The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - October 2017
Jupiter changes signs every year. This is the month that Jupiter enters a new sign, leaving Libra and going into Scorpio on October 10. Jupiter represents the principle of expansion. It can expand attitudinally by being positive, optimistic and joyful. It can expand intellectually by learning, taking classes and teaching others. It can expand perspective by traveling. Jupiter is high-minded, ethical and idealistic. It is generous, humorous and adventurous. The ancient Greek astrologers called it the Great Benefic, meaning it can bring the greatest blessings and the most fulfilling experiences. Its annual journey from one sign to the next can suggest how we will have opportunities to expand over the next 12 months.
Planets bring energy. The sign that a planet resides in filters that energy. The signs indicate how the energy can be expressed. Libra is a social sign. It values balance and equality and prioritizes harmony and social justice. How ironic that in the year that Jupiter has been in Libra, entering in September 2016, the United States has been plagued with more extreme racial divides, religious intolerance and economic imbalance than at any time in at least the last half-century. These patterns have been initiated at the top of our government and applauded by a minority of our citizens who forget that this is a nation of immigrants, founded as a haven for religious freedom. We have also noted, however, that there is a backlash to the intolerance and ignorance. More people have joined together in marches, demonstrations and town hall meetings to resist this philosophical and political plague than at any time since the 1960s. At that time, the issues were racial equality, women's rights and peace. Ironically, those are the same issues bringing masses of people together today. It seems as if the balance is being maintained as forces on the left join together to confront forces on the right.
One of the little known qualities of Libra is that it can represent open enemies and a tendency to project one's own negativity onto others. That has been happening as riots replace demonstrations and free speech is used as an excuse or rationalization for demeaning others and inciting violence against them.
So how is Jupiter's ingress into Scorpio going to alter this pattern? Unlike Libra, Scorpio tends toward privacy, even secrecy. One positive potential is that investigations into the many ways and places that Donald Trump has thumbed his nose at our values and traditions will reveal the truth of his duplicity. Scorpio is primarily about transformation, and catching a sitting president in illegal maneuverings could throw the country into a constitutional crisis that could transform the government itself in some way. Jupiter in Scorpio may also, however, increase the power of the various parts of our Federal Government that are already shady. This could include the FBI, CIA, Defense Department and ICE. Scorpio can represent collective financial resources. This could mean more power to the IRS. Ironically, it could also mean more power in the hands of collective financial elites such as hedge fund managers and corporate lobbyists. This transit could, however, also mean that certain financial groups and organizations prove extremely generous funding things such as health care research, infrastructure rebuilding and opportunities to house the homeless.
How can we take advantage of the transit of Jupiter in Scorpio in a more personal context? Start by seeing what house in our natal chart the sign Scorpio resides. That's the area that will be undergoing some type of significant transformation during the next year. Remember that the highest octave of Jupiterian expressed is the search for truth and the ethical expression of it, both in words as well as in actions. This is a good time to release behaviors, values, reactions and habits that are toxic, self-serving or simply old and out of date. They can be replaced by making conscious choices to improve the quality of our lives by being more honest and integral in dealing both with ourselves as well as others.
The lower octave of Jupiter can be expressed either through unrealistic optimism and idealistic expectations or by adopting an attitude that everything that we feel, think and do is just fine. Scorpio won't allow either type of thinking. When it's time for transformation we essentially have two choices. One is to embrace the time and clean up our act. This could mean being ruthless in bringing ourselves out of denial and up to date. When we let go of something old and outmoded, we are free to make new, healthy, meaningful choices. If don't do the research to remove the toxicity and stagnation, life will do it for us. Unfortunately this leads to haphazard changes. Certain things that should go may be gone, but so are many facets of our life that may be just fine and don't need transforming. The result can be messy, painful and counterproductive.
Over the next 12 months, we can use the positivity of Jupiter to joyfully and adventurously embrace the internal process of transformation to eliminate blockage, especially emotional and psychological. This can enable us to live in our emotional truth. From that point it becomes easier to relate to others in ways that are deeply connected with others so that we share with them intimately and honestly, leading to a regeneration of our most important relationships.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: The full Moon in Aries on the 5th brings heightened emotions, especially in primary relationships. Growth comes from being willing to be receptive rather than what may be the more normal pattern of being assertive. Balance is the key. Following as well as leading can improve the equality in the situation.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: This is a good time to focus on work. Beginning a new job or project or starting a transition in your work life are good ways to take advantage of the energy this month. Focus on refining your skills in early month. There may some setbacks in mid-month, but by striving for improving technical ability you can take advantage of any delays or criticism.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: This could be an exciting month for you. Your ability to make significant social connections with interesting people can be matched by a rapid-fire way of learning new information and sharing it in inspiring ways. Late month can bring enhancement of your intuition that enables even clearer thinking, intuitive communication and creative manifestation.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: The full Moon on the 5th is a good time to dig deep and share the feelings you find there with those you are close to. The New Moon on the 11th is a good time to initiate a project that inspires you. This new Moon suggests a heightened confidence level available during the next lunar cycle.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: Your personal life gets top priority this month. Early month could focus on extended family, which, by extension could include your neighborhood. This would be a good time to address difficulties that have been under the surface for a while with expectation of clearing them up. Late month can bring good feelings and good times with immediate family.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: Financial issues or challenges may come up in early month. Address them by seeking new solutions derived from thinking outside the box. Late month should bring positive, enjoyable experiences with friends and family. Growth can come from not obsessing about the former, not expecting a perfect solution to the issues.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: Relationship is priority one for you this month. Start with the relationship to yourself. Strive to integrate your assertive and receptive energies so that you don't feel the need for someone else to "complete" you. From that perspective you can be clearer in letting others know what you need in order to feel satisfied with the relationship, even as you feel good about yourself.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: This could be a time to express yourself artistically. Time alone provides both opportunity as well as inspiration so that your effort proves meaningful and satisfying. Efforts to be socially active could be met with circumstantial difficulties. This is a good time to get clear about who your friends are and who you actually don't want to spend that much time with.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: Jupiter is your ruling planet and its transit into Scorpio could be challenging to you. It will require deep, introspective thinking as well as emotional and psychological processing. You may, however, also find a deeper spiritual connection or find fulfillment engaging in volunteer service. A primary focus of this transit for you is seeking a deep level of inner truth.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: Your creative impulses could find obstruction this month. If you are a student, it could be from a teacher. If you are a worker, it could be from a supervisor. If you are an artist it could from your own inner critic. Growth for you this month comes from planning out your intentions clearly, with an emphasis on staying within a conventionally accepted context. That should help to remove the obstacles.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: This is a good time to challenge yourself to go beyond previous limits. The key is to be open to what inspires you. This could come from within or from an interesting, if unexpected external source. As you feel your mind opening, and your curiosity satisfied, share your insights and realizations with others.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: Jupiter is one of your ruling planets. Its transit into Scorpio can open some major doors of perception. It could inspire you to go to school or at least take some classes. It could bring some intense and profound consciousness transformations. It could impel you to want to travel to other cultures. Perhaps most significantly it can support you in discovering deep levels of personal emotion and you feelings about life in general.
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. 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.