saturn, pluto and the sacred marriage process...a pluto cycle is designed to be irrational, meaning...

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ByDanielGiamariofortheShamanicAstrologyMysterySchoolwww.shamanicastrology.com

S A T U R N , P L U T O A N D T H E S A C R E D M A R R I A G E

P R O C E S S

T H E S H A M A N I C A S T R O L O G Y M Y S T E R Y S C H O O L

By Daniel Giamario

TM

Edited by Barbara Taylor and Cayelin Castell

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Saturn,PlutoandtheSacredMarriageProcess

AShamanicAstrologyLensontheFascinatingJourneytoInnerWholeness

ByDanielGiamarioEditedbyBarbaraTaylorandCayelinCastellWhatistheSacredMarriage?Itcouldbearguedthatmostindividualsinourcontemporarycultureare‘wired’tolookoutsidethemselvesforcompletion,wholeness,andhappiness.Mostofusarefamiliarwiththeintenselongingtofindthemagicalother:thesoulmate,thetwinflame,thebeloved.Thislongingservesausefulpurposeinmotivatingeventhosewhoareinherentlyautonomous,orarenunciate,tolearnmoreaboutselfthroughrelationshipwithanother.Itcouldbesaidthattherelationshipquestistheyogaofourcurrenttime.Findingthe‘perfect’partner,however,doesnoteliminatethepersonalworkrequiredalongthepathtoinnerwholeness.IntheShamanicAstrologyparadigmwecallthisprocessofcreatinginnerwholeness–withorwithoutapartner–TheSacredMarriage.AsignificantcontributionofShamanicAstrologyistheobservationabouthowmenandwomenprojectthesignoftheiroppositesexplanet(Venus/formenandMars/forwomen)ontotheirpartner.Inotherwords,womenandmenlookoutsideofthemselvesfortheimageryoftheothertheycarryinside.ThekeytocreatinginnerwholenessortheSacredMarriage,isformentoclaimtheirownVenus,andforwomentoclaimtheirownMarsratherthanbeingattheeffectoftheirprojections.Thisappliestoeveryone,eventhosewhohavehadsuccessatmanifestinganexternalrelationship.Whilethismaysoundrathertidyandstraightforward,theprocessitselfcanbeanythingbuttidyorstraightforward!It’sveryhelpfultohaveaheadlampandamapinthisterrainandShamanicAstrologyprovidesboth.Whiletheoutcomeofagrailquestisneverassured,wefindinsightinWaltWhitman’sSongofMyself:“IconfessIhaveurgedyouonwardwithme,andstillurgeyou…”WorkingWithTheSurroundingInfluencesInthisexplorationourattentionisspecificallyturnedtotheplanetsmostassociatedwithprojectedimageryinrelationships.I’mproposingcategoriesofexperiencethatoccurinaperson’slifedefinedbytheSacredMarriageCycles.Someofthesecyclesareenforced,meaningtheyentailatimewhenyouhavenochoicebuttofaceandaddresstheseissues.ThesearetimesyoufinditnecessarytodotheSacredMarriagework,evenifitischallengingorunpleasant.Ofcourseapersoncanrefusetoengagethisprocessbutthenthechallengesusuallymagnify.

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ThereareothercyclesfeaturingtheSacredMarriagethataremoreenjoyable.Inthesecyclesyouaren’tlearningthroughviolationordeficiency,butratherthroughmorepleasantways.Itseemshumanbeingstendtolearnthroughmoredifficultstrategies!Perhapsifitwidelycaughtonthatwearecapableoflearningthroughotherways,wecouldchangeourunderstanding!However,fornowitisthedifficultstrategiesthatusuallygetourattention.TheSaturnandPlutoEffectToAMan’sVenusOrAWoman’sMarsInthisexplorationitisnecessarytofirstdefinethetermsofinclusionsuchasoppositions,squares,andconjunctionsthatoccurnatallyonaperson’schartwithregardtoSaturnandPluto.Additionally,wewilllookatthecycleswhenthereissignificantinfluenceonawoman’sMarsoraman’sVenusfromeitherPluto,orSaturn,orboth.AnadditionalfactortoconsiderfortheindividualwhomightotherwisebypassthismaterialbecausetheydonothavePlutoorSaturnsquare,conjunct,oroppositetheirMarsorVenusiswhentheSuniswithin15degreesofMars(onawoman’schart)or10degreesofdirectVenus(onaman’schart).VenuswiththeSunwhenRetrograde,isanentirelydifferentcategory.ThisfactorisaninnovativecontributionofShamanicAstrologybutislikelysomethingtheancientsknew,operatingasunderworldstrategysimilartowhenapersonhasPlutosquare,conjunct,oroppositetheirMarsorVenus.ThereasonaSun-MarsconjunctionoraSun-Venus(direct)conjunctionareimportantisbecauseyouvisuallycannotseeaconjunctionwiththeSun:it’sbelowthehorizonor,inShamanicAstrologyterms,ithasgoneintotheunderworld.IbelievethisisthewaytheancientsknewandunderstoodtheunderworldinitiationbecausetheycouldnotseePluto.SowhyarewejustlookingatSaturntoawoman’sMarsandnottoherVenusinthispartofthediscussion?It’sbecauseawoman’sMarsshedsmorelightonherrelationalissues.IfawomanhasSaturnorPlutotoherVenus,shewillgothroughSaturnissuestobecometheversionofthegoddessshecametobe.IfherVenusisinLibra,shedefinitelyhasrelationshipimplications,butifherVenusisinAquariusit’sadifferentstory!Likewise,foraman,havingSaturnorPlutotohisMars,influenceswhathewillgothroughinhislifetobecometheversionofthemasculine(orgod)heisheretobe.HowareSaturnandPlutodifferent?InordertounderstandthiswholedealwithSaturnandPlutotoawoman’sMarsoraman’sVenus,wehavetofirstunderstandthedifferencebetweenSaturnandPlutoinitiations.PlutoisanunderworldinitiationandSaturnisamiddleworld(objectivereality)initiation.Inotherwords,theseinitiationsoccurindifferentrealms,haveadifferentintentandareexperienceddifferently.

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Pluto:SurrenderingtotheUnderworldInitiationAnUnderworldexperienceisatimewhenthethreemainwaysweusuallyhandlechallengeswillnotwork.Thesethreewaysofhandlingchallengesare:

1. Peopleofactiontendtousestrength,muscle,orwilltoremoveanobstacle.

2. Peoplewhoarethinkingtypeswillperceiveanobstacleorchallengeasapuzzletosolve,orsomethingthatcanbefiguredoutwiththeheadorintellect.

3. Thethirdapproachisexpressedthroughthevarietiesofdenial.Themostcommonis,“Ididn’tcareabouthimanyway,soit’sallgood!”Thistypeofdenialgoesbyvariousnames:spiritualbypass,lightpolarization,etcetera.Basically,thepersonissaying:“Idon’tcare!”

Anothertypeofdenialthatcomesupistheworkaholicwhodecidestoremainsobusy,sooccupied,soinvolvedintheirwork,theydon’tnoticeanyobstaclesorchallenges.

Pleaseunderstandthisisnotacriticismofanyoftheseapproaches;wehavealldoneoneormoreofthem!TheimportantthingtoknowistheUnderworldInitiatoryprocessiswhenthesestrategiesdon’twork.Instead,thesecyclesaretypifiedbytheexperienceofpowerlessness,chaos,andirrationaleventsresultinginnochoicebuttosurrender.InPluto’srealmwearedealingwithconditionsthatrequireustosurrender.Iwouldfurthersuggestthereisnosuccessfultechniqueforsurrender.Infact,ifthereweresuchatechnique,itwouldn’tbetruesurrender!Manytrytodiscoverthistechniquebuteventuallycometounderstandthattheyhaven’tyetreachedsurrenderiftheyarestillattemptingtouseatechnique.APlutocycleisdesignedtobeirrational,meaningwhenit’sanunderworldinitiationitdoesn’tworktoemploythecommontendencytothink,whensomethingdifficulthappens:“Well,itmustbebadkarma”or“Oh,itmustbeapunishmentforhavingdonesomethingwrong”or“Thisisabsoluteproofofmyowndeficiency.”Norcanwetrulyfigurethisoutbyconcluding,“IfI’ddonesomethingdifferent,thiswouldn’thavehappened.”WhenPlutoentersthesceneitushersinconditionsutterlyandcompletelybeyondourcontrol.Worthrepeatinghereisthatinthistypeofcycleitisnotareferendumonwhetherwe’vebeengoodorbad,rightorwrong,oranyofthat.Tosayitintheleastelegantway,itistheastrologicalequivalentofthatoldbumpersticker“ShitHappens.”Saturn:GrowthThroughLimitationsandBoundariesOntheotherhand,Saturnislogical.InaSaturncycleyoucanfigureitout,thoughoftenwhenyoudofigureitoutyoumaynotliketheanswer!It’slikeSisyphus,laboringtopushtherockupthehillandassoonashereachesthetoptherockcrashesbackdown.Afterthe18thor19thyearitseemshewouldhavefiguredoutthatthesamethingwasgoingtokeeponhappening.ASaturninitiationoftenfeelsliketheculturaldefinitionofinsanity:youdothesamething,withthesameresult,everyday,andyetsomehowyoukeepexpectingtheoutcomewillbedifferentthenextday.PeoplewithstrongSaturnarefrequentlyamongthemoststubbornpeopleintheworld!Somemightgetitwithinthefirstyear;others,inthe15thyear,other’smuchlater.Inotherwords,howmanytimeswillyouhavetogothroughit,beforeyougetit?

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Here’sanexample:aclientcomplainsabouthowunfairhisorherlovelifehasbeen,howmanyobstaclesordisappointmentstherehavebeen.Ifit’saSaturnissue,theguidanceis:“Well,whatdoyouexpect?Thisisthenthtimeyou’vechosenthesamekindofwomanorman.Changethegame!”UnlikePluto,itispossibletofigureSaturnout.Howeversomepeoplecanfigureitoutsoonerthanothers.Saturninstructsustochangethegame.Rememberthisisnotajudgmentaboutyoubeinggoodorbad,rightorwrong,sufficientorinsufficient,perfectorimperfect.Itissimplytimetochangesomething.BeingaSaturnconjunctVenuspersonmyself,Ireceivedthisteachingdirectly(andpainfully)fromawomanthatcameintomylifeduringaPluto(square)cycle.ItwasanactivationofmySaturn-Venusconjunction.Itisagrislystory,butIlearnedsomethingveryimportantfromit.Fortheveryfirsttimeinmylife,ImetawomanwhoItrulythoughtwantedtobemarriedtome.SheproposedtomeunderatotaleclipseoftheMoonandIaccepted.(NOTE:ItisnotwisetoacceptamarriageproposalunderatotaleclipseoftheMoon!)Sowesentoutabout100weddinginvitationsandthenextday,shesaid:“Daniel,youknowIdon’tbelieveinmarriage.Ijustwantedtoseewhatyouwoulddo.”Ouch.ShewasaSagittarius-Aquarius,anditturnsoutshehadshape-shiftedintowhatshethoughtIwantedhertobe!ButIdidn’tgiveupeasilyasIwasprettyhookedintotherelationship(shewasquitetheseductress).OnthemorningwhenIfinallygaveuptherelationship,Iclearlyrememberherscreamingatme,“Theguideshavejusttoldmethatitwasn’tintendedtowork!”ItwasthelasttimeIeversawher.ThisexperiencereleasedmefromtheSaturnprisonbecauseIknewIhaddoneeverythingright.Itsimplywasn’tintendedtowork.Thegoldenmessagecamedirectlyfromthepersonwhohadinflictedalotofpain,revealingtomehowmuchIactuallydidwantamarriageandtobesomeone’snumberonepriority.Butthisparticularrelationshipwasn’tintendedtowork.IhadlearnedthecoreofSaturn’steachingandreceivedagift.ThisdescribesthedifferencebetweenSaturnandPluto.Saturnteachesushowtogrow,change,andevolvethroughlimitationsandboundaries.Itsoundslikesomethingnegative,butultimatelyitistheprocessofmaturation.Whenweencounterboundariesitisthebestwaytogrow.It’snotanunderworldprocess,butonethatistotallynatural.Theanalogyinnatureisthesnakesheddingitsoldskin.Imagineifthesnakehadself-awarenessandseestheoldskincomingoff,itmightthink:“I’mindeeptrouble.It’sover.I’mfinished.”Afteralltheskinisouridentity.It’swhatweknow.However,everyoneoutgrowstheoldskinsoanewskin(anewidentity)cantakeitsplace.SaturnRequiresActionWhentheoldskiniscomingoffandyougetoveryourfearthattheremightnotbeanewskinunderneath(becauseyouneverknowitmightbethelastskin),youstillhaveactiontotake.Ifthesnakedoesn’ttakeactiontomoveoutoftheoldskinitmightsuffocate.SoactionisrequiredinaSaturncycle.Infact,Saturncyclesareimportanttimestotakeaction,particularlyaroundclearingthespacethatyouknowforsureisnolongerworking.

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ThisimpactsmenandwomenwhentheirnatalMarsorVenusundergoesasquare,conjunction,oroppositionwithSaturnorPluto.WithrespecttotheSacredMarriage,thisisthebestsetofarticulateinstructions,enforcingandinsuringapersondoesthework.Iftheydon’tengagetheSacredMarriagetheywillnotexperiencetheintendedwholenessthatresults.Remember,theworkdoesnotariseoutofbeingdeficientinsomeway,orneedingtoseekimprovement.It’saboutbeingforcedtodotheinnerSacredMarriagetochangethegameandthereforeexperiencegreaterinnerwholeness.PeoplewhohavetheseSaturnorPlutoaspectsnatallywillexperienceeverypossiblevariationofmentalexplanationknown.It’sbadkarma,orthegoddessdoesn’tloveme,ornomatterwhatIdoit’snotgoodenough,Iamdeficient,etcetera.Thewayapersonexperiencesthisisrelativetothearchetypetheycarrybutit’sstillwithinthegeneralflavorofsomekindofdeficiency.Whenthishappenstoaman’sVenus,hetypicallyfeelsheissomehowinadequate,orthathehastogetbetterinsomeway.Itispossiblethiscouldshowupastheotherwayaround-meaningwhenapersonhassuchhigh,stringentstandards-noonemakesthegrade,anditbecomesawaytoavoidbecomingintimate.However,themajorityoftimetheSaturnthemeshowsupasdeficiency.It’sfortunateIdon’tfollowtraditionalastrology,becauseaccordingtomedievalastrologers,noonecouldhaveamoreflawedcombinationthanme.Witharuleronmyascendant,SaturnVenusandaCapricornMoon,thisisconsideredthemaximumallotmentofSaturnapersoncanhave!Anastrologerdidareadingformeusingthesemedievaltechniquesyearsago.HeindicatedthattherewasatimewhennoonewouldhavedoneareadingformebecausetheywouldbecertainIwouldn’tlivepasttheageoffive!Longstoryshort:IhadtobecomegoodfriendswithSaturn.SaturnAllTheWayIt’salsotrueweareaskedtotakeSaturn’sfullcurriculum.Allthosescenariosassociatedwithdeficiencywherewetryharder,orwetrytobecomebetter,ortobemorepatient,orwejustgiveup–setusuptofeelasifthesacredfeminine(formen)orthesacredmasculine(forwomen)isimpossibletoplease,nomatterwhatwedo.Apersoncanevenhavearesumethatobjectivelyshowstheyaretheoppositeofdeficient.Forexample,youmighthavebeeninarelationshipwhereyouknowyouwerethebestpossiblelover,orsupporter,oryoudemonstratedwhateveryourpartnerwantedtobevaluedfor,whereyoufullyshowedupandstillyoudidnotgetafairreturn-meaning,howeveryoumeasuredthesituationtofeelthatyouwerebeingtreatedwell-didn’thappen.Sowhatisthisexperienceabout,ifit’snotgoingtobesolvedbystrategiesforgettingbetteratrelationship?Wecanrepeatthepatternoverandoveragain,tryingtogetitright,onlytofindthatwhileit’sperhapsbecomingmoresubtle,it’sstillthesamepatternoranotherversionofthesameissue.AnytimeamanhasSaturnVenusonhisnatalchart(square,conjunction,oropposition)thereisapieceofadvicethatworkseverytime,acrosstheboard,regardlessofarchetype.DoNOTbaseyourhappiness(onanylevel)onwhatsomewomanthinksaboutyou.Thepointhereisit’snotaboutbeingperfect,orevenmeetingcertainstandards.Therealityiswomendon’twantperfectpartners.Theywantauthenticpartners.Sotakingwhatawomanthinksaboutyoupersonallyis

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disempowering.Thisdoesnotequatetonotcaringorbeinginsensitive.Itmeansdon’tbaseyourhappinessuponmeetingexpectationsinsomekindofwayyouthinkisperfect.DistinguishingNatalSaturnFromASaturnCycle(RegardingNatalMarsOrVenus)IftheMarsarchetype(orswordquality),ismeasuringhowwellarelationshipisgoing,itcouldbeaturningpoint.However,theemphasishereisontheprojectedimagebecausethatalwayshastodowiththeSacredMarriageprocess.AnexampleofthisisamanImetinhisearly30’swhosechartwasmainlyallAquarius,withMarsinScorpio.HehadanextremelyundevelopedScorpioMarsthatwasundergoingaSaturninScorpiotransit.Itwasamaturationpointforhim,sohecouldlearnmoreaboutthisaspectofhismasculinity.Saturntoaman’sMarsdoesnotalwaysmeanhehastodotheSacredMarriage,butifSaturnistohisVenus,thenhedoes.WhenSaturnistohisnatalVenus,heencountersmanyopportunitiestodotheSacredMarriagework-oftenthroughunpleasantexperiencesalreadymentionedsuchas:deficiency,separation,apparentfailure,somethingthatdoesn’tturnoutwell.Theprevailingquestionis:haveyoubeeninarelationship–whetherlover,husband,wife,orfriendships–whereyouknowyouabsolutelyandobjectivelydideverythingrightanditdidn’tturnout?ThisisasymptomofthepresenceofSaturn!Onceweknowwhatitfeelslikewemightask,“Whatdoesitmean?AndwhatamItodoaboutit?”Myowntakeonthisdynamicisthatit’snotdeficiencyorbadkarmaortoobadforyou,butratherit’sasetofinstructions.Thesearethemostarticulateinstructionsavailableillustratingthatyouarenotgoingtocatchabreakexternallysofocusontheinner-alltheway.SaturnStrategies:TwoLevelsOfMagicTherearetwolevelsofmagicwecanuse:low-levelandhigh-levelmagic.Low-levelmagicmightexpressas:“IfIactlikeIdon’twanther,thenshewillcometome.”Andsometimesthisworks.Highermagiciswhenyouletgoofhavingtheotherbeacertainwaywithyou.It’sscarytodoitthisway,buthigh-levelmagicAllowswherelow-levelmagicisaformofManipulation.Sometimeswhenapersonhassevenoreightrelationshipsthathavenotbeenenjoyable,theyoftengiveuponrelationshipsaltogether.Perhapstheyconvincethemselvesofthefollowing:“I’mfineonmyown,Idon’tneedanyone,Icantakecareofmyself.”Thisisthewarriorstancecompensatingforsomethingthatisnotworking.Itislow-levelmagic.Highmagicisclaiming,owning,orchoosingyourownautonomyorsovereigntyandallowingforwhatevermighthappen.Thiscanbetricky,becauselow-levelmagicsays,“Okay,Iamchoosingmyownautonomy.A-ha!Thistechniqueworks!WhenIchoosemyautonomy,someonecomes!”Itsometimesdoeswork.Butthisisstillnotalltheway.Toenacthigh-levelmagic,youreallyhavetochooseit.It’saconsciouschoice.ThemostradicalarchetypeforthisisLibra.Thisiswhereyouchoosetherelationshipwithyourselftobethefinestpossiblerelationshipyoucouldeverhaveandthereforeifyoueverhaveanotherrelationship,it’ssimplydelightfulandaddstothewholenessyoualreadyhavewithin.

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IfthereisanatalSaturncomplextoawoman’sMarsoraman’sVenusregardlessofthesign,theintentistodotheInnerSacredMarriage.Thisappliestothosewhomaybeinagreatrelationshiporthosewhoarechallengedintheircurrentrelationship,orthosewhohavetroublesustainingarelationship,orthosewhocan’tseemtofindarelationshipatall.ItistruewealleventuallyexperiencecyclesthatareaboutengagingtheInnerSacredMarriage.However,ifapersonhasSaturntotheirMarsorVenusnatally-ithighlightsaveryspecificissuetheyareworkingoninthislife,denotingthekindsofexperiencestheywillhave,includingbarriersandlimitations,unfairconditions,experiencesofdeficiency,takingitpersonally,thinkingthey’renotgoodenough,providingopportunitiesfordeepinnerawarenessandgrowth.Ifyou’vehaveSaturnandyouspendyourlifegoingtoself-improvementseminarsandyoukeephavingthesameexperiences,overandover,thenallthatdoesisgiveyoumorereasonstojudgeyourself!I’mheretotellyouthatit’snotwhatthegameisabout!IfapersonwithSaturntoVenusorMarsreallygetsthistothedepthsoftheirbeing-theywilldiscoverfreedom.ThisiswhyIpersonallythinkthatSaturnisultimatelythemostspiritualplanetbecauseit’stheonethatreleasesusfromthebindingillusionthatlifeisalinear,cause-and-effectgame.EventheTarotexpertsknewthis.ConsidertheDevilcardintheRyder-Waitedeckwithpeopleinchains.Ifyoulookveryclosely,you’llseethatthechainsareactuallyloose!ItsuggestswecantakethosechainsoffwhenwefreeourselvesofSaturn’sfalsereality.Thisisnottosaythereisn’tvalueinhavingaSaturncomplexbecauseofcourseifyouhaveaSaturncomplex,youaregoingtobemotivatedforself-improvement!I’mnotputtingdownself-improvement.WhatI’msayingisthereisnotalogicalconnection.Itisbettertopursueself-improvementforotherreasons.Ifyouwanttobearelationshipexpert,oneofthebestwaysistohavefourorfivemarriages.It’sironicthatmanyself-helpbooksonmarriageorrelationshipcounselingwerebasedonarelationshiptheauthorwaslaudingandbythetimeyougetaroundtoreadingtheirbook,theyarealreadynolongerinthatrelationship!IcanrememberatimewhereIdidn’thaveanyoneinmylifethatwantedtobeinarelationshipwithme.TherealityofagirlfriendorawifeeludedmeuntilIwas43yearsold.WhenIwasinmy30’sgivingrelationshipworkshopsIwasalwaysafraidsomeoneinthebackoftheroomwouldquestionwhytheyshouldlistentomebecausewherewasmypartner?Thankfullythatneverhappened.Thisisn’taboutteachingsomethingwehaveperfected!Mostteachersteachwhattheymostneedtolearn.Andmanypeoplearetherapistsforthatsamereason.AstrategyforSaturntonatalMarsorVenusistorealizeitisuptoyoutoownthatarchetypeyourself.Ittookmeuntilage62togothroughthefinaldoorwayonthis.Ithought,fiveorsixtimes,thatI’dgonethroughthatlastdoorway.Wrong!Iwouldlovetoassistthoseofyouwhoareyoungerthan62togothroughthatfinaldoorwaysooner!

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TheTwo‘Infections’OfSaturnComplexesMostpeoplewithstrongSaturnaremotivatedtobegood,oratleastbethebesttheycanbe.(SomehavebeencompletelycrushedbySaturnbutthatisasmallsubset.)There’snothingwrongwithbeingmotivatedbySaturn.Overthelast2,000yearstherehavebeentwo‘infections’thathaveinfiltratedourrealityasasymptomofthetripleaberrationofmonotheism,hierarchicalpatriarchy,andpatrilinealfamilydescentandallthestructuresthatgowiththese.Saturncomplexestodayaredifferentthantheywere5,000yearsago.Whatarethetwoinfections?

1. Apersonismotivatedtobegoodoutofasenseofdeficiency.IntheWilliamBlakepainting(shownabove)TheJudgmentofAdam,itshowsAdamlookingdowninabjectshameanddesolation.GodispointingatAdamasiftosay“notokay.”ThisimagewasusedonthecoverofJungianauthorSylviaBrintonPerera’sbookonthescapegoatcomplextoillustratethisdynamic.ThejudgmentalfingeristheSaturnaspect.Thereisanotherbookthatcoverssomeofthesesamethemes,JamesHollis’sbookcalledUnderSaturn’sShadow:TheWoundingandHealingofMen(1994).Anotherbookwithregardtowhatwe’relearninghereaboutthesacredmarriageworkisHollis’sbookTheEdenProject:InSearchoftheMagicalOther(1998).

2. Thesecondinfectionisthebeliefthatifweweretoattainthatexternalimageofperfectionwethinkweshouldstriveforoutofasenseofdeficiency-thereisanadditionalrewardfordoingso,apayoffofsomekind.Sorry!Thereisnoconnectionbetweenperfectionandapayoff!Atleast,notinthislifetime.

It’sreallyhardto‘get’orcometounderstandthissecondinfection.IfyouhaveaSaturncomplexthisisexactlywhatyouarelearningtobetrue-thereisnorewardforperfection.IfthereisnorewardforbeingperfectthenthequestioniswhyamIdoingallofthis?ThereneedstobesomeotherreasonandwecangleanthatreasonfromtheRisingSign.ForexampletheScorpiorising’sreasonisbecauseit’saturnon.OrVirgo’sreasonisbecausetheylovebeingintheclosestpossibleharmonytothepattern!TheDistinctFlavorsOfTheTwelveSignsEverysignhasitsownpayoff.Thishasnothingtodowithsomeideathatthegodorgoddessisgoingtoloveyoumoreifyouattainsomenotionofperfection.Thisisadifficultconcepttofinallytrulygrasp.Imean,it’sfairlylogical:lookaroundtheworld.We’veallnoticedthattherearepeopleweobjectivelyknowwhoarefarfromperfectandyettheyseemtogarneragreatreturn.Converselythereisalsotheoppositeexperience,asillustratedbythelargesectioninmostpsychologylibrarieswithtitlesalongthelinesofWhyDoBadThingsHappenToGoodPeople?Theevidenceiseverywherethatthereisnologicalconnectionbetweenperfectionandanadditionalpayoff,sowhyisitthatwedon’tactuallyapplythis?

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WiththisunderstandingyoucannowbethankfulifyouhaveaSaturncomplexbecauseyouareamongtheluckyoneswhoactuallygettoseethroughandbreakthroughthecomplex.Itsfreedom!Thechainswillbetakenoff.Yougettowhereyourealizeyoucanbeperfectifyouwanttobe.OrNot.Itdoesn’tmakeanydifferenceeitherway,unlessbeingthebestyoucanbegivesyousomeotherthrillorreasontopursueit.Capricorn,forexample,reallylikestodoagoodjob.Theirroleistoholdittogetherforthegreatestnumberofpeople.Itfeelsgoodtothem.Therewardisintheactitself.Theremightnotbearewardforit;infactyoumightevenrunintoaniceberglikethecaptainoftheTitanic.HeexemplifiedaCapricornMoon,thoughIrecentlydiscoveredhehadaCancerMoonwithmajorPluto-sonotallthatdifferent.PerfectionIsn’tGoodEnoughI’mnotattemptingtomakelightofhowSaturncanfeel.However,atleastthereisawaythroughtheterritory.Wecallthis‘gettingthejokeofSaturn’anditcanbesummarizedinabriefsayingyoucanwriteoutandpostontherefrigeratororbathroommirror:Perfectionitselfisn’tgoodenough.ORPerfectionisinsufficientforyourliberation.I’mgoingtosharetheSaturnstorythatIsimultaneouslyloveandhatethemost.Itisthestoryyoumayknow,abouttheleaddisciplewhohasbeenfollowingtheguruformanyyears.Heisreallyagoodstudentandanexcellent,number-onedisciple.He’sbeendoingthisfor30years.Duringhisyearswiththeguru,otherpeoplehavebecomeenlightened.Onedayahardenedcriminalarrivesattheashram,areallybaddudewhohaswithoutremorsekilleddozensofpeople.However,inasinglemomentofsurrendertotheguru,hetoobecomesenlightened.Thiscausesnumber-onediscipletoloseit!Hefreaksout.Atthispoint,theguruturnstohimandsays:“Finally,youaremakingprogress!”AmoviethatillustratesthisSaturnprincipleisDeception.Theentireplotrevolvesaroundthemaincharacterbelievingheheardhisdyingfathersay:“Iamdisappointedinyou.”Andsothesonspendshiswholelifetryingtopleaseandbeperfectforhisdad.Throughoutthewholemovie,allhisactionsarebasedaroundthosewordshethoughtheheard.Whathisfatherreallysaidwasthathewasdisappointedthathissonwastryingtobelikehim.Theson’swholelifehadbeenbasedontheedificethathewasnotabletoliveuptohisfather’sstandards;whereashisdadwasdisappointedinhimbecausehewasinfacttryingtodoso.Whenthesonfinallygotthisrealizationitchangedeverything.IfyouhavetheSaturnMarsortheSaturnVenus,youaredirectlyworkingwiththesethemes.SaturnAndLateBloomersNow,thereareothergreatbenefitsofhavingaSaturnsignaturetoyourVenusorMarsthatusuallycomelaterinlife.ThisgettingitlaterinlifescenarioisreferredtoasaLateBloomer.ThisissomeonewhodevelopstheSaturngiftsovertimeaftergoingthroughanintensivecurriculumbeforearrivingatsomethingenjoyable.IfyouhaveSaturntoVenusorMarsyoumightwonder:“Exactlyhowlateisthat?”Itdependsonhowlongittakesyoutogetthejokethatitisnotaboutbeingperfectormeetingsomehighexternalstandard!Often,withSaturnVenusorSaturnMars,itisassimpleasnotgoingforthesametypeofpersoninarelationshipexperience.Itissafetoassumethatthingsdidn’tworkoutasaresultofyoubeingdeficient.Yeswecanalwaysimproveourselvesandhowweshowupinrelationship.Developingrelationshipskills,communicationskills,andinnerwholenessskillsareamusttohaveahealthyrelationship.

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However,ithelpstoknowthatevenifyouwerebetter,theresultwouldhavebeenthesameaslongasyouareseekingyourprojectedexternalother.Ifyoudon’tbelievethat,theninyournextrelationshipyouwillcontinuetotryanddemonstratehowmuchbetteryouareandtheresultwillbethesame.Inthatway,Saturnisrelentless.WorkingwithSaturnThisisoneofthemostremarkabletoolsintheShamanicAstrologytoolkit.IfSaturnistransitingawoman’sMarsoraman’sVenus,andyourhappinessisinanywaybaseduponhowthingsareworkinginyourrelationship,itisgoingtobeadepressinganddifficulttime.Saturn’snine-monthcycleisnotabouttheexternalrelationship.Itisthetimetoworkonyourstuffinyourownspace.Thisdoesnotmeanrelationshipshavetobreakup.However,thisisthetimeforfocusingonyourinnerrelationshipwithyourself.IfyouarenotinarelationshipandyouwanttobewithsomeoneduringSaturntoyourMars(forawoman)orSaturntoyourVenus(foraman),thiscycleisacompletewasteoftimetotrytomakeanexternalrelationshiphappen.Allyouwillfindisdeficiency,one-wayoranother.Thisisnotatimeforsomeonetogetanonlinedatingprofile!Thebestadviceistobeinyourownspace.Now,let’ssayyou’reintherelationshipofyourdreams,youhavenodesiretobewithanyoneelseandthisisthepersonyouwanttobewithfortherestofyourlife.YoucouldgothroughaSaturncycleto(VenusorMars)wonderingwhattodosinceyouarealreadyinagreatrelationship?Ideally,findawaytotakesometimeapart.AnexampleisafriendofminewasgoingthroughSaturntohisVenuswhenhetoldhispartnerthatbecausehewasfinishinghisPHDatOxfordtheywouldn’tbeseeingmuchofeachotheroverthenextfewmonths.Hedidn’tknowaboutthiscycleuntillaterbutitturnedouttobeexactlytherighttimeforthistohappen.MyownpartnerandIhavethiscycleatapproximatelythesametime,sowedosomethingsimilar.Westilltalkandconnectbutwetaketimeawayfrombeingineachother’sspace.Wedon’tnecessarilyfinditthateasytobeapart,butit’stherighttimetodoit.Thisisatimeto‘nottry’withrespecttorelationshipsbecauseallyouaregoingtodoisrunintodeficiencies.ItistheperfecttimetoworkaloneonyourmainSacredMarriageissue(s),evenifit’sassimpleaslovingandenjoyingyourowncompany.EachpersonhastheirownspecificsetofinstructionsforhowtodotheinnerSacredMarriageworkbasedontheirVenusorMarsposition,outlinedonthelasttwopages.TheIntentOfSaturnOnTheAscendant/DescendantAngle(NatallyOrByTransit)IfyouhaveSaturnnatallytoVenus(formen)orMars(forwomen)itisoftenveryconfusingbecauseithasadoublemeaning.Saturnhastodowithformandstructure.TounderstandwhatoccursinaSaturntransit,ithelpstogobacktotheblackandwhitetraditionalmeaning:marriagesordivorces.Ifit’sSaturnhiscrossingthedescendent,thenyou’rereadyformarriage.Or,itcanbetimeforanexistingmarriagetobeover.Intraditionalastrology,it’saclear-cutphaseofdevelopmentregardingthepartnershipproject.IntheShamanicAstrologyParadigmSaturnisaboutbecomingclear–blackandwhite–aboutwhatyouwantina

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relationship-thenyoucantrustyouareready.Inaculturewhereeveryoneisexpectedtomarryattheappropriateage,Saturncrossingthedescendentisanindicatorforoneofthetimestodothis.However,itisalsoimportanttolookathowthisappliestothevariousrisingsignstounderstandtheoverallrelationshipintent.Saturncrossingtheascendantmaybeatimewhenwerealizewewantsomethingdifferentthanwhatwecurrentlyhave.Orweknowwewanttobewiththesameperson,suggestingatimeforcreatingnewvows(orcommitments)essentiallyre-examiningthereasonsyouaretogethersothesereasonsworkforyouboth.Italsomaybetheappropriateendpointofarelationship.Inmyownlife,SaturncrossedmydescendantwhenIwas19(thereisawidevariationaroundwhatagethishappens).IhaveSaturnconjunctVenusandLibrarising.Age19waswhenIhadmyfirstrealgirlfriendandmyfirsthorrendousheartbreak,bothwithinthesamecycle.It’saturningpoint,oramaturationpointatimeformovingtothenextstage.NatalSaturnontheAscendantorDescendantlookedattraditionallyisthoughttorepresentalonglastingmaturemarriage.However,thatcouldbeexperiencedasaprison.Amoreevolvedperspectiveisnolongerengaginginrelationshipforsecurityandlongevityifitblockswhoyouare.DoingTheWork:FromGeneralitiesToSpecificsYourownuniquepathtotheSacredMarriageisbasedonthearchetypeofMars(forwomen)orVenus(formen).WhatisexcitingaboutShamanicAstrologyisthatitextendswhatthemysticsknewintosomethinghighlyworkable.TheSufimysticpoetscalledthisTheGuestdiscoveringwhoweareseekingoutsideofourselveshasbeenwithinusallalong.TheSufisviewedthisasaone-size-fits-allapproach.TheJungianversionalsocomesfromaone-size-fits-allperspectivewhereamanfindshisanima(soul)throughawomanandawomanfindsheranimus(spirit)throughaman.ThisisalimitinggeneralizationfromtheShamanicAstrologyperspective(thoughcertainlybetterthantheFreudianview)thatneedsexpanding.MenwhohavethearchetypeofthefeminineshowingupinAquarius,SagittariusorGeminiareoftenseekingtheirmuse(theonewhocarriesthesongs,poetryandspiritualvisions).IfamanhasVenusinTaurusorinScorpiotheyareseekingtheirsexgoddessortantrika.MenwithVenusinCancerareseekingtheirmother,notamuse!ThecoreoftheSacredMarriageprocesssaysweneedtoownthispartofourselvesandnotjustprojectitontotosomeonetobethatforus.Weneedtofinditwithinourselves.Amandoesn’tactuallyneedtheexternalwoman,thoughitcanbereallycooltohavetheexternalwomantomakeyouawareofit!ThisunderstandingtakesusbeyondtheideathatmenarefromMars,womenarefromVenus!(Seenexttwopages)CertainlythemanymillionsormoreofuswhoidentifyasCulturalCreatives*canhandletheconceptthatwearemorediversethana‘one-size-fits-all’modelwhereinamanneedsawomaninordertofindhissoulorawomanneedsamaninordertofindherspirit!FindoutMoreabouttheSacredMarriageinourReadytoTakeOnlineClassansweringthefollowingQuestions:HowtobeyouyourownbestPartner?Doyouknowwhatyouoryourpartnermayprojectontoeachother?Doyouknowyoursoul’sexternalrelationshipintent?DoyouknowhowtoengagetheSacredMarriagewithinaccordingtoyourpersonalintent?Areyouinterestedingainingpowerfultoolsforcreatingthebestrelationshipsofyourlifeandgreaterwholenesswithinyourself?DidyouknowVenusandMarstogetherintheeveningskyrepresenttheSacredMarriagebetweentheMasculineandFeminine?

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GuidelinesforFocusingyourInnerSacredMarriageWork(BasedonthesignofyouroppositesexplanetorOSP)TheInnerOtherForWomen(VeryBriefSummary)

MarsinAriesOSP:Committoanoblecauseorpurpose.Donotbedependentonanexternalpartnerforthis.Takeactiononyourownandbewillingtobe100%all-inwithyourcommitments.

MarsinTaurusOSP:Developthecapacitytoreceive.Giveyourselfpermissiontosavorandenjoybeinginthebody.Enjoybeautyandaestheticsfortheirownsake.

MarsinGeminiOSP:Getintouchwithyourmagicalcreativity.Enjoyshapeshiftingandthefreedomtobeinanyroleyouchoose.Experiencelifeasaplayfuldance.Takedelightincreativeexpression.

MarsinCancerOSP:Developthecapacitytoprovidenourishmenttoyourself.Acceptyourvulnerability.Bewillingtore-parentyourselfandnotexpectotherstotakecareofyou.Donotfocusononlytakingcareofothers;directtheseenergiestoyourself.

MarsinLeoOSP:Choosetobeanactiveandintuitiveforceincreationandleadership.Don’tliveintheshadeofagreatman.Claimthejoyofbeingcreatorforitsownsake.Createyourownrealityjustbecauseyoucan!

MarsinVirgoOSP:Makeyouremphasisinfindinganddevelopingyoursacredworkorcalling.HonoryourneedforsacredspaceandconnectiontoourEarthMother.Donotrelyontheworkorcareerofyourpartner.

MarsinLibraOSP:Chooseyourselfasyourbestpartner.Developaloveforadeepandcompleterelationshipwithyourself,evenwhenwithabeloved.Donotdefineyourselfthroughanother.

MarsinScorpioOSP:MakethedevelopmentofyourownShakti(activelifeforceenergy)yourpriority.Connectwithyourorganicpassionanddesirewithoutrelyingontheoutsidestimulationofexcitingandprovocativepartners.

MarsinSagittariusOSP:Takeontheresponsibilityofleadingyourownquestformeaningandpurpose.Committoincludingfreedomandadventureinyourlife.Donotrelyonthevisionandinspirationofteachersandpartners.

MarsinCapricornOSP:Takeonapracticalandresponsibleactivityorprojectthatcontributestothesustainabilityofthecommunityandsociety,andservesthewellbeingoffuturegenerations.Bewillingtotakethisonwithorwithoutapartnerwhohasthesequalities.

MarsinAquariusOSP:Bewillingtobecompletelyunique,eveneccentric.Allowyourselftoexperiencetheleadingedgeandtherevolutionaryspacesbeyondwhatisconsiderednormal.Developradical“freeelectron”spaciousnessandrevolutionaryperspectives.MarsinPiscesOSP:OpentothetranspersonalembraceoftheinfiniteloveandnourishmentofthemasculineaspectoftheOneRealityandGreatMystery.Beopentoreceivingacelestialandecstaticsourceofnourishment.Youareworthyofthishealing.

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TheInnerOtherforMen(BriefSummary)

VenusinAriesOSP:Makeacommitmenttoanoblecauseorpurpose,onethatisnotdependentontheinspirationordictatesofapartner.Donotprojectpowerandstrengthontothefeminine.Ownyourownwill.

VenusinTaurusOSP:Placeattentiononyourphysicalembodiment,allowingyourselftoemphasizeyourowncapacitytoenjoyintimacyasart.Donotbeseducedordistractedbythebeautyandintimacyofwomen.

VenusinGeminiOSP:Getintouchwithyourcreative,magical,playfulside.Allowyourselftobethe‘eternalyouth’(pueraeternis).Donotrelyonyourpartnerorwomeningeneralasnecessaryforyourinspiration.

VenusinCancerOSP:Developthecapacitytoprovideyourownnourishment.Seeyourvulnerabilityandlongingfornurturingasastrength.Bewillingtotakeresponsibilityforre-parentingyourself.Aboveall,donotprojectaneedfornurturingontoapartner.

VenusinLeoOSP:Bethecreatorofyourownrealityandthevisioncarrierofyourownlife.Bewillingtoactivelycreateforitsownsake,forthejoyofit.Donotprojectthesequalitiesontoapowerfulsolarfeminine(Amazonian)womaninordertobeinspired.

VenusinVirgoOSP:Makeyourcalling,oryoursacredwork,yourpriority.Developarelationshipwiththenaturalworld:theEarth,thestones,thelandscape,thesky,etc.Findyourownsacredspace.Donotexpectanywomantototally“get”whatyouaredoing.

VenusinLibraOSP:Neverdefinewhoyouarebywhoyouarewith,insteadbecomeyourownbestpartner.Lovebeinginrelationshipwithyourself-thenyouwillfindanexternalrelationshipthataddstoyourwholeness.

VenusinScorpioOSP:Developyourownphysicalandemotionalpassionandpowerandfindacreativeexpressionforit.BewillingtodeeplyfeelALLyourfeelings.Donotbedistractedby-oraddictedto-externalsourcesofstimulation,especiallyashaktidominantwomen.

VenusinSagittariusOSP:Takeresponsibilityfordiscoveringyourownmeaningandpurpose.Developyourcapacityforexplorationandadventure.Don’trelyonguidanceanddirectioncomingfromotherwomen.

VenusinCapricornOSP:Takeresponsibilityfordevelopingapracticalprojectorcontributionthatbenefitsthecommunityandsocietywithfuturegenerationsinmind.Honoryourownwisdomanddon’trelyonpartnersthatshowuptoteachyou,parentyou,orsupportyou.

VenusinAquariusOSP:Bewillingtoexploreyouruniqueness,goingbeyondtherevolutionaryedgeofpossibilities.Beopentobeingotherthannormal.Developeaseandcomfortinyourfreedomandspaciousness.Don’trelyonunusual,eccentric,andfree-spiritedwomenforthisexperienceorfallintothetrapoffeelinganeedtosupportthem.

VenusinPiscesOSP:OpenyourselftothetranspersonalanduniversalembraceofthelovingessenceofGreatMysteryinherfemaleexpression,receivingunconditionalloveandsupportfromthisdeepfemininesource.Donotprojectthislongingontoanyhumanindividual.

saturn, pluto and the sacred marriage process...a pluto cycle is designed to be irrational, meaning...

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