Need Help Working with your Definite Chief Aim (DCA)?

Saturn just moved into Aries for three years; let’s revisit…

Susan Sontag wrote of the Saturnine temperament in her essay “Under the Sign of Saturn.” The phrase comes from another brilliant cultural critic, Walter Benjamin.

She writes that Benjamin disdained modern psychological labels and instead invoked an astrological label to describe his disposition.

“I came into the world under the sign of Saturn—the star of the slowest revolution, the planet of detours and delays.”

Sontag was a Capricorn (and Benjamin was born a Cancer —the opposite sign which lives in the shadow of Saturn-ruled Capricorn), so he uses some poetic license.

However this concept of Saturnian people moving slowly, and facing detours and delays fits with what I believe is the most inspiring aspect of Saturn.

Taking a Saturn approach means, working slowly towards a goal, and not giving up despite temporary setbacks.

Twelve weeks ago I posted a column on your Definite Chief Aim (DCA). Since Saturn made its ingress into the sign of Aries, where it will transit for the next three years, this seems like the perfect time to revisit your DCA, or perhaps focus on it for the very first time.

Let’s review:

The idea of the DCA is simple. You identify your number one goal, the big one that you want to accomplish. Most often this refers to something worldly or work-related. But it certainly could refer to other matters, like buying a house in Lisbon (join the club!) or having a baby. Once you know your DCA, your thinking shifts to organically take every step in service to this goal.

Early 20^th century self-help guru Napolean Hill came up with the term in his 1937 classic, Think and Grow Rich. Interestingly, Saturn was transiting Aries that year, and now here we are again.

Saturn is the planet of structure and discipline. When working with Saturn it behooves us to come up with a plan, frontload the hard work first, and embrace routine.

Aries is the pioneering sign of self-hood. Aries shows great courage and is unafraid to go it alone. Aries, ruled by Mars, also exudes great physical energy, and likes to get a move on.

Putting these two together, the message seems to be:

Focus methodically on identifying your goal and the steps you need to take to achieve it, and then jump in. One thing cautious Saturn and enthusiastic Aries have in common is this:

Neither one likes to procrastinate!

In addition to Saturn transiting Aries, Neptune recently entered the sign as well (at the end of March), where it will transit for eight years.

Neptune can sometimes be a little foggy when it comes to practical matters, but luckily Saturn’s strength in this area helps to cancel this out. Neptune in Aries is highly creative and energetic. It encourages you to use your imagination and dream big.

How can you use this astro weather report to identify your DCA, commit to it, and build a real practice that helps you moving forward step by step till you achieve your goal?

In this essay you can find the steps to follow to begin your DCA practice, or review them.

For maintaining your practice going forward here are some additional steps:

1. Review your steps daily.

2. Write down in your calendar two steps to accomplish this week.

3. Do a meditation in which you tune in to the feeling of the wish fulfilled. This experience should give you the inspiration to keep moving forward.

4. Write down in your journal a recent obstacle you have faced and dialogue with yourself about what it is behind it, and how you can overcome it.

Now that Saturn is officially in Aries, here is sign by sign excercises for working with your DCA, with the help of Saturn in the week ahead. Consider upgrading to a paid subscription to receive this extra-focused advice. SEE YOU NEXT SUNDAY!

And a reminder:

NEED MY HELP?

I offer astrology chart readings and tarot card readings. For more: www.jilldearman.com.

Just send me an email at JillDearman@gmail.com, subject line: DCA.

I also offer Astrology-Based-Counseling Work (ABC).