10-6-08 Saturn Returns
For those who know a little more about astrology than their Sun sign, a Saturn Return is a significant astrological event – probably the most well known of the planetary transits.
What is it?
A Saturn Return is when the planet Saturn traverses the entire 360¼ of the Zodiac and returns to the same spot it was when the individual was born. Because this slow moving outer planet take about 2¼ to go through a sign it takes about 28 or 29 years for Saturn to make a complete revolution around the Sun to return to his natal home. Accordingly this conjunction only occurs 2 to 3 times in a lifetime – late 20s, late 50s, and late 80s.
What does it mean?
The general response from the astrological community is that a Saturn Return signifies a difficult time, fraught with peril and hardship. It certainly has that potential.
However I, who happen to be the writer, am going through a Saturn Return on this very day, October 6, 2008, as the real Saturn in the sky has returned to the spot it was in when I was born, 15¼ 59Õ Virgo – which happens to be opposite my Sun at 16¼ 58Õ Pisces. Amplified by the Sun Saturn is a major contributor to my personality.
I relay this information to establish the writerÕs credentials. HeÕs going through this astrological influence, as this is being written, and has had to deal with Saturnian energy his entire life – and will continue the rest of his life.
So what has this meant to you, the writer?
Personally, the Sun/Saturn opposition in my natal chart has meant a lot of hard work behind the scenes, as a physical laborer – perhaps a little too serious about everything, as indicated by my Breakdown earlier this year. However with the hard work and responsibility, as a waiter, husband and father, and my behind-the-scenes unacknowledged, unrecognized, and unappreciated creative projects – have come many rewards. A stable and balanced relationship with my wife of over 30 years – 2 lovely, intelligent & motivated daughters, and a homeowner with a bit tucked away. While a relatively unexciting life the hard disciplined work has paid off interpersonally and financially. Thus Saturn, while meting out serious consequences for bad behavior also rewards industry, discipline and practice. Perhaps the reason Saturn is viewed negatively is that many neglect the regimented practice required for mastery. Instead of focusing steadily on the goal, many are regularly distracted by desire and fear. Pursuing desires leads them in the wrong direction – wasting time and energy, while fears undermine the will - paralyzing necessary forward motion.
In Journey to the West, a popular Chinese alchemical allegory, a White Horse represents the Will. Tripitaka, a Buddhist monk, rides this horse to the West from China to acquire some sacred scriptures form the Buddha. Whenever he becomes afraid he falls off his Horse of the Will. At a standstill his sacred quest, his mission = true intent = true earth, is threatened. Similarly if he desires his goal too much the Horse bolts forward throwing him off. In either case he must remount the Horse for the Journey to continue. (See Chinese Alchemy & the Monkey for more.)
In a like manner Saturn punishes those who have drifted onto a Side Path. In the Return of the late 20s it might be facing dead-end jobs because one hasnÕt pursued anything seriously enough – no discipline or follow through. The 2nd Saturn Return of the late 50s could represent or signify a serious, potentially fatal or permanent consequence from a lifetime of bad habits. Cancer from smoking or obesity. Heart disease from bad diet and lack of exercise. Losing jobs through alcoholism and irresponsibility.
However, on the positive side stable productivity is met with recognition and reward. In my case IÕve accumulated a lifetime of creative works, which have, at last, found a place on this website, which has created a spot for this document to be placed –that might actually be read by someone somewhere. This is all possible because of a lifetime relation with my Muse, who has inspired my output. I did not begin writing to fill this website with pages. Instead the 10,000 days of creative output has finally found a home – where some are beginning to discover these works.
My 2nd Saturn Return also signifies the continuing hard work of waiting tables. At present I am totally exhausted from working 9 of 11 difficult shifts – a few restless naps today and poor sleep last night due to an infusion of adrenaline from a busy night at work. However even my job is a Saturn reward for responsibility to my career.
Another Saturn reward specific to this time period is due to thousands of hours of organ practice. My teacher has requested that I give my 1st recital. Not just practice, practice, practice – but discipline combined with repetitions. I couldnÕt receive these rewards had I started yesterday. This is not an inheritance or lottery winnings – which tend to imbalance the recipient.
From these examples itÕs easy to see that Saturn metes out serious consequences as well as lifetime achievement rewards when he returns to his home in oneÕs chart - a Saturn Return.
Of course these punishments and rewards are merely surface manifestations. Relishing a deep breath is all that is really necessary.