The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - May 2016
Most of this month the Sun will be in Taurus. In fact there is a lineup of planets activating all 3 earth signs. Mercury and Venus will also be in Taurus while Jupiter will be in Virgo and Pluto in Capricorn. Consequently this is a time to focus on the practical and grounding issues of life. What makes this alignment even more significant and powerful is that the planets in each of these signs will be in a trine aspect to each other. This means that there will be 120 degree angular relationships between the planets in each of the earth signs. This is called a Grand Trine. Energy moves most harmoniously when connected by trines.
Grand Trines can come and go throughout any year. What makes this one particularly significant is it duration. Often a Grand Trine might include the Moon, which moves about 13 degrees a day. The length of such a Grand Trine would be one day. It's also fairly common for a Grand Trine to exist for a few days. This one, however, starts on the 3rd when the Sun trines Pluto and Jupiter. It builds up when Mercury joins the party on 6th and Venus on the 7th. It will be strongest from the 7th-16th but Mercury, Jupiter and Pluto continue to trine each other the remainder of the month.
The earth signs focus on the pragmatic issues of life. Taurus is a fixed sign so it wants things to be stable, safe and sustainable. Virgo, a mutable sign, is oriented toward understanding how things work so that life can flow effectively and efficiently. Capricorn is a cardinal sign, oriented toward defining specific goals and working in organized, methodical ways to achieve them. Action, adjustment and stabilization are three prime qualities of the earth-oriented trinity.
Being grounded is one of the ways we stay centered. Living in what is probably the most materialistic culture that has ever existed, we all need to make sure we are in touch with our material needs and working to successfully achieve them. These needs could involve financial security, our needs for food, clothing and shelter, our needs for affection and sexuality, health maintenance or connection to nature. For many people these basic needs can be hard to acquire or achieve, especially in an economy that is sluggish and not oriented toward equitability. This month's Grand Trine, therefore, presents a good opportunity to get in touch with our needs in each of those areas and to plan strategies that can help us to become grounded and feel safe and secure.
Pluto has been transiting through Capricorn since January 2008. It has brought major changes both to and from large organizations from governments to financial institutions throughout the world. Pluto can focus on eliminating or at least transforming those institutions that are not being honest or truthful. It can also, however, provide a defensive cover for those who want to hide their malfeasance through the cover of autonomous authority. It will be interesting to see how the American electorate decides which of those strategies will be victorious in November.
Jupiter has been in Virgo since last August. It's focus is on expanding ways of being serviceful, refining one's technical skills and improving the functionality of systems. Jupiter is bringing an enthusiastic optimism to parts of life that tend to be dry and functional rather than spontaneous and fun. The Jupiter-Pluto part of the Grand Trine helps us to become more proficient in accurately analyzing the Presidential campaigns and candidates, ways of responding to global health issues, such as the Zika virus and ways of responding to basic human needs in the face of overwhelming national debt and financial scandal.
The Sun, Mercury and Venus are planets that deal more with our immediate realities. They will help us realize that an extremely important presidential campaign is being taken over by blowhards and demagogues. Bluster is trumping real debate. This is a good time to take stock of our personal lives, noting the material needs that are being fulfilled and those that aren't. If we're doing well, how can we maintain what we have in economically turbulent times? If we don't have a sense of material well being, how much of that is our own fault (not knowing what we really need or doing very little to achieve those things) and how much of it is the fault of a system that is being run from the top down with little or no concern for those who are closer to the bottom?
This is a month to put all these planets and signs together. We can focus on applying our own tools and resources (Taurus) to establish and work to achieve important goals (Capricorn) in ways that require devotion and hard work (Virgo). We don't know how the presidential campaign is going to play out. We don't know what the economy is going to do, regardless of which party or candidate is victorious in November. By personalizing these energies, however, we can use the Grand Trine this month to enhance our own sense of material well being in ways that are functional and realistic. Jupiter in Virgo likes to share its abundance by serving others. As we each get more grounded and productive, meeting our own material needs in immediate ways, we can also share our bounty with each other in ways that can provide a greater sense of value and meaning for us all.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: Mars is still retrograde, so you might be feeling frustrated at not being to do things with your normal energy level. Remember, this is a time to look within, getting clear about past activities as well as researching and strategizing for the future. Giving into the frustration could lead to hostility and conflict in mid-month.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: With the Grand Trine in earth signs, this is a great time for you to make progress in getting your life organized, prioritized and actualized. Work still needs to be done, however. The planets are aligned to help you, but they can't do the actual work itself. Applying yourself can meet with success.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: Early month is a good time for research and planning. You can even extend that process to internal self-analysis. The last 10 days of the month your plans can start to be implemented with expectations of being productive. This can be true on the inner planes as well as on the material.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: The new Moon on the 6th is in Taurus, thus tapping into the Grand Trine. By integrating intuition, practical planning and clear communication, especially with friends and colleagues, this could prove to be a very productive time for you.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: The first half of the month can be very grounding for you. This could be in terms of work and finance, health maintenance or regeneration or having fun in nature. This is a time to flow with obvious opportunities, avoiding situations that engender conflict.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: Some of the practical benefits of the Grand Trine could manifest for you in activities that are playful, creative or both. Growth comes from not using the grounding energy for simply doing tasks and chores. This is a good time, and season, to enjoy yourself.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: This is a good time to do research. It could be to become more aware of your inner drives and needs, emotional or psychological. It could be to strategize about connecting with a partner at a deeper emotional level. Or it could be about doing some remodeling in the home. Results could surface very quickly.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: The Grand Trine could help you stabilize or deepen significant relationships. Focus on sensual connection in your primary relationship. Strive to be practical and functional with colleagues. Engaging in community service provides the third leg of activity for the earthy alignment this month.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: The full Moon in Sagittarius on the 21st. can bring emotional clarity that could lead to greater fulfillment in your social life. Your needs for affection could be strong, as is your drive to share intimately with a partner. Growth comes from tuning into your partner's needs even as you become more aware of your own.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: As an earth sign, you could certainly benefit from the Grand Trine. However, be careful that you don't misuse it by either being too demanding that others work as productively or to the same ends as you are. Don't get carried away with expectations that are unrealistic.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: Use the energy of the Grand Trine to get more focused and grounded in activities around the house. For example, start or make significant progress on a major construction project. Working with a partner on joint financial issues or projects could also prove productive.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: Qualities that you value, such as learning and being of service are strong for you this month. Growth comes from discerning the difference between service and self-sacrifice. Similarly, don't be overly expansive in what you want to learn. Idealism and unrealistic expectations could limit what is otherwise a very growth oriented month for you.
Rio Olesky has been a professional astrologer since 1976. He is the author of A Manual for the Modern Mystic and Astrology and Consciousness. He offers both private readings as well as classes for both beginning and intermediate students. To make an appointment for a reading or to find out more information about classes and lectures, call Rio at 707-887-1820. Check out his website: www.starwatcher.com.