~ Saturn in Sagittarius: Power and Practicality vs. Idealism and Influence ~

1/21/2016

Sagittarius vs. Saturn

A more Color-full take on the famous rebel.

Power is felt. Influence is seen.

It was no accident that a friend of mine recently turned me on to all things South American, with the legacy of Ché Guevara and Fidel Castro abruptly taking over center stage of my research process. It is no coincidence, either, that Fidel Castro being a Leo, my research culminated just before the onset of this weekend’s Full Moon in Leo. The Leonine Full Moon has us all thinking about what constitutes Personal Power, how we express it or attempt to express it, and the varying forces which keep the expression of Personal Power in check at any given time.

Sagittarius ruled by Jupiter, King of the gods = Expansion and Excess
Saturn, Father of the King of the gods = Contraction and Prudence

For the last few weeks I had been searching for a visual representation to illustrate the energetic effects of Saturn’s current transit through Sagittarius. December 2014 marked the Planet of Karma’s initial entry into the Sign of the Archer, immediately expanding what had been a close, intense, and thorough examination of personal values while it transited Scorpio for the 2 ½ previous years. With the tick of a planetary clock, our focus shifted away from the karmic flaws of self and others, to the karmic flaws of the Global Collective itself. Global Systems and Structures are currently under not only evaluation, but scrutiny. Those who know the difference between evaluation and scrutiny should understand and navigate Saturnian transits quite well.

Not far into my South American research, I unearthed a treasure. The inter-personal dynamic between Guevara, a brilliant Idealist-Doctor-Rebel, and Castro, a Tour-de-Force of Power, Planning, Practicality, and Politics, expresses perfectly what I wished to say about Saturn’s sobering effect upon the Global Collective as it transits Sagittarius until December 20, 2017.

Are We Having Fun Yet?

Saturn’s grinding tract through jovial, Jupiter-ruled Sagittarius challenges our Ideas and Ideals, as Austerity reigns in a time of tightening belts and purse strings on a Global Scale. Recently there have been predictions of world-wide, rolling Bankruptcies by the world’s major lenders and industrial giants, and there is evidence already (Saturn requires evidence) of dire economic straits among school systems, public safety systems, and commercial and private real estate. In other words, there appears to be an imbalance of wealth distribution across the board, around the world. In some areas, money to fix and maintain schools, homes, and public buildings just isn’t there to spend.

In tandem with austere warnings of economic collapse is a rise in consumption of alcohol and mind-altering drugs (Sagittarian escapism). It is oft said that during an economic downturn stress levels go up, as do escapist activities such as drinking, over-spending, compulsive recreating, and drug-taking. Sagittarius wants to feel good at any cost, while Saturn warns that living for today puts a dent in our ability to thrive, or at the very least, survive, tomorrow. In other words, don't mortgage your future by borrowing time, money, and energy today.

Some people act out their stress in Sagittarian ways that are harmful to others, such as jokes, pranks, and having "fun" at another's expense. This is where Saturn steps in and lays down the iron fist of consequence upon ill-meaning pranksters. Note the increase in fake bomb threats and miscellaneous other absurd crimes as reported in increasing frequency in the daily Global News. Note how drugs, alcohol, and spiritual/political fanaticism often play a role in these types of Sagittarian scenarios.

Those who know the history of Guevara and Castro understand how this all ties in.

Saturn, the practical Father, wants to make sure his Idealist son Sagittarius is paying attention to reality rather than fantasy. Ideas and Ideals, he says, serve an important purpose. Ultimately, reality dictates which Ideas will work and which won’t, which Ideals are delusional, impossible, and impractical, versus which are noble. The idea and impulse to prank or hurt someone, for example, is ignoble and energetically wasteful, and under Saturn's judicial eye inevitably comes back around to haunt the play-maker.

A person whose world-view revolves around thinking everyone is or should be like himself is deluded. A person whose world-view expands to include the needs, diversity, comfort, and prosperity of the other is noble.

Saturn wants Longevity. Sagittarius wants to play, have fun, create diversions, and feel good Right Now. Saturn warns: if we remain stuck in the smaller picture living moment by moment by moment, we lose sight of the larger picture and what will eventually read as the story of our lifetime.

In other words: when you approach the end of your life, how would you like your personal history to read? What will your Legacy be?

Ché Guevara died at the age of 39.

Fidel Castro is still alive today, approaching 90.

One became a Legend, the other an enduring Legacy.

Those who know the story of Guevara and Castro as well as the implications of Saturn in Sagittarius need no further explanation. Those who don’t may need more explicit advice.

From now until December 20, 2017 when serious, watchful Saturn leaves jovial Sagittarius behind to re-enter his home sign of Capricorn, the stars and planets are urging us to metabolize and master the art and concept of austerity, starting now. Don’t overspend or spend to impress. Don’t use recreational or medicinal substances to excess just because they’re legal (nor should every couple consider Marriage, just because it's legal). Consume alcohol either in moderation or abstain completely, and do not, under any circumstances, attempt to drive while intoxicated. Do not take your job or home for granted, either, as larger corporate and government employers and institutions are up for review, revision, restructuring, and in some cases, elimination. One common practice of austerity is shared living and work spaces, and shared resources in general. Independence is discouraged in favor of more cooperative and cost-effective Inter-dependence. Another smart austerity practice is to refrain from dining out, and enjoy cooking at home instead (Sagittarius being a Fire Sign supports cooking at home, i.e. “cooking over the Hearth”).

Saturn in Sagittarius wants to know: Will you become a Legend, or a Legacy?

"Time is money... invest wisely!"

Good Luck everyone, may you emerge the other side of this Saturn Transit, victorious!

~ MHCI
For personalized readings visit the homepage of my website: www.colorreadings.com

Photo: Ché Guevara and Fidel Castro. Image Source: Google, photographer unknown.