The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - May 2023
Jupiter takes approximately 12 months to transit through a sign. This is the month that Jupiter makes its annual ingress into a new sign, entering Taurus on May 16 and remaining there until May 25, 2024. Jupiter first entered Aries in May 2022, but did retrograde back into Pisces from October-December. Its journey in Taurus will not be interrupted by any retrogradation back into Aries.
Jupiter is the archetype of expansion. Attitudinally, it is optimistic, enthusiastic and joyful. Academically it is oriented toward big picture thinking and can be oriented toward philosophy, metaphysics and theology. Physically it pertains to travel and a love of adventure. Aries is about new beginnings. By nature it is a self-affirming, independent and creative sign. The transit of Jupiter through Aries was compromised somewhat due to its return to Pisces for over 2 months. Pisces can be idealistic and prone to illusion. So, some of what began during the past 12 months was compromised by fantasy, imagination or flat out deception. Thus many things that began with great hope and idealistic fervor devolved into disappointment.
Some things that began during the Jupiter in Aries transit did develop, however. Now, with Jupiter in Taurus, these activities, situations or relationships can develop in a more stable and continuous way.
But Jupiter in Taurus is about more than just maintaining something new. Taurus is about values, priorities and the desire to maintain a comfortable, secure material plane reality. In a sense, Taurus is about defining and then creating a life that is meaningful and stable, especially on the material plane. It will look at what is already ongoing, whether something that began in the past 12 months or something that’s to be ongoing for much longer. Two questions will come up. One pertains to the degree to which something in our life is important and meaningful Does its maintenance improve our quality of life? If so, keep it up. If not, it’s time for an upgrade. Second, do we have the tools and resources necessary to deepen, strengthen and stabilize the activity? It may be necessary to shift some resources to these new, valuable situations in order to satisfy our emerging need for a reliable relationship with the material plane.
One challenge with Jupiter in Taurus is not becoming completely focused on physical comfort and stability. That can lead to possessiveness, even to a point of hoarding. We define the meaning in our life based on what we have. The acquisition of new things could become the dominant priority in our life. It’s beneficial, therefore, to remember that Jupiter is about philosophy and higher minded thinking. In this sense we can take advantage of the Jupiter in Taurus transit by looking at our morals and ethics and making sure that they are as up to date and meaningful as our attention to material objects.
Taurus partakes of the fixed modality. One potential problem with Jupiter in Taurus is that we become so hardened in our belief systems that we are always convinced we are right. Anyone with a different point of view is, therefore, wrong. We have been inundated by this type of thinking for many years now, and it seems to be getting worse. People on different sides of the political divide or in separate religious camps have a hard time talking to each other. How can we minimize the potential for further contentious alienation and maximize the potential to actually listen to each other with an open mind?
Two things can help solve this dilemma. One is the fact that Taurus’ ruling planet is Venus, the energy of harmony and equality. This suggests that we will be more likely to relate to each other in considerate, diplomatic and tactful ways.
Second is the fact that Taurus is slow and methodical. It prefers to chew on new information for as long as it takes to fit it into the pre-existing narrative about life. The time taken for this contemplation can enable us to realize that our opponent may actually be making at least one or two good points that can be agreed on. We can expand our world view in a healthy, productive way to this new information without undermining our material survival.
Another benefit of the Jupiter in Taurus transit is that as an earth sign, Taurus is literally focused on the Earth. Philosophical Jupiter can focus on the moral reasons to become better stewards of our planet. We can change our collective priorities by elevating the concept of preserving and protecting our resources over our tendency to exploit every natural resource available. This has created behavioral patterns and choices that are not sustainable. If there is anything that Taurus prioritizes, it’s stability that helps us to survive on the planet. Perhaps this transit will help us deal more affectively with the existential challenge of climate change.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: From August 2022 to March 2023 your ruling planet, Mars, was in Gemini. That was a good time to get involved in an interesting array of activities and relationships. Mars was in Cancer the past two months, indicating a time to focus on which of those interests have more value to you. This month Mars enters Leo on the 20th, suggesting a time to be more creative, athletic and playful.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: This is a good time for quiet contemplation. With Jupiter entering Taurus on the 16th, evaluation of priorities is in order. Growth can come from establishing those priorities in a big picture way – looking at non-material issues as well as those that pertain to physical well-being and security.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: Growth for you this month can come from spending some alone time in the pursuit of inspiration. This could be in the form of a creative project, a desire for greater emotional or psychological clarity or the need to feel more connected to Divine Spirit. New information can come from a variety of sources so pay attention to where you are and who you are with.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: The Full Moon in Scorpio on the 5th and the New Moon in Taurus on the 19th combine to suggest that this is a month to focus on finance. The Full Moon lunar eclipse could bring unexpected information, insight or opportunities that will help you to create a more materially stable reality both now and in the future.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: Early month is time to focus on practical issues, especially those pertaining to career. This could give way to more social activities from mid month on. Some of those situations could involve colleagues or some type of professional situation. Growth can come from seeking to make your social life more diverse.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: This is a good time for learning and consciousness expansion. This could be in the form of a journey or signing up for a new class. It could also take the form of clarifying your stance pertaining to spiritual and philosophical beliefs. Contemplating what that means to you could lead to either stabilizing or updating your higher-minded focus on life.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: This is a good time to focus on career. From mid-month on, energy is available to establish clearly defined goals that can be completed over time. Networking and data gathering in early month can provide clarity about desirable situations that would be beneficial and pursued in late month.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: The Full Moon in Scorpio on the 5th can bring up heightened emotions. There should be clear awareness of what those feelings are as well as how and whom to share them with. There may be some surprising insights that you perceive at this time. Use them as fodder for self-awareness and understanding rather than acting out socially.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: Jupiter is your ruling planet. Its ingress into Taurus signals the beginning of an extended period of slowing down and dealing with life in a more practical, grounded way. Frustration in mid-month could lead to contentious interaction. Transmute those tendencies by focusing your values and priorities, realizing that they may have to be altered during this transit.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: This is a good time to focus on creativity. Whether you are drawn to writing, music or another outlet, your experience can be enhanced by sharing it with others. Joining a class, forming a band or even being creative at home with family members are enjoyable and realistic ways to take advantage of the energy this month.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: Two themes emerge for you this month. One is a strong drive to explore and express your individuality in dynamic and creative ways. The other is to focus on the practicalities of your life, preferring to do things that are grounded and productive. Growth can come by finding ways to combine these two themes.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: The next 12 months could bring interest and inspiration in writing, teaching or taking classes. Connecting with old friends or relatives whom you haven’t seen in a while could also come up for you. Methodical, practical ways of resolving problems could also emerge during this period.
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.