The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - December 2010
As 2010 draws to a close, it’s time for our annual year in review. This has been a tough one. People are being challenged in primal ways. Things that were assumed to be stable and reliable are proving to be shaky or just gone. If there were one word to describe the experience of people throughout the country it would be loss. Jobs and homes, the foundation of people’s lives, are gone. Many times in ways that are quite unfair and possibly even illegal.
Early year was the greater challenge and the solar system’s “movers and shakers”, Saturn, Uranus and Pluto moved toward each other in challenging dynamics of an opposition and two squares. That peaked on August 1, when Uranus, conjunct at that time by Jupiter, was in opposition to Saturn and Mars and all four were squared Pluto. Since that time the energies have settled down somewhat. Things are not dissolving as acutely as they were. But there remains little stability, however, and, for some, little hope.
This lessening of tension is only temporary, however. Saturn is no longer conjunct Mars and neither are in opposition to Uranus. Meanwhile, Uranus and Jupiter remain conjunct but have retrograded back into Pisces. Pluto isn’t being squared by anything. So as the year winds down, this is an excellent and important time to review.
One of the biggest challenges of these times is to not get stuck in the grief of what is no longer in our lives. It is that inertia that breeds hopelessness. It’s important to remember that most of the time these difficult planetary alignments are, have been and will be in cardinal signs. This implies action and new beginnings. Although it is better to act with a specific plan and goal in mind, cardinal signs are comfortable learning through trial and error. However painful it may be to lose something valuable, that loss leaves space for something else. Something that is exciting and creative. This is a month to review what new actions we have taken and to assess the success, or fulfillment we have experienced. It’s a good time to strategize for the New Year, but to be patient about starting new activities. I will be addressing the challenges and opportunities of 2011 in my January column. I will also be discussing the transits for the New Year in my annual Perspectives talk. It will be on Tuesday, January 4 at Wells Fargo Center for the Arts from 7-9 PM. Admission is $15 and tapes and cds of the talk will be available for purchase.
One transit that is unique to this month is a conjunction of Mars and Pluto (9th-18th) and a conjunction of the Sun and Pluto (24th-30th). Both these transits can be volatile and manifest change in extreme, intense and passionate ways. Sometimes they can be extremely controlling, demanding or invasive. They can also help us to clear out anything that remains in our life due to a sense of tradition even though it may have outlived its usefulness. We could also find ourselves feeling so fearful in the face of all these changes that we attempt to hold on to what we have in a futile attempt to prevent further loss. When we are in a state of fear, we make decisions that are liable to hold us to the past. Hence note the recent election that had the conservative party win big. Are the majority of the voters better off following the same conservative philosophy that created the economic mess in the first place? I doubt it. Like a political Brer Rabbit in the briar patch, its hurts like hell, but at least it’s familiar.
We can also work with these energies to notice ways in which we are attached to the past. If we are, it could feel comfortable giving our power to patriarchal authorities or the systems and institutions that they’ve created and maintain. This is a good time to acknowledge our forefathers and foremothers who have created viable structures for us to follow and that provide security and quality of life. It’s also time to let go of rules and restrictions that are onerous and limiting, preventing us from creating our lives and striving for personal growth.
There will also be a lunar eclipse this month on the full Moon on the 21. This could bring some desirable and supportive opportunities for growth and change, especially in whatever house (area of life) in our chart that we have the first few degrees of Capricorn. Those connections could prove useful going into the New Year and useful in responding to the new challenges that will emerge next year.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
What recent changes have you made relative to career? This is a good time to complete what has already begun. If you haven’t made the change, this is a good time to clean up everything that needs to be addressed so that the shift can be as immediate and effective as possible. This could also be a good time to get clear with employers about conditions in the workplace that you find unacceptable.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Whatever you considered changing relative to primary relationship in October or November can be acted on now. This is a time when the clarity of what you need in that relationship is being met with the understanding of what steps to take to improve the situation. Work on revealing deeper parts of yourself in ways that are cautious yet honest.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
The full Moon lunar eclipse will be in Gemini on the 21st. Usually the full Moon is a time to develop some emotional perspective through interaction with others and then to express those feelings. With the eclipse, however, it is more beneficial to spend some time getting clear through contemplation. Mercury will also be retrograde most of the month, so the theme is similar: introspection precedes communication.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
An expansive month for you. The new Moon on the 5th is in Sagittarius. This implies a time to develop awareness about work situations as well as any health challenges you are facing at this time. The new Moon lunar eclipse on the 21st suggests being open to welcoming positive opportunities developing through new connections.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
A month of extremes for you. The impulse to change in early month could lead to becoming overextended in activity as well as having unrealistic expectations, especially in romantic situations. Later month brings more emotional intensity and the need to express yourself both physically and creatively. Being creative in professional situations is furthered at this time.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
A potentially creative or at least playful period for you. It may require planning, having a concrete goal, and may require some discipline and patience, but enjoying the season in an expressive yet grounded way can be deeply fulfilling. Growth for you this month is overcoming any natural tendency to be shy. You may find yourself in the limelight as a result of your productive creativity.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Start putting into action any new plans or strategies to help increase income flow. Be cautious. The spring will bring more willingness and opportunity for risk. Growth comes from being willing to put your resources to work in new ways. This might also be a good time to focus on family resources, both emotional as well as financial. Use them to help you get clear about how to get ahead.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
This might actually be a fairly harmonious period for you. It could manifest in your social life particularly in that you could be more comfortable interacting with others. This could allow you to be more authentic and more available to others than you usually prefer to be. Growth comes from being open to transforming old social patterns.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
This is a good time to bring deep feelings and desires into consciousness. The emotions could be triggered by family interaction, either in present time or in terms of feelings you’ve been harboring for some time. Be cautious and contemplative before expressing what’s going on. But once you’re clear, don’t hold back.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
This is time to strategize and plan for your professional life in the New Year. The focus this month should be more on networking and contemplating than on action. Remember to bring a healthy dose of compromise into the process. Dogmatic black and white thinking will only lead to dead ends. Growth comes from being open to new possibilities of where to go and how to get there.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
The challenge this month is staying centered. Periodic outbursts, either physical or verbal, could manifest as a result of feeling frustrated from being over-extended or impatient. Growth for you comes from clearly defining a philosophy of life that expresses yourself and your ideals in ways that are grounded and practical. This can also provide the patience and perspective necessary to keep your cool at this time.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
This is a month when creativity and confidence in social contexts could be strong and fulfilling. Growth comes from taking the initiative in creating new relationships. Wisdom, insight and communication skills are running strong for you all month.