Retro 2014:05: Heavier concepts

Today's 26th March, the 22nd day, of this 4.5 month annual Saturn Retrograde. And I begin this post by repeating myself, that Saturn Retrograde is a time for progression, conclusion, breakthrough for Sun ruled people. And a time for repeat, review, regression for us Saturn ruled people, the Saturnines!

Today, as a part of the regression process of Saturn retrograde, I unearthed my older journals on Saturn Retrograde. Sifting through endless pages of scrawly hand written of notes, I noted down, and sorted many of my insights and observations, and have decided to upload this to this post. After all, the endless pages of scrawly hand written philosophical notes/ observations of my journals are NOT on any web link! ;)  

          Greek Concepts of Harmonie and Diapherein.

a)   For the Sun ruled/ malefic Saturn people, Retrograde is a time for Harmonie- bringing together things, pulling together, synthesis, defining of Logos/ meaning, consolidation of issues, creating structures, integrating Verticality

b)    For the Saturnine people, Retrograde is a time for Diapherein: go through time, passages, undergo unfolding serpentine processes. To scatter, diffuse, breakdown, all their internal structures and strongholds, etc. Just to cross over from one state to the other, without great conclusions.

         Provisional and Conclusive aspects of Structure and Deconstruction

a)     For the Sun ruled/ malefic Saturn people, Retrograde is a time for conclusive actions, breakthroughs, decisive moves. To bring an "Aar ya paar" kind of  Closure! Finalization. Resolution. Acting decisively for closure on internal Self/ issues.

b)    For the Saturnine people, Retrograde is a time for provisional, inconclusive, temporal, processes. All conclusions arrived at now should be considered genuinely provisional. 

c)     For the Saturnine people, Retrograde is a time for Dissemination, the deconstructive term denoting the play between Surplus and Lack defining any object/ entity, with NO Prospect of ever stabilizing or Closing it.

d)    For the Saturnine people, Retrograde is a time for Dissemination without return, i.e, unending loops of interpretation and re-interpretation without return/ or closure. 

        Gravitas Ego and Super Ego

a)      For the Sun ruled/ malefic Saturn people, Retrograde is a time for defining Ego, taking stands, outward displays of Identity and individuality. They should aspire for dynamic movement, and for states of un-caged freedom.

b)    For the Saturnine people, Retrograde is a time for Gravitas. The Greeks associated Saturn with Gravitas (depth of personality). Gravitas is like a plumb line for the soul. And Saturn Retrograde is the ideal time to employ it. Basically, creating a way voluntarily, and welcoming the effects of Depression.

d)    As Thomas Moore in Planets Retrograde says.. “ Feeling low and Heavy, we are forced to turning inward, turning to fantasy, inner space, darkness, void. Rather than turning to the Literal action of the Ego. Retrograde is time for Inner contradictions, and NOT outward displays of Ego.

f)     For the Saturnine people, Retrograde is a time for exploring and experiencing inner doubts, complexities, complexities, frustrations, personality flaws, lackings, idiosyncracies and brooding thoughts. A time for descending deep into the depths of the subconscious, to retreat, withdrawal, deep into oneself.

h)    For the Saturnine people, if Gravitas isn’t used during Saturn retrograde, by welcoming the effects of depression that facilitates the process, then this force turns against us and becomes tyrannical as the SUPER EGO. Unutilized gravitas becomes Super Ego. This   SUPER EGO is part of the psyche comprised of internalized voice of our parents. Critical admonishments that control us by belittling us and bringing attention to our shortcomings. The harsh words of our inner critic.   Once the SUPER EGO is activated, it’s very Hard to accomplish anything in life. We’re infantilized, cut off from the powers of our adulthood. We tend to freeze and venture nothing. We remain stalled and floundering in our depressive state.

k)    Thus For the Saturnine people, ONLY if we use Gravitas throughout the Saturn retro period, does Super Ego diminish and and let us progress, evolve, at the rate of growth that is warranted upon us.   If we don’t utilize Gravitas, we are at the mercy of Super Ego throughout directional Saturn. Becoming cocooned, infantilized, cut off from adult hood, freezing in paralysis, venturing nothing, ever. Using Gravitas excessively during Saturn Retrograde is the only way for Saturnines to free themselves from the dominion of the Super Ego!

 

Retro 2014:04: Napoleons waterloo, Paris, etc

Hmm, were already into 21st day, third week, of the 4.5 month annual Saturn Retrograde which began from 4th March, Tuesday. But it's only today that I'm writing this 4th post on Saturn Retrograde. Haha, what an irony, that, even though, this IS a saturnine blog dedicated to Saturn/ Shanidev, it has to compulsorily begin with a citation/ preface to the Sun/ Surya, the father of Saturn/ Shanidev. And that I have to repeat the fact that Saturn Retrograde is an excellent period for Sun ruled people, and quite Karmic/ regressive for us Saturn ruled people, the Saturnines!

Even though I wrote nothing, on the contrary, so much has gone by these past few weeks of Saturn Retrograde. Three deaths in succession, one bright young architect who jumped from the 10th floor, she was suffering from Bi-polar ailment, married to a very close family friend of mine, whom i know from his birth. Then another of my faculty high School seniors Birendra Sikaria suddenly passed away, may his soul rest in peace. Yesternight my wife's grand mom passed away at the ripe old age of almost hundred years! The sequence of deaths, seemed to have followed the graph above, first the most young and most shocking, second slightly older yet before his time, the third at a very ripe old age of almost hundred after prolonged stay in hospital, and whose passing away was ultimately a release for her soul. Always in Saturn retrograde, I lose someone around me, it always gives me the shivers.

Now, we  are well into the Orange phase of Increasing Retro in the the above graph. For the Sun ruled/ malefic Saturn it is a period of blooming energy/ Shakti. Whereas for us Saturnines/ Saturn ruled, even though, the acute solar storm of Red has passed us by, the lingering effects of dread and unease still continue. I was going through so much fragmentation and regression automatically these past few days. And, I'm really pleased from the Saturnine point of view. Because, for us Saturn ruled people, if NOT now, when? Better this substantial annual expurgation happening on it's scheduled time of Saturn retrograde. I'm (in)voluntarily feeling severely lethargic, heavy, postponing matters here and there. Being Saturn ruled, this is my time to pull back the bowstrings, retreat, hibernate.

I was reading my past years posts on (click link)74 posts on Saturn Retro 2013 on my Karmic Unravelling blog, and one thing I noticed. About the foaming fervent almost rabid madness of my writings on Retrograde 2013. Obviously a form of catharsis for many previous years. However, this year, I'm almost writing like a lethargic, bureaucratic office notary. In the government report style, with it's accompanying dryness, detached-ness and  delay of narration. Lots of inflammable happenings have happened outside of these blog pages. Lots of combustion, chaos, and brain fry. But, I've delayed, dampened it so very much in this blogging/ narrative. (Except of course, the synchronised death sequence, tallying with above graph). But I had to go through years and years of violent expurgation to reach this current frame of mind/ body in this Saturn retro phase.

I know there's going to be quite some shockers ahead. But all Saturn ruled should maintain the lethargic, heavy, Tamasic mood/ disposition as much as possible. That is the Dharma of all Saturn ruled people for now. And the exact opposite for all Sun ruled/ malefic Saturn people. They should forge ahead to consolidate the breakthroughs of the prior Red stage. Make hay while the Sun shines without the hindering influence of Saturn.

I'm rather enjoying this long winding, meandering, unfolding serpentine posts. They are helping me to sync into the very mood of Saturn/ Shanidev in his Retrograde state. Most people mistake Saturn to be a cold dry detached planet. But, definitely NOT for those of us whom it's a beneficial planet. For us, he's a source of joy, delight, jouissance, progress, benefit, light, etc etc. Only when he goes Retrograde, are we officially scheduled to experience the darkness, gravitas usually associated by the rabidly superstitious masses with Saturn/ Shanidev. For my own Libran ascendant self, Saturn, the Lord of 4th and 5th house, gives me khujli, desire, restlessness, jouissance, libido, movement, energy, extrovert-ism, etc, etc. But that's PROVIDED I exercise the scheduled restraint, and regression that is mandatory for us Saturn ruled during Saturn retrograde. Submit voluntarily to the heaviness of gravitas naturally incident for us during this phase. So, so many years I have done the exact opposite, and borne their dark fruits. Our mistakes during the annual 4.5 months of Saturn retrograde, bear dark harvests for the subsequent period of  8.5 months of directional Saturn, that follows after Retrograde's end. 

I had one rising itch, these past few days, to copy paste the entire 74 posts of past Saturn Retro 2013, from my Karmic Unraveling blog onto this blog, to their rightful place! But, I'm feeling too lazy and not upto it. The link provided in the fourth paragraph above,  is good enough for those who are really interested anyways. Hey wondrous! I'm thinking like a lethargic, bureaucratic policy maker! Cheers to that! I feel like a heavy water buffalo wallowing in a muddy paddy field. That's the way to go, this Saturn Retrograde phase. And not prance about like the restless, nervous creature that I usually am.

Today, me and my cousin Sangram were trying to shoot some patches of my long, pending film: After Paris. Firstly, it took a humongous time to gather and download all the older files and clips from my archaic older PC to a pen drive. Then, while at my cousin Sangram's place, his machine was crashing. Later we did take some random but perfect shots depicting stagnation, decay, exile around different places. We got turned down twice by two people who were crucial to the wrapping up sequences of of this looong pending unfinished "short" film of mine.. After Paris. It has been like a heavy load on my shoulders, a la- Betaal on king Vikram's shoulders (that's me) for the past five years since 2009. All because of my gross solar mistakes during annual Saturn retrograde 2009. My trying to sieze the bull by it's horns, at the wrong time. My late astro guru T.N. Sarma, who passed away on Ultra Retro 2009, used to say that Napoleon, who had a great Saturn, lost his battle of Waterloo because he planned it during Saturn Retrograde. Otherwise, we could have have been all speaking French instead of English, across the great wide globe!! An Ode to Napoleon is due at this hour of Saturn Retrograde. Especially, as I drag out the the old calcifying shots of my unfinished short film "After Paris".

During Saturn Retrograde 2009, in the very first day of the dreaded Ultra Retro phase (check graph above) my then guru, astro guide suddenly passed away. But my wife had already clubbed me into accompanying her on her official trip to Paris, merely two weeks away. My Paris Trip happened during the extremely Rajasic/ Solar phase of Ultra Retro. a mistake for which I had to undergo great expurgation and hellish experiences for a long time, once Saturn went directional. And even before that I had shown great rajasic initiative during the previous stages of Saturn Retrograde. when, I could have just chilled and regressed in the serpentine backwaters of Saturn Retrograde. Something, that I try to follow during the annual period of saturn retrograde, ever since.

The GHOSTS of PAST Bygones and Retrograde Redemptions
As is customary for one as Saturnine like myself to repeat, regress, review, and retrospect during Saturn Retrograde, hence even after uoploading this post, I had to add this paragraph in tribute to the process of regression. For the past considerable days, I have been heavily retrospecting and regressing into my past. Former days, forgotten days, crossed over and forgotten territories, ancient ghosts, wisps of memories lurking in the backwaters of my soul. And one thing was predominantly CLEAR as I sliced across the cross sections of a multitude of memories. In my past/ prior life/ lives my violations were of the Rajasic/ Solar nature. I was a Rajasic/ solar soul gone corrupt/ haywire. A patriarch of power gone berserk, and rouge. Hence, in this life, i have to make amends to correct the same. By being/ becoming the Saturnine soul. flashbacking my many histories, one thing was even more clearer.. that I grossly violated the period of Annual Saturn Retrograde, many times over. And over! the way to correct ALL my past and prior mistakes, i have to consummate myself totally with the spirit of Saturn Retrograde. sync myself completely, utterly, and totally with the energies of regression, retrospection, and repetition. Use every opportunity that presents itself to make amends to ghosts of the past. To dive into haunting issues. Regress into pending backwaters utterly.

Redemptions for the Ghosts of Past bygones...  

Retro 2014:03: The schedule

I have updated the page Header "Saturn retrograde". copied it below..

Every year Saturn Retrograde for about 4.5 months. In Vedic astrology Saturn is represented by the symbol of bow and arrow. During annual Saturn Retrograde, this cosmic bow of Saturn can said to be pulled back, the effects of Saturn can said to be withdrawn, inverted, reversed. It's a highly potent period for both whom Saturn is beneficial and as well as those whose Saturn is malefic, or those whose Sun is strong. For Saturnine people, i.e, those whom Saturn is a benefic, Karaka planet, it's a time for regression, retreat, withdrawal, introspection and accumulation of potential energy. Which, when Saturn finally becomes directional for the next 8.5 months, yields positive developments, forward movements, kinetic energy,  and progress. However, conersely, for those whom Saturn is malefic, should utilise this period of Saturn Retrograde for all kinds of forward, positive, breakthrough movements. their main malefic saturn is withdrawn/ inverted, they should make the most of it. During this period, the saying "make hay while the Sun shines" holds perfect.
Since, this is a Saturnine Blog, all Saturn retrograde strategies will be obviously more from the perspective from the Saturnine point of view. The perspective of those for whom Saturn is a great benefic, karaka, planet.

In the above graph, during Saturn Retrograde, coloured in Red, the bowstring and arrows of Saturn is showed to be pulled back. This is a "Hot" period, good for Sun ruled people and bad for saturnine people. From my observations, I have found that every point A' during saturn retrograde yields it's inverse counterpart A, when Saturn finally goes directional. Each point during Saturn Retrograde is shown to yield it's Inverse counterpart when saturn goes directional. Every Saturnine person can thus use this period of Saturn retrograde to pull himself back, so that, naturally when saturn goes directional he can experience automatic forward motion, progress, growth, etc etc.

The entire energy distribution during saturn retrograde is not uniform, the key points of pullback are showed in detail in the graph below.

Detailed Schedule of Annual Saturn Retrograde
The above graph represents a typical 4.5 month period of Annual Saturn Retrograde, year 2014. every year this 4.5 month period is postponed by approximately 14 days. The phases are described in detail below.

ARREST phase: Two weeks prior to the date when Saturn/ Shanidev turns Retrograde, the fall/ drop in Saturns forward motion, commence the noticeable effects of Saturn retro. Suddenly, this is felt by the Saturnine person as a fall in energy, jouissance, enjoyment, libido, adrenalin, a kind of let down. For the Sun ruled, or malefic Saturn people, this period is felt in a sudden rise of energy, hope, adrenalin buzz.

INCREASING RETRO: As Saturn's retrograde velocity increases daily, this 2.5 month period can be experienced as a period of Fall/ retreat for the Saturnine person. This period is further subdivided into three phases, which for convenience I'm classifying as First, second and Third Gear..!
FIRST GEAR: (Two weeks)- The first two weeks of Saturn Retrograde, present the highest difficulty for the Saturn ruled person. Depending on the position of Sun and Saturn in his birthchart, he can experience this period as a sudden arresting of his movement, a sudden stagnation, a sudden fall. This is when the highest Acceleration occurs (Highest daily change/ increase in Retrograde Velocity). And hence Force = Mass X Acceleration, highest acceleration ( change in Daily velocity) also translates as HIGHEST regressive force experienced.Thisd period represent the Highest energy, power for the Sun ruled, or malefic Saturn person.

SECOND GEAR: (One Month)- In this one month, gradually the initial shock of the "First Gear" wears and the Saturnine person can finally find some tolerable gaps, and cracks in the long Retrograde exile he had been experiencing since the Twilight Phase itself. In this phase he can commence random movement here and there. However, since the overall movement is of Retrogression, regression, retreat, substantial activities connected to retrospection, repetition, contemplation are suggested. 
THIRD GEAR: ( One Month)- In this one month, the Saturnine person has adjusted to the hibernation mode of Saturn Retrograde. Review, retreat, contemplation, philosophy, is encouraged. To counteract the prevailing ternd of Regression, one can use a diverse, diffused, fragmented and scattered approach of random activity to keep the blood circulating. As Saturn gradually approaches Highest/ maximmum/ 100%  retrograde, daily increase in velocity reduces, and the Retrograde forces are experienced as reducing. The exact diametrical inverse holds true for the Sun ruled or those with malefic Saturn.

EBBING RETRO:(One Month)  As Saturn's retrograde velocity drops from its maximum 100% velocity, this period of reduced accleration, reduced force, represents a month of Forward motion after a long time, almost of past three months for the Saturnine person. He should make the most of this month, by both initiatig and responding to all kinds of progressive, positive, movements, energy, jouissance, etc. make the most of this. The exact diametrical inverse holds true for the Sun ruled or those with malefic Saturn, they should take a brief rest, chill during this period of ebbing retro. 

ULTRA RETRO:(3 weeks)  This period can be compared to the afternoon heat around 3 pm, when it's hottest, even hotter than noon. This sudden three week period right after a month of ebbiong Saturn Retrograde energies can be experience as QUITE a shock, sudden backward fall, sudden regression. It's very pronounced because of it's compression, contraction to a 3 week period of intensity. Saturnine people should take all kinds of precaution during this phase. Completely let go of ones ego, and just mechanically respond to the external circumstances. The exact diametrical inverse holds true for the Sun ruled or those with malefic Saturn, this is a window of great energy and opportunity for them. Iron is hot, just strike it full force. And after a three week period of deadly acute effects this ultra Retro suddenly vanishes! Dissolves into the air!

RELEASE: Hence the actual physical effects of end/ release of Saturn Retrograde energies actually commence Two Weeks prior to the official ending date of annual Saturn Retrograde. After the sudden mysterious vanishing of the 3 weeks of acute Ultra Retro energies, the effects of Saturn directional motion already commences. Two weeks before the official end of annual Saturn retrograde. This is the end of saturn Retrograde, and distinctly felt by the Saturnine person as a rise in energy, jouissance, enjoyment, libido, adrenalin, a kind of boost. Cheers to a phase well utilised.

The periods colored by Red indicate maximum pullback, retreat, constriction for the Saturnine people, and highest energy, benefits, for Sun ruled, or people with malefic Saturn in their birthcharts. Orange represent less critical periods, Yellow even lesser. Blue period of 1 month ebbing Retro represent a welcome break of Forward motion for Saturnine people.Ultra Retro is a deadly three week for the saturnine people, after which the effects of annual Saturn retro concludes.

During saturn retrograde, theres a pronounced, high contrast between Sun and Saturn ruled people. once Saturn becomes directional, this acute difference, contrast slowly vanishes/ dissolves.

Retro 2014:02: 4th Mar- 21st July

Introduction
Friends, once again the annual Retrograde motion of Saturn (in respect to earth) commences from 4th of March to 21st July. Four and a half months. I had covered the previous Saturn Retrograde, 2013 in great detail in my Karmic Clearing Blog, please click this link: 74 Posts on Saturn Retro 2013. This year, after even having a blog dedicated to Saturn/ Shanidev, I was still not sure of doing a feature on this years Annual Saturn retrograde period. However, over the past few weeks I've been brought to a great slowdown in affairs, compelling me to look at this prevailing motion of Saturn/ Shanidev. One way or the other I'm compelled to do this feature!
Since 2003 itself I have had vast records, comprehensive journals of observations, data, etc on this annual period of Saturn Retrograde. Last year, 2013, I wrote all my observations directly on my blog, making it available for all to see, the strange effects and phenomenon of this unique annual phase. Check my 74 posts on Saturn Retro 2013, there are a vast pantheon of strange phenomenon. This year, since more or less I have decided to go on with this annual observation, first I reformatted the graph for the schedule of Saturn retrograde, 2014...

Saturnine perspective of Annual Saturn retrograde 2014
Saturn/ Shanidev is the opposite of the Sun. Hence the period of Saturn Retrograde is a HIGH period for Sun ruled people, and a LOW period for Saturn ruled people. in Vedic astrology, Saturn is symbolised by the bow and arrow. Saturn retrograde represents a period of pulling back of this cosmic bowstring. So that once Saturn turns directional, the Saturnine person, can commence with his progress, forward motion for the rest of the year. For Saturn ruled people, it is a time for introspection, withdrawal, reversal, retreat, etc. Since, this blog is Saturnine, all observations and descriptions of the Retrograde phenomenon will be henceforth, EXCLUSIVELY from the Saturnine point of view. How Saturn Ruled people could maximise the benefits of this 4.5 month long Annual Saturn Retrograde people.

Detailed Schedule of Annual Saturn retrograde 2014
The different phases of Annual Saturn Retrograde is described in specific colours as follows:

ARREST phase: Two weeks prior to the date when Saturn/ Shanidev turns Retrograde, the fall/ drop in Saturns forward motion, commence the noticeable effects of Saturn retro. Suddenly, this is felt by the Saturnine person as a fall in energy, jouissance, enjoyment, libido, adrenalin, a kind of let down. On 18th Feb, Tuesday, EXACTLY two weeks before Saturn turned retrograde on 4th March, Tuesday, I was at a friends wedding at Tivoli Graderns, Chattarpur Farms. I was very excited and looking forward to an evening of fanfare. However, I notice that we had to return early withe mere drinks and snacks, as food would be served much later when the groom finally arrived. There was a considerable fall in my jouissance level, I remember feeling left high and dry! Later, whole night I was up till 3am, Whats app-ing with my hostel friends group, drowning in reminiscing about the hostel days.

INCREASING RETRO: As Saturn's retrograde velocity increases daily, this 2.5 month period can be experienced as a period of Fall/ retreat for the Saturnine person. This period is further subdivided into three phases, which for convenience I'm classifying as First, second and Third Gear..!
FIRST GEAR: (Two weeks)- The first two weeks of Saturn Retrograde, present the highest difficulty for the Saturn ruled person. Depending on the position of Sun and Saturn in his birthchart, he can experience this period as a sudden arresting of his movement, a sudden stagnation, a sudden fall. This is when the highest Acceleration occurs (Highest daily change/ increase in Retrograde Velocity). And hence Force = Mass X Acceleration, highest acceleration ( change in Daily velocity) also translates as HIGHEST regressive force experienced.
SECOND GEAR: (One Month)- In this one month, gradually the initial shock of the "First Gear" wears and the Saturnine person can finally find some tolerable gaps, and cracks in the long Retrograde exile he had been experiencing since the Twilight Phase itself. In this phase he can commence random movement here and there. However, since the overall movement is of Retrogression, regression, retreat, substantial activities connected to retrospection, repetition, contemplation are suggested. 
THIRD GEAR: ( One Month)- In this one month, the Saturnine person has adjusted to the hibernation mode of Saturn Retrograde. Review, retreat, contemplation, philosophy, is encouraged. To counteract the prevailing ternd of Regression, one can use a diverse, diffused, fragmented and scattered approach of random activity to keep the blood circulating. As Saturn gradually approaches Highest/ maximmum/ 100%  retrograde, daily increase in velocity reduces, and the Retrograde forces are experienced as reducing.

EBBING RETRO:(One Month)  As Saturn's retrograde velocity drops from its maximmum 100% velocity, this period of reduced accleration, reduced force, represents a month of Forward motion after a long time, almost of past three months for the Saturnine person. He should make the most of this month, by both initiatig and responding to all kinds of progressive, positive, movements, energy, jouissance, etc. make the most of this.

ULTRA RETRO:(3 weeks)  This period can be compared to the afternoon heat around 3 pm, when it's hottest, even hotter than noon. This sudden three week period right after a month of ebbiong Saturn Retrograde energies can be experience as QUITE a shock, sudden backward fall, sudden regression. It's very pronounced because of it's compression, contraction to a 3 week period of intensity. Saturnine people should take all kinds of precaution during this phase. Completely let go of ones ego, and just mechanically respond to the external circumstances. And after a three week period of deadly acute effects this ultra Retro suddenly vanishes! Dissolves into the air!

RELEASE: Hence the actual physical effects of end/ release of Saturn Retrograde energies actually commence Two Weeks prior to the official ending date of annual Saturn Retrograde. After the sudden mysterious vanishing of the 3 weeks of acute Ultra Retro energies, the effects of Saturn directional motion already commences. Two weeks before the official end of annual Saturn retrograde. This is the end of saturn Retrograde, and distinctly felt by the Saturnine person as a rise in energy, jouissance, enjoyment, libido, adrenalin, a kind of boost. Cheers to a phase well utilised.


Postscript: This year, definitely i had been completely trying to avoid writing about Saturn retro, but after having uploaded the above post, i feel considerably lighter. Sharing the insights and oozing loquaciously during Saturn retrograde is definitely a Karmic schedule for me. a process by which i gather potential energy for movement, motion, and release once Saturn turns directional later. Personally, i love movement much more than theory and observation. and the motion accorded to me is a direct proportion to the theoretical inputs i ooze out during saturn retrograde. a time for contemplation, observation, theory, abtract concepts for the Saturnine.