As the calendar changes, the psyches of all seem to reach for hope, a reason for believing that things will work out, not only okay, but closer to goals, aspirations and prayers for peace.
Recently we enjoyed a Saturn in Sagittarius to Neptune in Pisces square - exact on November 26th. Despite Saturn’s innate conservatism and cautions that often sound admonishing, Sagittarius seeped in to restore images of hopefulness, of things more spread out and outward bound, of going with things more ideal than just “practical” or gizmo easy. Neptune in Pisces, transiting his home turf by modernized rulerships, offers a double dip into imagery, fantasy, visions that inspire, stir and arouse the psyche. Yes, he doubles down in movie land for a metaphor... look to Hollywood for a hopeful halo, or at least a mundane, real world symbol.
Filmmakers - real filmmakers - lamented the recent decline of the use of film caused by the explosion of digital devices capable of capturing images so sharp they appear fake. In reality, a digital image can never equal the smoothness, grain and evocative feeling of film. As well, with every yahoo believing they are making films on their phones (and a few - very few- have succeeded), the arena of film/movies is flooded with, well, it’s sometimes difficult to define the quality of content.
Sadly, during the digital device explosion, most major film manufacturers stopped making film. But here’s where Saturn did some good work.
He asked:
Is the traditional medium/method for film making still of high quality, integrated into a system that knows how to use it? Is it superior in image?
Is digital throwing the baby out with the bathwater? (Rhetorical)
Are the tried and true methods more enjoyable to take in? According to film aficionados, yes.
Recently Kodak announced it would return to the business of making film for motion pictures - a true representation of Saturn square Neptune. Riding the wave of uncompromising Aries Quentin Tarentino’s epic film Hateful 8, filmed in 70mm, film received a boost, and old gear had to come out of retirement to shoot the film. Cancerian J.J. Abrams, director and co-writer of the new Star Wars movie, wanted to do the film right with impeccable quality, while paying homage to the traditions of the film industry and its greats. Another film shot on film. Steven Spielberg, a Sagittarian seeking the boundless and unlimited, and vastly experienced in working on film, recently cut a deal to make Amblin Entertainment, gigantic and committed to making high quality films that uphold the traditions of inspiration, entertainment and enlightenment as delivered by film.
Understanding that not everyone puts much stock into the movie business, hopeful metaphors can be derived from the Saturn-Neptune squares for us all as we depart 2015 and head into the closing years of this decade:
If the traditional works, offers high quality and cannot be surpassed, keep using it.
Forge your desire to uphold the maximum of high standards.
Persevere without quitting on the dream. All of the projects noted above took years to achieve completion. And they took sweat equity, determination and unfaltering dutiful effort.
Restore dreams and visions. Should the focus be cloudy or unclear, return to your original vision... what that felt like and how it stirred the soul.
Do not let progress get in the way of iconic methods that deliver great good. Conversely, work to above becoming a symbol of tradition unmarred by progress.
Dream and dream big.
Keep in mind that with the manifestation of any monumental objective huge roadblocks, mountains and obstacles occur with regularity... with such regularity Sisyphus might appear to be an inexperienced intern.
Get your nose out of your devices and the dreams in the clouds - the non-electronic clouds.
Hold the power of vision as your doctrine.
And however it is your way, pray your creed, affirm your intentions, and reach beyond the doomsayers into the hopefulness of possibilities.
With that, Happy Gregorian New Year. Thank you for being a SkyScraping subscriber! Here’s to 2016 becoming the best year yet.