The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - November 2015
Neptune is an archetype that is as interesting as it is confusing. One of the slowest of the planets, taking 10 years to transit through each sign, it can bring illusion and fantasy or take us to the heights of awareness. It can help tune us into the depths of our psyche and allow us great intuitive insight into others. This month Neptune will aspect 3 other planets, and will formulate 2 different aspects with one of them.
Astrologers define Neptune as the energy of the subconscious mind. It can also help us tap into the creative imagination and fine art. Yet it also has a reputation for bringing self-deception, self-deprecation and self-destructive behaviors. At its highest level of potential it also enables us to access transcendent consciousness and to become aware of the presence of the Divine. The spectrum of Neptune potential is quite vast. The question is, how can we use its influence for advancement of consciousness and spiritual growth, thereby limiting or eliminating the negative potential?
Like anyone else, Neptune likes attention. When we don’t give it attention it tends to act out and create problems. When we do give it attention, it can enable us to open up to the truth and magic of reality. How do we give Neptune attention? By spending time looking within ourselves. This can be done by working to become psychologically clear and emotionally healthy through such activities as psychotherapy, hypnotherapy or art therapy. Neptune helps us to tap into our inner space. Our culture doesn’t value or prioritize that work, but without it we can be wandering through the desert-like confusion of our psyche. In some ways Neptune challenges us to work against or at least through that cultural programming.
The arts can be another way to work with Neptune. By taking the time on a regular basis to become aware of creative inspiration, and expressing it in whatever medium is appropriate, we are giving attention to Neptune. This can be through art, music, writing, crafts, cooking, gardening, flower arranging, clothing design, carpentry or however we feel inspired.
The greatest gifts Neptune offers is the ability to tap into transcendent consciousness. We access this through some type of spiritual activity. It could be meditation, yoga or chi gong. It could be through shamanic ritual. It could be by spending time in nature. It could be through retreats or vision quests. It could be by working with dreams. The Australian aborigines refer to Dreamtime as a place where we connect with transcendent beings. The similarity of all these tools is quality time alone. Through that we can feel the presence of a force much greater than we are. Being aware of that presence offers the potential to feel a powerful sense of belonging, a sense of support and security. We feel the fundamental love that is the basis of all life. We can become aware that we are all created in love and out of light. We can realize that we are not limited by our body or our limited sense of self, but are in fact inseparably connected to everything.
It’s as if we are separated from this transcendent reality by a veil of illusion. By working consciously and consistently with Neptune we can lift the veil.
Far from bringing only illusion and self-deception, Neptune can provide us with an accurate sense of what is truly eternal and real and what is only temporary and illusory. By failing to take advantage of any of these tools we can get stuck in the fantasy of life. Some people use Neptune by relying on drugs or other escape mechanisms to provide what may temporarily feel like transcendence, but in fact those experiences are merely illusions of the real thing. What goes up must come down. Similarly, by failing to address our underlying psychological issues we remain ensnared in the web of the programming we internalized from family and society. That programming can impel us to feel wrong, inadequate, self-critical or to sacrifice ourselves to a person or an idealistic cause. Martyrdom may be an option, but it isn’t a good one. The universe wants us to be happy. We suffer when we are working through karmic issues and patterns from the past or when we make bad choices in the present. By spending some quality time alone everyday, we can ground in the light and get clear about the entire spectrum of options available to us at any time. This includes the option of asking for help to clarify our inner space and higher being.
This month Neptune will square the Sun. This could cause us to undermine ourselves, feeling as if who we are and what we’re doing doesn’t matter. It’s as if our sense of self is dissipating, leading to some self-undermining choices and behaviors. It could also serve as a call to start doing some type of inner work or to reinforce our efforts if we already are. Neptune will also trine Mercury in early month and square it later on. The former can be useful in integrating our logical, linear mind (Mercury) with the intuitive right brain (Neptune). This can expand our wisdom and help us to relate to others with insight and understanding. The square makes it harder to balance those modes of awareness. One way of responding to that challenge is to make sure we are spending some time in inner contemplation.
This is a month when we can all benefit from Neptune by allowing its influence to engage us in a deeper relationship to ourselves and the world around us.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: Relationship takes on increased significance in the second half of the month. Work on stabilizing by defining long range goals that you and your partner are striving to achieve.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: Relationships pertaining to work could become a focus this month. There are a lot of moving parts to the situation, so growth for you can come from learning to detach from the need to be in control. A confrontation could require some letting go.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: The full Moon in Gemini on the 25th could bring clarity to your emotional life and a desire to share your feelings with others. Be selective about who you share what with. And be patient before you share anything. Sitting with the feelings can clarify them to you and consequently to whomever you share them with.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: You can use the Neptunian influence to have new insights into others and more understanding of your own inner space. This can be especially true around the new Moon in Scorpio on the 11th and the full Moon in Gemini on the 25th.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: The transcendent Neptunian potential notwithstanding, you may be drawn to more practical considerations this month. These could involve financial issues, or getting clarity about values and priorities. Growth can come from balancing generosity with frugality.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: Integration of the assertive and receptive sides of your nature can create a new sense of value or meaning to your life. This could manifest socially as well as practically in terms of expenditures.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: Physicality could be a focus for you this month. This could pertain to getting more physical exercise or to putting time and energy into personal appearance. Either one could enhance your sense of well being and enhance the social side of your life.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: Use the Neptune influence to become deeply immersed in personal process and self-discovery activities. Engaging in deep conversations can bring perspective through feedback from others. It could help to allow the relationship to become more intimate.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: If career has been a focus recently, this could be a month when advancement, promotion or other type of success and recognition manifests. This could at least be a time when you find yourself enjoying your work more and thinking in terms of what you would like to do in the future.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: In general this is a time to work on consciousness development. This month begins a period of several months when the intuitive or mystical side of your nature becomes more important. It could also prove fertile in providing clear insights into members of your family of origin.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: Struggles between commitment and independence could surface for you the second half of the month. Growth comes from being able to establish the limits and boundaries that will enable you to maintain your individuality within the context of a growing and fulfilling relationship.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: Neptune is your ruling planet, so this month could be a valuable one for you. This could be especially true in starting to put some your insights and intuitions into form. This could be relative to the creative, social or spiritual parts of your life.
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.