The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - November 2017
Five planets will be transiting through Scorpio at some point this month, including the New Moon. Scorpio is a sign that gets a lot of bad press, often for valid reasons. Like all the signs, however, the Scorpionic archetype represents a fundamental quality of life. At its worst Scorpio can be secretive, manipulative and invasive. It can betray, be vengeful and dangerous. At its best, however, Scorpio can tap into some of the highest levels of generosity, nurturing and spirituality. It can extremely loyal, honest and unconditionally loving. Scorpio can be very extreme in its manifestation. It could we be the most complex of the 12 signs and is certainly the most intense. The key as to how one chooses to express energy through Scorpio is based on the willingness to deal with the primary Scorpionic quality, which is transformation.
Transformation is a process through which we eliminate parts of ourselves and our lives that have become old, outmoded, boring, stagnant or toxic. The urge to purge. Transformation can be cathartic and could require us to let go of something or someone that once had great meaning or to which we have become attached over time. This can be painful and unpleasant. It might challenge us to address something from our past that we didn't enjoy at the time and would prefer never to address again. All life experiences provide the opportunity for learning and growth. Often, the most painful situations provide fodder for the most profound lessons. It might require us to submerge ourselves in the depths of emotional darkness that seems painfully primal. When we immerse ourselves in a horrible situation from our past or in our present, we can benefit in two ways. First is that can feel the emotional impact in a conscious way. We can bring that effect out of the shadows of our psyche and feel them directly and profoundly. Second, we can learn both from what happened as well as from our response to the situation. In so doing we can insure that we don't keep creating repetitive situations.
Life tends to be cyclical. The seasons of the year, for example, represent a cycle. In Autumn in the northern hemisphere the life force retreats and darkness ascends. In the southern hemisphere spring and new growth abound at this time. Our daily routine can also be a cycle. We do similar things at similar times in similar ways and usually get similar results. Transformation alters the cycle so that instead of just going around and around, it moves more in a spiral. The spiral is a very powerful and primal figure. It is how our galaxy moves as well as the molecules in the DNA helix. As above, so below. In a spiral formation, even if it seems as if we are in a similar place that we have been, it's at different level of perspective and, potentially, awareness.
Transformation is a process of death and rebirth. Once we address that which is dead or dying or needs to be let go of, we are ready for rebirth. Transformation can also be a joyful process. When we release and let go of something that has served its purpose or when we have understood and learned from something difficult we are freed from our past. We are able to create something else that is alive, meaningful, and filled with possibilities for the future.
As we approach the end of the calendar year, the Scorpionic influence offers us the possibility of review. The choices we made, the impact those choices had on ourselves and others can be understood in new ways and at deeper levels. We can decide which patterns have proven fruitful but which have also come to completion. We can decide which choices were beneficial, still are and can be carried into the future. We can also realize which ones were mistakes. Perhaps they were decisions made unconsciously or in ignorance that can now be remade. They may have also been made with conscious good intention but nonetheless came to an unpleasant state. This is the time of year to reconcile these things so that we can start the next year with a clean slate. We can choose to continue that which deserves to be maintained and to let go of that which does not.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: Relationship is a prime focus for you this month. This is a good time to learn to balance the type and amount of energy you put out with the type and amount you receive. Striving for an equal sharing with you partner can lead to personal growth for you and can enhance the quality of the relationship for you both.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: The Full Moon in Taurus on the 4th can enable you to be more expressive of your feelings. Although you may be more emotional than others realize, you often bottle up expressing them. Growth for you this month can come from being willing to be vulnerable by expressing your feelings and emotional needs.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: Mid-month can bring a heightened curiosity which can lead to intellectual inspiration. This can enable you to be more adventurous in sharing your ideas and points of view. Late month can bring mental focus and discipline. This enhances the potential to inspire others to be more open to new ideas and perspectives.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: The Full Moon in Taurus on the 4th and the New Moon in Scorpio on the 18th can bring your values front and center. Are they accurate and up to date in terms to defining what's most important to you in terms of creating a meaningful life? If so, maintain them. If not, it's time to at least tweak them if not transform them altogether.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: Early month can bring interesting opportunities for transformation and transcendence. The former can show up in relationship to either work or health related issues. The latter can come from creative expression, spiritual experience or taking a romantic relationship to a new level of devotional love.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: This is a good time to expand your intellectual horizons. This could take place by being open to new forms of mental inspiration, especially pertaining to the metaphysical or spiritual elements of your life. Late month would be a good time to clear the air with a family member by being truthful about your relationship with them.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: By nature you may tend to be thoughtful and diplomatic. It may even be hard for you to express anger, for fear of creating disharmony. Now is a good time to allow yourself to be more direct and assertive. Avoiding passive-aggression and not projecting your anger onto others are good ways to take advantage of the energy this month and grow.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: This could be a very creative month for you. Aesthetics and expression could come easily. Growth, however, can come from avoiding volatility and emotional blow-ups. Notice if and when anger comes to consciousness. Deal with it appropriately. Expressing it in moderation and focus are good ways to get your point across with without engendering new rounds of hostility.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: This will be the first full month when your ruling planet Jupiter is in Scorpio. In combination with all other planets in Scorpio you could feel somewhat overwhelmed emotionally. Although that may uncomfortable, it could also give you a preview into the new year. You may be called on to dig deep and get in touch with levels of emotion with which you are unfamiliar but which could also lead to new levels of self-awareness.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: This is a good time to become aware of ways in which you have expanded your consciousness in the last year. The mind can be focused on those points of information as well as on ways of expressing them in grounded, productive ways. Mental discipline is strong in late month. This can be useful for learning, teaching and writing.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: This is a good time to open your social circle to new and interesting people. Similarly, you could expand the intellectual context you share with ongoing friends. For someone who likes to think outside the box anyway, this could be a time to enjoy new mental perspectives. This is a good time to trouble shoot previous difficult issues.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: The artistic, socially compassionate parts of your nature are all in high focus for you this month. This is also a good time to feel self-confident which, in turn, should help you to both feel the positive and share it with others. As we head into the dark time of the year you may find that the right word or action at the right time that can help to lift someone else's spirit.
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.