The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - February 2015
Approximately every two years, a very interesting conjunction occurs between Venus and Mars. Due to its frequency it’s not a major transit. Because of the nature of the two energies, however, it can be quite useful in certain ways. This year the conjunction is even more pronounced. Not only will a Venus-Mars conjunction take place this month but, due to the retrograde motion of Venus, it will happen again from late August through early September.
Venus and Mars are considered polar planets because they rule opposite signs. They affect our lives in terms of our tendencies, needs and relationship behaviors. Venus pertains to our needs in relationship. It is the feminine or receptive aspect of social interaction. Mars is the masculine or active component. It is the physical, driving force that complements the Venusian orientation toward sensuality and affection with sexuality.
A conjunction is an opportunity to integrate the different energies so that they function effectively as a single unit. If we take advantage of the opportunity we can become more balanced within ourselves and more fulfilled in our relationships. If we fail to integrate the separate energies one will tend to dominate the other. For example, these planets start coming together around mid-month when both are in the sign Pisces. Venus is particularly strong in Pisces, Mars is not. If we allow Venus to take the upper hand, we can become highly romantic and filled with devotion and compassion. But Venus is Pisces is also subject to “being in love with love”. We could fantasize about a relationship or idealize someone and run the risk of being very disillusioned later on. This dreamy Venus could get lost in trying to help, heal, fix or save someone who is needy in some way. Confusing pity with love. What’s missing? Mars, the energy of self and the representative of our drive to be authentic and express ourselves accordingly.
These planets transit into Aries on the 19th (Mars) and the 20th (Venus). Mars is the ruling planet of Aries, thus the emphasis gets reversed. Whereas Venus in Pisces can joyfully embrace sacrifice in relationship, Mars will have none of it. Mars in Aries likes its desires to be front and center, activated and present at all times. Under these conditions, gentle, receptive Venus can get overwhelmed by the dominance of Mars. Sensuality takes a back seat to sexuality; affection could give way to anger, especially if we have not affectively been expressing our true self or needs previously.
We can avoid this polarity by striving to integrate both energies. In addition to providing impetus to integrate these forces, conjunctions are also good times for new beginnings. This could be the beginning of a relationship, but more importantly, a good time to work on integrating these primal forces in new ways. This could prevent the either/or patterns from emerging and enable us to have more successful, healthy and fulfilling relationships.
One way to integrate Venus and Mars is by focusing on what has been referred to as “the sacred marriage”. This refers to the integration of one’s masculine-feminine selves. We all have both qualities within us at all times. Each one of us has a different balance. This is not about being male or female. A man could actually have more receptive, feminine qualities whereas a woman could be more assertive. This also has nothing to do with sexual orientation. A heterosexual man could prefer being more receptive in a relationship with a woman just as a heterosexual woman could be more comfortable being assertive with a man. This is about being comfortable with who you are and allowing your social behaviors to reflect the balance that accurately portrays who you are to your partner and friends.
Many Native American cultures openly supported those referred to as Two Spirit people, who were limited by traditional gender roles. They were often shamans who mediated between the human and spirit realms. They would be called upon to mediate conflicts between men and women, since they had insight into and identified with both.
Relationship is in high focus this month. We may feel a greater drive to interact and a greater need for connection. Use the conjunction between Venus and Mars to get in touch with your true social self. This can enable you to be more authentic and more fulfilled in sharing yourself with others.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: Mars, your ruling planet, often gets lost in Pisces. Your sense of self, your physical drive, even your anger may tend to be muted. By the time Mars transits into Aries you become so focused on self and personal needs and desires that you come across too strong. Growth comes from remembering to be present in early month, even if you are more sensitive and receptive than usual.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: Your social, artistic self could soar in early month only to feel yourself getting too forceful, awkward and self-conscious from mid-month on. Growth comes from being self-affirming even as you express harmony in your relationships. Being receptive doesn’t mean being passive; being direct doesn’t have to bring loss of harmony.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: Inspired, possibly even brilliant ideas could come to mind this month. Under certain conditions they could remain in the theoretical state and not get actualized. This month support is available to manifest the information in ways that are concrete and productive.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: The full Moon in Leo on the 3rd is a good time to be creative and confident about financial decisions. The new Moon in Pisces on the 18th is a good time to be more reclusive and introspective. Study, reading and meditation could bring useful insights and a sense of emotional well-being and renewal.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: The full Moon will be in Leo on the 3rd. You could both feel and express more emotion than usual, which could be beneficial to improving and deepening important relationships. In addition, early month is a good time for expressiveness in general. Late month is more a time for reflection and introspection.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: This month is a good time to be open to innovation or experimenting with activities ranging from health care to work to daily routine. New ideas or insights could inspire you to make changes that enable you to be more affective, fulfilled and realistic in any or all of these areas.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: Being ruled by Venus, you may have difficulty expressing anger. You may assume that if and when you do, it’s merely to defend yourself against unfairness. Or you could manipulate a situation by projecting your anger onto someone else and cry victim. This is a month to get in touch with anger, feel OK about it and learn to express it in tactful ways.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: Social harmony and diplomacy are not often qualities associated with you. This is a good time to remain in touch with your passion and intensity and complement those traits with thoughtfulness and tact. Growth comes from being willing to display both your sensitivity and your power.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: Confidence, creativity and adventure are all strong for you the next two months. Growth comes from not being seen as arrogant or thoughtless of others as you embrace new and exciting opportunities. The more pushy you seem to others the harder they will push back.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: This is a good time for you to open up. Do it slowly and deliberately, especially in late month. But the energies support you in being more verbal and more socially interactive.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: The good news is that your mind is very active, creative and inspired this month. The challenge is to not rely on it to the exclusion of emotional or intuitive awareness and insight. In addition, take the time to think through an idea thoroughly. Otherwise your point might be misunderstood by others and you could have a hard time implementing a good idea into useful manifestation.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: Your artistic and romantic sides are in full flower, especially the first half of the month. Growth comes from becoming comfortable being more direct and assertive in late month, especially when it comes to expressing your values.
Rio Olesky has been a professional astrologer since 1976. He is the author of A Manual for the Modern Mystic and Astrology and Consciousness. He offers both private readings as well as classes for both beginning and intermediate students. To make an appointment for a reading or to find out more information about classes and lectures, call Rio at 707-887-1820. Check out his website: www.starwatcher.com.