The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - November 2014
From ancient times, when humanity first starting noticing and following the movement of the heavenly bodies in the sky, Jupiter and Saturn were assumed to be the farthest away and largest planets in our solar system. Since the mid-eighteenth century, starting with the discovery of Uranus, we have realized that there are other planets even farther than Jupiter and Saturn. But those two giants are still considered profoundly important, not only because of their size but because of their energetic significance as well. This month Jupiter and Saturn will be 90 degrees away from each other, in a planetary aspect we call a square.
One of the challenges of this square is that Jupiter and Saturn are a classic combination of completely different influences. Jupiter is expansive, focuses on higher mind thinking and consciousness development. It is joyful, optimistic, generous, humorous and tends the see the glass as always half full. Saturn, on the other hand, is about limitation, productivity and concrete manifestation. It is serious, focused and disciplined. It tends to see the glass as half empty. Jupiter deals with concepts and philosophies, such as seeing ways in which people are all connected. Saturn is analytical and focuses more on individual responsibility.
What makes the square this month even more interesting, and difficult, is that these planets are in signs that are oriented toward completely different modes of experience. Remember that the planets are energies and the signs they are located in filter those energies. Jupiter is in Leo. Like Jupiter, Leo can be adventurous, spontaneous and focused on enjoying life. Leo can be playful and creative. It is a fire sign and likes to see and be seen. Saturn is in Scorpio which is a water sign. Like all water signs, Scorpio is sensitive, security oriented and may tend to be hesitant about being open, fearing the vulnerability that openness can bring.
When we are confronted with a square, one response is to label one of the planets as better than the other. Most people would rather be hopeful and positive (Jupiter) than serious and limited (Saturn). Unfortunately that is not really a healthy response. It doesn’t eliminate the difficulty, since the other planet is still there waiting for attention and manifestation. Perhaps even more important is that squares can help us to grow. They force us to see a situation, which may seem to be either/or and find a new option, a third avenue for expression that integrates what may otherwise seem like an unsolvable dilemma.
So how then can we work with the square between Jupiter in Leo and Saturn in Scorpio so that both energies are expressed? One way is to remember that both Leo and Scorpio are “fixed” signs and therefore both are value oriented. One of the things that makes these signs difficult to integrate is that they value completely different things. Leo values bringing things out into light and enjoying that process. Leo values self and the expression thereof. Scorpio prefers to dwell on the inner planes and seek transformation of the self through analysis and personal process. Jupiter in Leo expands the love and enjoyment of life. Saturn in Scorpio deepens the desire for profound understanding of one’s own nature and the nature of life itself.
One way out is to create a new value system that allows both principles to be present. For example, we could be involved in a creative project that enables us to be more self-aware as well as being open about sharing ourselves with others. Jupiter in Leo will be happy. At the same time, however, we can also use that self-awareness as well as the feedback from others to check ourselves. Scorpio at times can be like an eternal 3 year old who is always asking “why”? Thus the creative process initiated by Jupiter in Leo can also be a way to stimulate personal transformation.
Jupiter in Leo can enjoy partying and entertaining. Saturn in Scorpio would prefer the safety of solitude. One way out of this challenging combination is to find something fun to do which could also lead to transformation. This could be done with people we feel close to and safe with. Jupiter in Leo can also enjoy sports. So we might engage in an enjoyable yet challenging physical activity for the purpose of creating a transformational experience.
Leo and Scorpio are powerful signs and they each can be controlling. It’s important that we respond to this combination in ways that don’t allow one to dominate the other. Growth comes from integrating the two and thus creating new options of expression and experience.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: You are a fire sign like Leo, but your ruling planet Mars also co-rules Scorpio. You may be tempted to just go with the Jupiter in Leo and overlook Saturn in Scorpio. Growth for you, however, comes from focusing more on opportunities for transformation, especially early-mid month when Mars is conjunct Pluto, the other co-ruler of Scorpio and the energy of transformation.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: The full Moon in Taurus on the 6th provides opportunity for productive advancement in several areas. One is social. This is a good time to reveal deeper parts of yourself to someone important to you. Another would be moving forward in a professional project that you consider personally important.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: Late month could be challenging. You might get scattered or feel confused by being too open to people, projects or activities. One way out is to prioritize those interests and to deepen your focus on each one. Growth for you this month can come from developing analytical skills.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: You social life could have opportunities for expansion this month. Early month offers the possibility of expanding friendships with either groups or colleagues. You might be inspired to deepen or renew a connection with an old friend. Late month could bring a new, harmonious connection with employees, mentors or students.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: Harmonious yet deep and meaningful connections with family in early month could devolve by mid-month under either of two conditions. To guard against that, make sure you are not being too open, accepting or excessive in your generosity. Later month be careful not to be too controlling of a situation even if your intentions are only to extend the harmony. Growth comes from allowing relationships to flow.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: The desire to always do the right thing could cause you to misperceive or misjudge a person or situation. Similarly, you could feel so anxious about making a decision that you over analyze it and don’t act at all. Growth for you this month comes from taking an abundance of information and distilling it down to its essence. That brings the clarity to act.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: This could be an expansive month for you. Travel, studying, meeting new and interesting people could occupy much of your time. Try not to get too emotionally invested in your activities early in the month, however. Some situations could be wonderful but not be that sustainable.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: As many as five planets will transit through Scorpio this month. This could heighten your level of passion and intensity as well as your analytical ability to perceive situations and people at profoundly deep levels. Growth comes from not becoming too attached or too demanding that others relate and perceive as you do.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: The new Moon in Sagittarius on the 22nd can bring some interesting insights into yourself and others. Growth comes from being able to see through tendencies to idealize situations, especially relationships. Be careful not to spend money on something that you can’t afford.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: This is a good time to lighten up, especially around meaningful relationships. Growth can come from realizing that depth and intimacy can come from being playful and expressing your feelings in open and heartfelt ways.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: New social activities could open up for you this month. Growth comes from allowing them to flow as they do and not trying to initiate or control the outcome. This is a month to work on being spontaneous.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: The past few months may have been times of significant creative or spiritual inspiration. The challenge this month is to integrate what has been quite personal into more social expression. Growth comes from noticing where and how you tend to be too idealistic, or give others too much benefit of the doubt. Balancing love with practicality is the key.
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.