The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - December 2017
Saturn changes sign about every 2-3 years. It's been in Sagittarius since December 2014, with a brief return to Scorpio from June-September 2015. This month it will enter Capricorn. This is more significant than other Saturn ingresses for several reasons. First, this is one of the signs that Saturn is said to "rule", that is the energy of Saturn flows with no impediment through the filtering mechanism of Capricorn. Second, Saturn enters Capricorn about a day and a half before the Sun does. When the Sun enters Capricorn each year it is called the Winter Solstice. For many early human cultures, this was one of the most spiritual days of the year. It was the shortest and darkest day; hence it brought the promise of the return of the light. This meant a return to the growing season and the continuation of life. Third, Pluto is already in Capricorn and has been since 2008. Although this is not news it is, has been and will be a significant factor in major transformations facing humanity from climate change to political upheaval to economic shifts. The Sun will leave Capricorn in a month. Saturn will remain until 2020 and Pluto will remain until 2023-2024. A final factor will be the transit of Jupiter into Capricorn in December 2019. These major outer planets all aligning in Capricorn suggests the possibility of major changes affecting all phases of life.
For a more complete delineation of the New Year, I invite you to my annual Perspectives talk which will be held on Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at 7 PM at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts. For now, however, I will focus on the potential influence only of Saturn in Capricorn.
The energy of Saturn is comfortable expressing itself through the Capricornian archetype. The qualities associated with this planet and this sign are similar, if not identical. Saturn is goal oriented and likes to achieve and produce. It likes to establish rules and parameters that can be organizing principles for anything from a business to a collective body politic. When one is off-center, Saturn can bring fear and a corresponding defensiveness that is designed to protect from that which is seemingly threatening. Similarly, it can impel one to go on the offensive and seek to control the source or cause of the fear. When one is centered, Saturn brings a healthy self-discipline and sense of organization that enables one to both establish prioritized goals and to eventually achieve them.
Capricorn can represent structures and organizations through which goals can be achieved. When one is centered, the pursuit of those goals combines clarity of direction with a sense of personal honor. It's not just about getting something done, it's also about how it gets done. Similarly, the centered person focuses on self-respect in the process, whereas an off-center person tends to focus more on recognition from authority figures.
One of the qualities of life that both Saturn and Capricorn focus on is authority. An off-center person either gives their power away to external authority figures or seeks to become the dominant person in a situation. The centered person, pursuing their goals with integrity, will accept a leadership position in order to achieve goals that are beneficial to both the self and to others.
Institutions that Capricorn addresses are things like governmental bodies, corporations, and financial institutions ranging from banks to mortgage companies to insurance companies. We could assume that the next couple of years will see the rise in power of those elements of the global culture that already have immense power and control. This assumes an even more patriarchal power structure. In turn, this would lead to limitation of freedom for individuals, compromise of democratic institutions, the continuation of economic equality, decreasing visibility of women, and scapegoating the LBGT community. Worst of all, it could indicate greater environmental devastation.
There is, however, a potential emerging light in this dark picture. There is a spiritual side to Capricorn. I think of Capricorn as the sign of the initiate. This sign is inherently goal oriented. So the question is, what's the goal? We have to address that first on the individual level before we can organize and proceed collectively. If our goal is consciousness development and spiritual growth, this combination of planet and sign can provide assistance. Saturn and Capricorn can pertain to limitation. This could be externally imposed or self-directed. If we continually choose thoughts, words and actions that propel us toward self-realization, the understanding that we are all manifestations of Divine Love and Light, we can use the next few years to make a profound difference in the world. We can focus on the material plane in ways that enable us to stay grounded and secure, even as we allocate resources to both our own inner work as well as working together to overcome the collective challenges of our time. These could be they environmental, political, economic or sociological. If we don't give in to the low-level, off-center insecurity and ego centrism of those in power, we unite in a collective vision that strives to create a world not based on materialism but one based on the greatest good for the greatest number. In so doing we can, individually and collectively, be initiated in the light of Greater Awareness, feeling liberated and empowered by this process.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: Relationship could be a priority for you this month. Early month focus on interacting with your partner so that individuation and independence are as important as the sharing. From mid-month on growth can come from being more emotionally available. Deepening the connection allows greater intimacy and passion to be expressed.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: Researching areas of importance are highlighted for you in early month. This could be anything from financial security to the quest for spiritual truth. Things might get more grounded and productive for you by the end of the month. Growth comes from deep immersion into personal issues that can lead to clarity of direction later on.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: The full Moon in Gemini on the 3rd heightens emotional responses around that event. Growth can come from spending time getting clear about how you are feeling and why you are feeling that way. This can lead to verbalizing what's going on inside with those who you trust and who care about you.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: Capricorn is your opposite sign. Opposite signs tend to do similar things, they just come from different places. Where you may tend to focus on the present, Capricorn is focused on achievement in the future. You may prioritize family. Capricorn elevates public activity. The next 2 years with all the Capricorn activity may challenge you to function in unfamiliar ways, but those experiences can expand your sense of self and the nature of your life.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: Intellectual activity in early month can bring new ideas and stimulating conversations. After the solstice you may feel like defining long-range goals. The practical side of life takes on a higher priority and you may take things more seriously than you usually do. This is useful in seeking to be productive in the New Year.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: This is a good month for you to think about your recent past and to contemplate plans for the future. Clarity of thinking, and perhaps some creative inspiration, can be useful allies at this time. Look outside your comfort zone in order to do some necessary problem solving and trouble-shooting.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: The focus for you this month is home and family. Early month is a good time for communication that can clear the air. By extension, this can also enable you to enlist the aid of family members to construct long range plans either for the dwelling itself or the creation of a strong bond among the family.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: This month is a good time to become more aware of your uniqueness and individuality. That can enable you to be able to deepen emotional bonds with children and partners. Allowing feelings to flow is a good way to enhance the Holiday Season, feeling and bringing joy to others.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: The New Moon in Sagittarius on the 17th corresponds to Saturn leaving Sagittarius on the 19th. This combination of events can bring powerful feelings of freedom and release. Spending quiet, inward focused time around the Solstice can enhance the spiritual quality of the season for you.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: The seriousness and purposefulness of the planets transiting through Capricorn can indicate how important the need to focus, define and achieve will be over the next few years. Remember that the totem for Capricorn is a goat with a fishes tail. You are geared for both practical as well as spiritual growth and achievement.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: Expansion, adventure, courage and communication can all highlight early month for you. Remember, however, that Saturn is your co-ruler. With its passage into Capricorn you may feel yourself getting more serious and goal oriented by the end of the month. Those feelings could last for the next couple of years.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: This is a time when many things may come together for you. You may feel more self-aware and self-confident. You may also experience the spiritual focus becoming clearer and more expansive. This could manifest as a desire to take classes, do some teaching or to engage in volunteer service.
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.