The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - March 2019
In a year when there are not many important transits, this month brings one of the most significant. Uranus enters Taurus on March 6. The New Moon in Pisces will also take place that day. The monthly New Moon represents a time of new beginnings, as does a slow moving planet entering a new sign. Now Uranus first entered Taurus on May 14 last year and remained there until November 6. It's interesting that the day the planet representing extreme, often revolutionary change retrograded back into Aries, a sign quite comfortable with risk, on election day. The results brought a Democratic majority in the House of Representatives, flipped state houses and legislatures into the Democratic column and saw more women and minorities elected that at any time in our history.
The placement of Uranus in Taurus can be challenging. The last time Uranus was in Taurus was 1935-1942. This was during the Great Depression and the early years of World War II. Dictators in Europe and the Japanese monarchy were attempting to take control of the world. They were defeated by countries who relied on the people in democratically elected governments.
The paradox of this transit rests in the challenge to integrate the energy of progressive, inspired, experimental change into the sign that prioritizes safety, comfort and routine. The potential extremes of this transit are daunting. How does the energy of ever-change function in the sign of never-change? There seem to be two obvious options. One is Uranus breaking up the traditional, conservative values and priorities upheld by Taurus, a sign that is associated with money and the financial industry. This could be most impactful in the realm of financial markets and the economy. It could reflect significant changes in the Big Banks, leading to bank closures. It could indicate cyptocurrency becoming more popular and successful. In both cases the revolutionary nature of Uranus is preventing stable Taurus from maintaining status quo. This could be a transit that reverses the tax cut passed last year by Congress that cuts taxes to the wealthy but not to the middle and lower classes.
There is also the potential for the forces of conservatism to push back against innovative ideas and changes that inspire financial freedom for the masses. It's interesting to note that when Fascism was fighting Democracy for global control, state controlled communism was also on the rise. Ironically, even though that system seemed designed to support and give power to the common person, it allowed true control to remain in the hands of the government, not the people. A different type of fascism.
Uranus will remain in Taurus until 2026, so we need to find a way to integrate this energy with this sign in ways that are neither extreme nor destructive. Taurus is the second sign of the zodiac and as such is pretty basic. It prioritizes things that bring value, meaning and quality to our lives. It focuses on the tools and resources available that can ensure our safety and stability. In its higher octave Taurus likes to preserve and protect that which it values and that which provides lasting structure. In this context we can project that one of the major, and most important, changes that this transit can reflect is a renewed campaign to alter the pattern of climate change. Uranus has a lot to do with technology. If we put our collective political and economic will to the task, with the perseverance of Taurus, perhaps we can slow and alter the environmental destruction that humanity faces.
However, the lower octave of Taurus is fine with monetizing everything so that our natural resources as well as our time become seen as commodities that can be bought and sold rather than appreciated. Taurus is an earth sign, hence it is deemed to be a yin or feminine sign. Furthermore it is the sign of fixed earth and as such can be thought of as the sign that represents the Earth itself. It's revealing that over the past many millennia women have been oppressed even as we have developed industries that have been largely responsible for destroying the Earth and our quality of life. As noted, the transit of Uranus back into Aries brought women into political prominence in an unprecedented way. Perhaps this, too, is part of the Uranus in Taurus transit: as women become more powerful, they will work to shift our values from dominance and control to gentleness and nurturing, a perfect expression of the higher octave of Taurus.
On the personal level, this is a transit that requires each of us to review our values, the qualities that give our life meaning and significance. Uranus provides the freedom to leave behind values, and the habits that flow from them that are outmoded and boring. We can detach from upholding priorities that are reflective of our traditional culture but are no longer serving the collective needs for such things as financial stability for the common person. Similarly, there are cultural patterns that are preventing certain people such as minorities, immigrants or woman of all demographics from being able to create their own realities.
The 21st Century is less than 20 years old, yet the struggle between the forces of progressive change and restrictive repression are in full swing. Who wins that battle, and the resulting reality, is still to be determined. The transit of Uranus in Taurus provides ample ammunition for us to be able to define the results we want and the energy to create them.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: This is a good time to implement projects that have a long-term trajectory. Focus on projects that are practical, grounding and that will bring a sense of material security and emotional well being. If you are considering doing something that requires physical activity on your part you are probably on the right track.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: This month offers the energy to be experimental and innovative in your career. Enlisting colleagues in a creative effort could enhance the results. Growth for you this month can come from being willing to change. Present your ideas and inspirations, but be open in allowing others to share theirs with you as well. The collaboration could bring unexpected yet valuable outcomes.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: This is a period of contemplation and review for you. Although your creativity and confidence may feel strong, there could be blind spots that affect your decision making. Late month brings powerful energy to do some deep analytical research. Taking advantage of that this month can bring clarity and productivity in the future. Much of this work could pertain to career.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: This could be a time of abundant progress, productivity and social harmony. The New Moon on the 6th offers intuitive insight, spiritual inspiration and the compassion to provide caring service to others. The Full Moon on the 20th provides clarity, confidence and the stability to accomplish a great deal, especially relative to the personal and domestic areas of your life.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: Early month brings an interesting combination of influences. The creative, spiritual and compassionate influences are strong. So, too, however, is the mental energy that can bring analytical clarity and the ability to share your ideas with others in creative and caring ways. Growth can come from being open to other's ideas even as you are sharing yours with them.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: Relationship takes center stage for you this month. Growth can come from minimizing the need to process or analyze the situation with your partner. Tune in to the feelings you have about each other and the situation. Feelings of devotion and unconditional love are very strong for you at this time. Reflecting on those emotions can lead to a new kind of fulfillment.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: The Full Moon in Libra on the 20th will enhance your emotional responses to various situations. Growth for you can come from allowing yourself to express what you are feeling. Emotions, and their expression, can at times be awkward. It could also lead to a disharmonious situation. Honoring your internal experience at that time can lead to deepening the connection between you and others.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: Put some time into building and stabilizing your primary relationship this month. Focusing on the sensual connection can lead to deepening the relationship and enhancing the sexual element of the situation. Growth comes from doing this in a harmonious way, in which each partner gets to express their needs and desires rather than just you taking over.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: The focus for you this month is on your personal life. This can involve spending more time and sharing experiences at home with family or good friends. This could also manifest as spending time in meditation or retreat. A third option is to spend time reading and studying or organizing a study group at home.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: This is a time of slow growth for you. Concentrate on goals that may take a while to be achieved. Your perseverance, attention to detail and all the practical concerns required to complete a successful project are all available. Growth can come from showing the restraint and patience that are required.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: Uranus is your co-ruling planet, so you may be more affected by its transit into Taurus than other signs are. Review your choices and actions from May through early November of last year to discover the degree to which you were successful in addressing this transit as well as the ways that you need to change your understanding of and approach to this transit.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: This month has it all for you. Confidence, self-affirming choices and action, mental clarity and sharing of ideas are all available. Use this time to break out of previously self-limiting states of being. This is a good time to take some moderate risks to enhance those areas of life that may feel a little stagnant or boring.
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.