Wheel of Light: April 2012

In a year of challenging and potentially combustible energy patterns, this month seems relatively benign. It would be easy, therefore, to overlook the more subtle influences this month. For example, Mars, having been retrograde since January 23, turns direct on the 13th. After a few months of relative inactivity, spending our time finishing previously incomplete projects, cleaning up clutter and messes and researching for new projects to begin in the future, the time has come to act. However, the overall feeling of drive and motivation, usually low during a Mars retrograde, is just beginning to increase. Don’t be impulsive. Mars is in Virgo, a detail oriented sign that is highly meticulous and discerning in its choices and behaviors. Start to put your new ideas into motion in a manner that coincides with the nature of Virgo.
In the I Ching there is a hexagram that talks about a little fox crossing the river in the spring. During the winter the river was frozen over. Now it is beginning to thaw and the ice is breaking up. The fox deftly and deliberately picks his way from ice flow to ice flow. But just prior to reaching the opposite bank, he gets anxious and sprints, causing his bushy tail to fall in the water and get soaking wet with ice cold water. No major loss. He does arrive at his destination. But the discomfort and embarrassment could have been avoided if he had been as cautious and careful at the end as he was at the beginning.
Another subtle but important pattern are two planets aspecting Neptune this month. Venus will square it early in the month and Mars will oppose it all month. These aspects will tend to bring certain relationship issues to the surface. When Neptune and Venus are at right angles to each other we could idealize another person or  the experience of love itself. Neptune can be devotional and unconditional in its ability to love. It might assume that it is creating a relationship based on spiritual precepts. Unfortunately, only one person may relate that way. Ultimately disappointment could result. Similarly, Neptune and Venus in challenging dynamic could lead to a savior-victim pattern in which one person either wants to save, heal or fix another, or be helped and healed by another person. One way out of this pattern is to remember that Venus is in Gemini, the sign of communication. Many problems come up in relationship due to conflicts of omission. That is, someone has something to say but doesn’t say it. Resentment builds with frustration until the person lashes out only to met with a bewildered response from the partner who had no idea. As much as Neptune might like to remain in the fantasy realm, or hidden, it’s important to let your partner know who you are and what your needs are. This is a prelude to the Venus retrograde coming up next month.
Neptune also is in opposition to Mars all month. This could affect both our anger and our sexuality.  Mars pertains to all forms of physicality. Neptune pertains to everything that has no physical expression at all. The opposition is an aspect that can generate interactive conflict between ourselves and others. One possibility is that we aren’t in touch with our anger until something happens and we explode. Or, we could be aware of being angry but misdirect the anger, dumping on someone other than the person we actually feel anger toward. Even if we are paying attention and not falling into either of these traps, there may be those around us who are not so self-aware and take their anger and frustration out on us. Be vigilant. We don’t have to allow ourselves to be victims of someone else’s ignorance.
Perhaps the most powerful transit this year is a square between Uranus and Pluto. One of the positive ways we can employ these energies is to acknowledge an addictive pattern or behavior and break it. This month, the Neptune – Mars opposition can help us break tendencies toward sex addiction. Usually people do things out of self – interest. They assume that a certain behavior will bring happiness and satisfaction.  Sometimes immediate gratification clouds the reality that the desire for longer fulfillment has not been achieved. So they keep manifesting the same behaviors, thinking one of these times the immediate gratification will last. This is an illusion (Neptune). This month is a good time to see through the illusion of one’s sex addiction.  Strive to connect with a partner prioritizing internal gratification as well as fulfillment for the partner above one’s own sense of physical satisfaction. This transit is an opportunity to make love rather than just having sex.
Aries: The retrograde of Mars, your ruling planet, through Virgo can be especially challenging to you since Aries and Virgo are very different. The challenge for you during the retrograde period is to slow down and work at integrating different parts of yourself. Adjusting behaviors and shifting expectations of yourself and others are two things to pay attention to.
Taurus: You may feel embroiled in certain contentious social or financial situations this month. However, you may also feel a powerful sense of independence. This can allow you to be more objective and detached in working through the challenges. As a result, you could also be more creative or innovative in solving at least some of the difficulties that confront you. Don’t be afraid to try something you’ve never done before.
Gemini: Creative communication could be the order of the month for you. Early month is a good time to look within to find inspiration or at least a topic to write about. Mid-month could bring some inspiration or at least something new and different to share. Late month could bring some financial challenges. Do some research and take your time making a decision about how to respond to them.
Cancer: The new Moon in Taurus on the 21st brings lots of social energy your way. Spending time around friends, relatives or even neighbors around the new Moon helps to strengthen and deepen the bonds between you and others. This can be a nice balance to the full Moon on the 6th that might bring up some underlying feelings about family members or primary partner that need to be expressed and resolved.
Leo: Conflicts with authority figures, feelings of being controlled or limited by others may surface in mid-month. Respond by being clear in defining and enforcing limits and boundaries. Late month brings mellow, harmonious energy that can help you to stay grounded and work on stabilizing your life.
Virgo: This is a good time to get clear about your needs in relationship and what you do to either fulfill or undermine those needs. Note any patterns of co-dependency in which you act as your partner’s helper or healer rather than lover and best friend. Speaking up and being more self-affirming and pro-active are growing and feeling more fulfilled in the relationship.
Libra: The full Moon in Libra on the 6th can bring to the surface feelings and emotional responses to situations and people that may have been dormant for a while. It might not be the most politically correct thing to do, and it may ruffle someone’s feathers, but growth and harmony for you comes from being open about your inner self at that time.
Scorpio: Anger directed at friends or colleagues could mask your true feelings about a child or a lover. Social challenges or issues that come up in early month could get resolved at the end. That would be a good time to dive into some deep conversations that allow each of you to put your feelings and perceptions out in the open. Not easy or necessarily pain free, but it will bring clarity to the relationship and ultimately security and emotional well-being for you.
Sagittarius: You may feel as if you are stuck or at least in a holding pattern this month. Some signs might experience that as a time of peace and well-being. You might simply feel bored. This is a good time to work on refining and stabilizing your routines so that your life functions more harmoniously and efficiently.
Capricorn: You might feel split between professional and personal obligations this month. The key is in prioritizing and organizing your time and energy so that everything that needs to get done will be. Power struggles at work or at home would imply that you either aren’t doing that work or, if you are, it isn’t effectual.
Aquarius: Creative inspiration could come up unexpectedly in mid-month. This could also be a time to take an ongoing romantic relationship in a new, exciting direction. Intellectual curiosity could also take your mind in new and interesting directions. Growth for you comes from not allowing yourself to be too fragmented in the attempt.
Pisces: This is a time to get in touch with your anger. Notice how you deal with it. Do you express it or internalize it and beat yourself up? One of the challenges many Pisceans have is the need to clearly and consistently be aware of who they are. This is a good time for you to work on that.
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 classes or to make an appointment for a reading, call Rio at 707-887-1820. Check out his website: www.starwatcher.com.