Shani is one of the three children of Soorya and Chhaayaa.  We learn about the power of Shani's gaze since Shani was born. His gaze caused Soorya's charioteer Arun to fall down and break his thigh; Soorya's horses to go blind; and Soorya himself caught vertigo as Shani's powerful gaze fell on him. They were healed only when Shani moved his gaze away. This clarifies the power which Shani has in his gaze.

Shani is a planet of Taamasik quality. He is a planet of extreme nature. When he favors someone, he gives very favorable effects. On the contrary, when one receives his curse, he has to face indescribable pain and miseries in his life. Favorable effects of Shani on one's nature include in-depth knowledge, sensibility, wisdom, justice, broadness of mind, honesty, patience, ability to work hard etc. In life, he may give wealth, fortune, long life etc when he is auspicious and well placed in one's chart.

On the other hand, when badly afflicting a person's nature, Shani can make one sadistic, greedy, lazy, dishonest, fearful, irresponsible and even addicted to drugs. Shani causes obstruction, delay, grief, poverty, short life etc. He makes a person totally lonely, helpless and can make one suffer from enmity, theft, lawsuits etc. Shani can also give imprisonment since he rules obstruction, loneliness and grief. When causing diseases, Sani generally gives chronic diseases as the person suffers for a long time - by this he again shows his nature of slowness and delays. When badly effecting one's profession, Shani makes one work very hard but does not give the proper reward he deserves.

For the power of his gaze, Sani has a tremendous afflicting ability by his mere aspects, which he casts on 3rd, 7th and 10th houses from his own position.

Among other planets used in Vedic Astrology, Saturn is the last one counted from Sun's position. That is why Sani Dev rules 'The last' or 'The end' of anything. He is the 'Last Answer' in anything. In our material world, death is the end of everything, and that is why, Sani rules death and longevity issues. He is the natural significator of 8th house in astrology. We know that 8th house deals with sorrows, shock, pains, depressions and also - occult. That is why Sani also deals with Magic, Tantra, Jyotish etc.

Sani was lamed by another son of the Sun, named Yama (God of death) when he hit Sani in his leg. So Sani is always very slow in his movement. One name of Sani, as I already mentioned, is 'Shanaischaram' which means the slow mover. He takes around 2.5 years to pass through a sign, thus he takes around 30 years to complete the travel over the whole zodiac. So he rules slowness and delays; And he teaches us how to tolerate slowness and delays, by patience. He is generally pleased with people having patience.

The great phase (Mahaa Dashaa) of Shani lasts for 19 years. Even than the Maha Dasha, Sani gets the strong hold of a person by his transit over the 12th, 1st and 2nd signs from his or her natal Moon. This is called 'Sade Sati' since it lasts for about 7.5 years.

Shani lords over Makar (Capricorn) and Kumbh (Aquarius) Raashi (Signs) with Kumbh being his Mool-Trikon sign. He is exalted in Tulaa (Libra) and debilitated in Mesh (Aries). His natural friends are Budh (Mercury), Shukra (Venus) and Raahu, while enemies are Soorya (Sun), Chandramaa (Moon), Mangal (Mars) and Ketu. He has neutral relationship with Guru (Jupiter). He is the ruler of the three Nakshatra named Pushya (8), Anuraadhaa (17) and U-Bhadrapada (26). He rules 8 in the numbers, Saturday in the weekdays, and aqua, blue and black in colors. His favorite gemstone is blue sapphire wearing which strengthens Shani's effect on a person.