Artwork by Priscilla Marden www.horsewarriors.com
Priscilla Marden, a long-time friend and co-collaborator in teaching, and I were comparing notes the other day on the solar hot flashes inundating our Earth in this current cycle of solar flares. Priscilla’s marvelous gift for both humor and language succinctly said “it’s like Solar Whiplash.” Priscilla is a great poet and she also ‘thinks’ in images and I am excited to present some of them here.
There’s no doubt whenever Saturn appears to go backward once a year~that’s what retrogradation means~the world both advances in dramatic catalytic ways and comes to a screeching halt. In 2010, it was concurrent with the devastating Haitian earthquake. Last year in 2011~it was the day the on-going Egyptian revolution began.
To have this planet linked to the element of lead~the status quo~old power~melancholy~stop dead in its tracks in relationship to Earth is always symbolic of a shift of power. But the old guard NEVER wants to release control and so revolutions must occur. Both inner and outer revolutions.Whoever thinks they will always have all the power is delusional.
Prepare for whiplash~to move suddenly and forcefully~jerk or jolt
Get ready for dramatic shifts
Priscilla’s astrological series of painting are enigmatic channeled images that require study and contemplation. We may not know what she has somehow “seen” till after the fact~she is a visionary artist~but just examining how these paintings make you feel holds clues. Even she is at times puzzled by what visions she is being given.
The image above (“Addictions” by Priscilla Marden) surely describes the tension of the power struggles we may be feeling both within and without.
Saturn’s mythology is complex and paradoxical. You may want to see where your own investigation and discovery might take you. Google Shekinah. Trust your own inner guidance as Saturn is Hierophant: our wise Inner Teacher.
Saturn: patriarchal and authoritarian~the laws of man
Saturn: Shekinah the deep feminine~the laws of nature
Saturn’s transit cycles are 9 months: the gestation for human birth
Saturnalia: Pan~wild release
Saturn: stern/boring or the wryest sense of humor
Saturn: discipline yourself or be stopped by outside forces
As with every archetype we have a choice as to how we will experience and express the energy.
I imagine in the coming months there will be personal and collective confrontations of these various threads of Saturn’s expression clashing and erupting in new conversation. Rarely peaceful, always insightful.
“Queen of Pentacles” by Priscilla Marden
Blessed Shekinah
This current planetary cycle of Saturn’s Retrograde coincides with the new year, a time of planting seeds of intention about where your next wave of creativity is taking you. Life is dynamic and is always asking us to keep growing to stay healthy. Yet the action of a planet going retrograde is more about HALT and RE-EVALUATE. And this year Saturn’s Retrograde is concurrent with Mars Retrograde (see my previous post). Our two most outward determined planets advising
PAUSE
wait a minute
be patient
get grounded
get real in your goals
wait till you hear your Heart’s true authority speaking to you
your wise sure Teacher guiding you
your wise sure Self listening
revealing illuminating your next steps
This is Saturn’s gift
“Hand Heart by Priscilla Marden”
If we will cherish this most necessary of times to quiet ourselves and gather ourselves from within we will eventually~when Saturn goes direct June 25~experience much success without. As Within, So Without, ancient wisdom, a repeated mantra on this Sky Oracle. This is not about waiting but preparing and focusing and connecting with an inner determination to do what is most beneficial for ourselves which leads to what is most beneficial to the communities we are part of.
Make the link.
What benefits your heart benefits all.
How blessed we are.
“Touch the World” by Priscilla Marden”
Priscilla drew her own hand in response to an assignment she gave to her students. The assignment is called “Touch the World” and it’s about what touches you in your life and how you want to touch the world.
A fitting exercise for this Saturn Retrograde.
May you pause and draw your own paws and sense how you are meant to shift the world.
Ah, such love,
Lyn Dalebout
deerlyn@gmail.com
