The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - September 2021
The five outermost planets will be retrograde all month. In general, these are the planets that pertain to consciousness development and collective interaction. When a planet is retrograde it’s a good time to pause, reflect, review and revise how we experience and express that energy. Ideally, this is a great time for individuals to introspect in ways that would lead to a collective correction to various behaviors that are not beneficial to either our planet or those living on it.
Each of the planets can affect us in different ways. Jupiter pertains to philosophy, theology and expansion of consciousness. When retrograde, we are reminded, “to not believe everything we think”. Why do we hold the beliefs that we do? Are they what someone else told us is true or are based on our own experience? Jupiter is about joy, abundance and generosity. If our philosophy of life is not grounded in those precepts, perhaps it’s time for an update and an upgrade.
Saturn is about personal responsibility. This is a good time to reflect on the degree of responsibility we are taking for ourselves. The less we take, the more fearful, unempowered and limited we tend to feel. Or, we could seek to control others in ways that create power struggles in relationships. Saturn also pertains to goals. This is a good time to ask where we are going and how we are getting there. One way to feel truly liberated is to have clearly defined goals and effective strategies to attain them. We can take advantage of this retrograde by redefining who we are and what we need. By increasing our sense of personal responsibility to include our thoughts, feeling and actions, we can eliminate control issues and feelings of limitation.
Uranus is a paradox. On one hand it’s about personal liberation. On the other it’s about relating to the social collective, including friends, groups, colleagues and organizations. It has been called the energy of democracy, yet our democracy itself is a paradox as it prioritizes both equality and personal freedom. This is a delicate balance. Too much emphasis on one tends to limit the other. This is a good time to see how well we are integrating those concepts in our personal lives and shift priorities if necessary. The collective is the result of individual choices and manifestations.
Neptune is the energy of fantasy, illusion and self-deception. It can pertain to martyrdom, addiction and mental illness. However, it can also stimulate our connection to the Divine through transcendent consciousness. When retrograde, it provides the opportunity to see through the illusion of happiness that addictions provide. Simultaneously it offers a deeper, more personal connection with the Oneness of all life. The best way to break an addiction is to find something more fulfilling than the addictive behavior. Connecting to Eternal Love and Divine Friendship can provide that.
Pluto is about transformation, death and rebirth. It is the energy of the taboo breaker. The final taboo in our society is death. Everything and everybody else is out of their respective closets. This is a good time for each of us to address the truth about life on Earth. We are all just passing through here. It’s as if this is one big train station. Everyone is coming from somewhere and going somewhere, but staying permanently is not an option. Although this is not a surprising revelation, it nonetheless calls on us to accept the inevitable. This could be with great sadness at the loss of all we are attached to. However, it could also be accepted as we accept any type of graduation. Death is merely the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. Becoming more comfortable with that inevitability is a good way to relate to Pluto at this time.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: Early month is a good time to focus on health, both physical as well as psychological. This is a good time to learn new protocols or refine familiar ones. Mid to late month turn your attention to social interaction, focusing on letting others know what you need in the situation.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: It’s all about relationship for you this month. They may not always be harmonious, but it’s a good time to clear with your partner and work through issues. Awkward and uncomfortable at times, but intimacy and deep bonding could result.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: In addition to the five retrogrades mentioned earlier, your ruling planet, Mercury, turns retrograde on the 26th and will remain in that direction for 3 weeks. Reviewing your information and knowledge base now could lead to clarity of mind and communication later.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: This is a good time to focus on service. Early month brings energy for spending time helping others in your neighborhood. Later month brings energy to help your spiritual community. The service could be hands on and practical. But it could also be in the form of teaching and providing inspiration.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: There are two main points of attention for you this month. One is practical. Take time to assess your financial situation and long term goals. The other involves consciousness development. New perspectives and inspiration can lead to deepening your connection to both people and to life itself.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: The New Moon in Virgo on the 6th provides the energy to tune in to both your emotions and your spiritual life. This is a good time to begin something new that would enhance both emotional awareness and expression as well as progress on your spiritual path.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: Opportunities for financial expansion and stability are available to you, especially later this month. Transforming assets or even material values and priorities are also good ways of using the energies.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: Lots of support this month for physical activity, good health and creative expression. Challenges could come from communication breakdowns which would affect your primary relationship. This would also be a good time for penetrating research or a spiritual retreat.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: This could be a time of abundant ideas and communication. At least some of that communication could be through the written word. Whether this is creative writing or journaling, taking time to write down your ideas can help clarify the information leading to more productive use of the thoughts.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: The retrogradation of your ruling planets, Saturn, helps make its rings more visible. Whether through a telescope or a pair of good binoculars, go outside from about 10 PM to 2 AM and you can see them. Contemplate whether those rings help you feel limited or self-contained.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: Abundant creativity, curiosity and confidence are available to you this month. Challenges may come from relationships. Clarity and perspective could accompany feelings of detachment or separation. Shifting behaviors could enable you to integrate your authentic self into healthy social situations.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: The Full Moon in Pisces on the 20th brings clear intuitive insights, vivid dreams and a powerful connection to the Divine. Taking time for meditative introspection can lead to powerful realizations of the nature of life and your place in it.
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.