Saturn traditionally in Pagan culture was not only a malefic planet as it is observed today. In the new age community, Saturn became synonymous to death cults, destruction and death, all of which are ruled by Saturn, but esoterically, Saturn is not only that.
However, the fact that something is related to these things does not make it necessarily evil, but in proportion to ourselves, for the most part.
One example here is that in nature, death and decompossition, ruled by Saturn, is also essential to health and wellbeing. To elimitate that which is unhealthy or no longer necessary for example.
Astrologically, Saturn is "malefic", but there is a perception that is key here. If someone is responsible, and handles well the notion of natural necessity and responsibility, Saturn will not always outright punish people. This also depends on the placement of Saturn in your own natal chart.
Saturn is the also the reaping of goods. Of course, when you reap the field and you plant things, the only thing you think of is "my back hurts", "why do I need to do this" and you curse the heavens for this fate you have been given. Saturn also rules overwork, but also, careful planning, and it can also act as protection, albeit in weird fashions which are not necessarily pleasant to humanity.
How did any good reaping come into this world? By great Sowing. This is why Saturnus traditionally holds the Diamond Sickle. Diamond is a spiritual term, and also, is a sign of indestructibility. Saturn we can offset, but it will always be hardwired to our "existence" as entropy and decomposition are natural and they will always exist. We can escape or distance ourselves from them, however.
Generally since many people are fallen on a low spiritual level, and since Saturn's energy is that of necessity, and people are generally inclined to disrespect to nature and lying to themselves very hard about life, Saturn comes with the diamond sickle and can cut someone's head off. Many people grow through Saturn transits and become stronger, while a properly handled Saturn can even empower a person, and show you strength in overcoming obstacles in life.
In the new age there have been a lot of things said about Saturn while some authors like xians have purely demonized Saturn and tried to create a meme that it is the source of all evil. Saturn would not be a problem to us if we were more spiritually aware. Many of these books also attack Saturn with virulence, saying that Saturn is "Satan" and therefore the womb of all evil.
This is extended further in the statements that aliens are using Saturn (which is probable) but what is key here is that WE have sunk on this level of Saturn, not the other way around.
Saturn also has been associated with Kingship as Saturn rules the immovable and the firmly founded, like the base chakra. But also restrain, imprisonment, full stagnation, and death. For this reason, we can and should take in consideration a limited amount of this energy.
As a last note (I will write more on this on a part two explaining the enemy's use of Saturn as well) we have to understand that Jupiter, however helpful, and however fun and benefic, can also cause disasters. A typical disaster here is for example growth of getting fat, or an inflation of confidence to the point of total ignorance.
Saturn, on the other hand, requires you actually do something to gain something, and shows you an extreme amount of functionality and experience. These planets work in conjunction naturally, and one is not morally bad from the other.
-High Priest Zevios Metathronos