WHEEL OF LIGHT

All the planets, with the exception of the Sun and Moon,
periodically go retrograde. This means that the planet appears to
slow down, eventually stop, turn around go back in the direction
that it came from. This is an optical illusion based on the
difference in orbital shape and rate of a planet relative to the
earth in our respective journeys around the Sun. We can take
beneficial advantage of the retrogradation by similarly slowing
down and reviewing what we are doing and how we are expressing that
energy.
The rarest retrograde is Venus. It changes direction
approximately every 18 months and remains retrograde for five
weeks. This month Venus turns retrograde on the 8th and remains in
that direction until November 18. During this period it is time to
review what we are doing with Venus both individually and
collectively.
Venus pertains primarily to four things: relationship needs and
social behaviors, aesthetics, finances and values.  The first two
we need to deal with individually. For example, we can look at what
we need in our various relationships. Are those needs realistic in
the context of who we are interacting with? If so, does the other
person or people involved know what we need? This is a good time to
see how we set ourselves up for fulfillment or frustration. It is
not time to point a finger at others with the attitude that “they
aren’t doing it right.”
In terms of aesthetics, this is a good time to get clarity about
what we find attractive, harmonious and comfortable. But not a good
time to make decisions about major purchases based on our personal
aesthetic. Retrograde times call for review, not new beginnings.
This ties into finances in that we can review what are spending
money on. Are those objects or services really important,
especially in a down economy? This is a good time to create a
strategy that will enable us to be more frugal.
This also ties into the collective misery many of us are
experiencing around money and security. If you are unemployed, this
is a perfect time to take stock of your tools, skills and talents.
Work on what needs improvement or upgrading even as you acknowledge
the positive qualities you would bring to an employment situation.
In that sense, update your resume and research the companies or
businesses you’d like to apply to.
The issue of collective financial concern also has to do with
values, especially our shared values as a society. There are a lot
of people calling on the populous to return to our values and vote
accordingly in the election next month. Sounds good, but the
problem is, what exactly are our national values? When our country
was attacked on Sept 11, 2001 Pluto, the energy of transformation,
was exactly conjunct the United States ascendant. These two events
combined to challenge us to rediscover and redefine who we are. 
But it’s a challenge that hasn’t been addressed seriously or
realistically by our leaders or by the people. We hear lots of 
hyperbole about our “enemies”, be they terrorists or simply those
from a different political party or religion. We are exhorted to
return to the roots of God and country without being told exactly
how that will alleviate our current state of economic doldrums. We
are having crisis of values. What exactly does the United States
prioritize and find meaningful?
We are taught in school that this country was started as a haven
for religious freedom. Now, that seems to be limited to different
forms of Christianity. But even that seems like a cover for
something else. After all, if Christianity is committed to
following the teachings of Jesus why isn’t peace, love and charity
prioritized over pummeling non-Christians into submission in the
New Crusades? Or focusing on the sex lives of those who live
differently that others?
Two of the qualities that made this country a powerful and
deserving world leader are generosity and sacrifice. We worked
hard, sacrificing immediate gratification in order to provide a
safe, secure future for generations to come. Yet nowadays it seems
as if the bottom line on the corporate financial statement and the
profit gaining by the officers and shareholders seems to trump
everything else. It seems as if the only people we want to be
generous with are ourselves. This isn’t munificence, it’s greed.
Pluto can be dark and secretive. It’s as if we are hiding from
ourselves and our children’s future by not speaking out openly and,
possibly contentiously about the very core beliefs of our
country.
A sense of entitlement seems to have replaced tolerance and
acceptance of others. This attitude is causing us to use the
resources of our planet too quickly and too thoughtlessly. It is
undermining the education of our children, demeaning us in the eyes
of the world and suggesting that our economic recovery is going to
be very slow. With Venus retrograde for the next 5-6 weeks, we
would all be benefitted by contemplating these issues. The clarity
derived could help determine the outcome of the election next month
as well as the course of our country for at least the next 18
months, when Venus again will turn retrograde.
Aries: Looking at deeper aspects of a
relationship helps to promote greater intimacy and emotional
connection for you this month. This could also include deeper
psychological insight into yourself. Growth comes from being
willing to deal with the actual feelings that are invoked rather
than an idealistic projection of the person or relationship.
Taurus: The full Moon in Taurus on the 22nd
helps to bring clarity to your emotional experiences and
relationships. Your intuition will be quite strong for a few days
both prior and subsequent to the full Moon, so pay attention and
take advantage of insights into yourself and others. This could
also be a good time to feel spiritually and creatively
inspired.
Gemini: Early month brings a lot of creative
energy your way. Inspiration, and confidence should be accompanied
by opportunities and a willingness to take some risks in being open
to new expression. There is also a measure of discipline available
that can help prevent you from taking on too many projects at once.
It can also enable you to maximize your productivity on the
projects.
Cancer: The new Moon in Libra on the 7th and
the full Moon in Taurus on the 22nd put emphasis on relationship
and the arts this month. In early month, focus on family
relationships and beautification of the home. Later month, the
social focus shifts to friends and colleagues. The creative energy
will tend to be more collaborative and less individual.
Leo: Early month brings the energy to focus
your attention in consistent, disciplined, productive ways.  As the
month goes along, creativity and social harmony will be available.
By the end of the month the harmony will be joined by affection and
devotion that can be shared with your primary partner.
Virgo: A lot of push-pull in early month. You
feel challenged or at least stimulated by outside influences to
make changes that feel simultaneously exciting and destabilizing.
Yet you may be too stuck or frightened to respond. Growth comes
from flowing with the energy of change, but doing so in ways that
are fairly cautious and well thought out. The strategy of response
is more important than the eventual outcome.
Libra: Four planets will transit through Libra
this month, including the new Moon. Hence, this is a good time to
focus your energy on yourself. Venus is your ruling planet, so
during its retrograde period this subjectivity can enable you to
notice any tendencies you have to taking on more than your fair
share of responsibility in relationships. What do you need and what
do you realistically offer? Answers to these questions provide
growth opportunities this month.
Scorpio: Make sure you have physical outlets
this month. The more aerobic and intense the better. Even if that
means taking a daily walk around the block, the activity provides
an outlet for a high level of energy. It can prevent you from
suddenly exploding or from being consumed by sexual feelings.
Athletic outlets or being productive by building or producing
something  is furthered for you this month.
Sagittarius: Some early month confusion, due to
being over-extended, gives way to powerful feelings of spiritual
inspiration and connection to that which is greater than we are.
Opportunities to be helpful to others in your family or community
provide a way to express yourself and share with others in
high-minded ways.
Capricorn: This is a time to focus on
professional experience and that could take several forms. You
could seek to create more harmonious relationships with colleagues
or customers. You could also feel inspired to be more creative or
artistic in your work. You could also simply find ways to manifest
your goals in such a way as to be quite comfortable and harmonious
without limiting your achievements.
Aquarius: If you are plagued with financial
issues, this is a good time to respond to those problems by
following intuitively derived inspiration. Think outside the box
when dealing with financial matters. Finding new income streams or
ways of enhancing old ones offer growth for you this month.
Pisces: Access to deep emotion is nothing new
to you. This month, however, that awareness should bring feelings
of well-being. This, in turn, can lead to greater self-confidence
and the willingness to express yourself both physically and
socially in ways or situations that you may normally avoid. Growth
for you comes from being open to feeling different about yourself
and acting accordingly.
Rio Olesky has been studying astrology since 1967 and has
been a practicing professional astrologer since 1976. The author of
Astrology and Consciousness, and The Astroreader, Rio offers
classes in beginning astrology through SRJC and ongoing classes
through New Horizons School. To make an appointment for a reading,
call Rio at 707-887-1820. Check out his website at www.starwatcher.com.