The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - August 2015
Jupiter represents opportunity, success and abundance. It is the most optimistic and joyful of all the energies that we track astrologically. It changes sign once each year, and this is the month that shift will take place. The sign that a planet resides in indicates how the energy of the planet will be utilized and expressed. On the 11th of August Jupiter moves from Leo to Virgo. Leo is a fire sign. It is expressive, playful and spontaneous. It enjoys being supportive to others and, when centered, is extremely honorable and principled. These are all qualities that blend well with Jupiter. The transit of Jupiter in Leo has highlighted the creative, the romantic and the enjoyable. This peaked in late June and early July when Venus and Jupiter were in perfect alignment in late Leo. Virgo, however, is not so aligned with Jupiter.
Jupiter is said to be in its “fall” in Virgo. When a planet is in the sign of its fall it has a hard time expressing its essential nature. A planet in the sign of its fall is like a person traveling in a foreign country who can’t speak the language and is not familiar the customs. We can be awkward and uncomfortable and tend to make mistakes. For example, Jupiter is expansive. It looks at the big picture and can discuss concepts in theoretical ways. It is comfortable in the fields of philosophy, law and academia. Virgo, however, is practical, efficient and detail oriented.
Working with Jupiter in Virgo is going to take more strategic awareness than flowing with Jupiter in Leo. There are several possibilities that are good to avoid. One is the tendency to become overly aware of all the details of a situation. This could lead to excessive analysis of the problem and lead nowhere. There is no grasp of the big picture and no understanding of how to solve the problem. Virgo tends to seek perfection or to at least be aware of all the flaw of person, situation or relationship. Getting caught in this manifestation of Jupiter in Virgo can lead to being aware of all the imperfections without seeing how to refine or harmonize them.
Similarly, we could become overwhelmed with the details. We could feel a compulsive need to resolve a problem but get so ensnared in the minutiae that the end result is confusion and frustration.
Other potentials to avoid are feeling a constant need to organize or to serve. Whether we are organizing possessions, ideas or concepts we lose track of where we are at any point in the process. The result could be feelings of extreme self-criticism because we are unable to put things in the order we need them to be in. The self-criticism could also be based on an unrealistic expectation of having perfect knowledge or understanding of something.
Virgo enjoys being helpful. If, however, we have an idealized sense of devotion to a cause a person or a group, even a well-intended desire to serve can lead to feelings of inadequacy. Others may perceive us as being helpful in the situation even though we may feel incompetent. Virgo loves to work. We could get stuck in working harder and harder in order to compensate for our seeming failures, inadequacies and imperfections.
What’s the good news about Jupiter in Virgo? Jupiter has a lot to do with spirituality. Virgo enjoys daily routine. We could create routines for ourselves that enable us to maintain a daily meditation practice. Karma Yoga is the practice of being focused on Spirit in every activity that we engage in. It doesn’t matter how mundane a chore is. What matters is where we focus our mind while engaged in the activity. Sweeping the floor. Making beds. Doing laundry. Weeding the garden. Walking the dog. While Virgo focuses on the activity, Jupiter uses the time as an opportunity to center itself in Divine Oneness.
Virgo is also focused on health and healing. We could employ the Jupiter in Virgo transit to learn about ways of maintaining or regaining health. We could also apply the Jupiterian joyfulness to the whole process of dealing with our health issues. Instead of seeing them as unpleasant and something to avoid dealing with, we actually enjoy doing things that make us feel better and that help us improve the quality of our lives. Collectively, Jupiter in Virgo could bring more information about healing. This could take the form of self-healing using herbs and nutrition. It could also bring an enhanced focus on the importance of healing the environment from the imminent ravages of climate change.
Virgo functions well in a system. Jupiter in Virgo can help us to learn about new systems or ways of becoming more efficient in working with the ones we already engaged have.
Jupiter in Virgo has its challenges but it can be utilized in ways that enable us to learn, grow and embrace opportunities for self-improvement.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: While the focus for some this month could be on contraction of focus or experience, you could feel as if things are opening up. This is especially true in areas involving creativity, fun and romance. This is a good time to be spontaneous in generating adventure of your life.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: Venus will be retrograde all month. This is a time to review your relationships, your artistic endeavors and your values. Outstanding financial situations should be resolved. Interesting changes and new ways out of some of these issues could appear toward the end of the month.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: New creative and social opportunities could arise in early month. Deepening your involvement with and understanding of them during the next few weeks can lead to new levels of connection to the projects and the people by the end of the month.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: The new Moon in Leo on the 14th and the full Moon in Pisces on the 29th help this be a month a interesting creative potential. The new Moon is also a good time for clarity about financial issues, saving or investing. The full Moon could bring clear intuitive insights and spiritual inspiration.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: The new Moon in Leo on the 14th can bring emotional self-awareness as well as a strong desire for close personal relationship. Growth can come from being as aware of your needs and long term goals in relationship as you are of the need for romance and affection. Focusing on the latter without awareness of the former can lead to disappointment later in the month.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: The Jupiter in Virgo transit can help you to feel better about yourself and what you’re doing. It can also enable you to realize the worth and value of your actions. Growth can come from being open to and accepting of recognition and appreciation for your conscientiousness and hard work.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: The Jupiter in Virgo transit could cause you to feel less social than usual. You could either feel the need for extended time alone, or you could limit your social activities to a few good friends. In the former scenario you expand self-awareness as well as connection to Spirit. In the latter you expand involvement in those relationships you value the most.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: This is a good time for new beginnings in your professional life. This could be anything from a new job, new creative opportunities in your current position or simply being direct and self-affirming in what you’re already engaged in. A deep conversation in mid-month could bring significant understanding and possibly change.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: Your ruling planet Jupiter is entering a sign that offers you major growth, pleasure and joy. Growth comes from embracing this transit as an opportunity to get more grounded in your approach to life and more successful in achieving your goals.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: This would be a good time to get in school or at least to take some classes. The clarity of what to study, the confidence to do so and the enjoyment of learning could combine to bring a sense of satisfaction. If school is not part of the plan, then start something else that is. It’s a good time to make solid progress toward a goal.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: After a period of review, or at least a time of very slow progress, now is the time for productivity on the job. This could lead to more recognition. Hopefully you ironed out some kinks or confusion over the past few months and can approach the situation from a new point of view and new attitude.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: The month ends with the full Moon in Pisces on the 29th. This can be a time of heightened intuition and spiritual awareness. You could have profound influence on others by sharing with them certain insights. Growth comes from making sure that you are also being emotionally self-aware and acting with healthy emotional and psychological boundaries in your relationships.
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.