The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - May 2022
Since the beginning of the year, we have been hammered by bad news. There has been the Ukraine invasion, the highest inflation in 40 years and accelerating environmental collapse. The transits during this period have seen an abundance of planets in Aquarius and Pisces. These signs are associated with big-picture awareness. They can be humanitarian, compassionate and empathetic. Although nothing of significance has altered the inflation and still nothing is being done to alter the environmental picture, the global response to the Ukrainian situation has been reflective of a basic quality of Aquarius and Pisces. This month that pattern changes. Jupiter, the co-ruler of Pisces, has been happy in that sign for about the last year. On May 10th, it will transit into Aries. Mars, the ruler of Aries, will transit into its home sign on the 24th and conjunct Jupiter on the 29th.
The good news is that Aries is all about new beginnings. Conjunctions can also be times of new beginnings. On a personal level, find where the early degrees of Aries are in your natal chart. That’s the area of your life that is ripe for you to launch new projects or relationships. Aries provides the confidence and courage to overcome any previous hesitation, confusion or inertia. After two years of pandemic isolation, that is great news. Mars can pertain to physical activity. Whether one is athletically active, working out or simply enjoys being in the garden, Mars in Aries, especially at this time of year is helping us to get outside. Jupiter represents the principle of expansion. It can expand the physical energy of Mars, but also suggest expanding one’s consciousness into new areas of thought or spiritual awareness. Remember, the Jupiter-Neptune conjunction in Pisces was only last month. It could have stimulated new levels of awareness or inspired us begin a new spiritual path. So this could be a good to start on any new spiritual goals we may have set for ourselves at that time. Jupiter can also be honest and truth-oriented. In the spiritual context, this could mean seeking the meaning of life. On a personal level, this could mean being more open and honest about who you are, what you think or how you feel. By nature, Aries is quite independent and often doesn’t listen to or care about feedback from others. Although this can be problematic at certain times, it is also liberating that we can express our authentic selves without concern for negative feedback.
There can also be challenges with this conjunction. Aries tends to be impatient and impulsive. It may act before thinking something through. As a result, new beginnings are not always followed upon. Our drive for experience could be seen and related to as being expanded (Jupiter) aggression or arrogance (Mars and Aries). Collectively this could expand the war in Europe to include either more countries and/or more means of destruction. This could be a time when Russia succeeds at bringing its allies into the conflict, or when our allies agree to step up their participation. Fortunately, Venus, the energy of love and harmony, will also be transiting through Aries this month. This could bring a different, more receptive voice to the conversation. Perhaps the new beginning, done courageously, could be creating a plan for peace that is accepted by all parties.
In a personal context, the Mars-Jupiter conjunction can lead to rash expressions, both physical and verbal. We may feel overly confident in our ability to express ourselves or to understand something or to be able to do something so much better than anyone else that we don’t wait to think something through. Avoidable mistakes are made and we may alienate others due to our attitude.
In the 1950s Disney Studios brought the legendary Davy Crocket to life. He was portrayed as a thoughtful man who was always trying to do good things. His motto was “Be sure you’re right, then go ahead”. This month would be a good time to listen to that advice. We can be confident and action-oriented even as we take the time to envision a big-picture strategy that frees us to have new adventures and respond in new courageous ways to life’s challenges at this time.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: This month the Aries archetype can be expressed in a pure and dynamic way. It’s encouraging and liberating to be able to know and express your authentic self. Growth can come from striving to be thoughtful of others and practical in assessing what to do.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: You could get caught up the in enthusiastic Aries energy this month. This can help break out of stagnant routines even as you begin new ones that conform to your current desires, goals and values. Growth can come from being willing to take some risks and get involved in new activities.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: Your ruling planet Mercury will retrograde on the 10th and remain in that direction until June 3. This is a time for you to review your perspectives you have on the many interests that you have. The reflection can help bring new clarity. This is a time to deepen your mental activities, not expand them.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: The Full Moon in Scorpio on the 15th will feature a lunar eclipse. Full Moons are generally times of lucidity and perspective about our recent activities in the world. However, an eclipse suggests that this Full Moon should have as much introspective focus as it does interactive clarity, especially since the Moon will be in a water sign.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: Early month provides inspiration to do new things that are both creative and practical. The latter will be useful in mid-month when goal-oriented productivity becomes a priority. Late month brings the opportunity to express your creativity in intense, powerful ways.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: This is a time to review work related strategies and goals. Not necessarily a time to act on that research, but a good time to review where you are, how you got there and what are your intentions going forward. New ideas and understanding can prevail in late month, so being patient with the review can pay dividends.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: This is a good time to create new beginnings in romantic relationships. This could be either a new relationship or being more transparent and honest with your current partner. Clear communication can lead to a deepening sense of stability. It can also help to deepen the relationship emotionally toward the end of the month.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: The Full Moon lunar eclipse in Scorpio on the 15th could bring up deep feelings of vulnerability. Although this isn’t a great time to reveal your deep feelings to others, it’s a good time to dive deeply within yourself in order to assess your emotional state. Emotional clarity now can lead to deepening a relationship later on..
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: The Aries alignment this month can propel you to be more expressive creatively, athletically and romantically. You can thrive on variety. Aries does not. It is more comfortable and effective doing one thing at a time. Look at your interests and options in the recreational area and then choose the one that brings the most joy.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: Changes at work could create some temporary financial restrictions. Use this as an opportunity to get clear about your financial goals and the realism of your budget. Late month can bring opportunities to be involved with fun and recreational activities.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: This is a good month to make some creative changes in the home. This could involve aesthetics, but it could also pertain to the social interaction with family or housemates. In keeping with the Aries theme for the month, this is a time to be authentic in sharing yourself with those closest to you.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: You might still be on an energetic and spiritual high from last month’s Jupiter-Neptune conjunction in Pisces. If so, this is a good time to feel confident in your newfound inspiration and share it in ways that are physical and practical. Growth can come from integrating spiritual awareness in daily, mundane activities.
Rio Olesky has been studying astrology since 1967 and has been a practicing professional astrologer since 1976. The author of Astrology and Consciousness, A Manual for the Modern Mystic, and The Astroreader, Rio offers weekly classes through Zoom. You can call Rio at 707-887-1820. Check out his website: www.starwatcher.com.