Saturn is About Celebrations!

I didn't catch on to mythology, especially Liz Greene's prolific use of myths in her books, when it comes to learning astrology. However, I was thoroughly impressed when I read that the Romans called Saturn Saturnus, known as the god of agriculture and harvest who founded civilization and the social order. The great feasts of Saturnalia is held annually in the winter.

Just a few words but they carry so so much meaning, which makes perfect sense. God of harvest. Reap what you sow. Reaping a harvest takes time (another association with Saturn), providing that you put in the work and time to tend to your crops. Agriculture is such a tangible thing. It is concrete, defined, which is quite unlike Neptune. That's why Saturn is associated with material manifestation of something, which is perfectly in line with its other name of god of sowing or seed according to Britannica.

It is amazing that Saturn founded civilization and the social order. That's why Saturn is a social planet, it's our role within society. That's why when Saturn conjuncts a natal MC, there could be a focus to be seen respectable in public, to do the right thing, among many other interpretations. I recalled reading about Saturn being the definition of what we are capable of achieving. That's true, isn't it. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, people may focus on Saturn as fear, limitation, restriction. But it does offer the potential for accomplishment, elevated social status and celebration of the harvest at the end of the day.

Here are some notes for folks who are interested in the different faces of Saturn:

• Roman: Saturn, the god of sowing or seed; his festival is called the Saturnalia
• Greek: Cronus/Kronos, the god of agriculture; depicted as an old man holding probably a sickle; his festival, Kronia, celebrated harvests and resembled the Saturnalia. 

According to Britannica, Saturnalia was originally celebrated on December 17, but it was later extended to seven days. This reminds me of the widening of boundaries once you have proved yourself with a smaller boundary. Saturnalia was the merriest festival of the year: all work and business were suspended; slaves were given temporary freedom to say and do what they liked; certain moral restrictions were eased; and presents were freely exchanged. Isn't that interesting? Slaves were given freedom. Perhaps, it's through boundaries, confinements that real freedom is earned and gained!