The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - March 2011
There are two interesting, significant and profound transits this month. One is a repeat from last year. The other is new. The former pertains to Uranus returning to Aries. The latter refers to an opposition between transiting Jupiter and transiting Saturn.
Uranus entered Aries in late May of 2010 but it never moved beyond 0 degrees, eventually retrograding and returning to Pisces in August. Zero degrees of Aries is a critical degree, meaning that the energy of any planet at that place has more impact than in most other degrees. Even though Uranus’ stay in Aries last year was short, it had important influence. The nature of Uranus is to inspire change. Ideally, the change leads to a greater sense of individuation. We become clearer about who we are and note how we may differ from others. Our thinking becomes innovative and our social behaviors are cutting edge and progressive. Otherwise Uranus can promote a rebellious attitude from the status quo just to prove one’s difference. This can lead to endless change for the sake of change or simply to behaviors that are extreme, erratic or detached from the reality that others connect with.
Uranus in Aries can embrace change that may seem risky. Aries loves to begin new projects or relationships and is by nature bold and courageous. If a situation is challenging and exciting Aries can jump in with both feet, leaping before it looks. The downside to this whole transit (which will last for the next 7 years) is that we might feel energized about something and dive into it before realizing its dangers or limitations. We could also become excited by a series of things that have us starting and changing in such an erratic way that the only thing we accomplish is spinning our wheels, getting nothing done even while feeling overwhelmed by trying to do too many things at once.
On the positive side, however, Uranus in Aries provides the energy to be true to ourselves. To act in accordance with our true nature regardless of judgments from others or however much our behavior deviates from accepted social norms. This, in turn, could lead to risks being taken on the personal level that could lead to a real, meaningful sense of liberation. Accompanying that is the willingness to get involved in activities that are experimental, but not necessarily stable. Collectively, new jobs could be created as a result of venture capitalists opening their coffers to invest in start up companies that are oriented toward green technology and sustainable energy.
We could pick up the tread of something we started last year or move in new directions altogether. As a rule, Aries does not like to go backwards. It has one gear and one direction – flat out and straight ahead. Whichever direction we choose the transit of Uranus back into Aries brings light and excitement to a reality that has been bombarded with bad news for several years.
The Jupiter – Saturn opposition is a relatively short-term transit, lasting from approximately March 19 to April 8, although it does return briefly from late January 2011 through mid-February 2012. Regardless of its duration, however, this transit could prove important.
The nature of an opposition is to create interactive tension between the self and someone or something external to the self. We can use the challenge of the opposition to become more self-aware about who we are and what we want to do. In the process, however, we have to overcome the tendency to see ourselves as the positive, generous “good guy” (Jupiter) and the other person as restricting our happiness by being too authoritarian, rigid or controlling (Saturn). Conversely, we also need to avoid seeing ourselves as grounded, practical and productive (Saturn) and the other person as excessively idealistic and out of touch with reality (Jupiter).
The challenge of this aspect is to be clear about our philosophy of life, including morals and ethics and our understanding of the big picture of what life is. This deals with the Jupiter energy. We then need to find or create a way to implement that philosophy in productive ways that enable us to manifest our ideals in concrete terms. Saturn is in Libra, the sign of balance. So it is more comfortable than it usually is in accommodating the higher-minded thoughts of Jupiter. This transit provides the opportunity to feel the joyful enthusiasm of Jupiter, and its desires for the future, and to combine it with a methodical, fairly mundane way of realizing that vision in pragmatic ways.
The bottom line for both of these phenomena is that they are action oriented. The mantra for the spring is to act. Follow up on something already begun or start something brand new. The only wrong decision is to do nothing. Even if the choice we make doesn’t lead to fulfillment, the energies are in signs that are comfortable with trial and error.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Although there is lot of energy in Aries right now, this month may bring feelings of confusion, lack of self-confidence and a sense of being ungrounded. There are two potential ways out. One is to focus internally. Meditation, creative art or simply taking long walks in nature can bring clarity. Second, physical activity that is also artistic, such as dance, can provide a sense of connection and meaning to your life.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Spend some time focusing on your work with two things in mind. One is to create harmonious connections to those with whom or for whom you work. Second, put some time and energy in to the aesthetics of your work place. A new coat of paint, comfortable furniture or sprucing up the decor can enable things to flow more harmoniously and increase productivity and your bottom line.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
This is a good time for new beginnings in your social life. This could pertain to meeting new people and making new friends. It could also mean changing your social behaviors. Growth for you this month comes from being more direct, self-affirming and authentic in your social activities.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
The new Moon in Pisces on the 4th and full Moon in Virgo on the 19th impel two activities. One is service to others, especially in your extended family or immediate community. The other is learning. This is a good time to start a course of study either in school or on your own that will enable development of consciousness in some meaningful way.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Early month could be a time of quiet contemplation in which you focus on both spiritual as well as financial matters. Later in the month things might get a little dicey. You may feel excited about a new project or simply enthusiastic about who you are and what you’re doing. The problem could be that your openness is running afoul of someone else’s idea of what you are supposed to be doing. Growth comes from rooting out any tendencies to restrict your expressiveness due to old programming about shoulds and shouldnt‘s.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
The full Moon in Virgo on the 19th can bring a sense of emotional self-awareness as well as a desire to share with others how you feel. You may also notice that you are being more spontaneous as well as expressing yourself in new ways that more authentically let others know what you are experiencing.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Relationship is in very high focus for you both this month and next. The challenge is in balancing the energy exchange between yourself and your partner. Growth comes from sharing the leadership role. Let your partner know who you are, how you feel and what you need and offer. It’s more important to be authentic at this time than concerned with maintaining harmony between you.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
You may feel spaced out and periodically confused this month. Respond to these experiences by engaging either in athletic activity or some kind of other creative expression that is physical. The purpose of any of that type of activity is fun. It’s not about sharing the experience with someone else or about recognition from someone else. It’s about your enjoyment and doing something that you find pleasurable.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
The Jupiter-Saturn opposition will be most significant to you. It could take different forms depending on what house axis those planets are lining up in your chart. In general, however, it will involve the process of individuation. Growth comes from your usual joyful, generous self and expressing those tendencies in ways that are grounded, methodical and more oriented toward practical productivity than happiness and personal pleasure.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
The Jupiter-Saturn opposition could bring a push-pull quality to your experience this month. You may feel drawn to being home and, in fact, a sense of joy and satisfaction could accrue by following that impulse. But this is also a time to focus on accomplishing professional goals. Growth can come from using your alone time to define a strategy that will help to achieve your goals efficiently and joyfully.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
With Uranus re-entering Aries you may feel free to be yourself and choose the activities and relationships that seem most interesting at this time. Growth comes from developing patience. Uranus will remain in Aries for 7 years, so don’t get caught up in the feeling that everything has to be done right down. Impulsive activity could lead to accidents.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Two themes emerge for you this month. One is your financial forecast. Spend some time working on a long-term budget and taking action that will increase your material security. The other theme, which will probably arise in late month, is to share your intuitive insights with others. However, this could also take the form of creative writing in which you feel as if the words are flowing through you.