The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - August 2023
There are two interesting astrological dynamics to be aware of this month. One is a Grand Trine in earth signs involving Uranus, Mars and Pluto. The other is the fact that there will be no planets transiting through air signs this month until Mars enters Libra on the 27th. The only exception to that is when the Moon transits through for 2-3 days each time. The air signs are Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. The element air is oriented toward two fundamental human activities. One is socialization. The other is rational thinking and communicating the ideas. This is complicated by the fact that Mercury, the planet of logical thinking, is in Virgo, a sign it rules, and retrogrades on the 23rd. This will activate our rational mind but make it difficult to communicate our ideas in ways that others can understand and benefit from. Part of that is because the energy of retrograde planets is experienced very subjectively, hence our ability to share with others can be compromised. With lack of air energy, this can make any type of socialization difficult, especially with Venus, the energy of socialization also retrograde. Ways out could include using the written word rather than the spoken word as a means of communicating. The mind works more slowly when writing so we can be thoughtful of our words, striving to make them as clear to the reader as possible. Another way out, especially with the Grand Trine, is to interact with others by doing practical things together. We still might have to be careful about communicating, but at least those involved all share the same focus.
Grand Trines are wonderful. This occurs when 1 planet is trine (120 degrees) to the other two. This month Uranus in Taurus, Mars in Virgo and Pluto in Capricorn will be within a few degrees of an exact Grand Trine, especially during the last 10 days of the month. Whenever planets connect by trine, their energy is mutually beneficial and extremely harmonious and productive. The signs being activated by the Grand Trine are earth signs. This suggests that we can use this energy in ways that improve the practical, grounded and conservative parts of our lives. Note which houses in your chart are being activated by these planets during that period. Those would be the areas of your life that would benefit from a methodical application of these energies.
The 3 planets involved in the Grand Trine are also interesting. Two of them, Uranus and Pluto, represent the greatest potential for change of any planet. Mars is the archetype of assertiveness, competitiveness and ambition. It is the initiator of the zodiac and can trigger action and events from other planets. We can assume therefore that this Grand Trine will activate the drive to express our uniqueness (Uranus) and transform (Pluto) our lives in certain ways. If we have felt blocked, uncertain or too vulnerable to express ourselves, this is a good transit to break through. Uranian energy is innovative and experimental. Even if we’re not entirely clear about what changes we want to make, this transit gives us some tools to at least begin the process and try behaving in new ways.
The biggest problem with Grand Trines is that we may take the harmony for granted and fail to apply the energy to a useful purpose. This is especially true in a natal chart. The energy flows so easily that there is no challenge. One can assume that they can take advantage of the potential whenever they choose, but never actually get around to doing so. This transiting Grand Trine, however, will only be available the last third of the month. Take advantage of it by using the generating energy and courage of Mars to activate your drive for individuality (Uranus) and your need for personal transformation (Pluto) in the houses those planets are transiting. We can also use this transit collectively by taking stock of our imminent and ongoing environmental challenges to perceive the existential threat of climate change and our need to create new strategies to address it. This could lead to advances in technology (Uranus) and changes in collective financial priorities (Pluto) so that we can start moving forward in positive, workable ways to stabilize our environment and ensure the survival of many species.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: This is a month to focus on practicalities. Heath could be in focus, such as introducing new healing protocols or simply putting more consistent attention on maintaining healthy routines. Shifting your professional focus in order to bring either greater fulfillment and/or greater financial remuneration would also be appropriate.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: Your ruling planet Venus will be retrograde all month. This is a time to review relationship behaviors and needs, financial planning and decisions and fundamental values and priorities. Focusing on personal, primal issues is a good way to benefit from that transit.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: This is a good time to focus on home and family. Work on projects that have suffered from delayed maintenance. Review family dynamics, especially those that involve communication. Strive to allow everyone the space to share their thoughts even as you strive to listen better to their sharing..
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: Two Full Moons this month suggest a heightening of emotional sensitivity and self-awareness. The first is on the 1st in Aquarius and the second in Pisces on the 30th. These signs will reflect your higher qualities and provide inspiration to increase your compassion and acceptance while also prioritizing your own consciousness development and spiritual growth.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: Early month is a good time for an ego check. Being overly self-focused on your needs, interests and desires could lead to relationship or financial problems. It could also lead to precipitous changes that lead nowhere. Later month could bring power struggles, but could prove useful in providing feedback for behavior that needs alteration.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: The Sun, Mercury and Mars will all transit through Virgo this month. This implies that it’s a good time to refine your thinking and behaviors in order to be more efficient and productive. Use the Grand Trine to start new projects that may have long term implications and will take a while to complete.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: This is a good time to strive to balance two parts of your life. One has to do with people. They could be friends, colleagues or people with whom you interact in a group. The focus is more about how to create harmonious, mutually beneficial situations rather than just getting your needs met. The other focus is internal. This is a good time to strive for inner clarity emotionally, psychologically and spiritually through quality time alone.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: Mars and Pluto, your co-ruling planets, are major parts of the transiting Grand Trine. Use this to start a long term project or integrate your authentic self into your social activities. This is a good time be open about expressing your opinions and thoughts to others.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: Early month is a good time to interact and communicate with friends or colleagues. Be prepared to change certain behavioral dynamics or even opinions about some of those people. Later month could be contemplative as you work internally to update values and priorities, especially as they pertain to your public life.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: Use the Grand Trine in earth signs to break out of old patterns. Experiment with new activities or doing old things in new ways. Growth can come from being open to changes that may seem radical. Stagnation will be the outcome of using this harmonious earth energy to simply stabilize ongoing habits.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: The Full Moon in Aquarius on the first can provide useful insight, especially with regard to your emotional life. With Uranus involved in the transiting Grand Trine, this is also a good time to try new ways to relate to the material plane. This can lead to greater productivity but also greater personal liberation.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: The Full Moon in Pisces on the 30th can bring heightened self-awareness. Two areas to focus that awareness: connection to the Divine Presence and, ironically, anger. Even as we strive for spiritual growth, we need to be able to function in our material reality in ways that are practical, realistic and productive. This month the transit can support development in both areas.
Rio Olesky has been studying astrology since 1967 and has been a practicing professional astrologer since 1976. The author of Astrology and Consciousness, A Manual for the Modern Mystic, and The Astroreader, Rio offers weekly classes through Zoom. You can call Rio at 707-887-1820. Check out his website: www.starwatcher.com.