Saturn:
Deliverance from Life's Lessons
By Vaughn Paul Manley, M.A.
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© Copyright
2004. All Rights Reserved.
This article appeared in the Maui
Vision Magazine
August 2004
It’s
no secret that in the celestial pantheon Saturn is the dreaded Lord
of Karma – deliverer of life’s hardest lessons. The title
is not without justification. Difficult periods in our lives can often
be traced to Saturn’s influence in our astrology chart. However,
what really makes a situation difficult? In one word: preferences. Seng-t`san,
the third Zen patriarch, explained it clearly when he said, “The
Great Way is not difficult for those who have no preferences.”
When we’re able to widen the range of what is acceptable we suffer
less. This is where Saturn steps in. By delivering painful circumstances,
like a loss of some kind, we’re forced to face our attachments
and release them. We soul search and open up to new possibilities. I
like to think of Saturn as a force of deliverance. We often need breakdowns
in order to experience breakthroughs. This is Saturn’s gift. His
planetary rings, suggesting limitation, are deceptive. Saturn is actually
the “lord of the rings” and ultimately teaches us how we
can experience freedom through wise detachment.
It’s
interesting that in July the Cassini spacecraft made history by reaching
the rings of Saturn where it will stay within the enormous planet’s
orbit for four years. We’re getting a whole new look at Saturn
from the inside with stunning, never-been-seen photographs. Since our
external world reflects our internal world this could represent an opportunity
to collectively face our limiting, fear-based patterns. It’s another
sign, perhaps like the Venus transit in June, that it’s time to
raise our vibration by living more responsibly and harmoniously. I like
to think so anyway. It’s my preference.
