The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - January 2024
Three planets begin the month in Sagittarius and transit into Capricorn. Two more start in Capricorn and transit into Aquarius. Saturn is the ruling planet of Capricorn and the co-ruler (along with Uranus) of Aquarius. In turn, Saturn is transiting through Pisces. Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces are the three final signs in the zodiac, the ones that pertain to collective experience and individual consciousness development.
We begin the year with a strong Sagittarius influence. Among the most independent of signs, by nature it is positive, joyful and generous. Nice qualities to experience this Holiday Season and to begin the New Year. However, Sagittarius also tends to be excessive in its idealism and expectations. A “glass half full” sign. Capricorn, on the other hand, is more “glass half empty”. It is geared toward concrete practicality. It focuses on what needs to done, defines a methodology to achieve that goal and works in methodical, disciplined ways to get it done.
Sagittarius, like Aquarius, prioritizes personal freedom in thought, speech and action. Capricorn, however, can tend to be more authoritarian in its ability to define and enforce limits and boundaries. In some ways, this shift foreshadows a trend that will continue both throughout the New Year and possibly the entire decade. It’s as if the world is in the process of deciding the balance between personal freedom, a hallmark of democracy, and authoritarian control which is often seen in the cult of the personality. That is, the leader who is at the top of the political food chain and limits the freedom of everyone below.
One of the planets moving from Capricorn to Aquarius is Pluto. Pluto first entered Aquarius in March 2023 and retrograded back into Capricorn last June. This year it will retrograde back into Capricorn from May-October. From that point it will remain in Aquarius until 2044. When used in a centered way, Pluto is the energy of transformation, death and rebirth. Its focus is on the truth. Whether that be of an idea, a relationship or the concept of reality itself. As such it can be brutal and extreme in rooting out dogma, corruption and dishonesty. When used in an off-center way it can pertain to hidden power that is surreptitiously destroying anything or anybody standing in the way of its dominion while they remain behind the scenes. Aquarius can also manifest in extreme ways, from being highly social to preferring the freedom to pursue its own interests. Thus the next few years, as we allow the Pluto in Aquarius generation to take form and develop its own themes, could be chaotic. The push-pull of the next few years is the attempt by the old-guard Capricornian forces, which tend to be conservative, traditional and authoritarian, to control emerging elements, forces and factors in the world. This is going to be a global phenomenon and will manifest everywhere from politics, economics and international relations to technological inventions that will effect everyone in any country. It may not be peaceful or pretty, but it does offer unlimited energy to both create our own individual reality as well as responses to the external chaos.
Because Saturn is powerful in both Capricorn and Aquarius it provides clues as to how to create a positive transition. It’s almost ironic that Saturn is in Pisces and will remain there until May 2025. While Pluto in Aquarius can be deadly and intense, Pisces tends to be gentle, ethereal and compassionate.
Saturn pertains to discipline. We either develop self-discipline or allow external forces to discipline us, as in limiting our behavior. Pisces is the sign of transcendent consciousness. If we prioritize that focus and discipline ourselves to develop it, we can make major strides in determining what the next few years can mean to us as well as the contribution we can make to the collective experience. That focus should take the form of some type of spiritual discipline. Some of these are obvious, like meditation, prayer or yoga. Others can be just as powerful and effective such as engaging in creative expression or being in nature in a variety of ways. Whatever we define as a way to connect with the Transcendent Divine, and doing so consistently, can be viable ways to develop the higher self. In so doing we start to identify more with the limitless power of creation and access our own creative potential. This will lead to both minimizing the power that external forces have over us and to maximizing the ways that we have on determining what this new era of human experience will be.
These themes will be expanded upon in my annual Perspectives talk which I will give on Tuesday, January 9 from 7-9 PM PST through Zoom. For further information, email me at [email protected].
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: This is a time to focus on defining professional goals for the New Year. Positive opportunities could emerge in mid-month. Being clear about your goals first enables you to realize whether those situations fit your needs and desires. Those are the ones to take advantage of.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: Early month may be challenging as new plans don’t go either as well or as fast as you may have expected. Use the setbacks as opportunities to define long range goals that could pertain to travel, education or your spiritual journey.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: Lots of good energy available to you this month. Taking fullest advantage of it has a lot to do with planning for the future in big picture ways. Fulfillment in the present is fine but the conclusion, or even just moving toward that end will bring greater satisfaction. This is a month to plan and work toward that end.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: The New Moon in Capricorn on the 11th can bring a sense of renewal to an important relationship. The Full Moon on the 25th in Leo can bring creative clarity and a sense of where, why and how you want to be more present in your life. It’s also a time when you could get clarity about achieving long range financial goals.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: The Full Moon in Leo on the 25th can bring clarity about the emotional content of important relationships and your immediate feelings about them. Use this as a point from which to deepen those relationships that are meaningful and to eliminate or minimize those that aren’t.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: Reevaluating family dynamics or researching ways to make your home life more fulfilling can finally give way to acting on that research this month. If you are patient and practical this could prove to be a useful time to implement those ideas. Caution and discernment are the keys.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: Early month social activity with friends, neighbors and relatives may give way to more serious planning and functioning from mid-month on. This is a time to allow things to develop organically, in their own time and way. Avoid being too idealistic or assuming that everyone is as thoughtful as you are.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: This could be a time of joyful creativity for you. You also might find that your social life is expanding both qualitatively and qualitatively. Mid month is time to be creative in whatever you have a passion for. Growth can come from being mindful of your intensity. It’s fine to feel it, just be cautious about expressing it in ways that could be overwhelming to others.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: With all the energy in Sagittarius over the last month or so, you could be feeling very joyful and happy. Growth can come from maintaining those feelings as things get more limited and serious this month. Being of service to others or spending more time out of doors can keep you smiling and your attitude positive.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: There are two ways we can develop consciousness. One is by reading uplifting and inspirational books. The other is through meditation. This month both are available to you. By engaging in both a deep sense of peace and joy can emerge.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: The New Year begins with good energy available to you in the areas of creativity, sociability and physical activity. Growth can come from taking advantage of the opportunities in mindful, sensitive and joyful ways.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: Winter is a time of introspection and reclusion. That is a formula for you to follow this month. Tune in to the inner light as it seeks to emerge in all areas of your life. Doing so could lead to advancement and success in both personal and professional areas throughout the year.
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.