The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - December 2013
The two most significant astrological events this month are Venus turning retrograde on December 21, the same day as the Winter Solstice when the Sun enters Capricorn. The Winter Solstice was celebrated by many ancient cultures as the most important day of the year. It marked the time when the Sun had traveled as far south as it could go, turned around and was heading north. This symbolizes the return of the light; the promise that the growing season was coming back and that life would continue for another year. This could be used as a time to look deeply within, to define what we would like to achieve or accomplish when the warmth and promise of spring are renewed. This is probably the basis for making New Year’s resolutions based on the idea that we will have the time and resources to create new parts of our lives even as we maintain those that continue to have value.
This keys right into Venus going retrograde and how it will continue to move until January 31. Venus pertains to three primary parts of our lives: values, relationships and money. Before we can affectively and accurately choose new directions or projects to begin in the New Year, it is helpful to re-examine these core issues. For example, in terms of values, what is important to us? What gives our lives meaning and a sense of well-being? If we don’t know the answers to those questions we are liable to create something that has outlived its usefulness or never had much meaning in the first place. Once our value systems have been re-defined and re-prioritized we can allot a proper amount of our time and resources to implementing them in concrete ways.
Venus is primarily associated with relationships, especially in terms of what we need, what we offer and how we behave. When Venus is retrograde its time to review those issues and patterns in our lives. If we are unhappy in a relationship it can be easy to blame the other person. They aren’t doing it right or they are deliberately preventing me from getting what I need or appreciating what I offer. Sometimes we can be shocked by how much of this other person is unattractive or unacceptable. How could we have not known this after all these years? The way out is to go within. Our primary focus needs to be our relationship to ourselves. It could be that our needs have changed or we have not effectively communicated the old ones. Maybe those needs are simply unrealistic in the relationship. When a planet is transiting retrograde we tend to experience its energy more subjectively than we do when it’s direct. Thus, instead of seeking the other person in big picture sense of who they are, we compartmentalize them. We don’t like this, even though we do like that, on and on. Very reductive and not very pleasant. Venus likes harmony and when it’s retrograde harmony can be difficult to feel or achieve.
Try not to make any major decisions about a relationship during this time. This isn’t a good time to decide to get married or to get divorced because of the limited, subjective way we may be observing the other person and our relationship to them. This is a good time, however, to allow the self to be completely honest about where we are in the experience. We may discover that there are real and serious issues that have been chronic problems but which we have not addressed with the other person. This is a time to at least bring them up for discussion if not resolution. We should also be prepared for the other person doing the same thing. They might simply be dumping negative energy on us rather than doing their own homework. They might also, however, bring up chronic problems in our relationship seen from their point of view. Obviously relationship problems are rarely easy to deal with as they often destroy harmony at least temporarily. They can also cause hurt feelings. Failing to address them, however, can lead to co-dependency and the stagnant toxicity that accompanies it.
So start this process by updating your self in the relationship. Then communicate the changes to your partner even as you suggest times and ways of at least defining things that you would like to see changed in the interaction between you. It will be important for the other person to come up to speed about the new you, let alone respond behaviorally to how you would like things to be different. And of course, time must be spent contemplating what they are bringing up to you as well. This is a long process that will continue long after Venus turns direct.
Harmony also can pertain to the arts and aesthetics. With Venus retrograde it’s not a good time for major purchases of luxury items or to make decisions about decorative changes to your home or wardrobe. Think about them, research possibilities, but don’t act.
Because Venus is concerned with money this is also true about financial issues., Refocus your financial situation especially in these difficult financial times. How are you earning money? How much do you need? Are you earning what you deserve Again, the value issue, this time in terms of self-value? This isn’t a good time to change jobs or even ask for a raise. It’s time for inner clarity, a time to make plans and define strategies for the future after Venus has gone direct. On the other side of the ledger, redefine your budget. Are you spending more than you can afford? Or are you spending money on things that you really don’t need or value? Sometimes we can bring our financial house in order more by cutting our spending rather than by adding more resources to spend.
This can be a rocky time, especially for those who have Taurus or Libra rising in their natal chart. By spending time contemplating these issues and getting clear about our perspective and needs in these areas we can use this as time to create much more happiness and harmony in the future.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: Disharmony at work could cause some social discomfort, if not financial setbacks. Growth comes from working on being more diplomatic with others. This is a time to compromise your need to be independent and be more willing to play by the rules.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: In addition to re-evaluating “the big three” (relationship needs, finances and values in general) spend some time reviewing your higher mind focus. This could pertain to academic interests and goals or to your spiritual path and philosophy of life. This isn’t so much a time to change those things as much as it is a time to recommit and deepen your commitment to those parts of your life.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: The full Moon in Gemini on the 17th provides an opportunity to get out of your head and be expressive of feelings and emotional needs. Awareness of that energy may run higher than usual around this time, so the information should be readily available. Growth can come from becoming as comfortable expressing personal, subjective information as you normally do in sharing more objective, external ideas.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: This month, the lunar cycle can provide insights into your own or others’ emotional and psychological realities. You don’t have to “do” anything with the information, just use it to become more aware of yourself and insightful about how others function on the inner planes. By extension, this can also help to free the mind to be more spiritually aware as well.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: Re-evaluation for you this month could involve either health or work matters. In the former, be open to learning about and trying new methods of healing or health maintenance. Work could involve either learning new skills and techniques or simply learning to be more organized and efficient with your time.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: Home and family could occupy much of your time and energy this month. Focus on those parts of your personal life that aren’t working that well. This is more a time of contemplation and planning of strategy than it is of trying out new ideas. The research of this period could lead to more productive activity and harmonious relationships later on.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: This is a good time to re-evaluate real estate issues. If you are “under water” with your mortgage, research to discover your options for recovery. You could also research the real estate market to find good deals or opportunities to sell in the future. This is also a good time to think about remodeling and discussing colors, fabrics and furniture with family members. Remember, this is not a time to buy or to do the work. Just think about it and research.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: You could get triggered by children or friends who aren’t conforming to your rules or expectations. Before reacting, however, review the parameters you are projecting onto those people and relationships. You might discover that they are out of date or inappropriate in some way. Giving others space to be themselves is important.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: Early month could bring some mental confusion. It could manifest as inability to make a decision or an unexpected of erosion of confidence in your ideas or ability to express them. It ‘s a good time to work on integrating left-brain ideas with right-brain intuition. That will lead to greater clarity, confidence and ability to be understood by others.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: This is a good time to allow barriers between you and others to dissolve. Hopefully you’ve been doing some important inner healing lately. If so, you may find yourself being comfortably and safely receptive this month even as you reach out to others in nurturing emotional support.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: Hasty decisions could lead to impulsive actions that lead to angry outbursts. If these decisions pertain to finance, you could create a major case of buyer’s remorse. Growth for you comes from not doing things just to prove to others how independent you are. Work against type to develop your ability to be patient and deliberate in thought and action.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: This is a time when your inherent feelings of caring for others come to the fore. You could also have some powerful feelings of nostalgic attachments to people and events from your past. Use the warmth and fuzziness of this period to put important things from your past into perspective.
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.