Every 28-30 years of life, the planet Saturn completes its orbit and returns to the exact place where it was when you were born. Astrologers and spiritual gurus alike look upon this time in a person’s life when taskmaster Saturn gauges where you are in your life and compares it to where you should be. Often times, changes are mandated so you can fulfill your life’s true purpose. Sometimes those changes are easy. Oftentimes they are not. Saturn holds us to our responsibilities much as a good parent would. The work we put into ourselves sets us up for a more complete exploration of one’s self. “Dread” is a word that I often hear when people realize that their Saturn Return is coming.

But why? We are constantly seeking guidance and reassurance that we are on the right path in our daily lives. When something that’s only ulterior motive is for our true personal growth nudges us in the proper direction, why would be dread it or fight it? Why wouldn’t we heed it and even celebrate it?

If someone told you that you would never have to carry a credit card or a cell phone in your hands again if only you opted for a neural transplant, would you do it?

These days, every device promises that it can do our thinking for us. Even though even early studies have already shown that brain degeneration occurs quickly when delegating thought to devices–and isn’t an easy or rapid fix. Why would we allow this? Are we afraid to think? Is it too hard? Is it inconvenient? Inconvenient to think?! Maybe we should give THAT some quick thought. Just what are we saving our energy for? To be so quick to hand over agency of one’s cerebral capacities seems a foolish thing to do. To be able to communicate one’s own thoughts is something that evolution has been fervently working on for eons. Not to mention parents and educators as well. What would if the power goes out? What happens if we can’t recover cerebral loss? Would we begin an evolutionary backslide?

Some of the very best parts of being human include expression: art, music, poetry, conversation. How would we make friends, fall in love, find a job, keep a job, RAISE CHILDREN if we can’t express ourselves in meaningful ways? It takes practice to get good at it. And it takes engagement to stay good at it. Why are we willing to give that away?

According to history–taught in U.S. schools at least–human civilizations have been fighting it out since the beginning of time. Warfare, takeovers, domination, slavery, and genocide all count among the maneuvers that Man has subjected each other to. We tend to use words like “conqueror” and “victor” to refer to the more brutal of the two participants of these vicious cultural interactions.

But what is the number one wish of everyone you’ve ever asked “If you could have one wish, what would it be”? Just about every time, people say, “World peace.” But is world peace really possible? And what would happen if it actually occurred? Would differences between peoples dissolve into the commonalities, allowing a free-flow of information across cultures that could benefit us all as more pieces of the life puzzle slide into position? Or would, as Joseph Campbell posits, entire civilizations disappear as a result of the ceasing of the drive to survive? And what is lost with those civilizations when they disappear?

Are there benefits to war? That sentence is a hard one to type. It seems like a preposterous question to ask. But isn’t it time to ask the hard questions? War has been around since the beginning for some reason. Was it for survival? (The U.S. government contaminated blankets with smallpox to offer as “gifts” to the U.S. Native peoples–was that for survival?) Was it due to ego? (Ego’s dual positions of victim or dominator might come into play here.)

Here in the U.S., we tend to have a rather naive take on the idea of war since we don’t typically have another country’s bombs raining down on us or have a foreign military patrolling through our back yards. That perspective matters. Knowing that an incendiary device could ignite, causing chaos and harm, at any time, is not a feeling that many of us deal with on a consistent basis.

As we have been incredibly fortunate to have largely been shielded here in the U.S. from firsthand experience with war, perhaps we should take a step out of our comfortable enclave and consider how different things are for those who haven’t been so lucky.

Without doubt, Nature sings. Music is everywhere. The wind, trees, rivers, birds, frogs–everything dances and sings to the natural tunes of the Cosmos. Because they are happy? Sad? Sending a message? To whom? Each other? What are they saying? What if we could translate their messages to drive their communication attempts home? How would we be changed?

Yeah, sure, that new phone model will be out shortly. Another camera, more memory, faster processing. Do we really need it? Can we live without it?

Working with technology is exciting and loaded with potential, but what happens when you are LIMITED by it? Yes, LIMITED. When we become so reliant on these 2 1/2 x 6 inch constant companions that we are unable to function without them, are they really the move?

But let me ask you, do they actually keep you more connected to the people in your life? Is life more fulfilling when you can text anybody 25 times a day to discuss the trivialities or gravitas of life or when you can sit across a table, look into someone’s eyes and hear their voice while talking about the trivialities or gravitas of life?

And disconnection from others is one thing. But what about the disconnection from oneself? Not even mentioning the amount of time squandered while you can be meditating or exercising or resting or learning something new, phones are now also stealing our brain capacities. Early studies out now are indicating that the use of AI is undercutting our brain functions. And regaining abilities is proving difficult. When you delegate your thought process to a device and it takes it and doesn’t give it back, what do you do then?

Are we really in need of intermediaries for EVERYTHING? Many intermediaries now have their own intermediaries! Think of insurance companies. While the concept of an insurance agent is nothing new, the advent of apps for EVERYTHING certainly has put another buffer layer between us and the services we pay for and rely upon. While greatly convenient when everything works smoothly, when it doesn’t, it sure can be a clusterfuck. And since when is everything smooth when you NEED your insurance? Not a great time to be on hold because the single customer phone rep is at lunch. And to rely on AI for human problems only seems to be a coup for those authorizing payments for their employees.

But what about intermediaries for other things? A legal issue? You need a lawyer, and get ready to pay. Where do citizens go to learn about everyday laws and rights? Why is that not a part of our education? It seems the law clearly states that ignorance is not a defense! We’re also clearly fucked.

In some belief systems, even God has His intermediaries here on Earth. Priests, ministers, etcetera, have spent centuries convincing us mere mortals that without them, salvation cannot happen.

These days, even trying to get in to see your doctor has become like trying to catch a glimpse of the Pope. And they are just as well insulated from communication.

We can’t even begin to discuss telephone communication as an intermediary because unless you already have the personal cell phone info of the person you are trying to call, chances are you won’t be connecting via phone. And if, by chance, you had a number, instead of it being answered by a real human being, it has by now probably been replaced by some automatic system that is so inefficient that it would probably take less time and energy to jump into your car or on public transportation and head over to talk to the people you seek in person–if you could manage to get in touch with their office staff first.

This is an issue that seems beyond measure, as well as beyond remedy. In an age that has been defined as the age of communication technological supremacy, why is it that we can’t get in touch with anybody real? Scammers and other abusers seem to have no problem reaching out to connect.

Do we really need level after level of buffer between us and those with whom we want to communicate? What happened to the days–which weren’t that long ago–when we could just pick up a phone book, call a number, and speak with the intended phone call recipient?

I know…there’s really no reason to be this rude, right? Didn’t you just assume that I was being insulting? Or did curiosity lead you to find out what I mean?

Our perspectives drive everything. How we see the world informs how we act and react. How we see ourselves. How we take in information. And all of this drives our perspective further.

When you encounter someone whom you believe to be ignorant or you perceive to be “an idiot” because you can’t understand their words, concepts, or actions, are they the idiot or are you?

As a fairly young society, America has been hearing the phrase “’til death do us part,” and we tend to think of it with joy because it is an integral phrase of the marriage ceremony. But how many of us have really considered what that phrase actually signifies?

Oh, gee, we’re married! Hurray! Celebrations all around! And that’s great. Time passes (very quickly, by the way). Often children burst onto the scene–and time passes even MORE quickly! But as time manages its inevitable creep, a stunning and veritably heartbreaking realization begins to take shape: one of you will pass away first. We never talk about this. Ever. And why not? Our deaths are guaranteed.

In our culture, death is looked upon as a depressing subject, relegated to quiet whispers and somber conversations. Other cultures, particularly those of the Eastern traditions, tend to look upon it as a moment of liberation and opportunity–a cause for celebration.

Should we wait for the inevitable to sneak up on our aging selves, only to discover its reality at the worst possible time–the loss of our partners? A horrible irony here is that the longer we are with our other halves, the older we will be at the moment of loss–and also dealing with our own mortality and winding down as our bodies run out of time.

How can we help each other to prepare for this? Might it even make the time shared sweeter to know that the moment for the ultimate departure is barrelling down on us?

Does it matter if global warming is actually a thing? Various media outlets seem to enjoy conjuring up a conflict about the legitimacy of global warming studies and findings. But does it ultimately matter if the days bring temperatures that overrun power grids at either one extreme or the other? Or fresh water supplies are dwindling due to evaporation and inefficient use? How about rising sea levels that will eventually swallow coastal cities? And what about the severity and scope of storms–tornadoes and hurricanes that are so harsh the destruction is of the likes that we’ve not encountered before? Even if the specific causes are under dispute, can we all agree that a problem is before us? A BIG problem?

So much has been written about the once-in-a-generation musician Prince. I can’t tell you how happy I am that I have been a part of that particular generation. His style captivated, confused, and catapulted. He got people singing and dancing. But more importantly, he got them talking.

As someone who grew up with the music of Prince playing regularly on the radio, I thought I knew what he was about when I’d be bopping around dancing to his seemingly-simple lyrics and inescapable beats. Little did I know or expect that that indulgence would reach an entirely different stratosphere where he was concerned. Let me explain.

Prince sang about sex. He seemed to love it. And loved to sing about it. Who could blame him? He had that in common with the youth of that time. And he left no stone unturned either when it came to his songs: Head, 1+1+1is3, New Position. Love him or not, I think most people thought they had him figured out. But I wonder if he pulled off one of the most clever musical endeavors of his time, if not EVER. Let me explain.

Over the course of his 37? year career, he released 36 albums. 36! His popular song releases topped charts regularly throughout his entire career. But the real musical treasures were found embedded within his albums for those seekers who were brave enough to look. Going through his music catalog, one slowly begins to observe an evolution of spirituality that he seems to undergo. And it seems obvious after a while that he was completely aware of it. Looking back on interviews and concert footage, one may even believe that it was completely intentional when he would interject, “if you know what I’m singing about up here, c’mon, raise your hand,” during a stage performance of Purple Rain. Was it intentional? He doesn’t seem the random type. Or unprepared. For a man who was such a complete ARTIST, with specially designed outfits, custom designed guitars, and a home base that contained everything he needed to produce his unbelievably well-concocted musical renderings, chance sure doesn’t seem to be the way he played the game. How many gossip pics have you seen of Prince taking out the garbage wearing sweats and Crocs? EXACTLY.

Prince’s musical mastery was broad. He could sing. Man, could he sing. And play instruments. Wow, could he play instruments. He whipped up musical pieces that would come together in ways that the result ended up much more than simply the sum of the parts. But the dime on which his entire career turned was his lyrical genius. Not only did the man know how to write lyrics, he knew how to play with them to draw in his target audience, hook them with his music, and then attempt to instruct them. Acceptance, guidance, love, justice–just some of the themes that Prince’s music touched upon. Sex was a natural hook. It’s human. It’s natural. What better way to get his listeners to listen to songs about God and spirituality?

Working your way through his music catalog, one can almost witness how Prince’s spirituality evolves. Further consideration of song lyrics will cause you to stop at a line that seems out of place: in his song 1+1+1is3, we’re singing here about a threesome, right? Yeah, but the three players may not be who you think they are. (I think I feel Prince smiling slyly in Heaven right now. I see you, my purple friend.) What was he singing about in there when he mentions a “theocratic order”? When you pin down that line and listen to the song based around the line, something very different emerges: instead of singing about a sexual threesome, was he informing any potential romantic partner that he was only open to partnering if God was included in the relationship? Shit, I bet you didn’t see that coming.

Once you see that, the rest of his clever inclusions begin to fall into place. Was Purple Rain actually about St. Germain’s Violet Flame? Was Prince single-handedly trying to shower the world with love and understanding?

The level of Prince’s genius continues to rise and deepen. I could probably make a case for this perspective as a PhD thesis, but this is just a blog. Food for thought. Check out his music. Listen deeply. With an open heart. Maybe that’s all he was really asking for.