The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - June 2023
June is the month of the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. The sunlight reminds us of the radiance that is at the core of creation. This June also marks two planets, both transiting through Pisces, that are turning retrograde. When a planet turns retrograde, going back over the space it had recently occupied, it is a time to research and review how we have been experiencing and expressing that energy. A retrograde planet tends to be expressed more subjectively than when it’s direct. We are more focused on our personal experience of the energy rather than how it manifests in a more social sense.
Saturn turns retrograde on the 17th. Neptune follows on the 30th. Pisces is the sign of the subconscious mind and transcendent consciousness. In many ways it provides an interesting contrast to the Sun, especially during Solstice month. Even as we engage in fun and playful summer activities, the retrogrades in Pisces remind us to also focus internally.
Neptune is the co-ruler of Pisces. Signs filter the energy of a planet. When a planet resides in its home sign, its energy is expressed purely. Nothing gets filtered out. So when Neptune is retrograde we look inward and have the opportunity to develop a more intimate connection to our higher self. Its retrograde period is not rare, lasting over 5 months each year. The phrase I use to describe Neptune retrograde, either in the natal chart or simply each year when retrograde, is that it provides a “hot-line to God”. We can develop a relationship to the Divine that enhances our spiritual growth by enabling us to perceive and identify with inner light. A perfect balance with the outer light of the Solstice. One may choose to focus more on developing intuitive awareness about the nature of life rather than participating in organized religion. This has been a pattern in the Western world for a while anyway, and feeds into the emerging Aquarian Age by replacing the dogma of organized religion with individual perception and connection. If one has Neptune retrograde in their natal chart, the retrograde period may feel comfortable and familiar and provide the time to further one’s consciousness development. If Neptune is direct in the natal chart, this is a time each year to find one’s own path to deeper spiritual awareness.
As noted previously in this space, Saturn in Pisces has an inherent problem. Saturn is about defining concrete, long range goals. It values material productivity and focuses on form and structure. Pisces, on the other hand, is all about inner space. It focuses on the subconscious mind, dreamtime and the creative imagination. So how does the energy of form function in a formless sign? By remembering that Saturn is also the sign of personal responsibility. Saturn will remain in Pisces until May of 2025 when it transits into Aries. It retrogrades back into Pisces from September 2025 until February 2026 when it once again ingresses into Aries.
Saturn in Pisces provides the energetic opportunity to take our inner lives seriously and to devote time and resources to working on emotional health and psychological clarity. It can provide the impetus to tune in spiritually on a daily basis through a mediation practice which can be anything from a formal, traditional discipline to yoga, Tai Chi, Chi Gong or walking in nature. When we tune in to our spiritual connection on a daily basis we can feel an inner directive which is like guidance from an expanded and elevated source. It’s as if Saturn’s drive for practical accomplishment can be achieved by following the calling or higher purpose being suggested by the internal counsel.
Pisces is also a sign of service and healing. It can be selfless in its service and focus on healing the psyche and emotional body.
With Saturn retrograde in Pisces it’s time to check in and review our functional productivity in each of these areas. Are we tuning to Divine guidance? If so, is it being helpful in clearing emotional or psychological blockages? Is it being supportive to our spiritual growth and consciousness development? Are we committed to being of service to others that is designed to create more health, love and harmony in the world? Are we following our calling or higher purpose to be more pragmatic and grounded? A positive response to any of those questions implies we are on the right track and can keep doing what we’ve been doing. The questions we respond to negatively suggests more work to be done. This could mean changing course completely or merely refining what we are already doing to be more effective and successful in taking responsibility to enhance our own inner clarity psychologically and spiritually as well as our service to others.
Summer arrives this month. Take advantage of it by being out and in the light as much as possible. Remember, too, that this can be a time when our outside activities and our internal drives can come together so that we feel happy and fulfilled in our being.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: It’s time for you to enjoy any of the recreational opportunities available this time of year. Being physically active, creatively expressive or playing with your children can provide fulfillment. Be careful mid-month as sudden, impulsive changes can undermine harmonious interaction with others.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: Early month is a time to focus on domestic activities. Being creative in the home could be highlighted whether in terms of interior design or establishing a studio in the home. From mid to late month the focus shifts to being more expansive in your creative expression. Be careful, however, not to become too overindulgent or too generous with others.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: Intellectual stimulation, much of it involving intuitive insights or spiritual and creative inspiration, can highlight the month for you. Usually these realizations are not easy to share with others. This month, however, the clarity of who to share with, how and when, can also be available. Be a source of inspiration to others!
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: The Full Moon on the 3rd in Sagittarius and the New Moon in Gemini on the 17th provides energy for emotional clarity and the energy to share your feelings openly with others. The priority should be getting in touch with your inner life. secondarily is the opportunity to let others know more about who you are.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: The good news is playfulness in any form is available to you this month. The bad news is that you could be so self-focused on having a good time one way or another that you alienate others and have no one to play with. Growth comes from making sure you are allowing others to have their own experiences.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: Early month is a time to focus on financial matters, especially if they involve a partnership. Later month the focus shifts to learning. Reading, taking a class or traveling are all supported at that time.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: Social activities with friends are highlighted for you all month. New friendships or expanding pre-existing relationships could be available. The focus should be on having fun and playing with these people, one way or another. You could be called on to lead a group in some way. The energy is available to do so in a loving and creative way.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: This is a good time to break out of rut-like habits. Making changes in the main areas of your life, such as at work, at home with family or even in your primary relationship may seem risky. Failing to at least try to make some changes could lead to boredom and tendencies to be disruptive, thereby undermining a sense of security.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: You tend to embrace all possibilities in a joyful state of mind. This attitude could lead to be self-undermining this month. Being too overindulgent enjoying the good things of life, being too generous with others or simply being too idealistic are all ways of limiting your happiness this month. Growth can come from being more discerning in your decisions and behaviors.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: With your ruling planet Saturn retrograde, it’s time to review. This process could involve decisions and goals that pertain to career or other practical areas of your life. They could also involve your inner life, what you are doing to enhance consciousness development and peace of mind.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: This is a month to take your time thinking things through and carefully planning strategies for the future. Impatience can lead to faulty thinking and judgment or impulsive actions that are off-putting to others. Growth can come from developing patience and being selective.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: Joy and generosity are two qualities emerging for you this month. What you need to add to that combination is discernment. One area that could need attention is processing new information. Your analytical and intuitive minds are both active this month. Discrimination enables you to integrate all that information to the point that it becomes wisdom.
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.