The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - September 2018
We have been in a period of time when the energetic patterns have been extreme. Two planetary phenomena have been foreshadowing unexpected shifts and changes on both the collective as well as individual levels. One has been the fact that as many as 6 planets have been retrograde at once since July. Retrograde planets express their energy subjectively. We tend to be more tuned in to our situation or experience rather than looking at a bigger picture. With so many planets being retrograde for so long we risk withdrawing into our own lives and enhancing feelings of alienation from others.
Three personal planets either have been retrograde or will be during this period. Mars has been retrograde from June 26-August 27. Mercury was retrograde from July 25-August 18. Similarly, Venus will be retrograde from October 5-November 16 (more on that next month). These are all personal planets and we can assume that the situations reflected by these retrogrades have been experienced by each of us in slightly different ways.
In addition to the three personal planets four of the five outer planets have been retrograde since mid June. This suggests major disconnects between various nations and between people and their leadership in areas as diverse as international trade, economic stability and alliances. Collectively, we have noted the new beginnings in international relations that have led nowhere, communication that's misleading and the incredible conflicts between different factions of our country.
In this time of unpredictability, there have also been three eclipses. There was a full Moon lunar eclipse on July 27 and new Moon solar eclipses on July 12 and August 11. Whereas new Moon eclipses tend to put political leaders at risk, full moon eclipses are more challenging to the masses. In either case, eclipses can coincide with major earth changes such as fire-storms, earthquakes and volcanoes, all of which we've been experiencing in major ways throughout much of this year.
Fortunately, there are also 3 transiting combinations that are providing us with useful tools with which to navigate this period. All three have been with us for a while, so we should have sufficient experience by now to take fullest advantage of what they offer. They can provide guidance for the movers and shakers who seek to define our collective experience, but since we can only take responsibility for how we choose to take advantage of the energies, that's what we will focus on.
Each of these transits tends to focus on different areas of life. One is a trine (120 degree angular relationship) between Saturn and Uranus. These planets co-rule Aquarius. Another of these is another trine, this one between Jupiter and Neptune, the co-rulers of Pisces. In the grand scheme of things humanity has been transitioning from the Piscean Age to the Aquarian Age. These Ages last for approximately 2100 years, so when we think of the transition between them we are realistically looking at several hundred years. We can use these trines to see how we can take advantage of the remaining time of the Piscean Age and how we can create the Aquarian Age in order to benefit the greatest number of beings.
The Jupiter-Neptune trine brings joy, compassion and concern for the welfare of all living creatures. This combination of influences enhances feelings of humanitarian generosity and optimism about the future. One of the benefits of this transit throughout this year has been its influence in keeping the financial markets strong regardless of the mindless ideas about trade emanating from our so-called leadership. This aspect has also enabled people to maintain an almost unbridled belief in whatever their theology states. Yet, in that sense it could be helping to keep people who share common religious beliefs isolated from those whose beliefs differ. We can, however, choose to use this transit at its highest and most expansive level. We can use it to feel connected to everyone and everything; realizing through both feeling and perception, that we are all part of the same life force. And we all have a lot more in common than we have differences.
The Aquarian Age was once thought to be a time of utopian human societies. Technological breakthroughs would enable us to have more free time to create, to heal and to support each other to relate in kind and loving ways. This is accompanied by the freedom to develop our own uniqueness and our quest for individual freedom. These qualities would suggest that Uranus would lead us into this New Age. Now, however, we are realizing that reliance on technology could actually keep us more separate, choosing games and endless texts as ways of relating rather than face to face. In addition, with the rise of the political and economic right wing, the Aquarian Age could be dominated by Saturn, the energy of the patriarchy and hierarchical authority. Saturn is the energy of the box. It wants us to function in ways that are controlled by tradition and convention. Uranus is outside the box. It wants us to explore, experiment with and express new concepts and behaviors. This month, the trine between these planets suggests that we can work to take responsibility (Saturn) to liberate ourselves (Uranus) in ways that are grounded, focused and useful. By extension, we can carry this harmonious combination with us as we decide through action what this new age is going to be.
Finally there is a sextile (60 degree) aspect between Jupiter and Pluto. This is a truth seeking combination. Whether we want to look at the truth of our feelings for someone else or the truth of the nature of life, this aspect cuts through expectations, suppositions and assumptions and realizes what's really going on. The first place we need to observe is ourselves. Are we living in accordance with our values and ideals? If so, are they really worth living out? If not, what are the truths that we can uphold and live out? If so, are we using our insights to alter our patterns in order to enhance the quality of our lives?
Using these three aspects can enable us to be more effective in helping us create the person we want to be and the life we want to live.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: The full Moon in Aries on the 24th brings heightened feelings and emotional expression. This is a good opportunity to see how integrated your emotional life is with the rest of you. Emotional outbursts can leave you feeling drained or embarrassed. Comfortably expressing your feelings can be a reflection of being centered and self-aware.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: Primary relationship is highlighted for you this month. If you are not in one, go slow in the development of a new one. If you are already involved, there may be unexpected changes or challenges. Growth comes from responding to them in ways that are authentic and that enhance your sense of individuality in the context of the situation.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: This is a good time to be open to new ideas and people. Your communication skills as well as the drive to share information are very strong. This is a good time to be in school, learning new concepts.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: Two points of attention for you this month are family and school in early month and career in late month. If you are in school be open to all kinds of subjects, some you may be familiar with and some not. Later month is a good time to focus on career goals. There is potential for productivity when goals are clear.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: Financial matters may be up for you in early month. This is not a good time to make major decisions as your judgment may be a little foggy. It's more about reallocation of resources that it is about earning and saving. Later month is a good time for organized, focused activities either in social or intellectual activities.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: Normally you tend to be service oriented and modest. This is a time to be more self-focused. Being more aware of your needs, perspectives and interests can lead to increased harmony, fulfillment and satisfaction in your closest personal relationships later on.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: One of the big challenges you face is the unwillingness to let go of attachment to harmony in order to address challenging issues in the relationship. This month you could either feel attacked or a desire to let others know what's really going on with you. Growth comes from being willing to let harmony go in the interest of creating a more profound and meaningful relationship later on.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: This is a month to seek clarity. Some of it is about you. Some may be about your partner or the relationship. And some may be about the nature of life and your place in it. The energies are flowing powerfully and harmoniously this month, so take advantage of the potentials.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: Powerful spiritual potential for you this month. Much of it will be right-brained, intuitive downloads. This can happen in meditation or in the dream state. It could be easy to overlook this subtle energy, so try tuning in daily in order to be able to feel and experience the benefits of your expanding consciousness.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: If you have been feeling stifled, blocked or frustrated lately, now is the time to manifest new plans and projects. Feelings of liberation could accompany a desire to do new things in new ways. Act outside the normal box of your life.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: This could be time of gradual, harmonious productivity in areas ranging from psychic development to the home and family. Your actions occasionally may lack harmony and be somewhat abrupt. That may the cost of the productivity. That being said, growth for you can come from being as thoughtful and diplomatic as you are productive.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: Your consciousness may feel unusually expansive this month. Growth can come from integrating your spiritual clarity with concrete action. Your creative energies are strong, so interfacing your connection to spirit with artistic expression is a good way to stay grounded and productive at this time.
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. Call Rio at 707-887-1820. Check out his website: www.starwatcher.com.