The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - January 2015
The focus of this month’s column is a broad overview of the transiting energy patterns for the New Year. My Perspectives 2015 talk at The Wells Fargo Center for the Arts will offer a more in-depth and detailed account. Perspectives 2015 will take place on January 6 at 7 PM in the Merlo Auditorium, fee is $15. If you can’t make it, CDs of the talk will be available for $20.
There are three major transits to pay attention to this year. One is the ongoing Uranus-Pluto square. The second is Saturn transiting through Sagittarius, which was the topic of the December column. The third is the square between Saturn and Neptune. Less significant transits are the retrogradation of Venus in June and July, Jupiter transiting into Virgo on August and the interesting Solar Eclipse at 29 degrees of Pisces on March 20. These latter three will be addressed in future columns. For now, let’s focus on the big picture.
The Uranus in Aries square Pluto in Capricorn began in 2010 and will end in 2016. This is the final year that that aspect will be exact. In general, this transit has a lot to do with testing the viability of everything from a political and economic system to a personal sense of their reality. If the system or that reality fails the test it must be replaced by something more honest and meaningful. This is a classic push-pull of the old and conventional (Capricorn) vying for dominion against the new (Aries) and revolutionary (Uranus). Recently we have seen this play out in the pro-democracy demonstrations taking place in Hong Kong. Over the past few years we have seen this manifesting on the personal level by people realizing that their income level has not been able to meet their mortgage responsibilities (Pluto) and they have lost their homes. Capricorn likes to maintain tradition. Although Pluto’s lower octave expression can be very obsessive in preserving a sense of security, its higher octave promotes transformation. As a truth seeker it seeks to tear down whatever is false or outmoded and replace it with something more real. The first few years of this aspect saw tremendous suffering as people, in addition to losing homes, also lost jobs, social standing and economic security. Similarly, countries that had been used to defining the rules of the game realized the limits (Capricorn) of their power (Pluto) in light of changing political and sociological conditions. Chaos and unpredictability (Uranus) became the norm in the Middle East (Syria, Iraq) and Far East (Pakistan, Afghanistan). This has also been reflected economically in the emerging markets of India, China and Brazil.
The tearing down is only the first step of the transformational process. The second is rebirth. That part of the process began to take precedence last year. Unemployment in the United States fell as new jobs were created. Many of those jobs came from the technology sectors (Uranus) and emerging industries such as solar power. This year the rebirth process gains momentum. It’s important that we – as individuals or as a country – don’t get stuck in the death part of this cycle. It’s time to embrace the creative part and allow ourselves to generate new behaviors that will enable us to achieve newly defined goals. Remember, Aries and Capricorn are cardinal signs which are all about new beginnings. One of the most important ways for cardinal signs to learn is through trial and error. Don’t be afraid to start something, whether it’s a project, a relationship or a new sense of self. Uranus has a lot to do with uniqueness and providing the inspiration for us to be who we are. With Uranus in Aries we can feel comfortable with risk and uncertainty. Uranus is also experimental. Not all experiments will succeed. If we are conscious of our intention and deliberate in our actions, we can maximize both our successes as well as our lessons that lead to further growth.
In a similar vein, Saturn in Sagittarius reminds us to keep our vision wide and our goals high. Saturn transits tell us where work needs to be done. Sagittarius is the sign of expansion. Integrating the two can clearly define a path of consciousness development, academic or spiritual that we pursue with discipline and purpose. Saturn can keep Sagittarius from getting excessive in its expansiveness while Sagittarius can prevent Saturn from getting too narrow or negative. Collectively we could find that the ethical quality of Sagittarius, seeking justice for all, combined with the organizational ability of Saturn, can generate a new civil rights movement. This could be quite timely in the face of, for example, the militarization of the police. Individually, this planet-sign combination could generate a few years when all seek a higher mind vision and purpose that promotes both individual evolution as well as a collective sense of optimism as we go deeper into the 21st Century.
The February column will focus on the Saturn-Neptune square, which begins in late January. For now, let’s briefly discuss the lower and higher octave potentials of that transit. The lower octave of Saturn in Sagittarius is the tendency to be rigid and dogmatic in upholding a certain belief system. Alternatively, one could also be so skeptical or narrow minded as to prevent ever learning anything new. Neptune, especially in Pisces, can be so dreamy and idyllic as to be continually disappointed and disillusioned in life or other people when our fantasies don’t materialize. When expressed in their higher octave potentials, however, these two energies can keep each other balanced. A square between any two planets can be challenging. In some ways it can prevent us from comfortably expressing either energy. We need to find a new way to manifest that combination, and in the process of creating a new option we learn and grow. The positive, creative usage of the Saturn-Neptune square can help us avoid the lower octave. Saturn keeps Neptune grounded and focused. Neptune keeps Saturn elevated in vision and compassionate in goal. More on the possibilities of this aspect next month.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: Early month could offer opportunities for interesting new social experiences. Be open to the possibilities. From mid-month on you might feel more reclusive. Use that time for spiritual retreat or to engage in new ways of expressing your creative imagination.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: The New Year begins with some interesting changes in career. Communication is key. Be open to suggestions and feel comfortable asking questions. Similarly, let others know your ideas and points of view. They may find them interesting, even inspirational. Growth comes from learning to be more comfortable with uncertainty.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: Lots of new information can lead to lots of creative, academic or social opportunities. Growth comes from not getting so scattered with so much interesting stuff that some great potential leads nowhere. This is a good time to pursue those ideas that are most challenging and outside the box of previous endeavors.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: The full Moon in Cancer on the 4th can bring incredible insights and inspiration. The insights could be of both yourself and others. The inspiration could inspire both spiritual and artistic development. Growth comes from being especially mindful around that time as the energies are as fleeting and ephemeral as they could be uplifting.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: The New Year could bring the energy to transform habits that have become so routine as to bring stagnation, especially in areas involving work and health maintenance. This is also a time to get clear with significant partners about your needs and feelings going forward in the relationship.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: This is a good time to look for and find new solutions to old problems. Trouble-shooting and problem solving are enhanced as you broaden your approach or perspective. Growth comes from getting out of your detail-oriented comfort zone and finding the bigger picture.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: A time of play and creative inspiration. You could use that creativity in anything from the arts to parenting to finding new ways of being romantic. The key to success and fulfillment in any of these activities is communication. Let others know your points of view and be open to learning about theirs.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: This is a good time for personal shifts and changes. This could be in relationship to family, to creative expression within the home, or to make a decision to change the living situation altogether. Growth comes from being deliberate in what you choose and methodical in your execution of the plans.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: The whole Saturn in Sagittarius transit could be a taxing but extremely growth oriented time for you. This is a grounding transit for you, a time to learn the benefits of being organized, disciplined and goal oriented. It may feel restrictive in the beginning, but ultimately will prove to be empowering and liberating.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: Saturn is your ruling planet, so its transit into Sagittarius is especially meaningful for you. Use this as a time to expand your world view. This could take the form of schooling, traveling or embarking on a defined spiritual path. This transit will force you out of your comfort zone, but will bring unexpected delights in the process.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: This is the month of the Aquarian new Moon. The new Moon is a time to go within to assess your sense of emotional well-being. If you find your life lacking in that area, this is a good time to make changes in thinking and behavior that will enable you to achieve that state. If you’re already there, it’s a time to let others in to your emotional life.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: Start the New Year by being bold in your actions and self-affirming in your relationships. Physical energy is high and strong this month, so beginning the year by joining a gym or taking more hikes takes advantage of the energy. Being more self-affirming and self-expressive in your social life is another.
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.