The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - November 2020
This month marks the end of the election season in the United States. This comes after a truly chaotic year in which every part of our country has been turned inside out by the combination of a pandemic, the economic results of the pandemic and street demonstrations protesting systemic racism (including the violence which is an unfortunate and unacceptable part of the demonstrations and the violent reactions to them). The hope, of course, is that with the election there will be resolution, calming down and coming together. The transits of early month, however, suggest otherwise. There are three transits that could affect the election itself as well as the aftermath of it. They could continue this time of unpredictable and unexpected events.
One of these is Mercury turning direct on November 3, Election Day. Normally the day that Mercury changes direction is relatively minor. But getting to the polls, voting, either in person or through the mail, and getting an accurate account of the vote could be problematic. Mercury pertains to communication and connections that we make to each other. When retrograde these things have a greater tendency to go awry. Whether it’s automobiles, computers, mail or voting machines there is an enhanced potential for them to break down or be disrupted in some way - ballots could get misplaced in the mail, overlooked or simply not counted. Voting sites could change unexpectedly in ways that could disenfranchise voters. These things could happen at any time during Mercury retrograde, but the day it changes direction can make these possibilities more likely.
We have written at various times this year about the alignment of three planets in Capricorn. In March Mars added to that collection by conjunction and in September-October Mars squared it. Both times saw spikes in the virus and drops in employment and in the economy. Although the square will not be particularly strong this month, it’s not over. It will return again in December and early January. It’s what I refer to as a “shadow aspect” – it’s not prominent, but it’s not over either. This is an aspect that can generate hostility toward authority. This could take the form of the people vs. the government or the government vs. the people. Two things that the founders of our country were most concerned about were a monarchical type president and the power of the general public. The Constitution they wrote was an attempt to balance the need for strong leadership that allowed for freedom of the common person. The Constitution is as theoretical as it is legal. It has been interpreted differently throughout our history and continues to be refined and updated in terms of its application to our daily reality. The Mars in Aries square to Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn is a transit that suggests interruption of that balance with one side or faction attempting to assert or assume more than their fair share of power.
The third transit is the Sun in opposition to Uranus. Like Mercury retrograde, this is normally not that big a deal because it happens every year. The fact that it is happening the first week of November, however, is concerning. The Sun can relate to the leader and Uranus is all about change. So one interpretation of this transit is that our leadership is changing. In other words, Biden will win. Another interpretation, however, is that the current leader could do or say something very extreme and very unexpected that alters either the election itself or its results in a radical, highly unconventional way. This is especially true now since Donald Trump’s Sun is conjunct Uranus in his natal chart. It could also be interpreted as individuals or small cohorts of individuals taking it upon themselves to act in ways that are disruptive and could effect both the election and its outcome. Hopefully, we the people can use the energy of this transit to inspire us to come together with the realization that we are all one people who have a lot more in common that we have differences.
A philosophical question is posed that asks whether the times make the leader or the leader makes the times. At this time, one has been a mirror of the other. The transits of this year would produce chaos and unforeseen changes and unconventional responses to them regardless of who the President is. Having one who is so erratic and unpredictable suggests that he is a symptom of our times, not the cause. Our individual and collective free will reaction to all this could continue to expand the chaos, or to use this energy of extreme change in ways that promote consciousness development, which is the only true way to create domestic harmony both internally as well as interactively. This is true for ourselves in relationship to other people, different communities and demographics relating to each other as well as the government relating to its citizens.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: Your ruling planet Mars is still retrograde. Avoid impulsive actions especially involving relationships and finance. Inner work that enables you to get in touch with unconscious anger can help avoid those triggers that could lead to unfortunate results.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: Early month playfulness and creativity could give way to a more serious focus on health or work issues in late month. Growth can come from becoming more consistent in creating healthy habits as well as developing more technical proficiency at work.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: The full Moon lunar eclipse on the 30th will be in Gemini. This can bring unexpected awareness of feelings or unexpected changes in your work. Use this event as a time to focus internally in order to gain greater clarity about both emotional needs as well as career activities.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: This is a good time to focus on renewing connections with children. Deep feelings can be expressed and old baggage can be removed. This is especially true around the new Moon in Scorpio on the 15th. It may not be harmonious, but well worth doing in order to bring those relationships into a good place at the present time.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: Unexpected events either at work or at home can bring an opportunity to see the situation in a new and clearer way. This can lead to inspired changes that leave you feeling liberated from previously limiting circumstances. Don’t be afraid to act outside your normal comfort zone.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: Early month is a good time to focus on financial issues. Limiting circumstances could be alleviated unexpectedly mid to late month. Deep, insightful conversations with friends or relatives could lead to enhanced feelings of connection, especially the last week of the month.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: Early month provides the energy to be more present in your relationships. Letting your partner know what your needs are can bring clarity to the situation. Growth can come from being willing to shake things up now in order to create greater fulfillment in the future.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: The New Moon in Scorpio on the 15th is a time to go within. With everything that has been going on this year, this is a good time to clean house on the inner planes. Letting go of negative feelings can create a deep sense of well being going forward.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: Early month provides energy for creative activity. There could even be recognition for past productivity. Watch out for a tendency to be excessively generous or overlooking potential relationship issues in mid-month.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: Communicating your thoughts and perspectives could be a priority for you this month. Challenges from others can help you clarify those points of view. Promoting conversation and sharing ideas should be the priority, rather than having to be right.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: Confrontations with others, both in your personal as well as professional life, could be unpleasant. You may feel others are challenging your freedom of thought or action. Growth can come from selecting which encounters are helping to bring clarity and expansion of awareness and which are just background noise.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: This is a good time to be acting on some of the clarity and insights you may have had over the past few months. With intuitive awareness you could be a bridge to helping others understand both personal and collective challenges that we all face at this time.
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. Call Rio at 707-887-1820. Check out his website: www.starwatcher.com.