The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - August 2008
Headlines scream our daily realities: home foreclosures, billions of dollars and countless lives lost in an unnecessary war, gas prices through the roof, global warming threatening the very existence of humanity, recession bordering on depression. We are besieged by stories of human pain and suffering in neighborhoods, countries and regions. There is seemingly no end in sight to these horrible headlines and these terrible times. But wait. The universe is based on a duality that is always present and that postulates every negative is balanced by a positive. Every death is followed by a rebirth. In light of that, and if it’s even true in the first place, where is the good news and why are we only besieged by the negative?
There are two reasons why we are not being informed of the news that balances the horror. One is the old newspaper axiom: if it bleeds it leads. Apparently we the people are more interested in misery and will buy papers that delineate it, than we are stories that are positive and uplifting. Second, the good news is very subtle. Not invisible or underground, just happening in a way that is difficult to quantify or write about in the newspaper. What balances the doom and gloom is the potential, available to each of us, to make significant changes in our consciousness.
Astrologers define the outer planets, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, as archetypes that pertain to consciousness. Two of those planets, Uranus and Neptune, are influencing each other in positive, harmonious and encouraging ways. They are transiting through the sign ruled by the other planet, a phenomena called mutual reception. This is not new. Uranus moved into Pisces, the sign ruled by Neptune in March of 2003 and will remain there until March 2011. Neptune has been, and will continue to transit through Aquarius, the sign ruled by Uranus that entire time. The reason I’m referring to this again is that this month those two planets are almost exactly 30 degrees apart from each other, an aspect called a semi-sextile. This implies that this month could offer opportunities to tap into the potential of this mutual reception in ways that are simple and easy, through influences that are close at hand. Of course, at best, these energies are fairly subtle. So if we want to take advantage, we must remain open to the possibilities. Pay attention and don’t overlook an insight or realization just because it is new or different from those of the past. Once these new points of awareness manifest in our consciousness, we can act in accordance with them. We can make changes in our individual and collective experiences in ways that can make qualitative changes in global events.
Uranus is the energy of change. It represents humanity’s potential for inspiration, innovation and inclusion of all genders, races and nationalities. It rules the sign Aquarius, the sign of the group mind and the collective consciousness.
Neptune represents our ability to tap into Divine Spirit and to recognize our connection to Oneness, and relate to others with compassion and devotional service. It rules Pisces, the sign of the collective psyche and subconscious mind.
Uranus in Pisces has enabled us to wake up and realize the unique and wonderful relationship that each of us has to life. One of the interesting phenomena of this transit is that it has brought about more unification of the world. Economically and culturally we are all more aware of the small rock in the solar system that we all share. We are energetically intertwined in ways that are simultaneously subtle and awesome. In large measure this has been brought to us by the proliferation of technology, which Uranus rules. Yet we also hear the voices of individual ethnicities who don’t want to be eliminated by global unity. Individual freedom within the context of global unity is the mantra of this transit.
Neptune has been in Aquarius since January 1998 and will remain there until February 2012. This transit has the potential to inspire each of us to see the validity and truth of all religions and spiritual paths. From the monotheistic triad (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) to the more personal and esoteric journeys of The Native American Church and The Church of Discordianism, it is now possible to move beyond ego identification and attachment to any one belief system. We can perceive how The Divine expresses itself in all paths and all people.
This mutual reception is offering humanity modes of perception and consciousness that have never before been available simultaneously and collectively. This is a month when each of us, and all of us, can make major strides in tapping into the energies and becoming aware of the new consciousness that they offer. At this time it is still subtle and underground. No stories in the papers. But imagine what the world would be like if were able to move beyond materialistic consumerism, beyond our attachment to our past and beyond prioritizing the ego and its need for gratification. We would define reality as the interplay between beings of endless creative potential. We could live in ways that prioritize sharing Divine Love and Light with each other openly and freely. We could value the sharing of material resources in ways that help preserve and protect our environment yet help all people meet basic needs for survival. Fear based reality would be replaced with the wisdom of knowing that we are all connected to each other and to The Divine and that we are protected and guided at all times by Beings who love us more than we can imagine.
Potentially, this is the dawn of a new age of consciousness. A consciousness that will alter life on Earth in ways that are dramatic and extreme, yet definitely within our DNA heritage. Right now the changes are still germinating. Not much to write stories about. But the changes are gathering momentum and this month offers tremendous possibilities to that end. And as it happens and becomes more apparent through changes in choices and behaviors, won’t that be a great story? I can’t wait to see the headlines.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
This is a month to refine what you’re doing and how you’re doing it. In early month the focus is more physical, issues involving health maintenance and work. Late month is more social, a time to develop skills of diplomacy and thoughtfulness. Growth comes from putting others ahead of yourself.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Focus on creative activities this month. Early-mid month offers opportunities for discipline and consistency. Late month could bring unexpected challenges or inspiration from friends and colleagues. Growth comes from integrating your artistic talents within a practical framework.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Domestic and family issues highlight this period for you. Growth comes from finding practical solutions for problems that are either very personal or that affect the entire household. Support can come in the form of financial support from others as well as your own mental discipline.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Two new Moons, and a solar and lunar eclipse this month suggest a period of significant, if unexpected, changes. The new Moons on the 1st and 30th are times to focus inward. What can be let go of in order to create space for new beginnings? The lunar eclipse on the 16th full Moon is a time to become more consciously aware of personal issues that may usually be too subtle to notice.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Focus on financial issues or other things that will enhance your sense of security and material well-being. Growth comes from becoming aware of resources that had previously been unavailable or underutilized and strive to maximize their potential. Change budgeting and spending patterns if necessary.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Six planets will be in Virgo this month. This is a time to focus on you, specifically in terms of self-awareness and self-development. Much of the energy and opportunity to do so will come from interacting with others in the here and now. Stay present and strive to be authentic in those interactions.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
This is a time of introspection, which suggests quality time alone. This could be spent in a spiritual discipline such as meditation or yoga. Or you could spend the time in more artistic ways. Humanities earliest artistic endeavors were developed as means of connecting to the gods.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Lots of social energy available to you this month, especially with friends and colleagues. Growth comes from being selective about who you spend time with and from refining the ways in which you share yourself with others. Intense passions could surface in mid-month. Express them by balancing truth with fairness.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
A fairly harmonious period for you. Lots of beneficial, supportive energy at or through your work. This could translate as increased security, either financially or in terms of work. Growth comes from taking advantage of the opportunities without becoming excessive either in expectations or expenditures.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Social and creative harmony combine to provide opportunities for enhanced fulfillment and pleasure for you this month. Growth comes from the clarity you gain by developing artistic interests or by clearly defining a set of ethics that will support your interaction with others. Travel is also highlighted for you this month.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
The full Moon in Aquarius on the 16th would normally bring enhanced emotional self-awareness, sensitivity and the desire to be more expressive of your emotional state. This time, however, there will be an eclipse of the full Moon. This suggests less interaction and more introspection. Growth comes from spending some quiet time around the full Moon, getting know yourself better from the inside-out.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Lots of energy available to you this month that will enhance the harmony and fulfillment you could experience through significant one-to-one relationships. Growth comes from communicating more with your partner, especially sharing with them your needs in the relationship.