The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - August 2021
Opposite signs tend to do similar things, but they come from different points of view. One such axis is Leo-Aquarius. These signs are highlighted this month with the Sun, Mercury and the New Moon transiting through Leo and Saturn and Jupiter transiting in Aquarius. What these signs share is individuation and love.
If we track the first few signs of the zodiac, we notice that they focus on the early stages of personal development. The first three signs are Aries, the sign of self; Taurus, the sign that stabilizes that self; and Gemini, the sign that thinks and communicates with those close by. The next sign Cancer focuses on the parent child relationship. Leo follows Cancer, just as adolescence follows childhood. As adolescents we strive to establish our individuality at a time in our lives when we are just beginning to discover who we are apart from our family. We are freer to explore life in ways that accentuate our creative expression, hobbies and games. Later, our adolescent evolution can involve romantic interludes and sexual discovery. We are filled with adventure, wonder and the drive to be accepted as an adult even though we are in the process of discovering who we are. It can hard to be taken seriously by those who are older and more experienced, but that recognition is important to the teenager. That acknowledgement can be taken as a sign of acceptance, that we are successful in our drive to individuate. This pattern could continue throughout adult life for someone with significant energy in Leo.
Often, Leo will interpret acceptance as lovability, one commodity that Leo values above all others. A person with planets in Leo in their chart, especially personal planets like the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus or Mars, will tend to be outgoing, playful and seemingly confident. If that confidence is grounded in being centered, this person will feel love flowing through their heart and out to the world. This is a person who loves freely and can be seen by others as being charismatic and a born leader. But if that person is off-center, they don’t feel love flowing through them. They could assume that the love-light channel only exists outside of them. As a result they can be demanding responsiveness and respect from others and interpret that attention as indicating their own lovability.
Aquarius is in the latter stages of the zodiac. These are signs that focus more on collective interaction and experience as well as prioritizing consciousness development. It’s as if the planets transiting through the signs have a bigger picture perspective on life.
Leo can be comfortable assuming a position of leadership with all the attention that that role implies. Aquarius is more comfortable being part of a cohort, a group of people working together to accomplish something. They may have a major role in the situation, but don’t feel the need to be in a position that garners attention. There is a detachment to the Aquarian archetype that is not part of Leo. This is based on a degree of self-knowledge and self-acceptance that the Aquarian has achieved that the younger sign Leo is striving to achieve. This enables Aquarius to be accepting of others in the human family in spite of their differences. Aquarius can like others regardless of the feedback they receive. For Aquarius the priority is owning and exploring their uniqueness and then seeing how their individuality can function effectively in social activities. By extension, Aquarian love tends to be humanitarian and detached from personal acceptance or response.
With Jupiter, and especially, Saturn in Aquarius this year we can assume that the focus is on the social collective. We can each find a unique way to fit in with our family, friends, colleagues and neighbors. Jupiter brings joy, generosity and hopefulness that we can be supportive to others who are having a hard time in our almost post-pandemic world. Saturn can bring a sense of responsibility to organize people and work with them to create “a more perfect union”, one based in core humanitarian values rather than one based on social or financial hierarchies.
This month, with personal planets in Leo we can strive to be both Leonine and Aquarian. We can strive for positions of leadership, expressing our creativity and fiery dynamism (Leo) without seeking external approval or validation (Aquarius). We can be playful and loving (Leo) even while being kind and accepting of differences (Aquarius). If we can integrate the opposing influences of these two signs, we can create a powerful unity from which great things can emerge.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: This is a time to focus on efficiency and health. Learning new techniques on the job can free up time to make your daily routines more productive.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: Early month is a good time to enjoy the season. Gardening and camping are two such activities. Around mid-month things shift. Focusing on service to others can prove fulfilling and helpful to personal growth.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: Creative communication and mediating challenging social dynamics come up in early month. The focus shifts in mid month to activities in the home, including focus on family.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: The New Moon on the 8th is a good time to initiate new projects that deal creatively with financial issues. The Full Moon on the 22nd brings perspective on your spiritual journey.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: The challenge for you this month is to find the internal love channel. This will enable you to join with others in creative ways that can be beneficial to others regardless of the recognition you receive.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: Four planets transit through Virgo this month. The challenge is to pay attention to the details and to be efficiently productive. Growth comes from also striving for a bigger, Aquarian type perspective than can allow you to see your efforts playing out in a bigger context.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: Early month is a time to look inward where creative and spiritual inspirations are available. From mid-month on, focus more on social activities, sharing time with others.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: This month could provide pleasant but unexpected social opportunities. They may be low key or be oriented toward practical activities, but taking advantage of them could prove fun and fulfilling.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: This is a good time for clear communication with others. Listening to others’ perspectives can provide clarification of your own. A good time to listen, learn and expand your knowledge base.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: This is a month to see where you fit into your social group, whether that be friends or colleagues. Strive to balance your membership in the group with any drive you have to be part of its leadership.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: The challenge for you this month is to notice any discomfort you may have fitting in to a social situation that doesn’t work for you. Speaking up could lead to changes in the social dynamic.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: The Full Moon in Pisces on the 22nd can provide clearer perspective about your spiritual journey or your psychological state. It could also inspire acts of selfless service.
Rio Olesky has been a professional astrologer since 1976. He is the author of A Manual for the Modern Mystic, Astrology and Consciousness and The Astroreader. He offers both private readings as well as classes for both beginning and intermediate students. Call Rio at 707-887-1820. Check out his website: www.starwatcher.com.