The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - June 2014
After months of unpredictable energy flow, combined with unexpected, and at times overwhelming, challenges things start to lighten up this month. What used to be considered “normal” may not return, but at least we do get some breathing room. Pluto, Uranus and Mars, the heavy hitters, have been front and center most of the year. This month Mercury takes center stage. Actually, Mercury will be off stage this month and that is a story in itself.
Mercury pertains to the mind. It’s about logic and rational thinking. It rules the central nervous system, the breath and is all about making connections. The connections can be within ourselves or between ourselves and others. Mercury is the energy of communication and enjoys nothing more than sharing ideas and information among people. Mercury begins this month in the sign Cancer. It retrogrades on the 7th and returns to Gemini on the 17th. It remains retrograde until July 1. As noted in previous columns, Mercury retrograde is a time for contemplation, research, writing and being mindful of the increased possibility of misunderstanding. Thus, this would be a bad time to sign a contract due to the potential of not clearly understanding all that we are affixing our name to. Mercury retrograde is not a bad thing, but it does require that we be more careful communicating. We tend to change our minds more at this time as things may look one way on one day, then seem quite different the next. Mercury also deals with machinery. Everything from cars to computers to toasters are more likely to break down or be problematic when Mercury is retrograde. If something you rely on is proving not reliable it would be a good idea to get it fixed before the retrograde when it may break down altogether. Similarly, it’s not a good idea to buy a new machine, like a car or washing machine, while Mercury is retrograde.
None of this is new information to many of you. What makes this month so significant, however, is that Mercury will make no aspects to any other planets all month. In my many decades of studying astrology I can’t remember a month when Mercury went unaspected. I might not have been paying enough attention to that but, because Mercury is one of the faster moving planets, we can assume that this is a rare phenomenon. Aspects are defined as significant angular relationships between planets. Depending on the degree of separation the energy of the planets could support each other in harmonious and potentially productive manifestation. Or, the aspect could create conflict that requires attention and change. When a planet is unaspected it’s as if it were dangling all by itself. No challenges, but no support either. An unaspected planet is called a “singleton”. In a natal chart a singleton is like a wild card. Because it isn’t connected to anything else, it can go unnoticed or unexpressed. It could act in extreme or unpredictable ways because it isn’t influenced one way or the other by anything else.
So here’s Mercury challenged by being retrograde but strong in one of the signs that it rules (Gemini after the 17th) yet completely unaspected. What might we expect from this planet that we often don’t pay that much attention to?
We might have new perspectives on everyday elements of our lives. We might also develop an interest in new things that we’ve never been curious about before. We might have a hard time sharing these things with others and might not even want or try to. Similarly, we might perceive others and their ideas in unexpected or even bizarre ways. Remember that we’re coming out of many months of challenges that may have altered our lives in previously unknown ways. Many things may look or feel very different than we are used to. The condition of Mercury this month may enhance those differences from a mental or state of mind perspective. We may not be able to put current understanding into our previous understanding, let alone share them with others. We may feel isolated and disconnected from other people or from common and comfortable parts of our own lives and routines. At other times, we may find ourselves talking at length when no one is listening or cares about what we’re saying. When I was in grade school the teachers used to call that “running off at the mouth”. Blabbering away about things we might not really know that much about. Extremes of understanding and communication could be more common than usual.
The lack of aspects to Mercury is likely to enhance the feeling or experience of it being retrograde. This would make purchasing equipment or signing documents even more detrimental than if Mercury were just retrograde. But it would also make writing an even more beneficial and potentially fulfilling experience. This could take the form of creative writing, journaling or spending more time social networking.
One of the benefits of paying attention to the transiting planets is that we can work with energies as they are actually flowing. Knowing what is timely and what is not is a good way to enhance our ability to create the lives we truly want to live. Note what house (area of life) in your natal chart in which reside the first few degrees of Cancer and the last few degrees of Gemini. That’s the area that is most likely to be influenced by these phenomena.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: This is a good time for you to work on patience. Mars is now direct and you may feel like getting back to your normal rate of activity, which is often quite impulsive. But Mars is still in Libra, a sign that prefers gradual action. Although it may limit your instant gratification, it could deepen your experience.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: This is a month to either deepen your connection to people and projects or to begin a long term activity. Growth comes from not allowing yourself to be sidetracked by circumstances or people on power trips. Perseverance furthers.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: The transit of Mercury could create confusion both in your mind as well as your social life. You may tend to be overly curious or open to too many people. Strive to simplify by being selective about what and who to be open to. Putting thoughts down on paper, perhaps in diary form, could be useful to bring clarity out of the confusion.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: The full Moon in Sagittarius on the 12th could inspire you to be open to new activities or adventures. This would be a good time to make a significant change in your daily routine. The new Moon on the 27th is in Cancer. Spending time alone, focusing on self can bring new ideas for self-care and a renewed sense of emotional well-being.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: Early month could bring new and interesting social contacts. You could also have new and exciting experiences with good friends. From mid-month on, the focus shifts inward. This could impel you to engage in spiritual or creative activities or simply choose to spend more time alone.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: Mercury rules Virgo as well as Gemini. While a Gemini might experience this month in a personal way, the transit of Mercury could affect you in a more public or professional context. Any tendencies you may have to micro-manage a situation will be tested and frustrated. Growth for you comes from detaching from any expectation of efficient or logistical productivity. Sit back, notice the flow of information and benefit from the new knowledge and insights.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: Social or mental confusion could lead to sudden or passionate outbursts. The value of this behavior is that it will enable you to get more deeply in touch with parts of your life that are frustrating or upsetting. You may not normally be aware of the unpleasantness or, if you are, may not express your feelings. Growth can come from opening up and letting it out.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: This is a good time for long range financial planning. You could employ the same energy to discuss long range plans in a significant relationship, business or personal. Growth comes from being open to other people’s ideas and feelings. Wanting to be in control can lead to hostility and conflicts that may take some time to resolve.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: The transit of Jupiter through Cancer the last 10 months might have inspired and enabled you to get more in touch with your feelings, be more effective in expressing them and to be more nurturing toward others. The full Moon in Sagittarius on the 12th can be a time of noticing how well you are doing in those areas. With new consciousness can come more refinement.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: Relationship could take center stage for you this month. This is a good time to take responsibility to get clear about what you need in various social situations. Communicating the results of that research could be challenging due to the Mercury transit. Writing the information down, both to enhance your own clarity as well as having something to give the other person, could be useful.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: Spending time in creative activities could help dissipate confusion and frustration. If your creativity is focused in or about the home, so much the better. Growth for you can come from channeling what may feel like an excess of mental energy in physical activity
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: Spending time at home or with family could bring joy and a sense of stability. You could also find amazing clarity through spiritual activity such as meditation, yoga or prayer. Increasing time alone spent in this type of activity could bring deep feelings of connection to the Divine.
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.