Wheel of Light – December 2016

This is the month of the Winter Solstice. To ancient people living in the northern hemisphere this was considered the most spiritually important day of the year. It was when the Sun reached the southernmost point of its annual journey. The shortest day, the longest night had been reached and, with the Sun turning and heading back north, it offered the promise of the return of the light. Life would continue for another year. It’s as if our contract with the Divine is being renewed and we can plan for the ways in which we can express our creative energy for another cycle of life.
This year, that promise seems to be more important than others. We are in the midst of climate change that is being dismissed as a hoax by both leaders and followers around the world, and especially in this country. This is a change that clearly threatens the ongoing existence of humanity within this century, let alone our creative potential. We just finished a relentless presidential campaign that offered embarrassment, frustration, endless lies and animosity, but little hope or positive vision for the future. Some are even promising to continue the Congressional stalemate that keeps our country in a type of semi-violent civil war and prevents needed action from taking place. Wars are raging around the world, often fought by people of the same nationality, religion or ethnicity. Ancient cities and their inhabitants are being destroyed by those who claim to be leaders of the people.
In the midst of this mess comes the Solstice. The promise of the light and the renewal of the creative life force is at hand. What does this mean and how can we take advantage of it on a personal level that can lead to qualitative collective change? There are three aspects this month that can provide answers to those questions. First, however, let’s discuss the essence of the light itself.
Metaphysically, everything and everybody was created in love and out of light. We are all manifestations of endless, limitless creation. We each have that same limitless power to create in our being. We each have the option of responding to our life experiences with thoughtfulness, goodness and generosity. At all times we can choose to act in ways that support the greatest good for the greatest number of beings. Or, we can choose to do that which serves only us. One path promotes unity, recognizing all beings as reflections of the same Source of Light. The other perpetuates the fallacy that the only thing that matters is that I get what I want; greed is good and the one with the most toys at the end wins. Although I disagree with that philosophy, I do believe that what you do in life is what comes to you from life. This month provides an opportunity to feel the eternal flow of Oneness and Love and use it to motivate our intentions and actions.
The three aspects that can support us in that journey are Jupiter in Libra sextile Saturn in Sagittarius, Saturn trine Uranus in Aries and Jupiter opposing Uranus. All three last all month.
Jupiter represents the universal law of joy. It brings expansive awareness, optimism, generosity and the pursuit of spiritual truth. Saturn provides structure and goal orientation. It prefers to follow established avenues in accomplishing practical goals. Uranus is the iconoclast. It prefers to think and act outside the structure of Saturn in order to inventively and inspirationally bring personal as well as collective liberation. One drawback of both Jupiter and Uranus is that they can be too idealistic. Saturn prevents that this month. One problem with Saturn is that it can be too conservative and controlling. Jupiter and Uranus prevent that this month. What remains is the opportunity to create a clear vision for the future (Jupiter) that is in alignment with the drive (Saturn) to create a self, a family, a country, a world that seeks to promote the highest, most inclusive, loving, supportive social order (Uranus) that we can conceive of. The Jupiter-Uranus opposition can impel us to go in many directions at once. The possibility of getting over-extended or making promises we can’t keep does exist. However, if we keep in mind where we are in the annual cycle of the Sun, we can use this potential in a beneficial way, that enables us to engage and interact with a variety of social (Libra) and creative (Aries) activities that promote unity, optimism and equality.
This is still the dark time of the year. It isn’t time to actualize our higher minded, altruistic goals. It is a time of planning. Renew our intentions. Take stock of our resources to make sure we have what we need in order to generate new, positive, hopeful realities in the future. Saturn is the energy of time. It reminds us that things take place on the earth plane in a linear fashion. They don’t happen all at once. Sometimes Saturn can get stuck in fear, and then everything stops except defensiveness. Jupiter and Uranus prevent that this month. They poke and prompt Saturn to overcome the fear by being willing to risk failure in order to accomplish profound success. If we are patient and thorough in our planning, if we are willing to be undaunted in the face of the unknown future and are willing to own our spiritual connection we can collectively create a new year that can propel humanity to create a reality that can bring harmony (Libra) and stability (Saturn) for all of Divine Creation’s manifestations. For more clarity and information about emerging energy patterns for the New Year, I will be giving my annual Perspectives talk on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 starting at 7 p.m. at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts. I will also offer an Intermediate Astrology class through Santa Rosa Junior College starting on Wednesday, January 18 at 7 p.m. This is a six-week short course. For more information, check out my website: www.starwatcher.com.
Aries: The month begins with some interesting and unexpected social activities. Growth can come from being open minded and inclusive in these situations. This is a good time to clarify and get more disciplined in pursuing spiritual or academic goals.
Taurus: Take some time early in the month to focus on spiritual matters. After that is a good time to follow your inspiration in clarifying career goals. Desirable opportunities may turn up during the holidays. Take advantage of them in your normal, methodical way in order to ensure success.
Gemini: The full Moon in Gemini on the 13th is a good time to become more emotionally self-aware. This can lead to being self-nurturing as well as letting those close to you know how you feel about them or other parts of your life. Being cautious and selective in the sharing process is good as it can help you avoid being too open.
Cancer: Take some time during the holidays to focus on internal clarity and spiritual growth. This can lead to clear insights about social relationships as well as enhancing consciousness development. Partaking in or creating some type of ritual would be a good way to take advantage of the energies at this time.
Leo: You may feel as if your generosity is limited this holiday season. It could be due to lack of funds, or the need to apply those funds to pressing, personal issues. Growth can come from expressing your love directly rather than by gift giving and transmuting your intentions to more spiritual pursuits.
Virgo: Taking time for some type of spiritual retreat the last two weeks of the year can enhance internal clarity as well as spiritual growth. This in turn could bring profound realizations and lead to significant transformations. It could also lead to some delightful creative activities.
Libra: Spending time with family and close friends can bring joy as well as powerful feelings of connection during the holidays. Being inclusive yet discerning about who to spend time with and what to do with them can enhance both harmony and fulfillment.
Scorpio: Communication is furthered for you this month. It could be through some form of creative expression such as writing your own holiday cards or writing poems or songs. It could also take the form of verbal exchanges with family or neighbors. Researching a topic that has deep meaning is another good way to take advantage of the energies for you this month.
Sagittarius: Social opportunities could abound for you this month. You could choose to have gatherings at your home for family, friends or neighbors. You could also receive invitations from others. Growth for you this month can come from being your regular gregarious, inclusive self with a wide variety of people, from close connections to more random associations.
Capricorn: Embrace the dark time of the year by engaging in deep, introspective review and self-analysis. Reviewing everything from personal relationships to professional goals and experiences can lead to productive clarity for the New Year. It can also help you to clarify things you want to do as opposed to being focused on what you think you have to do.
Aquarius: This is a time to focus on your relationship to yourself and the ways in which you express yourself in the world. Working on integrating socially harmonious receptivity with self-affirming independence can bring both personal growth as well as relationship fulfillment.
Pisces: This is a good time to get in touch with core values and the inherent resources you possess that can enable you to realize them in pragmatic ways. Communication with friends and colleagues can enhance that process. It can lead to ending the year being clear about what to do to improve the overall quality of your life.
Rio Olesky has been a professional astrologer since 1976. He is the author of A Manual for the Modern Mystic and Astrology, Consciousness and The Astroreader. He offers both private readings as well as classes for both beginning and intermediate students. To make an appointment for a reading call Rio at 707-887-1820. Check out his website: www.starwatcher.com.