The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - December 2020
The Sun reaches its southernmost point every year in late December. This is called the Winter Solstice and it’s been considered one of the most spiritually significant days of the year. Think of it as the birthday of the Sun, as it begins its journey north. This year the Solstice takes place on December 21 and will be particularly powerful because two planets, Jupiter and Saturn will be exactly conjunct to each other that day. The Jupiter-Saturn conjunction occurs every 20 years. Until the outer three planets were discovered, starting in the mid Eighteenth Century, these were farthest planets from the Sun that we knew about. Since conjunctions are always considered times of new beginnings, astrologers assumed that this alignment, that marked the longest cycle of any planetary combination, indicated the beginning of something important. As such, the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction was called “The Great Mutation”. It came to represent emergence of a new cultural zeitgeist, which is defined as the spirit or mood of a particular period of time defined by the ideals and beliefs of that period. The conjunction this month will occur in Aquarius. What makes this especially significant is that since 1842 the Great Mutation has taken place in earth signs, with the exception of 1981, and Aquarius is an air sign. This will begin a period of air sign Great Mutations that will last until 2199.
When we consider the past 160 years, they have been marked by changes that have affected the material plane, which is what the earth signs pertain to. Industrialization, with all its benefits and liabilities, has been the main story for humanity during this time. With a shift in element we can assume that this Great Mutation will alter the focus of humanity from the physical (earth signs) to the mental and the social (air signs). This will produce previously unknown and unheard of technological inventions that will influence every facet of our existence. It could also shift the cultural focus from one based in nationalism to one oriented toward universalism. Aquarius is the sign of technology as well as the social collective. This is another signal that the much-heralded “Aquarian Age” is very much with us, although only in its infancy stage. I will be addressing the topic of the emerging Aquarian Age in my annual Perspectives talk in January. This year, due to the pandemic, I will not be giving the talk in public but it will be available on MP3 (for $15) in early January. Please contact my office if you would like a copy.
Any conjunction requires an integration of the energies involved. Some integrations are easier than others, and that between Jupiter and Saturn is difficult. Jupiter is joyful and expansive. Its nature tends toward adventure and truth-seeking with an attitude of optimism and positivity. It brings humor into our lives. Saturn is serious and focused. Its nature is to be responsible and self-disciplined as it helps us to achieve practical goals. One thing that makes the integration more challenging is that Saturn is the traditional ruler of Aquarius. It is still considered the co-ruler, along with the first of those outer planets that was discovered, Uranus. It’s been said that whatever Saturn conjoins, Saturn controls. I think that the outer planets, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, don’t conform to that premise, but Jupiter is not one of them. So we could feel as if our joy, humor, generosity and spiritual searching, all Jupiterian qualities, are restricted. Instead, the expansiveness of Jupiter could enhance the Saturnine tendency toward authoritarian control, limitation of personal freedom and a desire to focus on the mundane. The desire for learning could be limited by conservative, traditional values and patterns, thus limiting the innovative creativity often associated with Aquarius. This could all be enhanced by the fact that this conjunction occurs on the Solstice, the day that the Sun enters Capricorn, which is also ruled by Saturn.
However, there are other options of manifestation. If we are centered, we will be able to activate our Saturnian energy by focusing on personal responsibility, and acting within a clearly defined framework in a self-disciplined way. We don’t give our power to others, nor do we strive to take control, or responsibility, for others. Jupiter helps this process by bringing a clearly defined sense of ethics and personal integrity to the process. Rather than being bogged down or overwhelmed by duties we can unite Jupiter with Saturn by bringing joy into our daily activities.
One of the potential drawbacks of the next few decades is an increasing reliance upon technology to the exclusion of actual human contact. With the Great Mutation in Aquarius, we could also prioritize our ability to integrate our uniqueness with a diverse social collective. Aquarius is a big picture sign that can perceive all of us as part of the human family. We can relate to others with acceptance and strive for understanding rather than isolate others who don’t share our immediate lifestyle or values. The high-minded potential of Jupiter, combined with the orientation toward order of Saturn can enable us to begin this Great Mutation in a spirit of inclusion and the inspiration that can lead to greater innovations in both technology as well as sociological and political interactivity.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: Your ruling planet Mars is now direct. Now is the time to implement some of the plans for new projects that you have been contemplating. Success may lie in your ability to be patient, allowing these activities to evolve in their own time.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: Primary relationship and creative pursuits could occupy your attention in early month. Getting clear about financial plans and potentials would be a good thing to focus on in later month.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: Open lines of communication are available to you all month. Growth can come from including some emotional as well as informational sharing. Vulnerability at this time can enhance the intimacy and fulfillment you experience in the situation.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: The full Moon in Cancer on 29th could activate clear feelings in two areas. One is feeling more clear about and comfortable with your emotional nature. This can lead to the second area – being supportive to others who are striving to heal some of their emotional wounds.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: This could be a transitional month for you. Work on resolving outstanding health issues by altering daily routines and being pro-active in choosing diet and exercise choices. Focusing on refining awareness and utilization of work-related tools can help get your New Year off to a good start.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: Confidence and creativity combined with a desire for new activities at home and with family are positive ways to end an otherwise challenging year.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: Although limited by Covid, this is a good time to reach out to good friends and extended family. Having a safe gathering at your house, especially if there is good outdoor space and good weather, can enhance social connections in an otherwise isolated year.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: Creatively beginning new projects can enable you to feel good as the year ends. Be careful, however, that you don’t try to control others as this could lead to contentious or explosive interactions. Own your authority but don’t expect others to acknowledge it.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: As your ruling planet, Jupiter, transits into Aquarius, you could relax into a framework that is more comfortable that is more accepting of individuality and freedom. This fits right in with your own drive to independence, of action and thought than the past year has allowed.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: Use the transit of your ruling planet Saturn out of Capricorn and into Aquarius to help you lighten up. Explore and experiment with newly emerging parts of yourself even as you find ways of accepting and including others into your life.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: Jupiter and Saturn transiting into Aquarius provide access to adventure, learning and practical achievements. Use this month to contemplate ways of utilizing those potentials in the New Year that can accentuate and realize your unique and progressive nature.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: One of the things that makes the Winter Solstice so powerful is that it arrives in this hemisphere at the darkest time of the year. This enables us to spend more to focus on the inner planes. This year any type of spiritual ritual, by yourself or with others, could bring powerful insights and realizations into the nature of life and your place in it.
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.