamadist, Jewish or Christian, this certainly meant something.
Saturnalia was origially a day of great festivity and cheer.
The sign of Saturn depicted the dark underground god who was the Heavenly Father's alter ego (like Pluto to Zeus or Satan of God).
Babylonian astrologers considered Saturn the same as their Black Sun (the solar god entombed) and addressed him as "Lord Saturn the cold, the dry, the dark, the harmful ... crafty sire that knows all wiles, who is deceitful, sage, understanding, who causes prosperity or ruin." Cumont.
Saturn's association with death is through cultural association with the Greek Titan-god Kronos (Chronos or Cronus) who became Father Time by virtue of his alliance with the older goddess Rhea Kronia (Mother Time). Rhea Kronia, being both time and Earth, recycled all she brouht to life. This recycling was depected for Kronos and Saturn (like Kali the Destroyer) as the devourer of his own children. Zeus, however, escaped (when his mother substituted a stone) and drove his father from the heavens (one of the War in Heaven legends).
Thus the alchemical attributes of darkness, wizardry, depression, putrefaction, melancholy, heaviness and old age (father time and death).
Saturarian influences intensifies the problems with external jihad and the Dark Night of the Soul, when sometimes it feels helpful to spill blood.
Element: earth
Metal: lead