Alan Colmes to Move On. (Told ya!)

It's interesting that Alan Colmes is about to leave his 12-year position as co-host with Sean Hannity each weeknight on Fox News Channel's "Hannity & Colmes". This happens just as Saturn transits his cluster of Virgo planets and he approaches a second Saturn Return.

Alan reported the news on his blog Liberaland yesterday. A prediction I tentatively made back in January has materialised

In a post on new year's Day 2008 ("Which One's The Conservative?") I wrote:

"I've had a second Saturn Return, too, and Alan has one due around the time of the November election - I'd be surprised if something that happens around that time doesn't change his career in some way, and mark the start of a new life chapter."

(The above is a chart set for 12 noon in the absence of a birth time, so ascendant sign not accurate though all planetary positions apart from Moon are as shown)

Transiting Saturn is at 20 degrees of Virgo at present, sitting between Alan's natal Mercury, Venus and Saturn, heading for the Saturn Return which won't be exact until late next summer, due to a retrograde period, January to May, then it begins to move direct again. That retro period could well coincide with the time when Alan is preparing his new ventures.

It's time for another chorus of my oft repeated refrain (with apologies to Bob Dylan) "Something is happening here, but we don't know what it is....do we Mr. Jones?" As I intend to keep on saying, ad nauseam: this stuff works!!

Life and Astrology After 60

Casting around the internet for inspiration, I noticed a some queries about astrology, posed last year on what appears to have been a discussion forum. (alt.astrology.moderated)

One question caught my eye: "Is astrology a moot point after 60?" There's a further query in the thread: "Is life basically over by the second Saturn Return?"

A brief discussion follows on whether transits become less effective, and whether outer planet transits might be the only things worth watching during "senior" years.

I found the questions strange. Why should the application of astrology change at age 60, or at any age ? Why would life be over after Saturn Return #2? A page turns and a new chapter begins, the book doesn't end - it gets more interesting. Mine did. My husband's did. My parents' did. For many people the second Saturn Return heralds retirement from a lifetime of work - FREEDOM!! Life basically over? For goodness sake - it's just beginning!

Something I read yesterday backs up my opinion. Paul McCartney has a new album coming out, reviewed by R.J. Eskow, it's called "Memory Almost Full". Mr. Eskow says, among other things:

"The musical vitality of this album is life-affirming in what are often dark days. Paul has lost none of his gifts at aged 65. That should prove inspirational to legions of depressed boomers who think their lives are all but over."

Regarding transits - in my own, very personal view, transits of the outer planets, including Saturn and Jupiter, are the only ones to which it's worth paying rapt attention, whatever one's age. Even then, it's best if the attention doesn't become rapt enough to make one paranoid. Even the most ardent fan of astrology should repeat, once a day, "Astrology is not 100% accurate". (When it is accurate though, it's breathtaking!)
(Illustration = Tree of Life by Gustav Klimt)

Chronic Panic

Much dreaded, and oft discussed Saturn Returns correlate with natural developments. It seems increasingly fashionable to stress over one's impending Saturn Return. This makes no sense !

Saturn was also known as Chronos/Kronos in ancient times. The word chronological derives from Chronos, as do chronic, and crone, all related to time.

From a vantage point behind two Saturn Returns, I can speak from my own experience. Both Saturn Returns led me to better life patterns. By the second return the previous pattern had run its course, and had to change. It's really no more than nature moving us along, time passing and circumstances adjusting. If we allow ourselves to dread the passage of time and its attendant changes - what is left ?

One's whole chart, as well as Saturn's position, must have a strong bearing on what occurs at Saturn Return time, thought to extend for 3 years. Is Saturn in a prominent position natally, on an angle? What other planets are close, are there any other strong transits ocurring in the chart around the same time, especially involving Pluto or Uranus?

These are all important considerations. It's not logical to expect that everyone will have a bad experience, and those who do are likely, eventually, to be glad of it because of where it led them. I recognise my first Saturn Return, on looking back, but at the time I was quite unaware of it - that's how bad it was!

Saturn Returns need the benefit of hindsight, not foresight, and certainly not fore-worry!