Saturn's Silence
Magical dryness and periods of little motivation
A few weeks ago I felt so on top of my game. Prayers, offerings, study and ritual were flowing and it felt great. It was like I had aligned with some higher state of being. I felt such an enthusiasm for my work that it hardly seemed like work. After a week or two of that level of interest, it seemed almost overnight I just didn’t feel like anything remotely magical, at all. Like crossing into another country, it was just a totally different attitude towards it. There was no obvious our outward reason for it, it just was. My interest fell away like that.
I think most of us have probably experienced this exact thing. Early on in your journey, you might feel like you’ve gone astray to the point that it will never be the same. After many repetitions of this cycle you realize, for some reason, that’s just how it works. Aleister Crowley of Thelema fame (infamy?) actually writes about this state. He calls it “dryness.” I think that is an apt description, as it seems that during these periods, the will to participate in a magical universe dries up entirely. In ASTARTE vel Liber BERYLLI sub figura CLXXV Crowley writes:
Concerning Dryness. Another state wherein at times the soul may fall is this dark night. And this is indeed purifying in such depths that the soul cannot fathom it. It is less like pain than like death. But it is the necessary death that comes before the rising of a body glorified. This state must be endured with fortitude; and no means of alleviating it may be employed.
With time, these periods seem like less of a dark night and more of an annoyance, but the sentiment holds. The question now is, why do they happen, and what can we do about it?
Everything is a Wave
Periods of enthusiasm and dryness can be mapped as the crest and trough of a wave. Like a fractal, themes present in the universe tend to repeat on every level. Operating within the western esoteric framework, we can match up this wave cycle with the formula of IAO. In Book 4 part 3, Crowley writes:
But before entering into the details of “I.A.O.” as a magick formula it should be remarked that it is essentially the formula of Yoga or meditation; in fact, of elementary mysticism in all its branches. In beginning a meditation practice, there is always a quiet pleasure, a gentle natural growth; one takes a lively interest in the work; it seems easy; one is quite pleased to have started. This stage represents Isis. Sooner or later it is succeeded by depression — the Dark Night of the Soul, an infinite weariness and detestation of the work. The simplest and easiest acts become almost impossible to perform. Such impotence fills the mind with apprehension and despair. The intensity of this loathing can hardly be understood by any person who has not experienced it. This is the period of Apophis. It is followed by the arising not of Isis, but of Osiris. The ancient condition is not restored, but a new and superior condition is created, a condition only rendered possible by the process of death.
The beginning of the cycle is represented by Isis, all is well and enthusiasm is high. It is during this period that your interest, path or idea is enlivened and invigorated. The wave is at its crest, the highest point. Of course, following the high point is the low point, symbolized by Apophis. The trough of the wave is lethargy and lack of interest in the work ahead. Apophis or Apep is the Egyptian god representing the forces of chaos and darkness. In astrological symbolism, we have Saturn, planet of lethargy and restriction. Eventually the lethargy and restlessness build to a point where a threshold is crossed and gives rise to a new condition of enthusiasm once again. This point, a new crest of the wave, is attributed to Osiris, god of the underworld who was resurrected from death. Transmuted, the lethargy becomes a new enthusiasm that surpasses the previous crest of the wave. In this way, each cycle continuously evolves upon itself.
Speaking of polarities
Now that the pattern is established, we might think a little on the why of the situation. Though we only have theories to work with as to the cause of dryness, let’s explore our wave theme a bit more. The crest and trough of a wave are polarities of positive and negative motion. Remembering that the universe likes to echo ideas through multiple levels, consider that action and reaction are also polarities of this type. Exploration of the Work is a type of action, an expenditure of energy results in a reaction. If you throw a ball up, gravity will surely pull it back down. In this way we can see the pattern of IAO, of enthusiasm and dryness are following the natural rules the universe.
Planetary Causes
In a more practical sense, we might look to the movement of the planets for some source of information about when we are likely to feel dryness or lethargy. Saturn rules restriction and naturally likes to slow things down. When we are under his influence, through transits, profections or progressions, we can sometimes feel these effects. Saturn rules Capricorn and Aquarius, so planets transiting these signs may also create a good environment for dryness to happen. Keep a close eye on aspects to and from Saturn from personal planets, especially the Moon and Sun as they rule mental and physical vitality. An example of this would be when Saturn trines or squares the moon or sun. Soft aspects like trines and sextiles are generally not as harsh as hard aspects like squares or oppositions.
Remediations & Remedies
While there is no one thing that’s going to knock every dry spell out, the first and best thing you can do is wait. Generally in a matter of days or weeks, something will spark your curiosity and you’ll find your way back into action in no time. It’s best not to view these time periods as negative, but to acknowledge them as beneficial and even necessary for growth. We all experience the energies of Saturn in our daily lives. Sometimes we are forced to slow down, to turn inward and to analyze the structures in our lives. Sometimes, we situate ourselves in a way that doesn’t allow us to see the whole picture, until something snaps into place and we are able to view our ideas from a different perspective. That is what these periods are all about.
If you find yourself experiencing dryness for extended periods of time, it might be worth looking into any underlying causes. Astrologically this might look like a profection year that is ruled by Saturn, or you may have a transit happening to a sensitive point in your chart. Saturn is slow, moving only an average of 2 minutes per day, about 30 days per degree in the chart. What this means for the individual is that transits by Saturn may linger for quite a long time, especially considering retrograde periods. If this is the case, it may be best to lean into your dryness. Perhaps now is a good time to become cognizant of the Saturnian energies in your life and try to understand how to work with them. Saturn rewards the long game and the work towards mastery. It may be that you simply need to put more hours into whatever it is that you have drifted away from.
Praxis
Saturn’s day is Saturday (obviously), and is great day for doing any Saturnine meditations and workings. Find a quiet place where you will not be interrupted or disturbed by loud sounds. Light a black candle inscribed with the symbol of Saturn (use a pencil, it works great!), or have with you the Universe card of the tarot. These are just suggestions, use whatever symbolism your lived experience dictates, just be sure that it is serious, solemn, cold and dry. Sit with the stillness, acknowledge you are in Saturn’s domain. Don’t try experience any certain thing, just let what arises meet your awareness but don’t hold on to it. Meditate this way during Saturn’s hour (calculator here) for as long as you wish, just remember Saturn is slow and rewards patience.
Thank the energies for their help, and take away any insights you have gained during this meditation and apply them to your understanding of your current dry spell.
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-Ashley