WHEEL OF LIGHT: December 2007

Jupiter represents the principle of expansion. It can expand
attitudinally by expressing joy and enthusiasm. It can also expand
consciousness through activities such as travel and studying. The
studies could be academic, spiritual or metaphysical. Jupiter takes
approximately 12 months to transit through a sign. When it enters a
new sign, it will activate and expand the qualities of that sign
for that period. This month Jupiter transits from Sagittarius,
where it has been since November 2006, into Capricorn, where it
will remain until January 2009.
Signs function as filters. They allow varying degrees of the
energy of a planet to be expressed. Jupiter is said to be in its
dignity in Sagittarius. That is, its energy passes through
Sagittarius in its purest form. None of its inherent force is
filtered out. Theoretically, Jupiter’s passage through Sagittarius
has been extremely beneficial to those who have Sagittarius rising
or whose Sun is in Sagittarius. Even if we don’t have those
components in our horoscope, wherever Sagittarius falls in our
chart could have been greatly and enjoyably expanded during that
past 13 months. Jupiter in Capricorn is another story.
When a planet is in a sign whose filtering mechanism is
extremely different from the nature of a planetary energy, we say
that the planet is in its fall. Jupiter is in its fall in
Capricorn. Where Jupiter perceives opportunity, Capricorn applies
limits. Where Jupiter enjoys a good theoretical discussion,
Capricorn prefers practical action. Where Jupiter expresses
optimism, Capricorn can respond with pessimism. The challenge we
face with Jupiter in Capricorn is whether to expand (Jupiter) the
more dour qualities of Capricorn or to bring an expanded
perspective to Capricorn’s restrictions. Do we expand our sense of
responsibility (Capricorn) in a way that limits our sense of
personal freedom (Jupiter) or in a way that enables us to function
in practical, realistic ways yet with a sense of personal integrity
and ethics (Jupiter)? The key is to integrate our sense of truth
and justice with our mundane activities.
Another Jupiter transit of considerable significance is that it
will conjunct Pluto all month. Pluto has been transiting through
Sagittarius since 1995 and will temporarily leave Sagittarius and
enter Capricorn on January 26, 2008. This is the most important
transit of the New Year and will be a main point of discussion
during my annual Perspectives talk at Wells Fargo Center on January
8, 2008. It will also be the topic of my January column. But for
now, let’s focus on the conjunction between Pluto and Jupiter.
Since Jupiter rules Sagittarius, we can say that Pluto has been
in Jupiter’s sign for 12 years. The nature of Pluto is to challenge
us to transform. During its journey through Sagittarius, Pluto has
generated religious (Sagittarius) extremism around the world. Yet
it has also brought out into the open the underbelly of certain
organized religions as well as dysfunctionality in the classroom.
Churches and schools pertain directly to the Sagittarius drive for
consciousness development. While it is doubtful that the
conjunction of Jupiter and Pluto this month will have profound,
widespread collective influence, it can be useful to each of us on
an individual basis.
At its highest octave, the Jupiter-Pluto conjunction is the mark
of a truth seeker, someone who penetrates the surface of whatever
they are focusing on in order to glean the deepest level of meaning
of that topic or activity. If our interest is spiritual, this
aspect will help us to connect with Divine Spirit in a direct,
profound and personal way. It will enable us to get clear about our
philosophy and to align it with divine law and universal truth. It
could help us to rededicate ourselves to the pursuit of higher
consciousness, spiritually, academically or both. In terms of the
latter, this is a great aspect for deep research, whether that
pertains to a term paper, doctoral dissertation or simply the need
to declare a major.
Jupiter and Sagittarius pertain to international relations.
Perhaps this month will bring a little light of truth into the
realm of diplomacy so that we can resolve our differences with
open-minded dialogue rather than with demeaning comments and
warfare.
The lower octave of this transit is that it can also expand
obsessive tendencies. They could involve personal habits,
addictions or social behavior – especially those based on control,
manipulation or intimidation. This aspect could also expand our
need to be “right” and to counter every argument against your point
of view with stubborn dogmatism. This is a pattern that has helped
spread religious extremism and its resulting conflicts (or at least
the theological rationalization for them).
Pay attention to the house (area of life experience) in your
horoscope that these planets are transiting this month. This is
where you can dig deep, discover the truth of what you want in that
area and what you are doing that will either enhance or undermine
your likelihood of achieving it. You could also research to see if
what you have wanted is still desirable or not. But most important
is to ensure that you are pursuing your goals in that area with
ethics and integrity. Let the truth be your guide, even as you
remain open to listening to others, learning about their truth, and
sharing with each other in ways that promote learning and
consciousness development for us all.
Aries
Mars, your ruling planet, remains retrograde, so this month
continues the pattern of review, especially relative to personal
and domestic matters. You can expand your internal quest by also
looking at higher mind issues, including the academic as well as
the philosophical. Growth for you this month comes from letting
your understanding about the nature of life guide your choices and
actions.
Taurus
This is a time of harmonious relationships with partners,
friends, colleagues and relatives. It is an excellent time to make
changes in those associations based on your need for independence
as well as a desire to act from your truth as well as expressing
your truth to others. Growth comes from sharing with others in an
open minded way. The point is to learn, not to be right.
Gemini
Challenges could arise this month in any or all of three areas.
Your prime interest may be on deepening your primary relationship
by taking emotional risks with your partner. The time and energy to
do that may feel limited by family responsibilities or by the
desire to create exciting changes at work. Growth for you comes
from being honest with yourself about how much time and energy it
will take to address all of these areas effectively.
Cancer
The new Moon this month is in Sagittarius on December 9, just as
the Jupiter-Pluto conjunction is about to peak. So you may be more
aware of this transit, especially in a highly personal way, than
most people. The question is whether you are going to use its
potential for growth of awareness or to expand tendencies to be
controlling. This could manifest primarily in your work or primary
relationship. Growth comes from getting aligned with your honest
feelings about others and relating to them from that point.
Leo
The Jupiter-Pluto conjunction can enhance your awareness of and
interest in creativity, sports or hobbies. It could offer the
opportunity to transform your perception of your children and
patterns of parenting them. It could also inspire you to transform
your financial portfolio, letting go of bad investments. Even if
this involves losses, it may prevent even greater losses later
on.
Virgo
This is a period of very clear thinking that could enable you to
glean a deeper understanding about your home and family life. This
could pertain to your childhood programming and experience with
your family of origin or your domestic situation in present time.
Growth comes from acknowledging your realizations, communicating
them to those who are involved and then working to re-program your
internal patterns in order to also alter your behaviors with those
closest to you.
Libra
By nature you tend to be logical. However, this is a time to
rely more on your intuition in order to find clarity about material
plane issues. They could pertain to your work, your financial
situation, even your health maintenance program. Growth comes from
feeling comfortable enough with your inner being that you can
acknowledge your feelings and make changes from that place.
Scorpio
The Jupiter-Pluto conjunction could affect you in two ways.
First is helping you to get clear about what you value. What are
the qualities of life that are most important to you, especially in
terms of what helps you to feel safe, comfortable and materially
secure? Second, it could help to allocate your financial resources
in ways that will enable you to realize your material goals. Growth
comes from altering and updating the resources with the values.
Sagittarius
The transit of Jupiter into Capricorn could lead to focusing
more on the practical and material elements of life. You could feel
a desire to get more grounded, to take more responsibility for your
life and to develop long range goals. Growth comes from realizing
how these things can be liberating to you as opposed to feeling
restricted by the rules and expectations of the Capricornian
experience.
Capricorn
The transit of Jupiter into Capricorn will trigger either
overwhelming feelings of responsibility and tendencies toward
workaholism. Or it could inspire you to get more interested in
philosophy, spirituality and metaphysics. Growth comes from
integration and avoiding the either-or potential. Strive to bring a
sense of joviality and honesty into your work, even as you develop
your higher mind in ways that are grounded and functional.
Aquarius
Internal conflicts could arise this month between your hopes and
wishes and your material or financial ability to realize or
manifest those goals. You could resolve this in different ways. One
is to work at generating a greater income. Another is to alter the
aspirations until they are in alignment with your financial
reality. A third, and more interesting option, is to take a deep
look at those desires. It may be time to update and alter them, not
because you have to, but because it is the appropriate and timely
thing to do.
Pisces
The Jupiter-Pluto conjunction could bring deep and intense
insights about your career goals or certain conditions at work that
could be restricting you. Growth comes from confronting yourself to
alter those goals or confronting the parties or the situation that
is doing the blocking. It’s time to bring hidden issues into the
light of consciousness.
Rio Olesky has been studying astrology since 1967 and been a
practicing professional since 1976. The author of Astrology and
Consciousness, Rio offers classes in beginning astrology through
SRJC and ongoing classes through Crystal Channels in Santa Rosa. He
will also be giving his annual lecture, Perspectives 2008, on
Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at the Wells Fargo Center in Santa Rosa.
For information about the talk, about classes, or to make an
appointment for a reading, call Rio at 707-887-1820. Check out his
website: www.starwatcher.com.