The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - August 2017
An eclipse takes place when the Sun, the Moon and the Earth are all in alignment. There are usually four eclipses that occur each year. Two are full Moon lunar eclipses, when the Earth is between the Sun and Moon. Two are new Moon solar eclipses, when the Moon is between the Sun and the Earth. Due to the rarity of eclipses, astrologers have seen eclipses as predicting unusual events for thousands of years. Sometimes events will occur at the time of the eclipse that validate that assumption. Sometimes an unexpected but significant event will take place when another planet, such as Mars or even the Sun itself is 90 or 180 degrees away from the eclipse point. This month two eclipses will take place that could have major significance on the United States and its current political climate.
The full Moon lunar eclipse will take place on Monday August 7 at 15 degrees of Aquarius. This roughly coincides with the South Node of the Moon in the chart of the United Sates. When something activates a natal South Node it can indicate a time of loss. Using the popular Sibley chart, this eclipse will occur in the second house. This is the area that deals with financial security. There could be a drop either in the stock market and/or the value of the dollar. Aquarius is also the Moon sign of the United States chart although it is in the third house not the second. The third house pertains to communication in all forms, including journalism and the internet (especially with the sign Aquarius involved). In the current political climate, this suggests either a disruption of the news, the lack of transparency in the governmental process or an outcry from the people against journalistic limits and censorship, The new Moon solar eclipse on the 21st, however, threatens to be much more powerful and significant for several reasons. One is that the eclipse will pass right across the continental United States. Beginning on the West Coast, it will be visible in Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and the Carolinas. The impact of an eclipse is always strongest where it is visible. Second, this will be a total eclipse of the Sun, an event that happens only once a year. Other eclipses may partially block one of the "lights" (Sun or Moon) or just shade it's totality from being observed. When it's total, the effects are more potent. Third, a solar eclipse is often linked to changes in national leadership.
The fourth reason that this eclipse could have major implications is that it takes place at 29 degrees of Leo. Donald Trump has 29 degrees Leo rising and his Mars is at 26 degrees of Leo. Transiting Mars will conjunct his natal Mars at this time as well. This is called a Mars return. It happens every two years and is often associated with new beginnings in a professional context. However, it can also portend in increase in the tendency to be hostile and contentious. So the new Moon solar eclipse will conjunct transiting Mars and both will be conjunct both Trump's natal ascendant Mars conjunction. This combination suggests a number of potential outcomes. One possibility is that this eclipse could coincide with a health issue. This is especially relevant because Saturn will station and turn direct on August 25 at 21 degrees of Sagittarius. This is after Saturn has been conjunct his Moon within less than a degree since mid-July. Trump's Moon is exactly 21 degrees of Sagittarius and his Sun is 22 degrees of Gemini, in exact opposition to his Moon. Whenever transiting Saturn forms a hard aspect (like an opposition) to one's natal Sun, health issues, especially of the heart, which is ruled by Leo, tend to manifest. We could also imagine that the transit of Saturn to his Moon implies lack of popularity and feelings of social alienation and emotional loneliness. These transits could exacerbate states that are already highly accentuated in his nature. In addition, Uranus, the energy of extreme and unexpected change is in a trine (120 degree) aspect to his Mars-Ascendant conjunction. While this is a harmonious connection of energies, it can also imply lack of deliberation or forethought prior to acting or communicating. Since this is his tendency anyway, we could assume that the combination of the Saturn and Uranus transits along with the new Moon solar eclipse could trigger an already overwhelmed person. Whether this leads to a health challenge that he will have to address or a reaction by him that could lead us into a war (Mars being involved) remains to be seen. The conflict could be with a foreign government or the media in this country.
Another potential is that he becomes more marginalized from his own party. One extreme possibility is that something could be revealed that causes him to be rejected by those who previously supported him. This could be links to Russia and Putin and the election of 2016 or his breaking of the Emoluments Clause in the Constitution that specifically bars sitting Presidents from taking money from foreign governments while in office. Similarly, the bombshell could be from the forced release (through subpoena) of his tax records. The point of all this is that this month seems to be time when several planetary events are coming together that suggests a very difficult time for the current President. Whether that's personal and physical and/or political (both domestically and internationally) remains to be seen.
Any of these things could take place this month. They could also happen when the Sun and Mars aspect the eclipse point. These events take place November 20-21, January 24-25, 2018 and February 17-18, 2018.
On the individual level, for those of us not in the public eye, one positive potential in all this is that an eclipse represents a break from the norm. Regardless of what transpires at the national or even global level we have an opportunity to perceive things differently, define them differently and relate to them in new ways. We can break old patterns because we realize that the old ones just aren't working. We might need to make changes because of unexpected revelations pertaining to previously unknown or misperceived information. And sometimes we can alter an old pattern because we feel inspiration that opens a door to a new path that seems to offer desirable opportunities. This is especially true in the house in our natal horoscope where the last few degrees of Leo reside.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: A nice energetic rhythm flows for you this month. Early month can bring creativity which may be in the form of physical activity. Mid month can bring harmonious relationship development as well as practical lessons learned either in school or while traveling. Growth can come from embracing these opportunities with joyful gratitude.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: Home and family activities could be your focus this month. Early to mid month could bring generosity and a desire to share joyfully with others. Growth can come from being too excessive in giving. Difficulties and unexpected challenges could come while traveling, so either stay home or work on patience..
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: This is a good time to work at slowing down your mind. Rather than being open to new information, spend some time analyzing what you already know with the intention to putting it to practical use. Some of this could also take the form of being more open to intuitively derived ideas, integrating it into what your analytical mind already knows.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: While others may feel triggered by the new and full Moons this month, you could feel energized. The full Moon is a good time for new beginnings, especially of a relationship or creative project. The new Moon provides energy to be more self aware in the process of accepting and expressing your uniqueness in some playful and spontaneous way.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: This is a good time to focus on artistic expression and physical activity, which might include personal appearance. This could also be time for a wonderful, exciting adventure, possibly in the form of a journey. Lots of energetic support as well as interesting opportunities emerging for you this month.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: You may feel a tendency to be particularly fastidious this month. This could range from personal appearance to the need for perfection in work-related performance. This would be a trap, causing you to focus too much on the details and miss the bigger picture. Good use of the energy can come from working to develop more mutual devotion in relationship as well as being more open to non-linear information.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: Career and professional activities could occupy your time and attention this month. Harmonious connection and support from employees could help counter certain challenges that may arise possibly from partners. Balancing career requirements with family responsibility can bring harmony and satisfaction.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: Opportunities for professional activity, including inspiration and new beginnings possibly emanating from employees keep this month productive and interesting. One note of caution: try to avoid micro-managing situations. This could include the need to always be right. Growth can come from delegating tasks to others and then trusting them to do them properly.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: Financial challenges could emerge as a result of being too generous with others or too overindulging in things that are inessential. Philosophical differences with friends or colleagues could challenge you to re-examine your thinking. It could also cause a temporary rift or a complete ending of the relationship.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: This could be a good time to deepen the emotional connection to your partner. Alternatively, it could also be a good time to work on creative financial strategies that you can employ in the future. This could be applied to either your professional or personal finances.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: Take some time to review your achievements and your goals. The time frame is the past two years as well as the remainder of this one. Some significant changes could begin around the end of the year, so being clear about where you've been and what you've done will help to clarify effective strategies for the future.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: Your artistic, creative nature could become actively inspired this month. This could be in the form of everything from music to food to crafts. Using creative time alone can bring both artistic satisfaction as well as deepening your spiritual connection. You could also feel more affectionate at this time with both children and lovers.
Rio Olesky has been a professional astrologer since 1976. He is the author of A Manual for the Modern Mystic and Astrology and Consciousness and The Astroreader. 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.