The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - April 2011
This month seven planets will pass through Aries. Some, like Mars, Jupiter and Uranus, will remain there all month. The Sun, Mercury and Venus will arrive for the final 10 days or so of April. The new Moon will be in Aries on the 3rd. Although unusual for so much energy to be in one sign it is not unprecedented. What’s important is to understand the implications of this abundance and how we can take advantage of the possibilities.
Before we assess the potential, both collectively and individually, let’s define the nature of Aries. In relation to the other signs, Aries is first. That is, it marks the beginning of the astrological year which always starts with the Spring Equinox. As such, Aries is the sign of new beginnings. Its job is to initiate activities, projects or relationships, with courage and boldness. In order to do this effectively, Aries is by nature assertive, physical, direct and self-affirming. The higher octave of Aries is expressed through creativity and adventure. It is independent and authentic. There’s not much subtlety in this experience. Whenever an Aries tells you something you can bank on the fact that that is their true perspective.
The lower octave of Aries is its tendency to be so direct as to be superficial, so self-affirming that it can be insensitive to others, so active that it can be impulsive and impatient and so authentic as to be opinionated. Aries is extremely confident and capable of doing anything it sets its mind to. It also, however, fairly one-dimensional and can affectedly deal with only one thing at a time.
Whether we express this Aries energy in its higher or lower octave potential there is the sense that we need to move forward; do things we’ve never done before or do familiar things in unprecedented ways.
As we discussed in last month’s column, with Uranus transiting into Aries, behaviors involving risk and revolution may be with us for some time. Five of the seven planets transiting through Aries this month will be out of there in 3 or 4 weeks. Jupiter will move into Taurus in June. Uranus, however, will remain there for 7 years. Plenty of time to shake up both one’s own life as well as the way the world operates in very significant ways.
Collectively, humanity is already responding to this potential through fomenting revolution, specifically in the MIddle East, although China is also feeling some rumblings. It’s also interesting to note the anti-union activity going on in several states in this country, specifically Wisconsin. This seems to me to reflect a desire on the part of certain politicians to return our country to a time when there was little or no protection for workers. Ultimately their plan is to eliminate all social safety nets and, in the extreme, destroy the Federal Government by taking us back to a time when federal income tax didn’t exist. Whatever one’s political philosophy may be and however attractive it may seem to reduce the budget deficit on the backs of the working person, the poor and the infirm, it is absolutely counter to the nature of Aries. In addition, Aries does not go backwards. It isn’t open to rekindling old love affairs or recreating a 100 year old political, cultural or economic reality in present time. This applies to both conservative thinkers in the country as well those of other countries and faiths (such as the Wahabist Moslems). We would therefore have to assume that those factions that want to restrict progressive change will either lose political ground in the next few years or at least have to put up a tremendous fight trying to get people to see their positions in a positive light.
Individually, this is a time to act. Fear of the unknown can be replaced with excitement and enthusiasm. Inertia of non-action can be replaced with the adventure of diving into something that offers liberation. With so much energy in Aries we can almost feel a wellspring of confidence building up to guide us into progressive, creative activity. Remember, as a cardinal sign Aries embraces trial and error. If we try something that isn’t 100% satisfying or successful we can assess what went right and keep that; what went wrong and eliminate that.
Aries is one of the most present of the 12 signs. It is also one of the most creative. The opportunity for all of us this month is to take stock or our lives and especially that area of our life (or house) in our natal horoscope where all this Aries energy is transiting. If that area is boring, stagnant or we have typically related to it in a rigid, fear-based way, this is month when we can take the initiative to at least take the first steps in what might turn out to be life-altering experiences.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
This month we all get to feel what you experience all the time. The challenge for you is to take advantage of the potential without overdoing it. This would look like being pushy, insensitive and superficial in your self-expression. There are fine lines between being assertive and being aggressive or between being honest and being cold. This month growth for you can come from discovering those distincitons.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Early month can bring strong artistic inclinations and tendencies to relate to others with compassion. Challenges may come in late month. One potential test could be in the form of needing to be clear both to yourself and your partner about what you need in the relationship. As you become clear about that, the next issue is to express those needs in ways that are neither overly demanding nor so extreme that the partner is confused or turned off.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Aries and Gemini have certain similarities, such as the tendency to be impatient in action and superficial in the decision making process. This month challenges you to be direct in expressing yourself, but doing so in ways that are deeper and more complete. There will be challenges from friends, children or colleagues that will provide opportunities for you to do this.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer and Aries are signs that tend to be very focused in the here and now. A main difference between them, however, is that Aries is very assertive while Cancer is more receptive. The challenge for you this month is to be more direct in relating to others. Realize that by so doing you also open the door for others to be more direct with you. Growth for you comes from remaining in that open state and not going into your shell if someone being honest causes hurt feelings on your part.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Early month is a good time for creative expression, especially through the written word. If you need to take some type of gnarly test, this is the month to take it. The challenge for you is to stay grounded and learn how to apply your ideas to life in practical, sustainable ways. It’s helpful to have a goal or clear intention before doing anything.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
This month could open a new chapter in an important relationship. You could find yourself having deeper, more passionate feelings about your partner. You could feel more comfortable opening up and taking the risk of sharing yourself at deeper levels of emotional vulnerability. Growth for you this month comes from embracing the opportunity to co-create a deeper connection with your partner.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
The full Moon in Libra on the 17th brings the issues and challenges of this month directly into your life and primary relationship. Growth for you comes from borrowing some Aries energy and being more decisive, self-affirming and assertive than you may normally be. Take some initiative in starting new activities with your partner or simply be more up-front about letting them know who you are.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
This is a good time to start a new project at work or to begin a new health maintenance protocol. The challenge is to stick with what you start. Any tendency you may have to being deliberate and methodical in decision making and acting could be disrupted this month by the Aries’ impulse to act first and think later. Growth for you comes from speeding up the decision making process without losing the depth of understanding what you are doing and why.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
This could be an incredible time of creativity, adventure or romance. You could also begin to take a new direction in your perception of or relationship to your children. Growth for you this month can come from taking advantage of the potential to have a lot of fun while taking other’s ideas into consideration and remembering to be realistic about in your expectations.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn and Aries have a natural antipathy. You are methodical Aries is spontaneous. You are rule based while Aries prefers freedom. You are practical. Aries is creative. You focus on goals to be achieved while Aries focuses on the present. Growth for you this month comes from seeing the current transits as offering something new to try. Otherwise you might respond to the current energies by being confrontational or competing with others to keep life in its comfort zone.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
The potential for new adventures and a renewed sense of inspiration is supported to the maximum degree this month. At the same time, however, there are forces in your life attempting to keep you grounded, deliberate and thoughtful of others even as you take your life in new, exciting directions. Growth for you can come from integrating the conservative with the progressive parts of your nature.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Neptune transits into Pisces on the 4th (more about that in next month’s column). This event will create the opportunity to develop your intuition, act on feelings of compassion and develop a more personal, transcendent connection to Divine Spirit. Growth comes from avoiding the self-undermining that comes from excessive idealism, romanticizing relationships or seeing what you want to see rather than what is.