The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - December 2014
As the year draws to a close we can review the challenges and gifts that the universe provided. Energetically, we can remember the Grand Square of April and May that combined the influences of Jupiter, Mars, Uranus and Pluto in contentious alignment in the cardinal signs. With that difficulty came the opportunity to expand our consciousness and express our creativity in previously unknown or unexplored ways. We can also remember the Grand Trine of September and October that combined the influences of Mars, Jupiter and Uranus in fire signs. This alignment was more supportive to our confidence and creative endeavors, but also may have been so comfortable that the potential may not have been fully realized.
We are also approaching the New Year so it’s timely to also look ahead at what’s coming up. A more complete picture will be offered in my annual Perspectives talk, which will be given at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts on January 6 at 7 PM. For those who can’t make the event in person, CDs of the talk will be available.
One of the highlights of that discussion will pertain to something that actually takes place the 23rd of this month and will continue through 2017 – Saturn’s transit in Sagittarius.
Sagittarius is the sign of the higher mind, the principle of consciousness development. This can the form of travel, since we expand our mind as we expand our horizons. By extension, this could involve international relations. Sagittarius can also apply to academic institutions and learning. It can also pertain to religions and spirituality. In general, Sagittarius is a sign that tends to gather information into concepts and work within those concepts to provide understanding of universal truths.
Saturn’s transits always tell us where work needs to be done. It provides a sense of order and direction and likes to work in disciplined ways to bring stable achievements in whatever it is focused on. In that sense it has a lot to do with a sense of personal responsibility to define what we’re doing and where we are going. If we don’t take that sense of responsibility seriously, however, Saturn can manifest as fear.
Saturn also has to do with authority. If we are taking responsibility to define our goals and work in methodical ways to achieve them, we are empowering ourselves as our own primary authority figures. If we don’t, we are giving that power to someone else and allowing them to define the rules by which we live and goals that we should strive to attain. This can be dangerous because it can lead to black and white or right and wrong thoughts and actions. For example, in the realm of international relations, we can be drawn into a fear-based demonization of a group of people who look or act differently that we do, or have a different belief system or form of government. We can also get stuck in a theological dogma that replaces intuitively derived wisdom with blind faith. Rather than seeking our own understanding of spiritual truth blindly follow the dictates of a church or clergyperson.
Saturn represents limitation. In a positive sense this can pertain to the ability to narrow our focus in order to define an important goal and work over time to achieve it. In a negative sense it can also apply to the fear of breaking out of a previously derived understanding of something and remaining in a narrow-minded state. Academically, for example, this can lead to a stance of “I know what I know, don’t confuse me with the facts”. On the other hand it could also lead to fear of knowledge or anyone who is educated.
Sagittarius is one of the most independent of the signs. It seeks a personal perspective and understanding of big picture concepts. The path to that freedom always requires personal responsibility. For example if we are striving for spiritual growth and consciousness liberation, we can’t give our power to someone else to tell us about the nature of God. We can, however, take responsibility to seek our own understanding of spiritual truth. We can certainly learn from the wisdom of teachers who have been on a similar path. A true spiritual teacher is simply someone who seeks to awaken within us our own personal connection to the Divine. Ultimately, we have to become our own guru. Saturn in Sagittarius supports us in that journey. We have to be willing to focus on that goal, limiting our distractions as well as our willingness to follow someone else’s ideas or perspectives. It’s quite timely that this transit is occurring just as a new year begins. Sagittarius, one of the most hopeful and optimistic of signs, activated by Saturn, can support us in our journey toward understanding, truth and spiritual growth.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: This is a good time for changes and new beginnings in your social life. This could be in the form of new people or simply taking preexisting relationships in new directions. Growth can come from being open with other about who you are and by being accepting and inclusive of others.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: Make plans for an activity that will lead to greater understanding. This could take the form of a trip, taking a class or beginning a new facet of your spiritual journey. Growth comes from not being dissuaded from these plans, either by other people or by your own previous lack of experience.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: The New Moon in Gemini on the 6th can bring unexpected social connections, intellectual insights or truths about your emotional life. Growth comes from acting on the awareness and sharing your newfound understanding and realizations with others. The energy is available to take some risks to be more emotionally transparent.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: The lunar cycle this month can bring heightened feelings of joy and optimism about anything from a significant relationship to your plans for the New Year. Growth for you can come from being more present and open in the moment, even as you work with your partner to define and stabilize the relationship going forward.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: Early month provides the energy for celebration through entertaining, creativity and fun. Later in the month the energy shifts to focus on more serious activities. These could be anything from your health to your work or to a desire to refine your daily routine.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: Spending time with family, or at least being home is a good way to benefit from the energy available to you this month. Joy, enthusiasm and generosity can provide you and those close to you with many enjoyable experiences. Late month could bring some challenges. Responding to them affectively can lead to a transformed self-awareness.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: Relationships could get challenging around mid-month. You could feel a push-pull in that you might want to get closer or more intimate while simultaneously wanting to be free. Perhaps you want one thing and your friend wants the other. In either case, take the time to dialogue in great depth and detail with each other before deciding on a plan of action.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: Saturn has been in Scorpio for over two years. As it moves away you may feel as if a heavy weight has been lifted. Hopefully you have been working hard and accomplishing important things over the past couple of years. Now is the time to step back and notice your achievements.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: Saturn transiting into Sagittarius can see you becoming more serious, perhaps even reserved, and not as joyful or adventurous as you usually are. This transit will challenge you to be more grounded and defined in your actions. Working on yourself, the process of centering, is the number priority for the next two years.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: Saturn is your ruling planet. There is a part of the Capricornian nature that can be quite mystical. The transit of Saturn through Scorpio and now Sagittarius can enhance that part of you. Use this transit to go within yourself, practice a spiritual discipline or go deeper in one you are already using.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: Although you tend to be friendly, and friends are important to you, the transit of Saturn into Sagittarius may cause you to bring some changes or limits to your social life. You could choose to associate with fewer people. Conversely, you could seek deeper, more lasting relationships. This is a good month to be assertive in letting others know what you want.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: The year could end on a very harmonious and joyful note for you. Parties may not usually be your thing, but accepting invitations could lead to enjoyable experiences. Being creative in gift giving can also be a source of joy and fulfillment.
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.