The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - May 2008
There is an earthy theme to the year. Politically, we see this in the issue of universal health care as well as upgrading the quality of health care. Economically, we see this through a failing or at least flailing economic situation. Environmentally, this is the first political campaign that even marginally addresses the issue of global warming. And astrologically, this is a year in which the planets Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto are in earth signs. This month that theme is enhanced by the Sun and Venus also being in earth signs. There are three earth signs in the zodiac. They all have similarities, but they also each have significant differences. All three are activated by these transits.
When planets are in signs of the same element they are approximately 120 degrees apart. This is a connection we call a trine. As mentioned in this column last month, planetary energy flows most harmoniously when trine to another planet. Let’s examine the three earth signs in order to see their similarities and differences so that we can best take advantage of these transiting influences.
All the earth signs are practical, conventional and hard working. They are deliberate, cautious and methodical in their preparation and execution of ideas. They can each create or be comfortable in relatively austere material environments. In fact, they can value their ability to be so practical that they can do just fine with a minimum of comforts and conveniences. Outside these similarities, each earth sign also has its own unique patterns and style.
The first earth sign is Taurus. It represents the foundation. It likes to stay close to the roots of its survival. It has definite values and likes to manipulate its environment in order to manifest what it finds important. Taurus likes things to be stable, enduring and safe. Of the three earth signs, it is the most sensual and sensitive. It is also the most artistic. The centered Taurus strives for autonomy and self-reliance. It uses money as the means to stability and safety. It values and can create beauty, harmony and comfort for itself and others. It can also be It is the slowest and most deliberate sign when it comes time to make a change. The Taurean mantra could be “if it works leave it alone”. Yet, however long it may take a Taurus to change, there is little or no back sliding once a change takes place. They are oriented to preserving and protecting what they have and creating a sustainable material reality as a result.
The off-center Taurus is resistant to change in any form at any time. They can be controlling, possessive and stubborn. They can be so oriented to security and survival that they resist anything that may take them out of their comfort zone. They can value their possessions as means of providing them with a sense of identity, security and well being. In that sense, they can view money as an end in itself. They can prioritize sensual gratification to the point that food and sex are their primary points of motivation.
Due to their need for security, Taurus is good at seeing the big picture. They want and need to create a reality that will support them for the long haul. What they often have difficulty with, however, are the details necessary to persevere or to make a change. This is where Virgo comes in. Virgo is meticulous and detail oriented. If Taurus is the most sensual and creative of the earth signs, Virgo is the most analytical and scholarly. Where Taurus values self-reliance, Virgo values being self-contained. As such they can be socially modest and shy, preferring the role of supportive service rather than the role of leadership and power. Perhaps the most versatile of the earth signs, Virgo can be as comfortable in the woods as it is shopping for the latest stylish clothes. Anything that requires technical skill, from handcrafts to the building trades can appeal to the Virgo. They pride themselves on refining their skills so that their efforts are as efficient and proficient as possible. Virgo can also be quite spiritual. This can manifest through its orientation to service as well as its desire to be devotional, whether to a person, a cause or an ideal.
The centered Virgo is mentally discriminating, health conscious and dutiful. It is quite likely the hardest working sign in the zodiac. They function best when working within the context of a system. It could be a system of thought, of service or of spiritual growth.
The off-center Virgo is a perfectionist who can be highly and reductively critical of anything or anybody (including themselves) that does not measure up to its expectations. It can become a workaholic who is filled with resentment about being overwhelmed with never ending tasks. It tends to be so analytical and physical that it overlooks its emotional reality, often to the point that unconscious or unresolved emotional or psychological issues become the root cause of chronic illness. The off-center Virgo can get overwhelmed with details to the point of getting confused or lost.
To use a mundane analogy to describe the earth signs, let’s use the metaphor of real estate. Taurus is the banker who finances the building. They can also serve as the architect and the person who excavates the property. Virgo is the craftsperson who actually transforms the plans into a structure. Taurus sweats the big picture but has trouble with the details; Virgo sweats the details but can also get lost in them and fails to see the big picture. Capricorn is the executive, the one who can market the structure within the context of a community.
Capricorn is the most public and professionally oriented of the earth signs. Capricorn is goal oriented and the most active of the earth signs. It combines the big picture perspective of Taurus with the productive potential of Virgo. As the most publicly oriented, it likes to fit into the rules of its culture is living. It can function well in group or organizational situations, often rising to positions of leadership and prominence. It is also the most mystical of the earth signs. Being goal oriented, Capricorn has the option of restricting itself only to material plane goals or striving to achieve goals that pertain to higher consciousness.
The centered Capricorn strives to be impeccable in its actions. It values self-respect over external recognition. It is honorable, accountable and responsible in all areas of life experience. In fact it is the Capricornian ability to strive for total personal responsibility, for all thoughts, words and actions all the time, that can separate it from the other signs. As a result of that orientation, Capricorn can feel free, empowered and extremely effective dealing with the challenges of life.
The off-center Capricorn values public recognition, power and prestige above all else. As such they can be manipulative and calculating, tending to view a situation as an opportunity to advance by any means. They rigidly and dogmatically adhere to a certain way of doing things and insist that everyone else conform to their rules and expectations. They can be patriarchal, hierarchical and hold the traditions of the past up as a sacred entity regardless of new and progressive ideas.
The earth triad is important to all of us. Taurus establishes and preserves the foundation. Virgo refines the basics so that they are ready for use. Capricorn defines the purpose or goal of the structure and strives to achieve something useful with it. Learning the lessons and embodying the characteristics of each of them can help us to be more functional and prosperous in all our material endeavors. This year, and especially this month, is a great opportunity to test our survival skills and grow to greater levels of productivity.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
While others may focus on practical matters, this is a month for you to be playful, creative and spontaneous. Sports could also be a viable direction for your energy. Growth comes from following your heart and doing things that you love to do. At the same time, strive to allow others to have their own pleasures as well.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Early month provides the energy to be quite productive. You could use this potential to do something immediate and gratifying or to work on something more long term. In either case, your achievements during this period should provide a sense of confidence when you respond to challenges in late month. They could pertain to practical matters such as business, work or finances.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Energies in early month could cause you to feel restricted, not heard or criticized. The way out is to work at deepening your understanding of things so that you can find realistic, practical solutions. This will also help develop more mental discipline, a useful quality in responding to the energy of mid-late month. Your curiosity may be peaked at this time, but you also may feel confused or overwhelmed with too much information. The mental discipline enables you to create order out of the overwhelm.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
The energy this month supports intellectual inspiration, mental understanding and clear communication with others. With that, you could feel more self-reliant and independent and open to new adventures. Take advantage of the earth sign energy by learning new skills or refining old ones that pertain to your work. Community service could also prove as fulfilling to you as it is beneficial to others.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Early month brings energy of productivity and creativity to your workplace. Hard work will lead to a good reputation and new opportunities. Make sure you have a physical outlet this month, as your energy in that area is very strong. Without an outlet the build up could cause you to be overly abrupt, even contentious with others.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Power struggles could emerge in the workplace this month. If you are an authority figure, others may challenge you. If not, you may challenge those who are. In either case, growth comes from being conscientious in your actions. The more personal responsibility you take for who you are and what you’re doing, the better the outcome of those challenges.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
This is a good month to spend some time clarifying your emotions. Being deliberate, even analytical in pursuing those truths produces growth. It will also enable you to make better decisions in mid-late month when relationship issues could arise. You could feel pulled between a desire to play and have fun in the situation, or to hold out and insist that you and the other person establish a deeper level of connection before playtime begins.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
A wonderful confluence of energies this month for you. The potential to be productive and to achieve things that are important to you is very strong. Simultaneously, you also feel the drive to be playful, physical and creative. Growth comes from being centered and organized enough to take advantage of the opportunities in both areas.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
A month of confidence and creativity for you. Growth comes from spending time around the full Moon, which is in Sagittarius on the 19th, to become more emotionally self-aware and to express your feelings to others. Being open to emotionally supporting others is also furthered at this time.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Your ruling planet, Saturn, has been in Virgo since early last September. This is a good time to review what you have been doing since then. Look at any goals you have set as well as the manner in which you have been pursuing them and the results of those efforts. If everything is on track, fine. If not, this is a good time to re-evaluate and alter the goals or methodologies.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Be cautious with regard to financial matters from mid-month though early June. You could act from a point of confusion and make some seriously bad decisions. This could pertain solely to you or to you and a partner or partnership. This is a time to be methodical and deliberate and not act from a point of spontaneous inspiration.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Issues with family members or neighbors could challenge you in two ways. First, make sure that you understand the situation clearly and are expressing yourself clearly. Second, make sure that you are not being so generous that you are being taken advantage of. Seeing the situation, and the people with whom you are dealing, being honesty is a good and surefire way out.