Sherene Schostak - Surviving Saturns Return

Overcoming the Most Tumultuous Time of Your Life

SHERENE SCHOSTAK, M.A. AND STEFANIE IRIS WEISS, M.A.

Copyright 2004 by Sherene Schostak and Stefanie Iris Weiss. All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

ISBN: 978-0-07-177008-8
MHID: 0-07-177008-9

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For Amma,
the true inspiration for our workmay healing flow
into all those that read this book
through her loving, divine spirit.

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

From my heart I want to express my love and appreciation

To my rock of Gibraltar, my real-life Saturn father, Phillip H. Schostak; my mystical, belly-dancing, goddess mommy, Lise Schostak; and my beloved Jupiter angel Gad Cohen; with much gratitude and respect to my Ashtanga teacher, Eddie Stern, for cracking me up through my relentless battle with the Marichasanas

To my childhood friend of twenty-five years, Kerry Johnston

To my sexy Scorpio sister and fabulous travel companion, Dom, who is always there for me

To all of the lovely and talented Zodiac Dancers and crew

To my business partner and amazing friend, Tet, who brought Zodiac Dance to life

To my beautiful friends Liza, Neena, Zack, Elissa, Wendy, Elysha, and Nahja

To my cousin, Jerry Schostak, for his generosity and support of my studies at the New School

To my incredible clients, who are my real teachers

To my astrology mentors, Edwin Steinbrecher and Stephen Connors of D.O.M.E.

Sherene Schostak

I owe profound gratitude to a generous assortment of compassionate cohortsthose who have undertaken this journey with me. Endless love and thanks to my wonderful familymy beautiful Libra mom, my forever tinkering Aquarius dad, and my brilliant Virgo brother, Hal. Eternal props to my magnificent and matchless troupe of friends: Liz, Jodi, Ora, Rachelle, Peter, Henry, Missy, PJ, Monica, Lynn, Jaimie, Noel, Talya, Dom, Gabby, and Josh.

Extra cuddles to my animal companions for love and appropriately timed licks: Boodle, Roxy, and Rufus.

Many thanks to each of my writing and gender studies students, for teaching me almost everything I know.

Stefanie Iris Weiss

Finally, both Sherene and Stefanie would like to thank Jennifer Unter, their fabulous agent, for guiding them through the treacherous waters of birthing a book.

And, as classic Saturn in Taurus women, we have to thank all of the New York restaurants that provided the croissants, cappuccinos, many glasses of Cotes Du Rhone, and every variety of chocolate dessert that made this book possible, especially Bar Pitti, Pastis, Balthazar, Joes, Doma, Ino, and Otto.

It often comes as news to women that one does not die when one turns thirty. Many women in their late twenties live in sheer, unadulterated fear of the big three-oh. Sometimes we discuss it openly, and sometimes we keep it a shameful secret. The truth is that even the most enlightened woman making the transition to thirty lives with a fair amount of pure panic.

Its not our fault. Our society is focused mercilessly on youth, beauty, companionship, and fertility. Were supposed to own each of these in equal measure. And were not supposed to sweat it. Its a tough job, even for those of us who are perfectly endowed with all of the above. For those of us who lack these graces, the daily struggles are far more formidable. It aint easy, ladies.

The lens of the world has been aimed lately on the lot of us. Women in their thirties are under the microscope right now. Even if we dont possess perfectly flat tummies, Prada bags, and knights in shining armor, our stories are finally being told. Maybe you are past the days of wanting to join MTV on spring break but arent quite ready to settle into a quiet, suburban life. Or maybe you do enjoy a quiet lifestyle but know that life is really just beginning. Maybe you share cocktails with girlfriends and live the single life. Maybe you have a husband. Maybe your partner is a woman. You might be a high-powered executive or a stay-at-home mom. Whoever or wherever you are, if you are around the age of twenty-five to thirty-five, you are likely being spun around like Dorothy in the proverbial twister of life: you are in the prime of your first Saturn Return (SR). Turning thirty doesnt suck simply because society says so. There is science behind the suffering.