The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - August 2006
This month there will be as many as five planets transiting through the sign Leo. At various times these planets will in challenging aspects to both Jupiter (by square) and Neptune (by opposition). So the tension that many of us have been feeling and the challenges we have been experiencing since last October will continue. An important part of finding our way through the issues of the time, and using the energies for growth and creativity, is learning to access and utilize the potential of Leo.
Leo is a fire sign and as such can be radiant, dynamic and creative. Leo is the sign of individuation. Its nature is to discover the self in such a way as to be able to be overtly expressive. If you are centered during that process the manifestation can be innocent and endearing. If off-center the self-expression can become demanding of supportive recognition. The key, therefore, is to work on being centered. I have used this space to discuss centering before, but because it is so fundamentally significant, especially at this time, I'm going to review what it means and how to achieve it.
Centering is a process. It's something we need to do daily. The more frequently we work on it, the more centered we become. Centering means to work on the two most fundamental parts of each of us. On the one hand we are all eternal spiritual beings who cycle through lifetimes and eventually return to the embrace of Oneness. So part of being centered must involve inner focus. Attending to our emotional needs and our psychological issues can free us to deal with spiritual growth and consciousness development. The other part of centering deals with our immediate physical plane existence and the needs that pertain to it. This requires awareness of such things as responsibility to others, as well as a clear definition of our own needs in terms of security, comfort, personal relationship, health maintenance and connection to nature. Being centered means having a commitment to the process of getting in touch with your inner being and getting clear about your immediate needs. Even if all the needs aren't being met, being centered ensures the probability that eventually they will be. When you are centered you feel good about yourself. Your self-love and self-image are positive. Most important is that you are in touch with love as it flows freely and consistently through you. That is especially important right now because Leo is the sign of love.
For everyone, especially those of us with significant planets in Leo in the natal chart, so many planets transiting through Leo insists that our sense of individuality is strong and positive. If we are centered we will feel "in love" at all times regardless of nature or existence of personal relationship. Love is the most powerful force in the universe. When we are connected to it, we relate to others with kindness, generosity and support. Humor flows freely and we are playful and spontaneous creating our lives in ways that are fun for all. But if we are off-center we don't feel the love. One might assume that, therefore, it must be external to the self and the priority becomes to "get it" from someone else. This is when a Leo, or anyone else for that matter, can become quite dramatic in order to get attention. Theoretically that attention should fill the void and make you feel good. But it doesn't work that way. Like any other type of addiction, when we are dependant on something external to ourselves, we always need more. In this case the need for recognition from others in order to feel good about ourself never really goes away. We simply become more demanding, more self-absorbed and more obnoxious.
In addition to the Sun, Saturn, Mercury, Venus and the Moon will also be in Leo this month. The most important of those planets is Saturn. It first entered Leo in July of 2005 and will remain there until September 2007. Saturn pertains to personal responsibility and in Leo we are all being challenged to work on our individuality. Leo is the lion, the king or queen of the jungle. The monarch is one who is separate from the masses. The question is, is the monarch benevolent and concerned with the welfare of his or her people, reigning with generosity and kindness (centered)? Or is the monarch a despot, demanding taxes, going to war, creating misery among the people in order to maintain a comfortable, luxurious lifestyle (off-center)? With Saturn (authority, responsibility and fear) in Leo the more centered we are the more we like and respect ourselves and relate to others accordingly. If we are off-center we will not feel good about who we are. We could either withdraw from others (fearing that they will see how unlovable we are) or relate like an eternal adolescent, demanding constant attention and approval from others in order to overcome our own negative self-assessment.
Mercury and Venus are two planets that are involved with interaction and relationship to others. This month withdrawal is not a viable strategy. With these planets in Leo strive to relate to others playfully, spontaneously and affectionately. These planets will bring out the creativity of Leo, whether in an artistic, athletic or social context. Off-center your communication could be dogmatic and oratorical and your relationships demanding and dramatic.
This month provides a wonderful opportunity, and lots of supportive energies, to work on ourselves, feel love flowing and relate to others in ways that improve the quality of life for everyone.
Aries (March 21-April 20Challenges may come for you in late month lasting into early September. These could involve problems at work, conflicts with others about your philosophy or belief system or health issues. You can avoid, or at least minimize, the problems by refining your work-related skills. Be open to others' ideas, and most importantly be vigilant with your health. Growth comes from being adaptable to an ever-changing series of events.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)Challenges this month may pertain to family issues or be related to your home in some way. Growth comes from being clear about what your needs are in these areas. This is a good time to discuss either esthetic or structural changes to your home. Taking responsibility to define and enforce limits and boundaries enables you to feel empowered.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)This is an excellent time to engage in creative communication, especially through writing. Growth comes by developing the mental discipline that is necessary in order to express yourself in a defined and focused way. Spending time with good friends or close relatives can provide playfulness and fun.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)Tension and interactive challenges may peak around the full moon on the 9th. The Moon will be in Aquarius, a rather detached sign. So growth for you can come from responding to these situations in an objective way. Feeling more detached can enable you to understand other people more clearly, see what they want, what they are doing, and respond in more effective ways.
Leo (July 23-August 23)With so much energy in your sign, your degree of centeredness will be quite obvious this month. If you notice others relating to you in open, loving, supportive ways you'll know you're on the right track. If you find yourself engaging in ego battles or embroiled in controlling relationships, or if your life is filled with drama, it's time to get to work and get committed to the centering process.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)Unlike Leo, Virgo doesn't care for the limelight. You are more modest and self-contained. Nevertheless, this is a month when you need to be more present, more front and center to your own life. Growth comes from learning to be more comfortable sharing your ideas, needs and feelings. It could be with just family or good friends, but at least you are affirming and defining your individuality and that's what this month is all about.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)Relationships with friends or colleagues could provide an area of conflict, and a theater for growth. The key to growth is making sure that you are clearly defining what you are doing, and what you need, in the situation. Make sure the others who are involved are clear about who you are. Defining and enforcing limits and boundaries enables you to feel empowered and not take on too much responsibility for others.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)Two sources of potential conflict for you this month: work and friends. In the former, issues with employers mirror your own degree of empowerment. The more centered you are, owning your power and exhibiting it with openness and equanimity, the less the likelihood of conflict or at least an easier resolution. With friends it's important to be open, honest and direct. You may not want to hurt feelings, but honesty is the higher priority at this time.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)This is a year to do some major, fundamental inner work. Clean out all the psychological programming and emotional baggage from your past. This month the challenges to do so could be palpable. Much of the work at this time comes from bringing your philosophy or outlook on life into coincidence with your actual life experience. Growth comes from being less idealistic and more realistic.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)This is a good time to deepen your mystical approach to life. Contemplating the nature of life and your place in the universal scheme of things can prove productive, perhaps even transformational. Growth comes from doing this work without feeling the need to impress upon others the conclusions of your research or needing them to validate your experience.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)The full Moon in Aquarius on the 9th can bring the issues of the month directly and immediately into your life. Growth comes from getting in touch with how the energy feels to you. Respond in ways that provide a sense of emotional well-being. Avoiding the feelings and staying in your head could produce interactive conflict as well as a sense of emotional fragility.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)Early month could bring challenges to improve your performance at work. You might feel like being more creative and that could be blocked by someone on a power trip. Growth comes from being very defined and specific about what you want to do. Don't back down unless it's obvious you won't get what you want. Later month could bring relationship challenges. Respond to them by being clear in communicating your ideas and feelings.
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