The Planet Saturn a Character in Saturn's Rings

 In Vestigial Surreality, the planet Saturn, specifically the "Saturn's Rings" omnibus, is significant for representing a new, profound, and potentially artificial layer of reality that the protagonists begin to perceive. It is the central motif for exploring the novel's core themes of simulation theory, the nature of existence, and the hidden layers of reality.

The significance of Saturn in the novel relates to the following themes:

Deepening of the simulation hypothesis

• A new dimension: After noticing many unlikely coincidences in the first omnibus, the protagonists move to the "Saturn's Rings" omnibus to explore the idea that their world may be a computer simulation. The rings, a defining visual feature of Saturn, symbolize a hidden, complex layer of data or code surrounding their known reality.
• A "vestigial" clue: The rings function as a "vestigial" clue—a strange, persistent, but not fully understood feature of their universe. This suggests a leftover element from a different, more functional "ancestral" program, much like how vestigial biological structures point to an evolutionary history. 

Expansion of reality

• Beyond initial perception: The initial plot explores coincidences as signs of a possible simulation. The presence of "Saturn's Rings" takes the characters' investigation from small-scale personal oddities to a larger, cosmic, and universal level. This progression marks a shift from questioning their personal reality to challenging the nature of the entire universe.
• The unknown and the surreal: The exploration of Saturn represents the characters' foray into increasingly surreal and strange areas of existence. This echoes the surrealist art movement, which, as mentioned in search results, uses incongruous and absurd images to suggest deeper, subliminal meanings.

Cosmic and mythological weight

• Ancient symbolism: Saturn has strong mythological and astrological associations with time, old age, agriculture, and karma. These themes resonate with the novel's focus on reality's ancient origins ("through the ages") and the idea that the universe is governed by some form of cosmic law or karmic balance.
• Transition between worlds: In mythology, Saturn was superseded by Jupiter, signifying a new era. This historical transition parallels the characters' experience, where they are leaving behind a simple, known reality and entering a more complex, uncertain one. 

In summary, Saturn is not merely a setting in Vestigial Surreality but a powerful symbol that elevates the central mystery from a local, human level to a universal, cosmic scale. It represents the boundaries and hidden layers of the simulation, challenging the characters to confront the deepest questions about the nature of their own existence.