Saturn in Cancer inevitably brings motherhood to the fore. Two new books deconstruct long-held stereotypes about mommyhood and womanhood.

Deborah Siegel says that "American popular culture has long cast women -- and in particular, mothers -- according to rigid scripts."

Well, now that Saturn's settled into for his once-every-thirty-years visit to the sign of the archetypal feminine, expect some upheaval in this arena. Birth control, the abortion debate, and the threat to women's rights -- we'll visit all of these issues over and over until Saturn leaves Cancer in the summer of 2005.

Last time Saturn was in Cancer, by the way, Roe v. Wade was decided.

Maybe we'll make some progress this time around, too...

Finally, sociological edification! Some smart people have gone and done a study about why turning thirty sucks. Apparently, "Becoming an adult takes longer today than in previous decades, with many not achieving all the traditional markers -- starting a career, forming a new household, starting a family -- until after age 30, according to a study by the Network on Transitions to Adulthood."

Like we told you, it's not just the stars. The Saturn Return has deeper implications for us "postmodern postadolescents", according to sociologist Kay Hymowitz.

Back in the day, Saturn Returns inspired the sort of quiet, passive suffering exhibited by such talented lovelies as poet-genius Sylvia Plath. Rather than fight for her life, she finally gave up and killed herself, effectively eliminating any opportunity for her to survive her Saturn Return.

Interestingly, in the film version of Plath's life, Gwyneth Paltrow played the leading role whilst she was in her actual Saturn Return. And even more disconcerting, Paltrow's father died on the eve of her thirtieth birthday, while in Rome to celebrate with his daughter. Creepy, creepy. One more note -- Paltrow, having worked her butt off making this movie during her Saturn Return (in Cancer, sign of motherhood) has been rewarded with an adorable rock star husband and a (thus far) healthy pregnancy.

Check it. Plath knew from Saturn (We don't call him Big Daddy Saturn for nothing.)

From Daddy

You do not do, you do not do
Any more, black shoe
In which I have lived like a foot
For thirty years, poor and white,
Barely daring to breathe or Achoo.

(more)

Since we are on the topic of Dubya...

Watch how Saturn is patiently hanging out behind the scenes in Georgie's
12th house along with his sun.
Who is this puppet?

The 12th house rules illusions, delusions and hidden enemies...

When Saturn pulls back the magic curtain
and exposes more and more of the real story
it will go a little something like this:

Dubya Dumpty sat on his one little ball. Dubya Dumpty had a great fall.

Bush is already in a spidey hole of his own making.
Will Saturn throw him a bone?

In his hour-long political commerical tonight, Bush the Younger will attempt to stammer over rhetoric that Rove and company have tried to impress on his feeble brain. (Don't you love it when he tries to pronounce new words?)

The State of the Union is the perfect time to unveil a grand, thus far heavily guarded secret.

(Drum roll)

This coming fall, only weeks before the election, George W. Bush will experience something many of you, dear readers, have been going through lately -- his (second) Saturn Return! The trouble should start brewing around August 20th, and on October 1st, 2004, his Saturn Return will be exact, in his 12th house of secrets and lies. If American world domination and the merging of God and state are not your bag, take heart. The last time Saturn was in Cancer, we had Watergate. Expect a scandal. CIA leak, 9/11 papers, Paul O' Neil...It's a real grab bag. (We're taking bets. Email your guesses to info@saturnreturn.net.)

So, whoever turns out to be the Democratic frontrunner after last night's debacle can relax a wee bit. Athough extensive research has not yet been completed, initial investigations reveal that Georgie was busy getting arrested for drunk driving when he was thirty. Not exactly exhibiting mature, adult Saturn Return Survivor behavior. And you gotta get it right the first time, or the second one sucks. Big time. Why do you think we wrote this book in the first place?

I think it's time to vote him off the island, don't you?

Move over Mars, you're hogging the spotlight.

Getting Closer to Saturn

Reflections on His Greatness:

Fact: Saturn is in His detriment in Cancer.

Observation: Saturn is the Archetype of the World.

Deduction: The World is in its detriment.

We don't need to reference any specific breaking news to tell you that.

"It's important that awake people be awake. The darkness around us is deep."
-William Stafford

Better than a good shot of espresso to wake up a sleepy mind:

www.outofbalance.org

So much news, we forgot to blog.

Howard Dean's been getting hit hard. As the democratic superstar, he's a natural target, of course. But little does Joe Trippi know that his beautifully-branded front runner is up against an astrological humdinger right now: Saturn is pounding Dean's Cancer rising chart. (The events of this week seem to prove that this is his correct birth time, in fact.) Starting on Saturday (Saturn's day) the planet of karma exactly hit the part of Dean's chart that has everything to do with his image.

Fear not, Dean-supporters: this influence will linger for a few months and likely resolve itself in some way by the end of April.

One day soon we'll relish being dissenting eccentrics and take a closer look at vegan lefty Dennis Kucinich's chart. Really, not kidding.

House of Sand and Fog is the perfect archetypal representation of Saturn in Cancer: Our universal quest for home, for a piece of land to call our own.

It really pulls on that part of our psyches that's longing for a place where we truly feel we belong. What does it mean to have our home taken away from us? Being homeless, losing our roots, wandering aimlessly...where is Auntie Em?!

Further proof that Saturn is making himself heard in Cancer.

The Rover's main mission? Finding evidence of WATER.

Cancerian, life-supporting, wet, wet delicious water.

Go little Rover, go!

Mars Rovers in Quest for Grail: Signs of Water

Stop kidnapping the kids!

All these Amber alerts. What is going on with these loose cannons with the last name of Jones? (Davy not included, as far as I know.) This is a sign of Saturn in Cancer gone awry.

I was also reading in the Crowley astrology bible (yes as in real testament you naysayers!) that Saturn in Cancer saps the morality out of Saturn. Not that we need a planet to evidence this. Thank the stars for the Black Eyed Peas singing their anthem on SNL tonite:

"What's wrong with the world mama?
People livin like they ain't got no mamas"

This is the true up-to-date message of Saturn in Cancer.

Yeah man, "Where is the Love??!!"

Evil genius Karl Rove has launched yet another mustache twirling-worthy scheme. As dastardly as ever, this time, he's put our beloved solar system on his electoral map. C'mon guy, we all want to get to Mars, but this manipulative plan-hatching is waaaay too obvious. Maybe they should wrap that "Mission Accomplished" banner around Bush's torso like a Miss America sash as he announces the space iniative.

Rove would do Machiavelli proud. (He re-reads The Prince every year, btw.) Happily, I smell a right-wing downfall in the not-too-distant future. Rove's sun, Venus and Mercury are placed in Capricorn, and cosmic ass-kicker Saturn is giving them a bunker-buster run for their money this year. We'll be watching his Mercury closely, as Rove is the administation's messenger. (Well-known for his vicious "whisper campaigns"). But June doesn't look to be such a glory-filled month for the man behind the curtain. And Bush the younger's chart ain't lookin' too healthy come this summer, either.

Soon we'll take a closer look at GW's chart, and also, Dr. Dean's.

It was repugnant, but mesmerizing, like a bad car accident.

I somehow found myself involved in last night's premiere of The Apprentice, Donald Trump's latest attention-whoring vehicle. As I watched him last night lording over his court of wannabe corporate kingpins, I felt like throwing up. And it was hard not to squint at the glare of all the guilded objects in his palatial apartment. Trump is a Leo, through and through. I find it fascinating that he is one of many millionaires with a sun-Uranus conjunction in his natal chart.

Here's the ironic part: I was accosted by one the contestants, Sam, over the summer. He tried to get me to sell lemonade for him as I walked by Joe's Pizza late one afternoon. I was annoyed at the time, but I secretly cheered last night when he didn't get fired.


I think he might even win...

All I have to say?

Wow.

Big upps to my ruling planet, Mars. Last night, a bunch of really sweet science nerds at NASA cheered as their beloved rover bounced a bunch of times and finally landed safely on the surface of the Red planet to search for past signs of life.

Space Probe Lands on Mars

This is also interesting from an astrological perspective. Mars entered Aries on December 16th -- its home sign. Mars digs spending time here, but might cause some awkward, violent upheavals (earthquakes, anyone?) and unpleasant warmongering. This is personal and collective. We might feel more ambitious, aggressive, and prone to tantrums when we don't get what we want.

I think I am way too enamored of science nerds.

It's apparently a very big year for Saturn, according to The Scotsman.

We hope this bodes well for the book, of course.

"The twenties are so difficult. It is such a struggle. I'm tired of struggling. I can't wait to be 35."

-- Cameron Diaz, as quoted by Liz Smith in Glamour

New year, new blog. That's what we say.

Welcome to the official blog of www.saturnreturn.net. We will ruminate, insufferably, on a vast array of subject matter here. From the socio-cultural implications of turning thirty to why the stars are rocking the planet with so many earthquakes in the last few weeks. From celebrities freaking their way through their Saturn Returns to Howard Dean's chart and the coming election. We may even discuss what it feels like to have a major book promotion going on at Barnes and Noble.