35 Day Ticket
22 August 2005 — In less than 6 hours, I’ll be on a plane heading for China! As mentioned in “Mad Dash“, I’m taking a sojourn for 35 days in the land of my forefathers, and calling this my Saturn Return trip. My itinerary: Sydney –> Singapore (Tommy) –> Shanghai (Tommy) –> HK (Shihui & Peiling) –> Beijing (Weiling) –> Shanghai –> Singapore (Family & Friends, esp. Wendy + Baby G) –> Sydney (Billie!)!!! Haha, isn’t this crazy?!? I am so excited! It’s been a while since I’ve had the opportunity to really spend so much time with these friends of mine. Other than Tommy, all the girls are friends from secondary school days (RV, can you believe it?!), that’s a whopping 16 years since we’ve known one another. And in our e-mail exchange prior to this trip, I was just saying how we have really transformed from giggly young juvenile girls to the strong, powerful, independent women that we are today (though we still have our giggly juvenile moments from time to time, ok ok, some of us more so than others).
Which is why I’m calling this my Saturn Return trip. It is to mark the end of an era. Just the thought of turning 30 used to send me into a panic-stricken mode and massive depressive states. Oh my gawd! I’m turning 30, and I still haven’t done this, this, this and that, that, that! Plus my looks are just headed downhill from now on, along with all my other physical endowments. Everything’s just going to sag, spread and splat. And 30, that’s practically 40, and 40? 40? 4, 4, 4, can’t, breathe… But all that has changed dramatically.
Yup, ever since I took up Astrology at Nature Care and got introduced to the concept of the Saturn Return, I have a much better understanding of my anxieties towards turning 30 and no longer fear it. In fact, an irrepressible elation is now stirring beneath the veil of quiet acceptance, threatening to erupt at any moment. I sense that something is building up, building up, and trust me, I intend to be there with eyes wide open and champagne in hand when the eventual climatic moment thrusts itself upon me. Yes, the 30s will be brilliant. Everyone who’s been there says so.
But prior to that destination, I have my first Saturn Return to look forward to. So what’s the SR all about?
Astrologers call the period between 28 and 30 “Saturn Return.” It’s the first time the planet Saturn completes its cycle through your birth chart and returns to the spot it occupied when you were born. While undergoing your Saturn Return you examine your true needs and desires and the role you want to play on the world’s stage. You realize your need to define yourself as an individual within society and to demonstrate what you’ve learned. This transition is often accompanied by a sense of urgency, a feeling that you must try to accomplish everything you’ve ever wanted or planned to do now. According to astrologer Stephen Arroyo, “The quality of the entire experience and the extent to which it is felt to be a ‘difficult’ time depends entirely on how one has lived during the previous twenty-nine years.” If you have been pursuing an unsuitable vocation or merely fulfilling someone else’s expectations, Saturn can be relentless in prodding you to make adjustments.
Saturn strips away illusions and points out limitations, allowing you to view yourself in a harsh, often unflattering light. At the same time, it endows you with prudence, practicality, and the perseverance to work hard toward achieving your purposes. Anything you have outgrown, or have tolerated but not found satisfying, must end now or be altered to meet your emerging needs. Often interpersonal relationships are deeply affected by Saturn Return. Saturn is never easy to deal with because his function is that of promoting growth. But the planet’s often misunderstood value lies in its very ability to evoke pain. Like the pain of an illness, it warns that something is wrong. Saturn doesn’t create the problems, it merely illuminates them. Even though your Saturn Return may be disturbing, ultimately it reveals what you truly want and sweeps away the clutter that may have been impeding your progress. Once the conflict is confronted, the tension usually subsides. You feel stronger and more capable of moving ahead. Saturn Return is one of the most crucial turning points you’ll ever experience, when you assume the greatest responsibility of all: responsibility for your own life.
For more info, visit Saturn Return: The Twenty-Ninth Year by Skye Alexander
Aware that I’ll emerge from my Saturn Return like a butterfly from its cocoon, more radiant than ever, I am now prepared to face the challenges ahead because I know what doesn’t kill me will only make me stronger. Yes, this 35 day ticket is a celebration to mark this period of endings and new beginnings. And what better way to spend it than with those who have seen me through thick and thin.
And frankly, at first, even up till today, as is often the case before a trip, I was still worried about a million and one things, e.g. oh no, I seem to be spending quite a bit of money on this trip, would I be able to walk around with my knee condition, would Billie be ok being on his own, etc, etc, etc… and so rather than focussing on any particular issue when drawing my card for the day, I asked that my guides just send me a message that can encompass all the above issues, if there was even such a card in the deck (like asking for too much)?!?
And how kind the universe is. For the second time in a span of only 5 days, I drew the Lakshmi card again. She stands for “Bright Future” with the message: Stop worrying. Everything is going to be fine. Twice in 5 days! My angels really want me to get this! And just this evening itself, William received news that concretised the message, helping me to dispel the last hint of any guilt and worry that I still harboured. Yay! I can with ease and a light heart truly enjoy myself now!
So on a lighter note, let’s check out what stuff I usually prepare for a flight:
- a book for the journey, this time it’s Wheels of Life by Anodea Judith, for me to brush up on my knowledge of chakras
- Jappy snacks: just in case I get hungry in between actual meals ;p
- Bush Flower travel essence cream: helps to centre, refresh and maintain a sense of personal space, so that one arrives feeling balanced and ready to go
- Akin handcream: to keep me hands hydrated, the air is so dry on planes!
- Bach Flower Rescue Remedy: just in case I panic should the plane go through air pockets
- lavender oil: helps me to relax and nap better
- white howlite crystal and Buddhist talisman: again to protect against any harm
and of course I didn’t forget about Tommy
- Jurlique travel blend mist: so he also arrives refreshed
- Pods Snickers: haha just in case he gets the munchies too!
Ok, last but not least, a friendly reminder: it’s only 1 week left till the deadline for August’s Yummy Balmy Treats entries. So please do send in pictures and a short note of your favourite snack/dessert. Don’t just read read read my blog and never zou-gang hor! Must contribute oso ok? Eh I’m going on holiday, don’t let me so stress can or not?