Category: Astrology

Astrology

Moving on up (and out) / Solar Return for Ms BK

The Solar Return (SR) chart gives a brief snapshot of the 12-month period (birthday-to-birthday). Such predictive techniques are necessarily short and sweet, giving ample opportunity for the individual concerned to fill in the details.

Opportunities abound, seize them and make them work for you

Summary

The operative planets in your Solar Return (SR) chart for 2018/19 are Jupiter, Mars, and your Sun; all of them are in position to manifest results. This suggests brilliant new opportunities for advancement in both in your career and social position.  Hard work is indicated as you’d expect and money issues will probably come to the forefront too. But all should be well as long as you’re realistic about your financial needs and resources. Who knows but that you might just pick up and move to a completely different part of the country.

It’s time to take control of your life and stop letting others manipulate you by pushing your emotional ‘buttons’ and one of those buttons may well be money.

Details

  • Solar Return (SR) Jupiter is very close to the SR Midheaven (10th house cusp). This is excellent because anything to manifest during the year, the angles of the chart must be involved. 
  • SR Jupiter is very strong in Sagittarius suggesting more than a ‘bit of luck’ especially in regards to career and social position and status. Naturally, it’s not all down to luck and it’s incumbent upon you to seize opportunities and make the best of them with good old-fashioned hard work. This placement suggests opportunities are indeed coming your way, opportunities that can result not only in advancement in your current career but also in completely new areas of interest. Jupiter tends to open up the ‘playing field’ as it were, so choose those opportunities that you will pursue with care as you won’t have time and energy for all of them.
  • SR Mars is making a lovely sextile to both that Jupiter and your 10th house cusp. Again, the chart angles are favourably involved. Fortunate decisions and successful creative energy not to mention ambition and the power to concentrate on a chosen aim or objective.
  • With SR Pluto involved in this mix, you can expect more than enough energy to tackle whatever it is that you choose and the chances are the outcome will be extraordinarily successful. 
  • The SR Sun, showing where you will be putting most of your energy during the year, is also forming a pleasant trine to your Ascendant, or 1st house cusp. Again, with the chart angles involved, you can expect expended energy to pay off with actual movement.
  • The SR Sun is in the SR 8th house, suggesting that this may be a year of tremendous personal change. It is not unusual for people with this placement to pick up and move to a completely different place. The idea is that you need to seize power over yourself and your life and so longer can you allow others to continue pushing your emotional buttons (often jealously and guilt). The first step is to recognise how others gain control over you and how they influence your behaviour. Obviously, therapy can help if you’re so inclined. The next step is to put some distance between you and manipulative other and if that distance is must be physical in nature, then, so be it. 
  • Beware, however, that any such actions taken could result in money issues. Because your SR Moon is making a (gentle) aspect to your Ascendant  (1st house cusp/ again the angles are involved), there’s every suggestion that this will happen. But as long as you are realistic and honest in assessing your materials needs and the resources available, you should be OK.
  • Indeed, transit-wise, during this year there’s every suggestion that you will become very serious about money and to your benefit. In your natal chart, both your Jupiter and your Saturn are in your 2nd house (finances) and during calendar 2019, you will experience both Jupiter (luck/expansion) and Saturn (reality-principle) returns, thus commencing entirely new cycle of 12-years and 28-years respectively. 
Astrology

Sandcastles at high tide

Yet another major astrological theme of the year, this time the conjunction of Pluto and Saturn. From now until the end of January 2020, these two heavy-hitter planets are playing a cosmological game of skittles in and around 22-23 degrees Capricorn.

Who will be the winner? 

Saturn builds walls and Pluto tears them down again; this pair do not work well together. Imagine building a sand castle on a calm, sunny day only to come back a few hours later to find the surf is up, and all your hard work is about to be washed away.

Sandcastles at high tide

Saturn/Pluto puts us in touch with the necessity for endings. Either something gets destroyed or utterly transformed beyond recognition. No other options. Usually, we do some choice between them but it won’t be easy to make. Saturn/Pluto is a compulsive and obsessive combination that often leads to violence and victimisation. Add to that power-grabbing and scapegoating, not to mention sabotage and savagery, and your mood might be quite grim.

Whatever happens, it won’t be pretty and it will have been building up for a long time.

Saturn/Pluto operates on a 33-year cycle. The last conjunction was in 1982 at 27 Libra. According to Liz Greene, this cycle (now ending with the conjunction in Capricorn) is a lesson about ideals of justice and fairness. In 1982, I went off to law school and I’ll admit I had some pretty unrealistic ideals about both justice and fairness. I adored reading the jurists’ discussions about ‘natural law’, where everyone act rationally and with honour. 

But that isn’t how it works, is it?

For example, this conjunction is exactly opposing Donald Trump’s Saturn (23 Cancer).  Because Saturn represents the ‘reality principle’ as well as personal ‘ego’, we might expect this conjunction to hit him hard. My guess is that once Congress gets their hands on his financial/banking records, he’s in for a tough run – who will be the victim here? Another example may be what’s happening right now in the UK, with BREXIT and the (inevitable) resignation of the Prime Minster, Teresa May.

We all have 22-23 degrees Capricorn somewhere in our chart – and so for each of us this need for an ending is playing out somewhere in our lives, albeit more strongly for some than others.

A question you might choose to ask yourself is who is playing the role of victim in your life right now?

Astrology

Happy Birthday Ms H

The Solar Return (SR) chart gives a brief snapshot of the 12-month period (birthday to birthday). Predictive techniques like this are necessarily short and sweet giving ample opportunity for the individual to fill in the details herself.

New home?
Summary – Solar Return – Ms H / 2019/2020

The year ahead will probably see some significant domestic changes – possibly you will move to a beautiful new home in a completely area of the country.  Possibly, such move is also tied up with a change on the romantic side of your life – expect the unexpected – and whatever happens, give it plenty of freedom.

Ms H Solar Return 2019/20
  • Your SR Moon (located in your SR 3rd house) is making a nice, easy aspect to your 1st and 7th house cusps. This suggests that you’ll be making an emotional investment in consciously bringing your personal surroundings in line with your outlook on life.
  • Because your SR Sun and Mercury are in the SR 8th house, such changes could well result in a complete life-style change. Common with placement is, for example, a move from the city to a rural community or vice versa. It’s also worth considering therapy of some sort to understand why, at this particular moment, such changes are necessary. 
  • Interestingly, these changes more likely than not have been long overdue. This is shown by SR Saturn (reality principle) and SR Pluto (evolution) forming a tight (and heavily weighted) group in your SR 4th house. Major themes involving  the SR 4th house include moving/renovating/repairing your home or office. 
  • SR Return Saturn is especially powerful in this chart because it is the exact degree of the SR nodal axis, which adds a fated quality to the mix. What will be, will be; reality is making itself manifest and pretty much the only thing left now, is adjusting your attitude to it. 
  • Because you also have SR Venus in very close aspect to SR Uranus, these domestic changes might be the result of a surprising change in your romantic relationships – perhaps a stable partner suddenly leaves or someone who was once just a good friend, becomes your lover. If the later were to be the case, then ensure you give the relationship plenty of room to evolve on its own – with this kind of aspect, the relationship will not respond well to be ‘pushed’ along.
  • Whatever might happen on the romance front will also impact your personal finances and more than likely, for the better. Who knows but that this might well tie (favourably) back into those domestic changes?
Astrology

The ME generation

Yesterday, I met a young lady who had never heard of the ‘baby boomer’ generation!

My Pluto in Leo pride was damaged, possibly beyond repair. 

We are the post-war group born roughly between 1946-1960. We caused no end of trouble whilst growing up; new schools and universities had to be built to accommodate us and luckily the economy was booming along with the birth rates. We continue to be trouble as we age, bringing economic chaos in our wake with chunky claims upon ‘social security’ and ‘old age pensioner’ benefits and, of course, the requirement of expensive health care.

During the period most of us were born, Pluto was in Leo.

Astrologically, Pluto describes the ‘evolutionary task’ of a generation and the task of Pluto in Leo is to reform our sense of personal identity. Even if our parents were willing to conform to cultural norms of individuality, we could not. The name of our game was creative self-expression, personal power, and puffed up pride mixed with complete and utter self-confidence.

The ‘Me’ generation – Pluto in Leo
Most baby boomers also have Uranus in Cancer.

Astrologically, Uranus speaks to one’s ideologies especially in regards to where he or she must break free of tradition and forge a new way forward. Cancer is about home and family as well as motherhood. It should not be surprising, then, that so many of women of my generation did not have children in favour of pursuing a professional career.

Finally, many baby boomers also have Neptune in Libra.

Astrologically Neptune represents trends in fashion; the clothing, hairstyles, music, food, or films which (for no apparent reason) is ‘all the rage’, that without which we simply cannot live.

Neptune is tricky because it’s not so much an ideology (that’s Uranus) as it is emotional surge and one that spreads like wildfire straight across the board. It’s also about illusions of perfection. Given that Libra is about relationship and marriage, it’s no surprise that along with many little girls my age, I found my perfection in paper dolls cut from Bride’s Magazine.

Later in life, many of my generation suffered severe disillusionment (i.e. illusion unfufilled) in their real-life marriages. There are probably many reasons why the divorce rate among baby-boomer is statistically higher than with with other generations, but certainly the generational signature card of Neptune in Libra is an important one. 

According to one article, the surge in divorce rates among those in my generation also has to do with us seeing our personal ‘self-actualisation’ as the most important goal in our lives and if marriage gets in the way of that then… ah, yes, back to Pluto in Leo again. 

Astrology

Happy Birthday Mary

The Solar Return (SR) chart gives a brief snapshot of the 12-month period (birthday-to-birthday). Such predictive techniques are necessarily short and sweet, giving ample opportunity for clients to fill in the details.

SUMMARY

Expect an interesting year ahead with some challenges to your more intimate partnerships and relationships. Changes have been long overdue. A break-up is not necessarily in the cards but you can still expect some anxiety and tension.

The key to making the best of what this period has to offer (as well as avoiding the worst) is to consult both your head and your heart. 

honest communication = head +heart

By contrast, your tendency will more than likely be to turn whatever happens into an intellectual challenge; that would be a grave mistake. Honest communication lies at the heart of a successful outcome – words have power, yes, but so do non-verbal messages especially when (as is more likely than not to be the case), you’re involved in some kind of personal power play.

Finances are also highlighted – if you’ve had trouble in the past, you’ll probably have trouble again. 

Despite all the challenges, the year ahead holds great potential – for now it is time for the ‘real you’ to shine through.

ANALYSIS

2019/20
  • Solar Return (SR) Uranus (1 Taurus 08) is close to your 7th house cusp and even closer (in sextile) to your solar return (SR) Venus. This suggests that in the next twelve months, you can anticipate some significant (and perhaps unexpected) changes in your partnerships, both personal and business.
  • Although such changes are perhaps long overdue, they are still likely to create some anxiety, not the least because they seem to be out of your control. Expect these to be accompanied by feelings of restlessness and tension; this is not likely to be a comfortable time. In one sense whether such changes are instigated by you or your partner(s) doesn’t matter for in so many ways they are absolutely right and necessary for you both.
  • A break up is not necessarily in the cards, however, and the way in which the necessary changes manifest could take many ((perhaps mutually agreeable) forms.
  • That some changes in your life (relationship or otherwise) will be as profound as they are inevitable, is emphasised by your SR Pluto being in the same degree as your SR nodal axis. 
  • Your SR Pluto is in your SR 3rd house along with SR Moon and SR Saturn. The 3rd house is all about communications as well as how you cope with everyday matters. A  high intellectual involvement with events as they unfold is indicated. Will you interact with these events on an emotional basis or will you keep you emotions strictly under control? If you don’t do both, there’s a real potential for you to miss subtler meanings – not all that is being communication (in either direction) is consciously and purposefully verbalised. Whilst it is true that words have tremendous power, so do non-verbal messages especially when you’re involved in some kind of personal power play.
  • The midpoint of your SR Mars/Saturn is in close square aspect with your SR Jupiter. This suggests you may be faced with events/situations upon which you will be tempted to concentrate all your energies at the expense of other interests. Beware. If you do, you seriously risk sapping your vital energy.
  • Because your SR Jupiter is involved in the SR 2nd house, this concentration could revolve around finances, which could manifest as events either good or bad. True, you may have more money available than expected during this period but equally there is a temptation to overspend. Which way this plays out has much to do with your own personal history re: finances. Take outside advice as needed.
  • Finally, with your SR Sun in your SR 5th house, you are more likely than not going to be treated to the opportunity to watch your personality bloom. This is a wonderful placement, especially for those who have compromised themselves in the past. Your mantra during this period might be along the lines of ‘to thine own self be true’. 
Astrology

Pie in the Sky Propaganda

Let’s face it. 

At the moment, politics in the United Kingdom is up the spout and our fragile future is under siege in Europe. Will the situation get any better in the next calendar quarter with the ingress of the Sun into Aries (20 March 2019)? 

what you see/hear is not what you’ll get

Not likely.

Expect ‘pie in the sky’ propaganda as more is promised than could possibly ever be delivered. What you see (or in this case, what you hear) is not what you’ll get. Old stuff gets rehashed over and over and little real progress will be made. This sorry state of affairs is not lost on the general public however it might well be lost on the government which, self-absorbed, is completely of sync with the reality of the situation. Some economic surprises are in store and are likely to play out in the National Health Service. 

Outlook from March – June 2019 in the United Kingdom
  • Jupiter (23 Sagittarius) is in the same degree as the nodal axis, which gives the whole situation a ‘fated’ quality. We’ve been on this path before.
  • Jupiter suggests tolerance, good, will and moderation. Somewhere in the mix is also a sense of noblesse oblige. But Jupiter can also be interpreted as wrangling and disputes, as well as the inflation of the national ego and ‘imperialism.
  • This Jupiter is tied up with the nodal axis and the likelihood is more the later than the former. In principle, we’d like to expect the focus on adaptability and harmony but what we’re more likely to is a lack of good fellowship and the tendency to look out for one’s own gain first.
  • It should not be surprising that this plays out in the 2nd(national wealth), 9th(foreign relations), and 3rd(trade and communications) houses. 
  • That all these imperialistic negotiations are taking place in contravention (square aspect) with popular opinion (symbolised by the Moon at 27 Virgo), should come as no surprise.
  • That the government (represented the Sun at 0 Aries) is completely out of sync with popular opinion as well as anything else (the Sun makes no aspects whatsoever to any other planet), should also come as little surprise. The Sun is in the 5thhouse which linked the national economy to financial speculation. This suggests, at least to me, that the government is playing dice with national wealth.
  • Mercury (communication especially re: political speeches and official communiques) is retrograde (i.e. peddling backwards) and closely conjunct to Neptune, planet signifying (amongst other things), confusion, delusion, and/or outright subterfuge. All this is happening in our own backyard (the 4thhouse).  
  • It’s fair to note that Mars, the forces that hold the country together by force (i.e. aggression) is also in the same degree as the nodal axis. Put these two together and there will be a lively exchange of ideas but again, very self-focused and with Mars in the 7thhouse, this will play in foreign affairs – i.e. the UK’s partnerships with other nations. This in itself is not necessarily bad but again, the fated quality imparted by the nodal axis suggests that whatever happens now, has been long in the cards. 
  • Finally, Uranus has just entered Taurus which promises so economic surprises all around. That this Uranus is in the 6thhouse of this chart suggests that these economic surprises are more than likely to play out in the National Health Service or NHS. 
Astrology

Relationship Challenges for Ms ABC in 2019/20

The Solar Return (SR) chart provides a snapshot of the 12-month period, birthday-to-birthday). This is a predictive technique that is short and sweet, leaving the individual concerned as ample opportunity to fill in the details. 

In addition, from time to time, transits to the natal chart are also used in order to gain confirmation of a certain theme (or themes) and/or more information especially about specific timing. 

The following is for Ms ABC– 2019/20:

Relationships under pressure in order to get better

A challenging year lies ahead especially in regard to your closest relationships/partnerships. You must be diligent at all times to avoid having the proverbial wool pulled over your eyes.

Yet however much a hardship all this may appear, it is for good purpose. If you stick with it, then by the end of this period, you’ll have developed a more realistic way to relate to others as well as having built a more solid and constructive sense of self. 

ANALYSIS:

Solar Return Chart 2019/20
  1. SR Neptune is closely conjunct the DSC (7th house cusp) suggesting confusion and anxiety in regards to your closest partnerships, both personal and business. These partnerships, both good and bad, will tend to seek their own level. It is best to let situations ripen and evolve and go with the flow.
  2. Trying to force choices during this period will not be productive not the least because misunderstandings are rife. There’s a possibility that you’re being lied to or deceived by a partner but this is more likely if you choose to allow yourself to be fooled.
  3. On a more positive note, increased sensitivity, caring, and compassion in your closest partnerships are real opportunities. This, however, is only possible if you are willing give careful consideration to your partner’s side of the story.
  4. SR Neptune is also opposite the ASC (1st house cusp) suggesting that confusion regarding your partnerships will prompt confusion over your sense of self. This could be good news. SR Saturn is making a positive aspect to the ASC/DSC axis. SR Saturn is the ultimate ‘reality principle’, providing opportunities for positive growth. The key to making this work in your best interest is to move out of your comfort zone. It no longer serves you well.
  5. That SR Saturn is also in the exact degree of the nodal axis strengthens the above. It is through Saturn (discipline and honesty) that you will find good solutions. The more creative these solutions, the better.
  6. Because SR Jupiter is closely square to the ASC/DSC axis, you might expect the proverbial little ‘bit of luck’ in your efforts. But this works only if you’re willing and able to recognise and seize opportunities that come your way. 
  7. None of this will be comfortable (SR Moon closely conjunct SR Mars). Expect contradictory feelings about which way to proceed. But hard work (and sticking up for yourself as needed) will pay off.
  8. Transiting Saturn crossing the 7th house cusp (DSC) serves to emphasise all of the above. Your partnerships are evolving and soon enough, you’ll have built new and more constructive ways to relate.
Astrology

An Excellent Year Ahead

The Solar Return (SR) chart provides a snapshot of the 12-month period, birthday-to-birthday). This is a predictive technique that is short and sweet, leaving the individual concerned ample opportunity to fill in the details.

In addition, from time to time, transits to the natal chart are also used in order to gain confirmation of a certain theme (or themes) and/or more information about specific timing.

An excellent year ahead with only one warning

The following is for Mr GAM – 2019/2020:

An excellent year lies ahead for personal development both on the home front and in Mr GAM’s career. Opportunities for positive change are likely to present themselves and be grasped to maximum advantage. 

Now is the time to work closely with partners (both personal and business) to polish up communication and leadership skills. 

Changes are indicated in work routines that are likely to lead to increased control and power. The only warning for Mr GAM is not to overextend himself. Changes in routine regarding personal health are also indicated so make them beneficial. 

Solar Return Chart 2019/20

ANALYSIS:

  1. SR Sun is sextile/trine to the MC/IC axis (10thand 4thhouse cusps). 
  2. Because the Sun is the most significant planet in the SR chart, this suggests that a great deal of energy and effort will be expended to improve both home and career.
  3. Because the SR Sun is in the 7th house such energy and effort will not be expended alone, but in conjunction with partners, both personal and business.
  4. Major themes include cooperation/negotiation and mutual benefit. 
  5. SR Mercury is widely conjunct the SR Sun (and also in the 7th house). This emphasises that active communication will play an important part in the unfolding of this year’s themes. 
  6. SR Jupiter is also sextile/trine to the MC/IC axis and as such, implies a touch of ‘good luck’ in these endeavours. 
  7. When opportunities fall at our feet it’s still a choice whether or not to embrace them. Because SR Jupiter is also closely sextile to SR Sun, the suggestion is that such opportunities will not only be embraced but also lead to successful expansion of both personal beliefs and goals especially as relates to home life and career.
  8. SR Pluto in the 6th house is also tightly square to the MC/IC axis suggesting a growing understanding of the way in which power operates in furthering or blocking goals. Such understanding could come with some significant upheaval in daily routine. Common manifestations include changing bosses, departments at work, or being given different and new assignments. Changes in routine regarding personal health might also be expected. 
  9. The SR Jupiter/Pluto midpoint is closely conjunct SR Venus. This suggests a successful push for power that results in improved leadership skills. Greater creativity in personal self-expression is also highlighted as well as in increase in self-confidence. 
  10. Transiting Saturn will conjunct the natal Mercury on and off for the entire period. This transit occurs once in 28 ½ years and suggests increased seriousness in personal learning and development especially in regards to communication skills.
  11. The key to making this work out to maximum advantage is NOT to overextend oneself. 
Astrology

All Change – Solar Return for Ms CE

The Solar Return (SR) chart gives a brief snapshot of the 12-month period (birthday-to-birthday). Such predictive techniques are necessarily short and sweet, giving ample opportunity for clients to fill in the details.

From time to time, transits to the natal chart are also used to gain more information.

The following is for Ms CE – 2019-2020:

change

All change.

You’re in for an exciting (if not bumpy) ride during this period. Although it’s impossible to say how things will turn out, it is more than likely to work out to your benefit as long as you resist the urge to get engaged in power struggles in regards to your partnerships (both business and personal).

EMILY SR 2ANALYSIS:

  1. SR Pluto (21 Capricorn 48) is conjunct your 7th house cusp and also sextile/trine to your MC/IC (4th and 10th houses) axis.This means that as far as your next twelve months are concerned, you can anticipate a profound change in your partnerships, both personal and business (7th house). This could  result in a power struggle – but if so, you most certainly are not guaranteed to get your way.
  2. Whether or not change is instigated by you or your partner remains to be seen however, because of the aspect to your MC/IC axis, this is likely to effect both your career and home life.
  3. The most beneficial way to use this energy is to honestly face whatever is at the base of the need for change. Do not give in to the urge to fall into ‘old ways’ of relating, whatever they may be. They will not serve you well this time.
  4. Another suggestion of huge change is your SR Sun in the 8th  house. It is common with this placement for a complete life-style change – for example,  quitting work or returning to school full-time. Equally possible, is moving house. The purpose of all this is for you to gain control over your life especially so as to prevent others from (emotionally) manipulating you.
  5. Planetary transits to your natal chart also suggest a significant change in your home and personal circumstances:
    1. Transiting Uranus conjunct to your Natal Moon– home and family situations (as well as relationships with women) are likely to prove highly unstable during this period. They may change abruptly and in unexpected ways. New emotional commitments may be established and old ones terminated. Whatever happens this is bound to be an exciting (if not bumpy) ride that is more than likely to work out in your favour – This is a once-in-a-lifetime transit.
    2. Transiting Uranus opposition your natal Uranus– classic mid-life crisis transit – expect the unexpected –all change and for the better – this also a once-in-a-lifetime transit.
    3. Transiting Saturn conjunct your natal Venus– getting very serious about relationship and partnerships – light and airy will no longer do. Commitment is the name of the game, at least from your point of view. It remains to be seen if you get it.
    4. Transiting Neptune square your natal Mars– getting anything accomplished during 2019-20 may prove frustratingly difficult, at least in the sense of getting them to turn out as you’ve planned. One potential manifestation of this is men in your life being confused especially in regards to your relationship. Try to keep everything as clear and above-board as possible and do, please, take care of your health.
    5. Transiting Pluto conjunct natal Mercury – this is a unique chance to come to grips with the hidden meanings and motivations behind your own words and those of others. Travel abroad may also leave you profoundly affected. Take what you can from such circumstances and use it to your advantage.
Alchemy

The Daemon of Carl Jung

In Plato’s Republic(The Myth of Ur), souls cue up to choose their next life and are assigned a daemon – an overseer for that life. In classic astrology, daemon could be determined using one’s natal chart and as the result, it was incumbent upon the individual to establish contact with (or invoke) his or her daemon. In many respects, this was exactly what Jung was doing whilst writing and illustrating the Red Book, which he considered to the ‘prima materia’ for his life’s work.

Daemon can be understood as fate – but not fate in the sense that it comes from outside us. Instead, daemon is our personal unconscious pushing through the creative impulse to encourage us to accomplish that which we are meant to do. Naturally, you may choose to reject or ignore Daemon (or your fate) but there is a price to be paid. Equally, following Daemon (either eagerly or begrudgingly) does not guarantee you an easy ride.

Carl Jung had Aquarius rising. This means that Saturn, the ruler of Aquarius was his daemon, or at least it was in his eyes although not all astrologers (classical or modern) might agree.

When it comes to daemon, it isn’t so much that Saturn the planet was running the show but instead the symbolism surrounding Saturn. According to the 3rd century Neo-Platonist, Iamblichus, symbols are the footprints of the gods, wondrous tokens sent down from above. In this sense, a symbol can never be a man-made design. Symbols pre-exist and hence carry energy that exerts power over us not unlike Jung’s archetypes.

Jung

Jung believed it was vital that he understand his daemon – no, more than that – he was determined to establish a personal relationship with his daemon and it is highly likely this was accomplished through magical ritual.

To that end, the Red Book, Jung communicates with several different Saturnian figures (Elijah, The Old Scholar, The Anchorite, The Librarian, and the Professor) that culminate with Philemon (whose name, Jung always wrote in Greek, most probably for magical reasons).

Several key points are of significant interest regarding these Saturnian figures and as ought to be expected in many respects they are all deeply paradoxical.

  • The Saturnian figures in Red Book are all associated with rocks and stones – imperishable – belonging to and of the earth – present in the beginning of time on earth and presumably present at the end. It is not surprising that this stone/rock motif comes up often in Jung’s writings. He had been fascinated with them since youth.
  • Jung’s Saturnian images are all old men – SENEX – they are also thinkers –seekers of wisdom (as opposed to knowledge). Philosophers. They are magicians, too. This is in keeping with the writings of Marsilio Ficino, a 15thcentury Italian scholar who appears to have heavily influenced Jung’s work.
  • All Jung’s Saturnian images are recluses and sad. These are in keeping with traditional associations with Saturn.
  • Several of Jung’s Saturnian images are associated with religion and more specifically, religious experience. Not all of them are complimentary or supportive of religion. Indeed, Philemon is always shown as lame and this might well be suggesting a connection with the devil. Philemon, after all, did always have a serpent hanging around.
  • Philemon was also connected with Mercury, the hermetic figure and the philosopher stone. Hermes Trismegistus, who controlled both the sun and the moon was semi-divine and he is, in essential ways, very much like Philemon (who was also a magician – possessing his own grimoire). This highlights the importance of the ancient art of alchemy. Saturn is lead, the metal of transformation and redemption.

In The Astrological World of Jung’s Liber Novus, Dr Liz Greene suggests that because Philemon drew together Saturnian ideas and images from a number of ancient disciplines and cosmologies, he allowed Jung to build a workable bridge between the pagan and Christian aspects of his own world view.

Those  of us who are interested in similarly understanding the complexity of our own daemon, or chosen ‘fate’, might be well-advised to perform similar invocations and explorations. Dr Greene reminds us that during that difficult period in Jung’s life, his work with Philemon and predecessors gave Jung a connecting thread of meaning that helped him to understand his situation. Likewise, we may also turn to our daemons for help when things get tough.

Never forget, however, that working with daemons is not for the faint of heart. Jung’s daughter reported that things ‘went bump in the dark’ in the house when Jung was working with Philemon – things that we might well call supernatural.

%d bloggers like this: