The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - July 2009
There will be two eclipses this month. Eclipses occur 4-6 times each year and occur when the Moon and Sun are conjunct to each other (new Moon) or in opposition to each other (full Moon) both by latitude and longitude. Usually one precedes the other by about 2 weeks. They are obviously not the rarest of transits, but their appearance is considered unusual. Thus theories have evolved over time that attempt to interpret the significance of eclipses and their effects on human experience. One of them is that an eclipse begins a period that is characterized by certain patterns of energy that can lead to consciousness development. One way that eclipses do that is by coinciding with something called the Nodes of the Moon. There is a South Node and a North node and, when taken as a unit, describe an evolutionary direction for a person to follow in a lifetime. The South Node represents where we come from in terms of past life experiences, qualities, traits and characteristics that we developed at that time. The North Node suggests a place (by house) and a way (by sign) to enhance our evolutionary potential. Most people are not born at the time of an eclipse, but we all have the nodal axis of the Moon that provides this sense of direction. If all we do if continue to pursue the experience of the South Node, we are stagnating by taking the course of least resistance. It's OK to utilize what we have earned the right to do or to be, but the place to go in order to maximize our evolutionary potential is by putting time and energy toward our North Node.
Some people have planets close to or conjunct the South Node and nothing at all near the North Node. For these people, there is still work to be done in order to complete what was started in the past. They might have much desire or may assume they lack the ability to move in the direction of their North Node until around mid-life. Then doors will open in terms of both opportunity and desire that make the journey toward the North Node exiting and hopeful.
If we have energy near the North Node instead of the South, we are in a place of being able to grow and evolve just by activating the energy associated with those planets.
Sometimes, although this is fairly rare, a person will planets near both Nodes. This is balancing act whereby we work to finish the job started in prior lives even as we move into the new growth of this lifetime.
The Moon in the natal horoscope pertains to the individual soul. Hence the Nodes of the Moon provide perspective on the recent and current experiences of that soul. It can highlight parts of your life that are very personal and often quite subtle. Their importance is one reason why most contemporary astrologers include them in readings.
Vedic astrology is practiced primarily in India, although in the past 2 decades more Westerners are studying and practicing it. The Vedic astrologers put so much emphasis on the Nodes that they have given them names. The North Node is called Rahu, the South Node is called Ketu. The position of Ketu in the natal chart suggests where we may some karmic challenges to address and resolve in this lifetime. These are difficult or painful issues from past lives that remain undealt with. Whatever our thoughts, words or actions were in the past that caused others to suffer or that were done out of selfishness require addressing. Failure to do so can lead to painful experiences for ourselves in present time. On the other hand, if we were spiritually oriented in the past, attempting to align our energies with that of Divine Spirit, Ketu indicates where opportunities for significant evolutionary growth can occur in this life.
ed more on the material plane. It can indicate where positive, desirable opportunities exist for us in this life. They could pertain to wealth, professional success, relationship fulfillment or a rewarding family life. The problem with Rahu is that one can become seduced by the material gain and fail to seek a transcendent perspective that promotes evolution of consciousness. It's fine to activate our North Node, just be careful not to become so attached to our material blessings that we limit our potential.
The nodal axis right now is at zero degrees Aquarius (North Node) and Leo (South Node). The nodes transit counterclockwise through the zodiac, so next month they move into Capricorn and Cancer. You can personalize these transits by noting along what house axis you have the last few degrees of Capricorn-Cancer and first few degrees of Aquarius-Leo. The former suggests where you can go to make positive social contacts that can lead to beneficial opportunities for you. The latter indicates where you could put some time and energy in order to develop a more transcendent perspective on your life at this time.
As important at the Nodes of the Moon are, they are not planets. Thus they have energy of their own. But what they offer us is way to enhance our temporary experience on the material plane even as we pay attention to our growth and development in the eternal spiritual dimension.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
This is a time to open up socially and intellectually. Making new connections can open your mind to new ideas and points of view. Similarly, getting involved in new activities can bring new people into your life. Growth for you comes from maintaining your center even as your life expands. Idealistic expectations of others can lead to disappointment or feeling let down.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Financial restrictions or setbacks may appear in mid-month. It may be something as simple as wanting something you can't afford at this time. Growth for you comes from developing the sense of discrimination that enables you to clearly and accurately decide whether a purchase is justifiable or simply a luxury. Positive professional opportunities could open up for you in late July and early August.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Put some time, energy and resources into yourself this month. This is a good time to start a workout program or any activity that enhances your appearance. This is also a good time to get clear about your social needs and behaviors to the point of being able to be more self-affirming in your relationship. Growth for you comes from balancing your own needs with any desire to helpful to others.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
The eclipses may affect you in a major way. Not only because the Moon in your ruling planet, but also because this month the full Moon is a lunar eclipse in Capricorn, with the Sun in Cancer on the 7th, and the full Moon solar eclipse is in Cancer on the 21st. Be especially cautious about relationships this month. Idealism or illusion can lead to challenging emotional situations. Being too self-protective can cause you to miss some beneficial opportunities. Growth comes from striving to me as emotionally present to your experience as you are socially to the interaction with or needs of others.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
The Sun is the ruling planet of Leo and it enters your sign on the 22nd. This suggests that the next month holds the energy of creative expression, spontaneous fun and unexpected, enjoyable insights and breakthroughs in both consciousness and intimate relationship. Growth for you this month comes from expressing these energies in ways that are enjoyable and beneficial for others even as you have a great time doing so.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
A busy month for you. A lot of activity in the public sectors of your life keeps things interesting. Early month could bring changes or at least interesting information professionally. Mid-month things shift more to social events. Late month could find you seeking more alone time and the opportunity to process what occurred previously. Growth comes from overcoming any tendency to be so self-contained or shy that you fail to take advantage of the information and the changes.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
This is a good time to explore and develop a deeper relationship to life. It could be through deepening the communication with your partner. It could be reading books or articles about the nature of life, either from a spiritual or scientific perspective. It could also take the form of financial planning, both for the present as well as the future. Growth for you this month comes from learning how to multi-task in order to keep your life in order even as you broaden out into new interests and activities.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Early month could bring some challenges, especially in relationship to family. Unrealistic expectations of others could cause you to feel disappointed and let down. This in turn could lead to volatile behavior on your part. Growth for you this month comes from two places. First, be realistic about family members. Second, get in touch with your anger. There's nothing wrong with expressing it, just make sure that it is being directed appropriately and affectively.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
The period of extreme potential for consciousness development is peaking the whole month. You could take advantage of this by reading inspirational books, attending a stimulating lecture or simply by paying attention in casual conversations with others. Paying attention to your dreams, writing them down and working with them, is another available vehicle. Any of these activities could provide the stimulation to write about your internal experience at this time.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
The full Moon in Capricorn on the 7th can bring attention to the emotional content of your life. Use this event as an opportunity to become more aware of your true feelings about the people and events in your life. Growth comes from minimizing situations that you find boring or draining and putting more time and energy into experiences that prove to be affirming and supportive to you.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius is the sign of the way-shower and this is a time to let all your humanitarian impulses shine. Get together with friends, colleagues or associates in situations that enable everyone to feel seen, accepted and included. You have a wonderful ability to pull people to together, whether for social enjoyment or in order to accomplish something beneficial to all. This quality is strongly emphasized for the next several months.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Spiritual, artistic and social energies and activities are all available to you this month. This is a great time to share social activities with like-minded people, even if you don't know them well. This is also a good time to focus inward and fine inspiration through creativity or spiritual discipline. Growth for you comes from tuning in to abundant joy that is available to you and sharing it with others.