The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - October 2007
Throughout this year we’ve noted how the planetary alignments have been much more benign than they were in 2005 or 2006. That pattern is again obvious this month. There are abundance of trines and sextiles; angular relationships between planets that suggest harmonious and mutually supportive interactions. This is a general pattern. If your life is not reflecting that pattern, then there must be a more challenging connection between a transiting planet and something in your natal chart. This could be an aspect to a planet or one of the four cardinal points, or angles, of your chart. What we are addressing in this column in the transiting planets in relationship to each other.
One of the challenges of trines and sextiles is allowing ourselves to feel them and to feel good about taking advantage of them. One of the interesting qualities of the American culture is our work ethic. This was established early on in our history since the earliest European settlers were from a specific sect of Protestantism called Puritans. The Puritan work ethic is legendary. Their idea was that in order to get into the good graces of the all-powerful God-the-father we had to constantly be engaged doing good things, including being as productive and hard working as we possibly could. There was little time or resources given to fun, pleasure or creativity. If by some chance we realized that we were happy, enjoying ourselves or having a good time, we had better keep it to ourselves and get over it quickly. That Puritan ethic remains an underlying force in our culture. So the first challenge to take advantage of the dominant patterns this month is to work at letting go of the need to be constantly serious and productive. Then we can tune in to the harmonious flows and enjoy them. This is not to suggest that we can’t have fun while we’re being productive or that we can’t enjoy our work. But it does imply that we may need to break down both cultural programming as well as years, even decades, of ingrained personal habits.
Let’s take three examples of the supportive aspects. Two of them combine inner planets that pertain to our personal experience, with outer planets, that involve collective experience and the development of consciousness. To make fullest use of these influences, find the houses that these transiting planets are occupying in your natal chart. Those are the areas of life where the influences will be felt and can be utilized.
In early month, Venus and Pluto will trine each other. This is a good time to implement significant changes in your life that will bring greater harmony as well as greater depth and passion. This could involve either personal relationships or creativity. You can also take advantage of this aspect to see clearly how to alter your financial situation, either in terms of budgeting or the flow of money in your life. Pluto deals with transformation. Usually its influence challenges us to look deeply within ourselves and to alter our lives in significant and often painful ways. But the trine would suggest the transformations that involve Venusian matters (like relationship, money and the arts) could be relatively easy and pain-free, even as they are profoundly significant in some way.
In mid-month the Sun and Neptune trine each other. This is an aspect that connects the individuated self (the Sun) and the transcendent self (Neptune). Normally these influences would work against each other. How can we be self-aware, working to be and develop who we are, yet be in the process of conquering or overcoming that self at the same time? With the trine it becomes not only possible but enjoyable and relatively easy. We can perceive ourselves as divine beings or at least manifestations of Divine Source. We can realize that, since we always have the option and the potential to illuminate (Sun) the compassion, devotion and selfless service that is inherent in the Neptunian archetype. As such we are also drawing those qualities back to us, whether in the form of other people or external situations and circumstances. This is a wonderful opportunity to both feel our connection to or presence within the Cosmic Play of Life and to radiate the love that is fundamentally inherent within all beings. This is not an either-or situation. It’s not an aspect that is challenging us to either affirm our spirituality, hence detach from self or to affirm self and feel alienated from Spirit. This is an aspect that supports both self-awareness at the ego level as well as awareness of the Higher Self present in all beings and in all situations.
The third aspect is a sextile between Mars and Saturn that will happening the first three weeks of the month. This aspect is not as profound or intriguing as the first two, but it may be the most useful in producing concrete, lasting results. Mars provides the drive to assert and to initiate. It will be in Cancer all month, which implies that whatever we do will pertain to something personal or that the drive to do whatever we choose is coming from a deep and personal place within ourselves. Saturn provides the goal for Mars to direct its energy toward achieving as well as the discipline and consistency to be successful in arriving at the desired destination. A challenging aspect between these planets often brings power struggles, control issues and difficulty with authority figures. The sextile enables us each to feel empowered as the prime authority figure in our lives and achieve what we choose or desire relatively easily and with little or no resistance or delay.
As we become aware of these harmonious potentials and take advantage of them, remember to enjoy the opportunities and experiences that they provide. We’re not taking the easy way out. This is simply a time when things can get done or experienced in ways that are comfortable as well as productive. This time indicates that in order to feel good about ourselves and our activities doesn’t always require hard work, let alone suffering. Life exists in a balance. Difficulty is balanced with ease. Therefore we are free not only to flow with life in effortless ways but to enjoy the experience openly and willingly.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
This is a time to focus on your personal life. This could take the form of projects around the house, perhaps involving construction or exercise. Or you could use this time to get to know yourself better from the inside out. This could be done by engaging in psychotherapy or at least spending some time in quiet contemplation each day. Growth comes from being self-affirming in these activities without generating hostility within the family by being too abrupt or insensitive to the needs of others.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
This is a wonderful time to engage in the creative arts. The energy of aesthetic awareness combines with self-discipline and attention to detail that would enable you to improve your technical proficiency and fully enjoy your artistic endeavors. The full Moon in Taurus on the 26th brings emotional clarity as well as a desire to share your feelings spontaneously with others.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
This is a good time to review your health maintenance protocols. If you are ill, this is a good time to investigate new methodologies of healing. Beyond health and healing, your mind could seek deep and profound insights into ways of being more efficient and productive in your work. Growth for you this month comes from being thorough in your learning, understanding and communication.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
The new Moon in Libra on the 11th brings energy for harmonious social activities, primarily either with your family or through entertaining at home. Generosity and compassion are the prime qualities of exchange during that period. Growth for you this month comes from asserting your points of view in any conversation. This is also an excellent time to begin an exercise program or at least to be physically active in some way.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
This month provides the energy and opportunity for positive and meaningful social connections. Your generosity should flow easily and be accepted by others in an appreciative way. You could feel as if it’s easy to overlook your usual needs to be recognized. Growth comes from feeling comfortable being part of the group and giving selflessly to others.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
There are two prime areas of focus for you this month. One is more practical, the other more creative and playful. The former pertains to reviewing your financial situation and altering anything that involves either earning or spending so that you feel more secure and comfortable. The latter involves spending some time beautifying your environment. This could anything from house, to office to your own body. Growth comes from allowing areas of life to receive attention this month.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Early month is a time to spend with friends. Deepening and stabilizing the relationships is the focus. Be spontaneous and enjoy the time. Later in the month the focus shifts to more inward activities that may require time alone. Anything from meditation to creative expression would be appropriate ways to spend this time. The new Moon in Libra on the 11th provides an opportunity to get some clarity about your emotions.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
You are probably analytical and deeply contemplative anyway, but this month brings those qualities up to a very high priority. You may even feel more like sharing the results to your deep, internal research about yourself than you normally are. Allowing yourself to be vulnerable in appropriate ways with others who are also opening up to you is a good way to take advantage of this energy and grow this month.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
You may feel restless and need change this month. The challenge is being patient while waiting for a beneficial opportunity to present itself. Keep your perspective as broad as you can because the opportunity could come from an unlikely source or in an unusual or unexpected way. Growth comes from being patient and being open to surprises.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
This is a good time to get involved in an educational pursuit, something that would lead to an expansion of consciousness. Travel, reading or taking a class would be beneficial and enjoyable at this time. This is also a good month to share any of those experiences with a partner or good friend. It would both enhance the situation and bring the two of you closer together.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
This is a time when freedom is a high priority for you. This could lead to some type of separation from partner or relationship. The perspective you derive from the alone time could bring the realization that the relationship itself may not be the problem With some clear minded inspiration you could eventually, and perhaps unexpectedly, return and help make the situation better than ever.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
This is a time when self-awareness and self-confidence could be running strong. You could use the energy available this month to really let others know who you are. Your generosity and compassion combined with extreme kindness could also be part of your experience this month. Growth comes from not being excessive either in what you reveal or in being overly giving to others.