The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - February 2018
The transits of the inner planets this month reflect some of the highlights of the outer planets all year. This month there will be as many as 4 planets (including the partial new Moon solar eclipse) moving from Aquarius to Pisces. Aquarius is an air sign and tends to focus on things pertaining to the outer world. Pisces is a water sign and is oriented more toward the inner world. Aquarius is co-ruled by Saturn and Uranus. For the past few years they have been in fire signs, Sagittarius and Aries respectively. In December Saturn entered Capricorn and in May Uranus will enter Taurus, both earth signs. Although the dynamic, creativity of the fire will be more muted by the earth, these transits will help to bring more focus to concrete, practical issues with common sense solutions.
One potential problem, however, is that Capricorn and Taurus tend to be conservative and traditional in their outlook and choices. Although beneficial for dealing with collective issues such as income inequality and health care, these influences may also prefer to address the problems from the point of hierarchal, partriarchal perspectives. This would clearly limit the creative potential to come up with new ideas that would satisfy those whose material needs are dire. Furthermore, with powerful planets in conservative signs, it would seem as if the incumbents will have success in the election later this year. The potential for a dark and cold time in the world is strong.
One potential break from that pattern can be seen with Uranus entering Taurus. Uranian energy brings change, sometimes extreme and unexpected. It will often work against the more restrictive influences associated with the status quo. Interestingly, Uranus will retrograde back into Aries on election day in November, thereby suggesting not only an unexpected outcome, but one that will provide victory to those with progressive ideas and values. Saturn is the energy of the rule maker. Uranus is the energy of the rule breaker. We can assume that there will be a powerful push-pull affect in the political arena all year.
The co-rulers of Pisces, however, are Jupiter and Neptune. Jupiter will be in Scorpio until November and Neptune will continue in Pisces for several years to come. These are two water signs so we can assume that Jupiter and Neptune will support each other in mutual harmony and productivity all year. Whereas Taurus and Capricorn focus on material well-being, control and the time honored, the influence of the water sign trine suggests idealism, humanism and optimism. An example of this is the stock market. When people are in a more positive state of mind, the market tends to go up. When people are more pessimistic, the market goes down. We can assume, therefore, that one expression of this trine is continued strength in the financial markets at least through the end of this year.
Another, more significant and lasting effect focuses on internal awareness and growth. Jupiter is the energy of joy. Scorpio is the sign of transformation. Jupiter can bring an ebullient attitude to doing our inner work and feelings of joyfulness as we let go of those parts of our lives that are outmoded, stagnant or dysfunctional. As we let go of the old we can create and embrace the new in a spirit of openness, acceptance and well-being. Regardless of what is happening in the material plane, we have the option of engaging in inner process work and experiencing the growth producing results accordingly.
Neptune in Pisces can take this even further. These are influences that help us to transcendent spiritual experiences. We can literally feel our connection to the Divine. This palpable sensation can be accompanied by deep feelings of being loved unconditionally by the source of all life. It can enable us to realize that far from being alienated or separate from the Oneness, that we are in fact inextricably part of the fabric of life itself.
If we integrate the Aquarian and Piscean influences, which are available to us this month, the potential is positive. Both these signs can be oriented toward the greatest good for the greatest number. We can allow the spiritual focus of Pisces to help us to not only feel a personal connection to Divine Spirit but also to want to be of humanitarian service in the world. We can work on healing such things as the environment, the income inequality that is pushing more and more people into dire financial straits and the absence of affordable, quality health care, both physical and psychological that is affecting that is affecting people. Furthermore, the Aquarius energy, can be open to new, innovative cutting edge ideas and choices that can enhance improvement in the quality of life. Remember that Uranus remains in Aries until May. Thus courage and the spark of initiative remain with us until then.
There was much pain and loss in our community last year. As the New Year gets under way, there are positive and powerful influences that help us, both individually and collectively, to work through and get past what we have suffered. We can access energies that give us new vision, new hope and renewed sense of purposefulness and strength.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: This is a good time to work on expansion. This could be in terms of taking classes or beginning a compelling study. It could also be beneficial to do some marketing or advertising designed to promote business in the future. Growth can come from feeling confident, creative and engaged without being deceived by unrealistic expectations.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: Early month provides opportunities for creative changes in your public life. This could professional or social. It's a good time to take some risks to implement changes that are inspiring and innovative, even if they force you to change habits and routines. Late month is a good time to engage in volunteer service, even if that means being supportive of friends or colleagues.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: New social connections and opportunities to tap into new cutting edge ideas could be available to you in early month. The challenge of mid to late month is grounding that information in ways that can be of practical benefit both to you personally as well as to those with or for whom you work.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: As the third of the three water signs you are well positioned to take full advantage of the transits of Jupiter and Neptune. You can use this to develop intuitive insight and awareness. More significantly, however, you can also use these influences to enhance your psychological clarity and sense of spiritual well-being.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: The focus for you this month could be relationship. Whether personal or professional, being in the flow of social interactivity provides both support and fulfillment both to you and the partners. Growth comes from not being overly generous of time or other resources to the point that you become drained.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: Early month can bring changes at work. They will probably be more of a short term variety. You can take advantage of the potential by implementing cutting edge strategies or by being more innovative in some aspect of your job. Growth comes from seeing how these changes can play out over time and by not being overly focused on the details of the present.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: Early month can bring creative inspiration. Take advantage by being open to working in new mediums or engaging in familiar projects in new ways. Later month can bring more of a practical focus. You be drawn to some type of service that is beneficial to others in ways that enhance their physical or emotional well being.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: This is a year, not just month, when engaging in personal process work can lead to significant psychological and behavioral reprogramming. This month a lot of work can be done on the past, especially early childhood issues. Feeling positive about both the process and the results can lead to feelings of joy and liberation.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: Mars will be in Sagittarius all month. This can enhance your sense of adventure, feelings of independence and desire for physical activity. One of the challenges for you this month is moderation. There may be tendencies to put so much energy into an activity that you are doing so much that you wind up feeling drained or frustrated and disappointed.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: Smooth sailing for you this month. After the new Moon in January, when 6 planets were aligned in Capricorn, you should have a clear sense of direction for at least the new future. This is a good time to make significant progress toward you goals.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: Four planets in Aquarius, highlighted by the new Moon in Aquarius on the 15th, provide ample energy for you to engage in new, activities which inspire you. These could involve your social life, creativity or simply communicating new ideas in a variety of ways. Growth can come from remembering to include emotional clarity and realizations along with other less personal types of information.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: This is a good time for communication. What makes this period unique is that you have access to both intuitive as well as logical insights and information. Integrating perspectives from both brain hemispheres can bring wisdom to you and inspiration to others.
Rio Olesky has been a professional astrologer since 1976. He is the author of A Manual for the Modern Mystic and Astrology and Consciousness and The Astroreader. He offers both private readings as well as classes for both beginning and intermediate students. Call Rio at 707-887-1820. Check out his website: www.starwatcher.com.