Life, at times, is hard and all of us humans endeavour, one way or another, to create more comfort, wealth and pleasure. One of the avenues most commonly chosen is gambling, which is based on the principle of HOPE, the hope of winning and changing one's circumstances overnight, usually leaving behind dreary jobs and routines and, more often than not, ugly environments, too.

Hope, as we know, is ruled by benefic Jupiter, which is also linked to the concepts of optimism and enthusiasm. This trio (hope, optimism and enthusiasm) seem to be the main "ingredients" of luck - well, admittedly they are contagious, as they tend to put everybody in a good mood. If we are optimistic, we usually find that other people are more open to us; nobody likes gloom and sadness, after all!

Are there other ingredients to the mysterious concept of luck? Let's have a closer look. Openness seems to be a fundamental attitude because it means we tend to be more friendly and jovial, attracting other people's good will wherever we go. Take, for example, the job market - the more gregarious we are, the easier it will be for us to get useful tips or vital information from others, which will help further our career or get a job.

Another precious ingredient in the "recipe" of luck is generosity. If we derive pleasure from giving with no strings attached, we will often find that we'll get unexpected help or support when we most need it. It's incredible the way this cosmic law works, but it certainly does. What we have discussed so far smacks, unmistakably, of Jupiter, doesn't it? Well, there's no denying that the giant planet has a lot to do with luck. Please read on.

Instinct and prophetic abilities (so linked with intuition) undoubtedly help with luck, too. So often, to get anywhere we need to follow a "hunch" in whatever area or circumstance of our life, dispensing with more cautious or rational plans. Sometimes, if we risk a little, if we are willing to go with the flow more and don't resist changes too much, we end up opening more doors to "lucky" opportunities. Therefore, if we are flexible and receptive, we tend to have more luck as well. Here we meet Jupiter again with its prophetic abilities...but there's more. Jupiter's connection with philosophy also seems to be very relevant to our analysis of luck.

By this, by the way, I don't mean the study of philosophers, but a philosophical attitude to life. For example, as we all know, there are times when what we thought we wanted is taken away from us, much to our frustration and pain. To quote the Rolling Stones " You might not always get what you want, but you will always get what you need" in life. If we are philosophical enough to accept that whoever guides our steps knows better and that if we don't get what we want it is for our own good, we will always feel protected and lucky. Obviously, it all depends on how you look at life - positivity certainly attracts luck. It is hard for a pessimist facing a setback to accept that if what they had hoped for and wanted does not materialise it's because something better is "round the corner". Jupiter believes, therefore it attracts. Positive-minded people are open, flexible and creative, therefore they are "lucky". Rigidity and negativity seem to repel luck, while Jupiterian principles "bring" luck. So far so good. Except that luck has a hidden creator, too. Who's that?

THE "DARK" SIDE OF LUCK

Remember "dark, gloomy" Saturn, the grim reaper? Well, that is the other side of luck! If you are really surprised by this, please stay tuned and join me in the next step of my analysis of luck.

To begin with, let us now have a look at some aspects of Saturn:

1) It represents an energy that solidifies and consolidates

It must be said, however, that when all the above characteristics are taken to an extreme we come across Saturn at its worst, expressed through rigidity, depression, excessive perfectionism, pessimism, inability to accept changes, inertia, ruthlessness and, worst of all, FEAR of fear.

Fear is a terribly destructive emotion as it paralyses us and hinders our growth but, within limits, it can have a positive message to bring. Maybe our inner guidance is trying (through fear) to tell us that we are not ready emotionally, psychologically or materially to take the next step towards our goal. Maybe it is trying to encourage us to gain more skills, more qualifications, more wisdom or more healing for ourselves, depending on our own personal circumstances. Saturn does not like failure or defeat and, somehow, it is trying to get us ready to do our best and be successful. In short, our inner wisdom, like Saturn, is always guiding and disciplining us and at times it seems to hold us back until the RIGHT MOMENT comes.

Which brings us to the relevant Saturnian concepts linked to luck: patience, careful planning and perfect timing. We all know and have undoubtedly learned from experience that nothing happens until it is absolutely time for it to happen and that everything happens when the time is absolutely right. Such is the order implicit in all creation. Who rules time, our 3-dimensional great illusion? Saturn! Being in the right place at the right time has A LOT to do with Saturn and so-called luck.

Saturn is not a malefic - it simply teaches us about 3-D and earthly realities and how to handle them in the best possible way. By teaching us about the importance of discipline and about the wisdom implicit in perfect timing, Saturn, the Lord of Time, unmistakably leads us towards a more prosperous existence, where there is no unnecessary waste of energy.

Luck is almost always the result of many years of hard work, planting seeds and plodding along (with patience and discipline) mixed with the concept of perfect timing - in one seemingly lucky moment when a good opportunity comes our way and we are finally allowed to shine and get the rewards for past efforts, "Lady Luck" is on our side and we get what we deserve. Finally.

What about "pure luck", those rare occasions when we get lucky strokes with no apparent effort on our part, such as winning the lottery where the only effort involved is to buy the ticket? In my opinion that kind of luck too is linked to Saturn because this beautiful planet is also known as "The Lord of Karma", as it is often linked with Fate, fateful encounters or events. Using the example above, maybe there's a higher reason behind the event; maybe by making us wealthy, our soul wants us to learn about prosperity, power, money and how to handle them wisely. Who knows? All we can be fairly certain about is that, even behind such a "random" event, there is perfect timing from Saturn and our soul.

So who hides behind Lady Luck? Undoubtedly giant and expansive Jupiter, with its friendliness, optimism, hunches and sense of adventure, which all help to bring about good opportunities. But, as we have reasoned above, could we really be chosen and kissed by Lady Luck if Saturnian gradual preparation, discipline and perfect timing were not on our side, too?

Maybe you are a bit less surprised to find Saturn, as well as Jupiter, as a co-ruler of luck by now. Think about it - isn't it really practical, productive and economical for such different planetary energies to join forces and co-operate in this successful way and with such potentially brilliant results? Crafty Saturn again. I can almost see it wink!

Hopefully, in your future ventures and for your coming projects, you will remember to use the energies and teachings of both planets and "ask" for their assistance. With such powerful help, I'm sure they will be a success. Good luck everyone!

© PATRIZIA TROTTA (1999)