[John picks up the phone and dials Saturn’s number. A recorded message picks up.]
Machine: Greetings. You have reached my private number. Out of respect for my time and your own, please take no more than twenty seconds to provide information on how I may contact you. [long beep]
John: Are you there, Saturn? It’s me, John. I don’t know if you’re up for talking to me but if you are, you can call me at…
[handset picks up]
Saturn: Rumors of your return are swirling in the office, John. I’m surprised you reached out directly. You have been well, I trust?
John: Yes, sir. I mean…I’ve had my share of challenges over the last few years, but I’m still around, if that’s what you mean.
Saturn: [pause] Your resilience has brought you back to me, I see. That’s one of your best qualities.
John: Over the past few years, I’ve needed it, although I’d have preferred not to.
Saturn: That’s the way it always goes. You know this better than most. [pause] So you’re not here for nothing; tell me the reason for our conversation today. I suspect you are not calling me to wish me a belated Saturnalia?
John: Correct. I’m here to ask you if you’d still consent to do an interview with me. We were supposed to do it a while ago and it got lost in the…well, in the…flotsam and jetsam of my mundane life.
Saturn: Don’t minimize things. I wouldn’t call Stage 4 cancer mundane by any stretch, John. That alone would have been enough, but you’ve also had other challenges. It’s obvious my energy resonates with you heavily. As much as it pains me to say it, being too much like me is not necessarily good all the time.
John: Yes, so I've noticed.
Saturn: While I’m not known for providing what most would consider “positive reinforcement” I’m proud of what you’ve accomplished, for certain. At the same time, knowing when to “cut yourself some slack” as people say is also an important boundary to understand forming the underpinning of your future success.
John: That’s one of the more difficult lessons for me to learn. I am fairly merciless with myself when it comes to making mistakes, and I treat myself a lot more harshly than I ever would anyone else.
Saturn: [small smile] You have time now to learn this lesson, one which I suspect you have never fully grasped. And my lessons are not easy, as you know, but they are important. At your age, you also have been dealing with the closing square to your natal Saturn over this past year. Not an easy time.
John: Not by any stretch. [pause] So could I schedule some time with you in the near future for a sit-down interview?
Saturn: Certainly. I really want to make sure you understand that it will likely be the longest one you’ve done so far. There’s a lot of material to cover, and with my move into Aries this November, I’d like to get everything on the record before then. I’m sure you understand.
John: Certainly. Let me look at my calendar and see what I can come up with. I'm hoping to do it sooner rather than later. We both know this winter and spring have their astrological challenges, but despite those...
Saturn: Indeed. Very well. I'll speak to you again soon. [pause] I look forward to our future collaboration. [hangs up]