Wheel of Light: January 2013

After several years of extreme and often painful changes, things seem to be settling down. At least in the sense that no significant planetary changes are going to take place this year. The only outer planet that is changing signs this year is Jupiter when it makes its annual transit into a new sign, entering Cancer on June 25. Otherwise, we will continue to deal with the major transits involving Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.
For a complete delineation of the planetary patterns for the year, I invite you to my annual Perspectives talk. This year it will be held on January 8 in the Merlo Auditorium at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts from 7-9 p.m. Fee is $15. I will be recording the event and CDs will be available for purchase.
The short version of interpreting the planetary events of the year, and how they will tend to affect human experience, can be broken down into three distinct patterns. The first, and most challenging, is the Uranus-Pluto square. This aspect began in 2010 and will continue until the end of 2017. Very long, very difficult. At worst, it could signal the beginning of a long period of revolution, civil war and general economic and political strife if not outright chaos. At best, this transit could challenge us to reinvent what we consider an acceptable reality and quality life styles.
The dynamics of this transit present a classic conflict between new, progressive, innovative and inspired changes (Uranus in Aries) and those elements of who we are and what we do that are committed to the old and comfortable. Unfortunately, much of the familiar can also be rigid, restrictive and authoritarian. We can see this in obvious ways playing out politically all around the world. Where it can actually be even more challenging, however, and much more difficult to deal with, is within ourselves. It’s time to work on blending and integrating those parts of us that are stable and grounded, but perhaps boring and stagnant, with new ideas and new ways of being. This is a good time to be adventurous. Trial and error is a strategy to follow.
Saturn will continue to be in Scorpio all year. There are three things to pay attention to with this transit. First, work on old, deep emotional wounds that may have been inflicted in childhood. This could involve becoming more emotionally empowered, but not to the point of being so armored that we close off to intimate relationships. That is the second point of attention – working to develop deep, emotional bonds with others. Saturn always works cautiously and deliberately. By nature it is slow and analytical. It defines things such as what we need and offer in relationship and then seeks to integrate those concepts into an actual human interaction. The third point focuses on finance. This is not a good time to be adventurous in expenditures or investments. Due diligence is the economic mantra of the time. It could be a good time to begin a business venture or even a business partnership. Just make sure that all possibilities are on the table. Trust is a necessity before going forward in any partnership.
Saturn and Pluto are in very powerful connection to each other. This could lead to fundamental changes taking place in any or all three of these areas. Yet these shifts could manifest in a fairly comfortable, harmonious way. Don’t be afraid to make major changes in your life. As long as they are well thought out, and a deliberate strategy is defined and in place, success is probable.
In many ways, the transit of Neptune in Pisces is the most important. It won’t grab the headlines of our daily news. Nothing overt and untoward will transpire as a result of this transit. It is subtle. Neptune is at home in Pisces and hasn’t been there since the mid-19th Century. These are influences that connect us most directly and personally to Divine Spirit. They pertain to transcendence. We experience transcendence through spiritual discipline, the arts, or selfless service. When we are open to internal guidance, trust our intuition, and strive to perceive life and everything in it as an integrated oneness, we are using Neptunian consciousness.
Uranus and Pluto are in signs that require action. That is their strength as well as their limitation. They challenge us to do something. Neptune in Pisces, however, supports us in being. The bigger, more obvious and painful transits can help us to change the world. But if we create those shifts with the same consciousness, the same value systems and priorities with which we constructed the existing one, no qualitative changes will transpire. It is only through consciousness change that qualitative changes in the world will take place. As more of us tune in to and work consistently with Neptune in Pisces, the alteration of perception, consciousness and behavior is likely to take place. Hopefully, this can result in an across-the-board improvement in the quality of life for more living beings in all parts of the world.
Aries: As the ‘sign of new beginnings,’ the New Year could have special significance for you. Now is a good time to start new, innovative projects. However, there may a tendency to allow the excitement or inspiration to cause you to act impulsively. This could lead to blockage or delay. Take your time. Growth for you comes from planning a long range strategy before putting any plans in motion.
Taurus: The year may begin uncomfortably as you feel caught between the new and exciting and the need for comfort and stability. You can’ t avoid doing something. If you try to simply stay the course, you could be met with powerful resistance and unexpected instability or even betrayal. Growth comes from being open to new ideas and goals, even if you choose to pursue them in your typically methodical fashion.
Gemini: The year begins with some attention to finances. Be open to changing plans and behaviors that pertain to security issues. Some unexpected information could manifest in very early month that could shift your thinking. Late month could bring desirable opportunities that require some practical, analytical thinking in order to take them to the point of success.
Cancer: The new Moon on the 11th could bring some unpleasant or at least challenging feedback that could alter your perspective about a relationship. It could alter your involvement in the situation. It could also alter your relationship to yourself. In either case, growth comes from being open and willing to make changes according to the insights you derive at that time.
Leo: The full Moon in Leo on the 27th could bring significant clarity about your emotional reality. There are two important things about these insights. One, are they bringing to consciousness feelings that you were previously unaware of? Second, whether new or not, are you sharing these parts of yourself openly, appropriately and harmoniously? If not, you are either repressing the awareness or the sharing. Or you could be too open about them and demand that others relate to them.
Virgo: The year begins with opportunities for you focus on issues involving work. In early month, strive to get clear about the limits and boundaries of your responsibilities on the job. Mid- late month is time to be more open to exploring or experimenting with new ways of doing things. If you’ve integrated the pragmatic with the innovative affectively, desirable opportunities could open up by late month.
Libra: The New Year is a good time to do some major renovations in the home. This could pertain to cleaning out clutter, working to heal family conflicts or even renovating some internal emotional and psychological programming. Not necessarily a comfortable or harmonious time, but a wonderful opportunity to transform things that have little use other than to get in your way.
Scorpio: With Saturn in Scorpio, you may be feeling comfortable hibernating or at least doing things carefully and methodically. This month, however, unexpected events could force you out of your comfort zone and challenge you to make significant changes. The more you resist these shifts, the more challenging or painful they could become. Growth comes from being proactive and looking to make changes, especially in your home or family dynamic before they become a necessity.
Sagittarius: The past few months may have been frustrating. You might have had several irons in a fire that never got hot. That may change the last week of the month. Be careful, however, as new information or a new approach to plans and adventures could manifest just prior to feeling ready to actualize these things. Patience this month could lead to great success in the near future.
Capricorn: The new Moon in Capricorn on the 11th could bring a powerful sense of renewal and rebirth to you at the time of the New Year. The influences at this time could enable you to tap into your mystical nature. This could be useful in anything from planning goals for the year to connecting more deeply with Spirit. Take some time out of your daily routine to tune in and take advantage of this event.
Aquarius: a new year and a good time for you to begin new activities. The more physical, the better. Whether it’s something as simple as a new exercise program or a desire to join an athletic team, start the year getting grounded. This could also be a good time to become aware of your anger. Expressing it in a conscious and deliberate way could prevent it from becoming extreme.
Pisces: The dark time of the year is perfect for a spiritual retreat. Neptune is transiting Pisces and this could open doors of perception and consciousness that have never been open before. Take the time to tune in to your inner being/higher self as much as you can. The rewards will be awareness of boundless joy and love. How nice to be able to share those qualities with others.
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 private readings as well as classes for both beginning and intermediate students. To inquire about a reading or a class, call Rio at 707-887-1820. Check out his website at www.starwatcher.com.