The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - December 2024
As the year draws to a close, Mars, the planetary archetype that pertains to new beginnings, will turn retrograde on the 6th. This suggests that our drive and physicality will be lower than normal. It will be time to focus on activities we are already addressing, rather than starting any new projects or relationships. It will remain retrograde until it turns direct on February 24, 2025.
Mars is the drive-wheel of the zodiac. It pertains to our physical energy level in dealing with everything from our sexuality, passion, ambition, competitiveness and anger. The ancient Greeks defined Mars as the God of war, the force that enables us to survive, overcoming all of life’s challenges. In that context Mars can manifest uncontrolled lust and rage. It can act with no moral compass. The Romans transformed Mars into Ares, the father of Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome. They associated him with agriculture and as the patron of builders and craftsmen. To the Romans, he was an archetype of the hero.
When Mars is retrograde in the natal chart, the heroism could be projected onto someone who is seen as interesting, sexy, successful and powerful. There could also be a tendency to identify with the underdog and take up a revolutionary gauntlet. For example, a high percentage of women fighting for liberation and the right to vote in the 19th Century had Mars retrograde in their natal chart.
Mars retrograde could lead to an imbalance in one’s personal energy. There could be tendencies to be hyper masculine, power hungry and obsessed with independence. Or, one could tend to be passive-aggressive or repressing the expression of anger until it explodes in rage or overwhelming competitiveness.
Mars retrogrades every two years, for 8-10 weeks each time. Whether one has Mars retrograde natally, we are all affected by it when retrograde. We could experience loss of energy, interest, focus or drive. We could feel frustration in the house that Mars is transiting in our chart. This is not a time to initiate anything new. This will be challenging to the new administration, due to be inaugurated in January. Often when Mars is retrograde there can be confusion or disorganization. This will, however, be a good time to research our underlying motives that impel our actions, whether in general or in the context of a specific activity. The loss of drive and general energy level implies that projects already underway, could be at risk for being abandoned due to boredom of lack of drive and ambition.
One potential benefit of Mars being retrograde is that it can reveal parts of ourselves that we have been unconscious of or repressing and not dealing with. This could, for example, bring previously suppressed feelings of anger to the surface. As we address these issues we can become liberated from previous blind spots and use the energy in more constructive and creative ways, especially in the area of life that Mars is transiting in our charts. Similarly, this is a good time to research what one wants to start after Mars turns direct and plot the strategy that will lead to success.
Inspiration may be absent during this period. This is the time when the conscious and unconscious self may be in conflict. Growth can come from mediating two fundamental inner voices: the conscious will versus primal drives. One final note of caution: Mars will be in Leo the entire time it’s retrograde. Leo is a fire sign, dynamic, creative and expressive. It tends to be generous, but also can seek attention and recognition. Thus we have to guard against the Leo archetype and the Mars retrograde archetype vying for supremacy. The Leo part wants to get out and do stuff. The retrograde wants us to be more internal and introspective.
This is also the month of the Winter Solstice, the birthday of the Sun, on the 21st as the Sun enters Capricorn. Especially with Mars retrograde at that time, any type of ritual or ceremony that celebrates the Inner Light that pervades everyone and everything, could be particularly meaningful and rich. It could provide spiritual inspiration that can get us through the retrograde period and help us begin the New Year feeling motivated and inspired. This will be especially true if we can wait until late February to start these activities.
I would also like to announce my annual Perspectives talk for 2025. It will be held on Tuesday, January 7, 2025 and will be given via Zoom. If you would like to receive a flyer emailed to you about this event, please email Jean Clifford at jmc35@comcast.net.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: Mars is your ruling planet, so you may be affected by its retrogradation more than most people. This transit challenges you to do things that are uncomfortable. Be patient, look within, strive to understand your internal motivation. Enjoy the Holiday Season and research projects you’d like to start in the early spring.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: Some of your inner dialogue this month could revolve around the work/home balance in your life. Take the long range view when seeking clarity. It’s not so much about the Holiday Season, as it is about creating new habits in the new year that can provide fulfillment and success in both areas.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: The Full Moon will be in Gemini on the 15th. This is a good time to verbalize your feelings. This could be to help clear the air and bring an ongoing relationship up to date. It could also be a way to let those close to you how you feel and what you need in that situation. Or it could be through journaling, a useful tool to get some internal feedback.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: This could be a jam packed month for you as your emotions could be on a roller coaster. This is due to there being two New Moons, one on the 1st and one on the 30th, as well as the Full Moon in mid month. Use the Solstice and Mars retrograde as guides to spend quality time alone striving for introspective self-awareness. Spiritual as well as professional clarity could manifest as a result.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: Mars retrograde in Leo could be very challenging for you. On the one hand, Mars can activate your inherent love of action, athletic, sexual or artistic. On the other hand, it’s time to get quiet and introspective. The retrograde should be the priority. Taking time out of your life for research and strategy creation will bode well for successful and fulfilling activities throughout the year.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: Your ruling planet Mercury begins the month retrograde and turns direct on the 15th. Mercury retrograde is a time to look within and seek mental clarity. As such, it is in alignment with the Mars retrograde that is also internally focused. The combination might lead to little external manifestation this month, but could lead to tremendous clarity and productivity in the long run.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: This month could bring interesting, exciting, even unexpected activities with family and friends. Mid-month would be a good time to entertain as well as releasing energy through artistic expression. Late month is a time look within. This will enable you to let go of this year’s old and outmoded activities and clear your mind for the New Year.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: For several weeks Mars and Pluto, your co-ruling planets, were in opposition to each other. This could have lead to volatile confrontations or feelings of frustration in the face of seemingly overwhelming obstacles. Now, one of those planets is turning retrograde. It’s time to spend less time interacting and more time introspecting. Growth can come from research and planning for the New Year.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: The New Moon in Sagittarius on the 1st could empel you to look inward and be prepared for the Mars retrograde on the 6th. Challenges this month may involve the need to be more successful integrating ideas, concepts and philosophies with intuitively derived insights and inspiration.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: Use this time to pare down interests and activities. Prepare for the New Year by questioning previously established judgments, expectations and goals. Working to strengthen mental discipline will bring success to ventures in the New Year.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: This is a time to research and plan, but also be open to new events popping up spontaneously. When planning, focus on seeing and interpreting things in new ways. The new could pertain to financial opportunities as well as new spiritual insights and inspiration.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: This month can represent the beginning of new consciousness. This can involve perceiving how the spiritual and social interface in your life. The challenge is how to remain open to others in a compassionate way without being taken advantage of. Growth can come from successfully defining and enforcing energetic, emotional and psychic boundaries with others.
Rio Olesky has been studying astrology since 1967 and has been a practicing professional astrologer since 1976. The author of Astrology and Consciousness, A Manual for the Modern Mystic, and The Astroreader, Rio offers weekly classes through Zoom. You can call Rio at 707-887-1820. Check out his website: www.starwatcher.com.