Copyright 2005 Eileen Nauman
All Rights Reserved

Email: docbones@gotsky.com
Website: http://www.medicinegarden.com
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WHO IS AFFECTED BY THIS PLANET TURNING RETROGRADE?

November 22, 2005, Saturn is at 11 Leo 19 and goes retrograde at 1:00 a.m., PST.

LEO SUN SIGN PEOPLE: If you were born in the sign of Leo between July 31st through August 5th are affected by this direct turning of Saturn. The people most directly affected were born on August 2nd.

AQUARIUS SUN SIGN PEOPLE: By opposition, if you have any planets or cusps at 11 Aquarius, anyone born between January 27th through February 3rd, will be affected. The people most directly affected were born on January 30th.

NATAL DEGREES AFFECTED IN YOUR CHART

If you have any planets or cusps at the following degrees of ANY sign, you are affected: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 Consult a professional astrologer such as Rosemarie Brown for what this will mean for you, as an individual. She can be reached via email at: starrose@sedona.net

THANKSGIVING IS GOING TO BE SOMBER

Some families love to get together on major holidays and it's a blast. Other families cringe at the thought of having to go visit parents, siblings or relatives. The Holidays is a major time when people get very depressed and more suicides occur. Knowing this, and with Saturn going retrograde, it's going to be a somber Thanksgiving. That doesn't mean it will be unhappy. Rather, somber can mean an understanding that while you sit down to a food feast, there are millions of people around the world starving. It can make you grateful and humble for what you have. It can also mean reflection on the devastating hurricanes of the year and how many people have NO home to go back too; their lives completely uprooted. It shouldn't make you feel guilty; Americans are some of the most generous and giving people in the world, and I'm sure anyone reading this article has done their fair share of trying to help those who have less, have more.

You can also remember the people in your own back yard. Maybe, when you go to the grocery store, buy a turkey for the local food mission. Or giving money (even five dollars is great) to your favorite charity. If you have some old clothes, how about cleaning them out and giving them to the Salvation Army or Goodwill Stores? And if you can, give blood. There are so many ways to help others and level the playing field of Life that we know is never fair to everyone.

So, 'somber' does not mean guilt or depression. It simply should be a time to reflect appropriately on what we have--how we got it--and being grateful and thanking those who came before us. If not, for example, the Native Americans stepping in to help feed the Puritans who landed on North America, they would have starved to death. That is how Thanksgiving in our country began--the generosity of East Coast Native Americans.

TRAVEL DELAYS ARE GOING TO BE HUGE

With Mercury retrograde, my advice is NOT to travel this Thanksgiving. Rather, think about next year to visit your favorite relatives on your vacation, instead. Mercury rules transportation and it is retrograde which means it's going to slow and major flight problems will ensue. With Saturn going retrograde and ruling blockages and stoppages, you can be sure that Holiday travel will become the Nightmare from Hell. So, do yourself a favor and do NOT travel this Thanksgiving. Stay home and enjoy the time with those who are nearest to you.

If you decide to travel, come prepared with a pillow, extra food and a ton of patience, because storms can settle in, diverting air traffic and halting operation big time. The whole travel industry is going into stasis and constipation with Saturn hovering around with a Mercury retrograde. Save yourself the stress and stay home.

FLU SEASON IS CRANKING UP

Uranus and Saturn have a lot to do with epidemics, and November is typically the time when you see the flu season amping up. With big crowds, the flu is going to take off. So, if you don't need to be in airports and traveling, that would be ideal.

WHO AND WHAT IS SATURN?

Saturn can be seen symbolically as the banks to our River of Life or the Flow, as I call it. Without banks, without walls or restrictions of some sort, we would ooze all over the place; sort of in a Neptunian directionless hither, thither and yon kind of way. Saturn gives us shape, form, substance and yes, boundaries--that nasty little word that some folks just hate to mutter under their breath.

Saturn is always called bad names by people who are under it's influence but that's not the whole story about this incredible planet. If we did not have bones, a skeleton and skin, what would hold us and our organs and systems together? Nothing would. Saturn rules bones, teeth and skin. So you can see, that it creates a viable, formed vehicle for us to putter around in called a 'human body'. That's a boundary too, isn't it? It is the banks for that particular river called a body, if you want to look at it in another way or aspect.

Yes, Saturn is about responsibility, carrying your share of the load and being held accountable for what you say or do--or say you're gonna do :-) (and if you don't, Saturn is there to tap you on the shoulder and remind you of it.) It is about duty, loyalty, perseverance, endurance, form, shape, substance, boundaries, responsibility, being held accountable to yourself as well as to others, as well as empire building, creating a solid foundation from which to grow from or toward. Without a solid foundation, we become wobbly and cannot fulfill our soul's directive for us this lifetime. We would wander without direction, cause, goals or vision; much less a dream to hold or work toward.

SATURN REWARDS THOSE WHO WORK HARD...

Saturn is frequently maligned as the 'taskmaster' and pictured as Death. All things have a cycle. All things have a beginning, middle and end, and it is Saturn's thankless job to get us at each of these waves or cycles of opportunity that afford us growth and evolution if we so choose to use his energy in that expression and "form". He gives us the boundaries of life and death; from childhood, to adulthood to old age. It is said that Saturn is a contraction or contractile and associated with arthritis and osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. He rules the bones of our body. If there is necrosis, holes eaten into our bones, then Saturn is certainly involved. He rules over Calcium, one of the leading minerals that keeps our bones strong and healthy, to keep our 'frame' in good shape. The good news about Saturn is--if you work your butt off, are responsible, honest, truthful, and hard working, he will give you the rewards that you have coming to you. So, even on a Saturn retrograde time, dreams you had long thought impossible, or given up on, are suddenly handed to you out of the blue.

SATURN IN RETROGRADE MOTION

Please look to my article on Mercury to get an idea of what 'retrograde' means--I don't like to repeat myself.

Saturn gives us an opportunity to clean up what messes we haven't had a chance to clean up during a retrograde period. Anything left undone, unattended, partially finished or not completed, will be completed during a retrograde of this mighty planet. It can literally 'sit' on us or make us feel like the whole Universe is sitting our shoulders or back during that time. But the pressure eases off and gives us 'breathing' room to catch up on things that we know need tending too--but we just haven't had the time for a myriad of reasons.

It's not unusual for Saturn, because of its large orbit about the Sun, to move over one's natal planet or position, then retrograde over it, and then come forward over it a third and final pass. This is what makes folks clench their teeth is this particular occurrence. It doesn't happen to everyone and if you're interested in finding out if you're one of 'em, you should consult with Rosemarie Brown, our core faculty astrologer here at The Medicine Garden, for details. She can be reached via email at: starrose@sedona.net

Some folks get plain lucky and experience only ONE pass over a planet or sensitive position in their natal chart. However, having experienced both, I would rather have the three passes than the one. Why? Because if it's just one pass, then the full brunt of the lesson that we have set ourselves to learn, is gonna hit us right between the running lights. There won't be much preparation time or time to adjust to the lesson at all. Whereas, with a three-pass Saturn transit, on the first pass, you usually get an idea of WHAT it is you're going to have to learn from and grow from. The retrograde gives us the actual opportunity to work at it and slug our way through it. The final, forward (direct) pass will clean up any little details that have been laying around that we couldn't, heretofore, attend to or clean up. So, give me three passes any day!

LOOK AT IT LIKE A RIVER WITH BOUNDARIES...

During a retrograde period, Saturn may not be contracting you at all or pinching/squeezing you or forcing you to walk between two walls of some kind. Nope, it can be 'stretching' you, instead. Stretching as in making you expand your awareness, your emotions, your mental abilities or spirit outward in some way through presenting some situation that will create this 'cause and effect' choice for you. So many of us really don't know our own, personal limits, do we? We get told that we aren't smart. Or we aren't creative. Or, because you're a female, you can't do this or that. And on and on. The can't's, won't's, shouldn't's all get thrown out the window on a Saturn retrograde particularly if you're suppose to stretch your wings and fly instead of running on the ground like a turkey.

Saturn, in this particular situation, demands you to open your wings of your own limitation as you perceive it, and flow outward and upward and push beyond what you thought you were capable of, what you thought you could achieve or create. Saturn retrograde can help us become aware of our real river banks of the self, if you will, in this period. It can also rip off the blind film that covers our eyes and help us see and perceive more deeply into people, situations and events. This is called the gaining of wisdom. For, Saturn rules over wisdom. It is, however, wisdom gained from hard work, experience and on-the-job-training. It is not by grace. It is earned one hard step at a time. But, when you look back at having survived the experience, you will find yourself better educated, wiser, stronger and a little more confident than previous.

Saturn can give us confidence during a retrograde if we choose to carry the responsibility or duty that is accorded us by others or events outside ourselves--or from within ourselves. In the Tarot, Saturn is often seen as the Hermit, hooded and cloaked, carrying a bright lamp that sheds light. During a retrograde, when can connect the dots between ourselves and the outer/external event, or with another person or thing that we are currently wrestling with. It can create the light in our own inner darkness and hell that we plunge ourselves into, and provide a way out, an "aha!" that was previously not seen or explored.

Saturn retrograde is our compass for the map of life we are walking upon and experiencing. If we stop railing at what life has handed us and instead, buckle down and (as the Nike commercial sez) "Just Do it!" then Saturn will not only lead us into that dark tunnel, but lead us out of it, too. Remember this, during a Saturn Retrograde: that it is always darkest before the dawn. That is Saturn. But it also gives you the 'light at the end of the tunnel'--which is when it goes stationary retrograde (and in this case, we are now in the 'shadow' of Saturn turning retrograde for three weeks before the actual turn date of 10.22.05 So this is a time of incredible awakening within ourselves or in regards to others or a situation we may find ourselves within. Be alert. Listen. Hear. For those who have Leo or Aquarius in them, this is your awakening period. Saturn is showing you the light at the end of your particular tunnel that you have been crawling through on your hands and knees.

The 'shadow' period of Saturn slowing down will be from November 1, 2005 (New Moon as well) through November 21, 2005.

Saturn creates strength in us and this is especially true during a retrograde time; strength of spirit--quite literally. We may well feel like we've got an invisible hand holding us down on the concrete and it is a painful process but we are also building strength at the same time. Saturn bestows grace on those who surrender over to a higher power (whomever you believe in). And yes, Saturn gives huge rewards for those who have run the gauntlet during the retrograde. Usually three weeks before it turns retrograde or a few days or on the day it turns retrograde, you will receive your just and due rewards or acknowledgment by your peer group.

So, you want to know how well you did under your Saturn transit? Well, if you get grace in some form as it turns retrograde, that is your answer. Everyone will get something. It might not be winning the lottery; but it can be something that money can't ever touch or buy: a strength of spirit, a deepening sense of compassion, and understanding of self, maturing and gaining wisdom about yourself, others or a particular situation. Unlike Jupiter, which gives grace won from previous lifetimes or things you have done for others in this lifetime, everything given by Saturn is damn well earned!

URANUS DIRECT ONE WEEK EARLIER AND SHADOWING SATURN

Saturn has a shadow period of three weeks. This starts November 1, 2005, just a week AFTER a major butt-kicking, take-no-prisoners Uranus decides to turn direct on a Full Moon on November 15th. Add to this chaos, Mercury going retrograde on November 13th. The energy moving with Saturn slowing down to go retrograde is complicated by Uranus, god of surprises, twists, turns, shock and trauma. This means some people are going to feel like they're on a barbecue skewer and it has stopped turning and they are hanging over the fire with no way to escape it. Getting your "face" rubbed in something is possible here. Saturn, of course, gives you exactly what you deserve--no more and no less, so for others, depending upon many aspects in your individual astrology chart, this could be a time of great success, kudos, and being admired and respected by others as well as your peers. Success can happen here because you've worked long, hard and responsibly for it, as well.

KEYWORDS FOR SATURN

Use the Saturn keywords to help you understand what this retrograde (shadow period is November 1-21, 2005) and what Saturn retrograde can potentially mean for you. If you are concerned, please contact Rosemarie Brown, our core faculty astrologer for a personal chart reading.

KEYWORDS FOR SATURN AND HOW TO USE THEM

Simply take one adjective from one planet (Saturn) and put it with one of the Neptune adjectives. You can make 2-word sentences this way, and begin to get a feel for what it might rule over in your life should you be in the degrees mentioned above.

SATURN

ambition
arthritis/osteoporosis
authority
Bioflavanoids
business
Calcium
caution
cold
consolidation
control
delay
discipline
father
fear
Fluorine
inflexible
inhibition
Ligaments
limitation
losses
loyalty
old age
Osteoporosis
PABA
patience
practical
reliable
responsibility
restriction
Skeleton of body
"Smaller than..."
structure
Sulfur
tediousness
teeth, bones, joints
Tendons
time
Vitamin C
Vitamin K

HELP TO MAKE THIS TRANSFORMATION PAINLESS--WELL, ALMOST PAINLESS...

I don't believe we have to SUFFER endlessly through change. The people below are, in my opinion, the best in their particular business and are skillful catalysts to help people to help themselves. Utilize this energy in the BEST and most healthy of ways... check out this group and choose which tools resonate most strongly with you and contact them. You won't be sorry you did!

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELORS:

You can engaged the services of the medicinegarden.com's professional astrologer and find out. Our own Rosemarie Brown is a natal counselor. Just contact her at: starrose@sedona.net

If you are wanting to move and aren't sure where or you have a place in mind, but aren't sure if it's "right" for you, Gail and Michael have locale information available. If health is your consideration, both are trained medical astrologers. To contact them: Gail Carswell at rockdoc@mindspring.com or Michael Foltz at solardoc@mindspring.com. Better yet, visit their website: http://www.owlswebnest.com, for more information on all the services they provide.

I'm sure one of these three professionals will be able to shed considerable light in what is going on in your life and the many choices you have available to you to institute and use.

UN-CONFUSE YOURSELF DURING THIS RETROGRADE:

NEED A "Coach", some serious therapy that gets to the "heart" of your angst or what you're wrestling with? We recommend Rosemarie Brown. Please contact her at: http://www.rosemariebrown.com or by email at: starrose@sedona.net

VOICE ANALYSIS--THE MISSING NOTE:

I've had my voice analyzed by Ani Williams and I can tell you from personal experience that we all have a "missing note" in our life. So what? Well, consider this. Without this missing note back in our life, we aren't working off of 8 cylinders. We're working on 6--or less! Please go to Ani's website for more information. This is a life-changing "tool" that you should include in your personal Mercury transformation kit. http://www.aniwilliams.com or contact her via email at: songaia@earthlink.net

SPIRITUAL UPKEEP RENOVATION: NEED A SHAMAN?

Gail Carswell, Michael Foltz, Grace Verte (grace@graceverte.com) and Rosemarie Brown are all trained shamanic facilitators who can help you through your spiritual transformation.

FOR CARE OF BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT: HOMEOPATHY

Our favorite classically trained homeopath is Yolande Grill of Cave Creek, Arizona. She does long-distance case taking by phone and I consider her one of the best we've got in the USA. So, don't delay! She is also a shamanic facilitator, as well. Get a hold of Yolande at: y.grill@att.net