Shani (Saturn) Fast -  begins on 10 August 2013 

The day to fast is Saturday for 16 Consecutive Saturdays from 10 August to 23 Nov 2013. These dates will change annually according to the lunar calender. The Saturn fast begins on the Saturday after the New moon is Shravana..

Saturn in the natal chart shows the most challenging area of life, its aspect disturb its smooth flow, its conjunctions can influence planet negatively, its dashas are time to face karma and finally its transits make us deal with the reality of the situation. Saturn can also bring many positive things to us but most of us find Saturn a trying experience.

Saturn's transits to include sade sati and ashtama shani are the once that can be most difficult to handle. Doing remedies for Saturn are good for most people but essential for those who have difficult Saturn issues in their chart. You will need to get your chart analysed professionally to know whether Saturn is positing a challenge to you.

The best remedial measure for Saturn is to fast for it.

Leo, Virgo and Libra Moons are experiencing Sade Sati at present till 3 August when Saturn moves into Libra.  Last degrees of Virgo Moon is in the most intense phase of the Sade Sati till 3 August 2012. After that Libra Moon will be in the most intense phase.

Aquarius Moon are facing Ashtama Shani ( Saturn transiting 8th from the Moon) till 3 August and Pisces Moon begin to face Ashtama Shani after that.  From 3 September Saturn moves again into Libra and therefore Scorpio Moon will start to experience Sade Sati and Leo Moon will finish Sade Sati. 

If you have Saturn poorly placed, making tough conjunctions or weak in your chart, you need to propitiate him.

All these people would benefit from Saturn Fast. 

Saturn Fast always begins in the month of Shravana which takes places usually in July/ Aug when the full Moon is in shravana nakshatra. The fast should begin on the 1st Saturday after the new Moon in Cancer and lasts for 16 weeks.

The fast begins on sunrise on Saturdays and ends on sunrise on Sunday.

You begin the day with a shower or bath. Then sit in meditation and do prayer and mantra to Saturn. Ask for his blessings. It is not a good idea for ask for something specific as Shani may want to give you more than you are asking for. But if you do have something you are worried about , you could ask for that.

Two important mantras for Saturn are:

 Shani Mantra

 Om Nilanajana Samabhasam, Ravi putram Yamagrajam

 Chhaya Martanda Sambhutham, Tam Namami Shanischaram

and

Om Praam Preem Praum Sah Shanicharaya Namah ( this is the sees mantra and can be recited 108 times daily during the fast

Maha Mritunjaya Mantra for Shiva - excellent for Shani as well ( Recite 12 or 108 times daily)

Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sughandim Pushti Vardhanam

Urvarukmive bandhanan Mrityo mokshiya Ma amritat

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti Om

The mantras should be chanted once, thrice or 108 times on the day.

How to Fast

Fast from Sunrise Saturday to Sunrise Sunday for 16 consequetive weeks. During this time, you can choose to do half a fast or full fast.

Half Shani Fast - during daylight you should not eat anything. just water, fruit or juice if needed. Eat a simple vegetarian meal in the evening ( no meat, fish, eggs, chicken, grains, salt) after Sunset. No alcohol.

Full Shani fast- no food from Saturday sunrise to Sunday sunrise. water, fruit can be taken - nothing else.

if you are unable to the fast you can still keep Saturday Sacred - eat pure vegetarian and avoid alcohol.

Also when fasting do it with full faith. If you resent the fast, it will have no impact. Do not be angry or have negative thoughts during the fast.

— Komilla Sutton