Happy Saturnalia

Saturn Vs. Jesus.
Today is the Winter Solstice and as far as most people in the modern world are concerned that simply translates as time to bust a move with the holiday shopping or check out a Paul Winter concert.
Is there more to life than Jesus and Shopping in our lovely divisive world of red and shades of blue? Well, yes, Saturn: The Karmic Taskmaster without whom no commerce would even be possible. No wonder we love to shop 'till we drop on Saturn's Day.
On the Solstice, the Sun enters Capricorn: the constellation that Saturn rules. The sun makes it's long ascent back to the north pole, home of Saturn Claus himself. The ancient Romans celebrated Winter Solstice with a festival called Saturnalia, dedicated to Saturn (as they revered him as their god of agriculture.) In the early 4th Century, the Roman Emperor Constantine declared that Christianity would be the new faith of the Roman Empire. What happened to Saturn? It's not nice to dis His Greatness. The Saturnalia was given a new name and meaning. Saturnalia is of course now known as the birthday of Jesus (It's more likely that he's a Pisces which means his real birthday is not for a few more months) and was from that time on known as Christ Mass or Christmas as we know it today.
Saturnalia was also a time to worship the tree as a symbol of life in China, India and in Native American culture but now it's more about plastic no-fuss trees, tacky ornaments and tacky big budget films. The most important remnant of Saturnalia that remains: Saturn Claus-Big Daddy Saturn Claus...He's making his list and checking it twice...gonna find out who's naughty or nice...
So be good for goodness sake.

Salutations to Saturnian Mahatma Maher

It's that time of year to give praise to gurus, miracles and saviors. It's no wonder that Bill Maher (www.billmaher.com), the sardonic sage of our age was born right on the cusp between Capricorn and Aquarius-both signs ruled by Saturn. He reminds us that in our darkest moments, when oppression overwhelms us and sadness smothers us, where do we find the strength to keep going?-oh wait that's a White Stripes song-
Anyway, the point is that our sense of humor may be the only thing to save us. It may look like Saturn majorly missed a spot by not forcing Dubya to retire during his current second Saturn Return as often occurs with this transit (especially with Saturn in the 12th house of retreat and solitary confinement). We can only hope that Big Daddy Saturn is just biding his time with our little one with the Messiah complex, simply waiting for that perfect moment to sweep down (like He does in the Vedic story-see mythology page) and slap him upside his egotistical crown, expose every last detail of the storehouse of lies until Dubya gets down on his hands and knees and begs for mercy-or rather Cheney. Just a little holiday reverie for those moments you need to divert your attention away from the ecstasy of holiday consumerism. As Mahatma Maher likes to say "Let the faith-based healing begin."