The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - April 2007
So far this has been a relatively mild year as far as astrological or energetic challenges are concerned. This month, the theme is continued. The most difficult alignment is relatively mild and relatively short (about 2 weeks). In a more demanding year, we might not even consider this aspect that tough. Nonetheless, it can signify certain problems and therefore warrants attention.
It is a T-square involving four planets. Venus will be in Gemini, opposing Jupiter in Sagittarius and both of them square a conjunction of Mars and Uranus in Pisces. This will take place from the 15th-30th. All of these planets are in mutable signs that prioritize learning and service. By nature the mutable signs are adaptable and comfortable with change. Sometimes that sense of ease can create confusion, ambivalence or difficulty with consistency. Mutable signs function best when they work in a system that a framework and a direction.
Venus and Mars are the two primary energies that pertain to relationship. Venus is the feminine, receptive component. It provides harmony, diplomacy and thoughtfulness. Mars represents the male component. It brings assertiveness, drive and competitiveness. Venus is oriented toward affection, Mars toward sexuality. Venus in Gemini wants variety in social activity and prioritizes sharing of ideas and information as fundamental parts of the interaction. The trade off is getting breadth of social focus while sacrificing depth of personal connection. Mars in Pisces can have a hard time being as direct and assertive as Mars usually likes to be. The focus will tend to be more internal and Mars in Pisces can indicate a strong creative imagination, an active intuition or dream life. The square between Venus in a social sign and Mars in a reclusive sign suggests confusion about who to be with or what to do when you are with them. Shall we discuss the affairs of the day (current events, gossip, etc.) or should we meditate together? Shall we talk about the latest books we've read or analyze each other's dreams? In any case the potential to connect with one person, consistently in a deep and meaningful way may get lost in the shuffle.
Added to the mix is Jupiter opposing Venus and squaring Mars. Jupiter is the energy of expansion. It could bring a broader perspective on the situation and maximize the potential to learn from each other and expand the mind through the relationship. Or it could exacerbate the entire conundrum by bringing in more people, more topics, more activities and more confusion. Jupiter is quite generous. Sometimes this can manifest as giving others too much benefit of the doubt, cutting them slack that is unwarranted. Sometimes this can manifest as simply being too generous, offering more than we can afford in any area with any person. This can be especially true this month because squaring to Jupiter is Uranus, the planet of change. Uranus likes to be innovative, experimental, progressive and cutting edge. The problem when the energy of expansion (Jupiter) and the energy of change (Uranus) are in a tension producing aspect (the square) it can lead to changes that are precipitous, extreme, and directionless. This combination suggests decisions made in haste that can leave us overextended and wasting a lot of time, energy or resources.
Uranus is also conjunct Mars. Uranian energy tends to be unconventional and independent. Mars brings physical drive. This combination can lead to hasty action, taken without much forethought, which can lead to accidents. These could lead to bodily injury, inappropriate sexual experiences or putting ourselves dangerously in the line of somebody else's fire.
The good news in all of this is the potential to courageously (Mars) express our unique (Uranus) social (Gemini), sexual (Mars), spiritual or creative (Pisces) energies in clear, confident, optimistic ways (Jupiter, Sagittarius). This combination of influences can take us to previously undiscovered or unexplored (Uranus) areas of consciousness. This could stimulate us to see and relate to our friends and partners in new, ways that can bring a whole new sense of satisfaction from those relationships. Perhaps this could also generate the drive to be more socially active in some type of humanitarian service. In any case or situation, the energy of this alignment challenges and stimulates us to step out into previously unexplored areas of experience that are outside the bounds that usually keep us confined to safe habits and routines. There is nothing in this T-square that even remotely hints of the familiar or the constrained.
When we put this T-square into the chart of the United States, we find that Jupiter is in its first house (identity), Venus is in its seventh house (partners) and Mars/Uranus is in its third house. The Jupiter-Venus opposition suggests a time of harmony and generosity between our allies and us. This could be a month when we either initiate new diplomatic missions (even with our enemies) or at least respond positively to diplomatic offers from them. Mars and Uranus are in the third house of communication and journalism. This suggests that those diplomatic efforts (or perhaps lack of them either in the past or present) are brought to the public's attention in challenging ways. The Mars/Uranus conjunction enjoys the challenge of perceiving and discussing things in new ways that are designed to bring liberating changes. This could be either collectively or individually. Perhaps this T-square will bring the liberation of our media from the yoke of mainstream, corporate controlled news and help us to return to our roots of a free press.
Aries (March 21-April 20)Intellectual creativity and social connections should abound for you this month. You have the ability to be thorough and methodical in your thinking and apply your ideas to life in practical ways. Growth for you comes from being patient in selecting the people you want to share time and energy with, and being realistic about the ways and times of doing so.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)You could feel uncomfortable this month if you remain so attached to your habits and priorities, or even your previously defined values, that you resist change at all cost. This is a time to seek new perspectives, new understandings and new solutions for chronic problems. Your degree of openness to change will determine the degree of realism and fulfillment of the changes themselves.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)This month could be a good example of being careful what you ask for, because you are likely to get it. If you are striving to expand your consciousness or social circle, this is the time to do it. But if you are doing those things without defined direction, specific intention or social selectivity the results could be overwhelming or confusing.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)A fairly calm, harmonious month for you. Early month brings focus on home and family. Try being more consistent in this area. This is a good time to organize a gathering in your home or to establish a project or a goal in the domestic arena. Around mid-month the focus changes and you may discover the courage, clarity and drive to do something different or start something new, especially in terms of work.
Leo (July 23-August 23)While all around you may seem in turmoil, you may find this period quite harmonious and extremely creative. This is a good time to be spontaneous and act from a point of instinct. Traveling, learning, teaching and having fun are all available to you this month in abundance. Growth comes from not overshooting your mark or from not being so caught up in your activities that you fail to notice their affects on others.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)In early month you may be continually challenged or engaged in contentious situations. Being patient and striving to not over react are useful ways of responding. By mid-month the energy shifts and you may find things flowing more harmoniously, especially in the most important areas of your social life.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)The full Moon in Libra on the 2nd brings the opportunity to become more aware of your emotional responses. Support from friends could be useful either in getting more clarity or finding effective ways of expressing what you are feeling. Late month can bring health challenges that can be avoided if you pay attention and don’t allow yourself to get distracted by doing too many things at once.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)This is a good time for major movement in an area that has required creativity and perseverance. Spend more time with people who are supportive to you and less time with those who bring drama and confusion. Growth for you this month comes from staying focused on the big picture and letting the little stuff go.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)This is a month of social opportunities for you. You could choose to either expand who you relate to, or expand the quality of relationships you already have. If you decide to take advantage of a new opportunity, choose wisely. Your heart is wide open right now, and so too could be your idealized expectations. Spend some time alone discerning the right people and the proper way to interact with them.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)This is a good time to start implementing goals that you have been researching or planning for the past 4-5 months. You know you’re on the right track if those projects involve being self-expressive or perhaps call on you to be more present and visible. You should feel a lot of confidence in yourself right now and find support for that confidence, and the project, from friends or simply your own spiritual connection.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)Curiosity and intellectual stimulation in early month can provide clarity to make grounded changes, especially in areas involving finance. Social changes could also take place this month. Be careful with those changes, however. Try not to make them in reaction to something that takes place. Growth comes from understanding the ways in which the situation is simply not working for you. Sometimes changing the relationship dynamic is more beneficial that getting out of the relationship.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)This is a good time to practice being in your body. You could spontaneously start working out more or you could get more involved in sports. This is also a good time to get in touch with your anger. Unexpected outbursts would suggest that work needs to be done in that area. The work involves awareness of being angry, why and what to do about it.