The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - September 2015
Eclipses take place four times each year. An eclipse occurs when the Sun and Moon are in perfect alignment, both by longitude and latitude. This month there are two eclipses. The first takes place at the new Moon, when the Sun will be eclipsed by the Moon passing in front of it on the 13th. The second takes place at the full Moon on the 28th when the Moon will be eclipsed as the earth passes between the Sun and Moon. Eclipses aren’t visible from everywhere on earth. In fact of these two eclipses, only the total eclipse of the full Moon will be visible in North America. It will be visible as the Moon rises and the Sun sets, creating a dynamic celestial event that evening.
What is the astrological significance of an eclipse? Although eclipses don’t happen each month, they aren’t rare either. They do tend, however, to alter normal patterns of the lunar cycle. For example, the new Moon each month is usually a good time for beginning a project that could culminate at the time of the full Moon. When the new Moon eclipses the Sun, what you begin may remain hidden, like the Sun during a solar eclipse. If you want to something that is secretive, or at least private and personal, this would be a good time to begin it. If you want to embark on something that is more public or social, wait until another new Moon.
The full Moon is typically a time when conditions come out into the light. However, if the full Moon is eclipsed things that were previously hidden, whether by design or circumstance, can get revealed. Often this could involve emotions, stimulated by a relationship, that are exposed or felt at a deeper level or in a more raw and awkward way than usual. This could be especially true this month since we are still in the shadow of the recent Venus retrograde. Remember that Venus retrograde can reveal a deeper or more personal sense of emotional awareness about an important relationship. So the lunar eclipse this month could then bring a spike in that awareness. Similarly, it could also enable us to bond more deeply with the person about whom we are experiencing this emotional awakening. Hopefully the other person will also be having similar realizations which would further the depth, honesty and value of that relationship. If we choose not to allow this internal awareness to inspire communication, action or change, or if the other person chooses to avoid or deny their inner experience, the relationship could either end or at least become unpleasant. One could feel more alienated from the other and seek to distance themselves socially.
These experiences would tend to be more relevant if we have a planet in our natal chart that coincides with or is opposed to either of these eclipses which take place at 1 degree of Libra. This would also be true if we have 1 degree of Libra on one of the four angles of our chart. If neither of these is true, pay attention to what houses the early degrees of Libra and Aries fall in the horoscope. Those are the areas of our life experience that could be impacted by the eclipses, although probably not as significantly as if a natal angle or planet were activated.
Eclipses also pertain to the “nodes of the Moon”. Because the Sun and Moon are in such perfect alignment with each other, it is assumed that these are times when our potential for evolutionary growth is enhanced. Similarly, this is time to let go of what we no longer need or value, making room for new growth. The place of opening is called the north node. The place of letting go is the south node. The north node pertains to what can feed us. It can also pertain to points of attention that the public at large focuses on. At this time, the node is Libra, a sign that prioritizes social interaction. This could be in a personal context but it could also pertain to social justice and the condition of women in particular. We might assume, therefore, that the position of the north node during this season of eclipses could bring such issues as income equality as well as women’s health in general and reproductive rights in particular to the forefront of political discourse. Recently, issues involving gender equality and the call for breaking down traditional binary gender assignment and identity have made the news. This issue could continue to occupy the media and the public’s attention. Beyond the tabloid titillation, this could open dialogues both publicly and personally about the nature of gender as well as helping to support everyone in the process of defining and asserting their own proclivities in that context.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: The full Moon solar eclipse will be in Aries on the 27th. This suggests a time to focus inward. You could use this as a time to become more mindful of your emotional/psychological state. You could also use this as a time to choose a direction to pursue or a strategy to employ in the future that will help you in the area of personal growth.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: Your ruling planet Venus turns direct on the 6th. From that point on would be a good time to act on changes in your social behaviors that came up for you during the Venus retrograde period. This could also be a time to be more creative, adventurous or spontaneous.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: Your ruling planet Mercury turns retrograde on the 17th. This suggests a time of reflection and review especially in areas that pertain to creativity, investments and parenting. Mercury is in Libra, a sign that enjoys sharing ideas. Remember, however, that when Mercury is retrograde there can be miscommunication or misunderstanding. So choose your words carefully.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: A month with 2 eclipses involving your ruling planet, the Moon, suggests a time of unexpected shifts. Normal habits may get interrupted. This is due more to timing and circumstance rather than someone doing something wrong. Nonetheless, this month challenges you to be aware in the moment so that you can accurately assess what’s happening that you didn’t expect and plan your actions or responses accordingly.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: Early month is a good time to review and reflect on financial issues. This isn’t a good time to make major decisions, however, as your judgment may be somewhat hazy or idealistic. Focus on “due diligence” now. Clarity and a time of decision making will come later.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: This is a time of introspection. You could focus on an important research project, analyzing the situation in detail. You could also seek to transcend the logical mind and tune in to a deep well-spring of intuitive wisdom that is lying just below the surface. Working with the breath can limit excessive analysis and the potential to worry.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: The focus for you this month is on friends. You might have been thinking about your social life during the period of Venus retrograde, which ends on September 6. During the retrograde period, notice which friendships you still value and want to continue. They should be the ones that are balanced in terms of sharing energy and are the ones to maintain. After the 6th is the time to act on the awareness.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: Power struggles could emerge from mid-month on. These could be with friends or colleagues. Growth comes from avoiding tendencies to power your way through the situations and by setting healthy limits and boundaries. This could also be a time of financial restriction. Use the time to transform or re-allocate material resources.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: Saturn returns to Sagittarius on the 17th and will remain in that sign until December 2017. This suggests a time of being serious in attitude and purposeful in your actions. Your normal joyful adventurousness may seem limited, but the potential for personal growth and feelings of empowerment are profound.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: With Saturn leaving Scorpio and re-entering Sagittarius, it’s time to get back to the plans and activities that might have slowed down or even been curtailed since at least June and possibly since March. Sagittarius can be excessive in its desire for expansion, so make sure you are acting with methodical deliberation in whatever you choose to do.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: This is a good time to focus on relationships. You could start a new one or simply make significant changes, at least in terms of your behavior in a pre-existing one. Growth comes from being willing to experiment in ways that allow the relationship to flower with a new sense of inspiration.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: This month could be a time of increased intuitive clarity that supports the development of a relationship in joyful and exciting ways. You could also be deceived about who the other person is or about what their feelings or intentions are. You could also deceive yourself by idealizing the other person or romanticizing what’s happening. Growth comes from following your intuitive wisdom even if it doesn’t coincide with your dreams or desires.
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.