The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - October 2012
Correction: In my Wheel of Light column for August, the first sentence in the last paragraph of the opening section should read “We might also assume that the north node in Scorpio will present (not prevent, as previously stated) more opportunities for each of us to fin greater depth of meaning in our relationships.” Ironically the misprint carries the exact opposite meaning to what I had intended to write. My apologies.
This is especially ironic since this month there will be four planets, not including the Moon, transiting through Scorpio. The issue of deep, emotional bonding in relationship is in high focus all month. One of those planets is Saturn, which enters Scorpio on the 5th and will remain in that sign until December 2014. It will retrograde back into Scorpio for a few months after that, so that the entire time Saturn is in Scorpio will be about 2 ½ years.
Saturn is the energy of personal responsibility. The transits of Saturn indicate where (in terms of what house in your natal chart that Saturn is in at any given time) we have work to do. Scorpio is a water sign and quite possibly the most intense and complex of the twelve signs. For example, as a water sign it is security oriented. Yet, it’s the sign of transformation. Its job is to deeply analyze its life experience in order to discover the truth about the nature of life. In addition, when we have a planet in Scorpio in our natal chart or by transit, we need to focus on our own life. We need to assess what part of us is old and stagnant and what remains valuable and meaningful. We let go of the outmoded and maintain the viable. So even though Scorpio might prefer to hang on to anything (relationship, possession, habit or value system) in order to insure security, it must constantly process its life experience in order to keep developing. It’s by letting go that Scorpio can actually insure its security and emotional well-being. Failing to work on the transformational process can lead to crisis, loss or betrayal.
The two prime areas that the transit of Saturn in Scorpio is likely to challenge us are intimate relationships and finance. Intimacy is an interesting word. When used by men it often refers to being sexual. When used by a woman it pertains primarily to emotional connection. From the Scorpionic perspective, intimacy refers to voluntary vulnerability, and the emotional bonding that that produces. Without that deep connection, Scorpio may experience sex as being boring or draining. With the connection sexual contact can provide an opportunity for a spiritual peak experience. Again, the Scorpionic dilemma is, how to be emotionally present without leaving oneself open to being devastated if the partner chooses to use the vulnerability against you. The need for security versus the need for transformation.
Financially, Scorpio represents collective financial resources. This can pertain to the pool of money that you and your partner generate or how money is flowing and being distributed in this country and throughout the world. Saturn in Scorpio prefers prudence and frugality, the importance of security. This implies that we might prioritize saving to spending, or at least limit our expenditures to those things that bring us the greatest sense of physical as well as emotional well-being. There is the possibility that the transit of Saturn into Scorpio could produce a global financial meltdown. However, I don’t think that that is likely to happen. Even as Saturn is transiting through Scorpio, the sign ruled by Pluto, Pluto is transiting through Capricorn, the sign ruled by Saturn. When planets are transiting through each other’s sign, astrologers refer to it as “mutual reception” which greatly strengthens the influence of both planets. It seems more likely to me that the gradual and less than robust recovery from the recession will continue. We might even assume that it will be during the period of Saturn’s transit through Scorpio that the global economy will be transformed and regenerated.
If we are centered we can deal effectively with this transit by deeply analyzing our life experience and creating healthy transformations that keep us growing and happy. But if we are off-center, we might experience Saturn as fear and fail to take the necessary responsibility to work through various life and relationship issues. In fear we block intimacy, assuming that others will use our openness to hurt and gain dominion over us. We could be so concerned about security that we don’t let go of or update anything. The resulting stagnation could produce serious financial challenges, at least in our own lives.
Saturn is the energy of goal orientation. It wants us to define a direction to pursue and a methodology for achieving our goals. If we are willing to do the work, and be patient with the process (Saturn is the energy of time) we will be successful. Regardless of how deep, awkward or painful the inner work needs to be, if we are dedicated to our process we will feel empowered and liberated. If we avoid the work we are likely creating a scenario where crisis trumps transformation.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: Early month is a good time to spend some alone time to get clear about your underlying relationship drives and desires. From mid-month on the energy picks up and spontaneous adventure may come up and may involve a journey. Growth comes from not being overly exclusive or expansive when the time and opportunities come up to open up.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: Creative and social energies are highlighted for you all month long. Creatively you could be drawn to everything from music to crafts to creative writing. Socially, be expressive about your feelings and emotional needs in the relationship. There is ample energy available that can help to deepen a connection, but you could go overboard in being too generous and devoted which could lead to an imbalance of energy exchange. Growth comes from balancing what you share with what you receive.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: Early month offers energy to focus the mind. You could choose to do this in ways that help develop the single pointed concentration that is beneficial to meditation. You could also direct the energy into deep introspective analysis of your emotional involvement and connection in a primary relationship.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: The Moon is the ruling planet of Cancer. This month the new Moon will be in Libra and the full Moon in Taurus, both signs that are ruled by Venus. Venus pertains to money, relationship and the arts. Prioritizing which of those gets the most attention and time is a good way to take advantage of the transits this month and feel greater fulfillment and growth in those areas of your life.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: You generally look outside the self in expressive, creative ways. This is a month to focus more inwardly. This could pertain to personal emotional or psychological issues or focus more on family matters. Tools available to you this month to get this done are an open and active intellect, sharp, clear intuition and a sense of self-discipline that will keep you inwardly focused even when you’d rather be doing something else.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: This is a good time to give attention to your appearance. Not a particularly profound period, but one that can result in feeling good about yourself as well as enhancing your social activities. Esthetics of personal appearance can bring more intuitive or emotional energy in your life and balance out your tendency to analyze everything.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: Saturn has been transiting through Libra since late October 2009. You may have felt burdened with responsibilities or limited in your life experience during that time. The good news, however, is that you also have developed a new sense of empowerment and liberation. Now that Saturn is leaving Libra, it’s time to start putting your new sense of self to work in creating new opportunities.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: When Saturn transits through our Sun sign we are challenged to work on ourselves, focusing on centering, wholeness and growth. Failure to do so could lead to health challenges. With the willingness to do the work, however, you will feel an increased level of focus and productivity in both the personal and professional parts of your life. It won’t always be easy and definitely will require work, but it will be worth your time and attention. It’s time to take yourself seriously.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: You may have been involved in lots of interesting activities and relationships over the past 4-5 months. It may even feel as if your plate is overflowing. Now it’s time to take a step back and review what you’ve been doing. You might realize it’s time to eliminate certain activities or situations in order to expand those that are more important.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: Saturn is your ruling planet and its journey through Scorpio could affect you both professionally and socially. Professionally it’s a culmination time. Things you have been working to achieve may come to fruition over the next couple of years. Socially, it may be time to eliminate certain activities or even people, in order to deepen the bond and value of other relationships.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: Saturn is the co-ruling planet of Aquarius and its journey through Scorpio could prove challenging to you. Generally Aquarians don’t value or focus on the emotional side of life. Yet that’s exactly what Scorpio is all about. Although you may feel awkward and uncomfortable tuning inward, that’s the place to go to grow and ultimately becoming more comfortable with you inner self as well as sharing that part of you with others.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: This could be a highly creative period for you. The energies of discipline as well as inspiration are available to you this month. A new sense of self-confidence could also be present, enabling you to create as well as share your work with others. This is also a good time to become aware of what triggers your anger. It’s OK to express those feelings, but doing so consciously prevents unexpected and undesirable responses from others.
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. Rio will offer a class in beginning astrology through Santa Rosa Junior College starting Wednesday September 26. To register for the class call 707-527-4824. To make an appointment for a reading, call Rio at 707-887-1820. Check out his website: www.starwatcher.com.