The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - October 2016
The final days of the endless election cycle are here. We have a Presidential race that pits a climate denier against a candidate who seems to believe that status quo in the face of extreme and present climate change is acceptable. In this contest which candidate can rely on the transits of the month to help them achieve victory? Let's begin by looking at transits to the chart of the United States. The Sun in the US chart is 13 degrees of Cancer. It is squared by Saturn in Libra in an aspect that has consistently brought tension between the 3 branches of our Federal Government. At this time, Pluto, the energy of transformation, sits in Capricorn, directly across from the Sun and 90 degrees from Saturn. This could imply a profound upheaval taking place in our country and our government right now. It could also suggest that there are forces behind the scenes that are manipulating the whole thing. Another option is that the major transformation is actually a form of death, but of what kind? Saturn rules the second house of the US chart. This is the house that pertains to the currency of our nation. There is an international movement taking place right now that is trying to replace the US dollar with its Chinese equivalent in terms of the buying and selling of oil. If this happens, and it may come to pass even if is not revealed for several years, this could drastically cut the value of the American dollar by as much as 50%. Assuming that this is happening at all, it doesn't necessarily provide much clarity about the election. But it does suggest that whoever wins may face a financial reality that will change this country forever.
Donald Trump has two transiting aspects that are challenging to his natal chart. One is Uranus, the planet of radical, unexpected change squaring to his Saturn-Venus conjunction. This implies extreme shifts in his policies that pertain to everything from the economy (Venus) to an overall plan or direction that he wants his administration to pursue. It suggests that he is hard to pin down in terms of exactly what he is going to do about defining long range policies. This is especially about those that are designed to alter the income inequality our country is currently experiencing.
The other challenging aspect is a conjunction between transiting Saturn and his natal Moon. The Moon deals with emotion. For a public figure it can also pertain to his relationship to or popularity with the public. Saturn represents limitation. This transit implies either a limitation of his popularity or that his popularity is restricted to fewer rather than more voters. Saturn also pertains to fear. His one constant theme is to ramp up the fear quotient in the people. On a personal level, this transit can cause one to feel alone, isolated and alienated. In turn this can create a sense of depression leading to withdrawal from public attention. It could also lead to an opposite reaction by being more authoritarian as if to demand attention in order to alleviate fear of being alone.
In both transits, the energy is not on the side of this candidate. They suggest challenges within himself, his campaign advisors as well as between them and the public. What about Hillary?
There are three transits affecting her chart on election day. None of them are as major or as challenging as those affecting Trump. Two of them involve transiting Sun and Mercury, both in Scorpio. In her natal chart, both the Sun and Mercury, as well as Venus, were all in Scorpio when she was born. On election day the transiting Sun will conjunct her natal Venus. This implies popularity, or at least that people will have a good feeling about her. Transiting Mercury will be within two degrees of her natal Mercury. This suggests that she will be heard and that people will understand what she is saying. Combined with the Sun-Venus conjunction we could assume that she will both be heard, understood and appreciated for her plans and policies.
The final transit on that day is transiting Jupiter conjunct her natal Neptune in the 11th house, the area of life that pertains to friends, groups and organizations. Neptune can pertain to illusion and fantasy. It is the energy of advertising. We are shown something and told what to believe about it. Jupiter can represent expansion, success, abundance and, again, popularity. The other transits last only for a couple of days. This one will be building for a couple of weeks. We might assume, therefore, that as October fades into November, her popularity will increase, leading to the probability that she will finally achieve her goal. Of course that also means that it is she who will have to lead us out of the economic hole that is currently being dug. She will also be one of the 2 or 3 most important and powerful people in the world who must deal with the reality of climate change and the ever present challenge of preventing global disaster on scale never seen before in recorded history. But, that is a story for another day.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: The full Moon in Aries on the 15th can bring an abundance of emotion. Challenging aspects from other planets on that day could lead to unexpected outbursts or intense confrontations. Growth can come from using the clarity that the full Moon can bring to work on internal emotional stability.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: This is a good time to deepen the trust between you and a partner. If this is a personal relationship focus on emotional bonding. If it's a business partnership work on financial honesty. The work done earlier in the month will pay dividends or relationship stabilization later on.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: This is a month to focus on self-expression. Early to mid month could bring creative inspiration that could be either whimsical or practical. Mid-month could bring opportunities for harmonious relationships with children. Late month can offer creativity at work, or integrating some type of spiritual inspiration in your daily routine.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: The challenge this month is finding the proper balance between time spent at home, either with self and/or family, with the time and energy spent at work. Early month might occupy more of the latter. It could also bring ideas and opportunities to be more creative. Later month can bring feelings and experiences of domestic tranquility.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: You could feel challenged or confronted by family members or co-workers in early month. If you're a student, you could have similar experiences with teachers. Growth comes from being willing to bring the issues into the open for discussion. It won't be easy, but you will at least know you're being heard. By the end of the month there could be agreement about the issues or at least a common point of understanding.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: This is a time to focus on clarifying your values. What's important to you and gives your life meaning? There could be some challenges and confrontations with others, especially in mid-month. Those conversations, although unpleasant at the time, could actually help bring clarity to the issue of significance.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: This is a good time to counterbalance tendencies to look outside yourself for grounding, emotional security or clarity of values. Growth for you this month comes from developing more self-reliance. Work on being more competent and resourceful doing things that are important to you without seeking approval or validation from others.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: Your co-ruling planets, Mars and Pluto, are conjunct for 10 days in mid-month. This is a time to be proactive in expressing things that are deeply important to you. It could be a good time to begin a project that may take a while to complete. Failure to do either of these things could lead to the build up of intense feelings that erupt in a verbal explosion and create contention or crisis with others.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: With your ruling planet now in Libra, you could be feeling exuberant and excited. Be careful in early month to not let the energy get out of control. You could try to do more than is realistic or your enthusiasm could be misunderstood leading to conflict with others. Growth for you comes from putting the energy into long range thinking and planning.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: A lot of energy is available to you this month and it's important that you put it to work in a productive, well thought out way. Beginning a program that enables you to become healthier or physically fit would be beneficial. Clearing the air about old issues with a good friend or starting an important project at work would be other good ways of working with intense and creative energies this month.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: There could be come conflicts or confrontations with others this month. Use the situations to get clarity about yourself, rather than just defending yourself or attacking others. Things mellow out by the end of the month assuming that you use the challenges to make desirable behavioral changes.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: This is a good time to share your ideas with others. Similarly, you could find that when others share their's with you that you offer profound or insightful feedback. Growth for you comes from overcoming any tendencies to be too shy, sensitive or hesitant. There are good things to be shared for all concerned.
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.