The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - March 2024
There has been a lot of focus lately on Pluto moving back into Aquarius. This may be accelerating the development of the Aquarian Age and with it an increase in technological inventions and advances. This month, however, there is a lot of focus on Pisces and its ruling planet Neptune. Since the Aquarian Age follows the Piscean Age, one might assume that this is a good time to review that past 2000 years of human history. That would be a valid way to respond to these transits. Another way is to review the nature of Pisces and Neptune in order to insure that their positive qualities and characteristics remain with us even as we new ways to perceive and relate to life.
Five of the ten planets of our solar system will be transiting through Pisces this month. That doesn’t include the New Moon which will be in Pisces on the 10th. The main thrust of this energy will be in mid-month. The Sun and Neptune will be conjunct and Venus and Mars ingress into Pisces. Saturn and Neptune have been in Pisces for quite a while and remain there. What can we look for in order to increase our positive potential for the month? Venus can bring the love and Mars the drive to bring about two main points of focus: selfless service and the arts.
The motivation for the former comes from the Piscean orientation to connect with the Spiritual Presence on a regular daily basis. As I’ve noted in this space before, the transit of Saturn through Pisces can provide the discipline for any spiritual endeavor, such as meditation, yoga, t’ai ch’i, or walking in nature. Through that focus one can derive an “inner directive” that can be a message from the Universe about how to maximize one’s potential to help others even as one’s spiritual growth is enhanced. Making a contribution by helping others can be a calling. With so many people suffering from low income, housing and/or food insecurity, drug and alcohol addiction and various forms of mental illness, there are many avenues through which one can provide support to others. In a Presidential election year, this could also take the form of working to advance a particular candidate or cause that one might feel would improve the quality of life for others. Saturn can also provide the limits and boundaries that can prevent us from getting into a savior or martyr space and assume that the fate of the world is wrapped up in our ability to make a difference. All we are ever required to do is to be ourselves and do the best we can at whatever we are doing.
Neptune is the planet of transcendent consciousness, our most direct and immediate path to spiritual connection. But it is also the energy of the creative imagination. It has been characterized as a higher octave of Venus, the energy of art and beauty. In chaotic times, such as we are currently living through, the arts can be an oasis. They can remind us that beauty always exists and is always available if we simply take the time to tune into it in any medium. In addition, the arts can serve as a unifying factor, especially valuable right now as our culture is growing more contentious on a daily basis. When we attend a concert, visit a new show at a museum, attend a book signing or attend the opening of a new restaurant we don’t ask the other patrons which side of the political fence they sit. We simply acknowledge them as having a similar focus to us. That commonality is the basis of a healthy, dynamic culture. We all have a lot more in common than we do differences so focusing on the similarities can do a lot to bring us back to a sense of balance and well-being. With Neptune in such high focus, the ability to create art and beauty is also quite strong. This doesn’t have to have public applications. It could simply mean enjoying playing music, writing a poem, drawing with crayons or colored pencils, preparing your garden for spring planting or making an especially delicious meal for your family.
We can bring these two Piscean themes together when we observe others from a spiritual rather than egocentric perspective. Seen from the big picture point of view, and when we are centered and self-loving, we are aware that everyone, and everything is a manifestation of Divine Spirit. When we can acknowledge each other’s divinity we relate to them in different ways. Among those ways is inclusivity, which is a prime theme of Aquarius, the sign of the social collective. As we begin to experience and understand some of the possibilities and probabilities of the emerging Aquarian Age, why not do so with a powerful sense of compassion for others and commitment to improve the quality of life for our human family?
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: Some unexpected financial issues could emerge in early month. The main focus for you, however, is spending some quality time alone doing some introspective research. This could yield either how you can help others or what exciting creative projects you can get into.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: The spirituality/service theme could be profound for you this month. Growth can come from balancing your creativity and generosity with your inherent sense of knowing how much time, energy, resources or motivation you have that you can realistically offer to others.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: Your ruling planet, Mercury, will make positive contact with all three of the outer planets this month. These planets help connect us to the social collective as well as augmenting our own consciousness. The first half of the month growth can accrue for you by tapping into these energies. Late month is a good time to explore how to utilize these new points of awareness in your social activities.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: The New Moon in Pisces on the 10th provides a wonderful opportunity for a spiritual experience. This could be an actual spiritual retreat for a few days around the New Moon or simply meditating for a longer period that day. The Full Moon in Libra on the 25th provides the energy to integrate any new spiritual or humanitarian insights into actual relationships.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: When the Sun enters Aries on the 19th, it crosses the equator. This is called the Spring Equinox. It is a time to emerge from our winter hibernation and boldly move into a new season of manifesting the self in the world. This could take the form of new projects, relationships or other exciting activities. Use this month as a time to reassert your abilities to play and create.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: Personal relationships could be a main point of focus for you this month. Growth can come from seeking to strike a balance between what you give and what you receive. You may have a tendency to be so service oriented in the situation that you are only aware of the partner’s needs. This is a good time to make sure that what you are giving in terms of time, attention, resources and love, are being returned.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: The Full Moon in Libra on the 25th will help you get more in touch with your emotions. Pay attention to how you function in various situations. Do you react, giving the other person what you assume they want from you? Or, do you respond, giving an authentic expression of your feelings at that time?
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: Early month might begin with a playful and creative focus, with all the Piscean energy. Later month the focus may shift to your work or even to health matters. Growth can come from being open and honest when expressing opinions or desires to others.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: This is a good time to initiate new projects. It’s also a good time to be physically active. Some type of athletic activity would be appropriate, but so too would be any type of adventure that requires movement. Some of that energy can also be directed to the home, as this would be a good time to be creative around home and property.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: Confidence and creativity are available to you in this month. Growth can come from using that energy in two ways. One is to focus inward in a spiritual or psychological quest for clarity. The other can be expressed either socially or artistically. This is a good time to let go of schedules and just be spontaneous.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: Intellectual inspiration and stimulating conversations could be available this month. Being open to ideas and concepts can be balanced by bringing new, expansive perspectives to others. Avoid being pushy or impulsive about either expressing yourself or expecting others to immediately agree.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: With all the Pisces, Neptune energy, this is great time for a spiritual retreat. If that doesn’t fit, make sure you are spending quality time alone this month, ideally in some type of spiritual or creative endeavor. Service may also have appeal. In all cases, however, remember to strive for self-discipline to help you stay focused and keep your priorities clear.
Rio Olesky has been studying astrology since 1967 and has been a practicing professional astrologer since 1976. The author of Astrology and Consciousness, A Manual for the Modern Mystic, and The Astroreader, Rio offers weekly classes through Zoom. You can call Rio at 707-887-1820. Check out his website: www.starwatcher.com.