The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - January 2021
This is a month of new beginnings. Jupiter and Saturn are conjunct. A conjunction between any two planets indicates the beginning of a new cycle. With Jupiter and Saturn the cycle is 20 years. This is also the month when a new President of the United States is inaugurated. The election in November was followed by unprecedented challenges to its results. Even though the courts of several states found no evidence of fraud, there are many people who still don’t accept its results. Looking at the transits for Inauguration Day, January 20, we can see how the country is likely to experience this transfer of power.
There will be an alignment of six of the ten planets that fall into the US’ second house. This is the area of life that pertains to our values as a nation. Four of those planets will be in Aquarius, the sign of the group mind and the social collective. It is also a sign that values individuality and freedom, which are core values of this country. But it’s also a house that focuses on material security, safety and comfort. What is the intersection between liberation of the individual and our collective desire to survive? In many ways that question will be answered over the next four years.
There will also be three planets in the fifth house. Those planets are the Moon, Mars and Uranus. The focus here is on Mars (conflict, anger, aggression) with Uranus (the unexpected, radical change and the co-ruler of Aquarius). The Moon brings those influences into major focus in the here and now. Another conjunction, hence more new beginnings. This conjunction in turn is square (90 degree separation) to the planets in the second house. The square is a challenging aspect. This suggests an unprecedented action by a group of people directed at those who strive for a safe and secure transition of power. I was surprised that there was no armed uprising immediately after the election, perhaps now is the time that that will occur.
One possible concern is that the conflict won’t be generated by an organized group of agitators, but by one person who is taking it upon himself to correct the fraudulent election that was stolen from, in their mind, the rightful winner. The response from the tradition-oriented masses (the six planets in the 2nd house of security) could be such that we the people circle the wagons in a collective affirmation of our democracy and the peaceful transfer of power.
Whether we adhere of the philosophy of the Democratic or Republican parties, we are all Americans. Any threat to continuing this often challenging and rarely elegant concept of the people governing themselves could be met with both swift rejection of the rebellious chaos and a reaffirmation of our countries core values.
Similarly there are other expression of the Mars- Uranus conjunction in the 5th house. This is the fun house, the one that likes to play and party. Perhaps these influences could lead to unprecedented exaltation of happiness among those who have felt marginalized by this country’s leadership throughout its history. Perhaps this could coincide with the demonstrations for social change that took place last summer and fall.
There is another positive interpretation of these planetary patterns with 4 planets in Aquarius, the sign of uniqueness and the unprecedented cutting edge, and Mars conjunct Uranus, the co-ruler of Aquarius. It could lead to another type of new beginning. That is, we will start becoming more accepting of people who are different from ourselves. Those differences may be racial, economic, ethnic, sexual or of those suffering from mental illness. One of the qualities that has driven the idea of our national exceptionalism is that we strive to integrate spiritual qualities of love and acceptance into our governmental and social order. This is a wonderful time, with so many planets in the house of values, for us to take a collective stand to reaffirm that philosophy and those expectations.
Joe Biden’s chart has a similar rising sign as that of the United States’ chart, so the transits to his chart are very similar to those affecting the country. I will be addressing those and other major planetary alignments in my annual Perspectives talk that will place via Zoom on Tuesday January 5 starting at 7 PM. The cost of that is $15. MP3 recordings of the talk will be available through my office for $10. Contact me if you would like a copy or would like to be part of the Zoom talk. You will receive a link to the talk by Monday January 4.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: Start the New Year by focusing on practical issues. This is a good time to initiate projects that are oriented toward financial security. Pay attention to what you are allocating your resources to. A big shift could occur in mid-month.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: Counteract the quarantine of Covid by starting some type of physical activity this month. If the gyms in your area are still closed, go for walks. Working out at home also works. Whatever you choose to do, begin early in the month when the drive to be active will be strongest.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: Doing something that activates the mind and stimulates new consciousness will help you take advantage of the energies available to you this month. Taking a class on line, reading or simply continuing a pursuit to expand awareness are all supported this month.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: The New Moon in Capricorn on the 13th will be conjunct Pluto. This is a good time to do some inner work with the intention of digging into some deep and intense feelings that have been difficult to resolve in the past. The New Moon is a good time to release, let go and reprogram.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo; The Full Moon in Leo on the 28th could catalyze the release of some deep emotions. The intensity of those feelings could be the result of some challenging situations either at work or from health challenges earlier in the month. Growth can come from letting go of those emotions in healthy and appropriate ways.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: Focus on ways to express yourself creatively this month. Discipline may be required, or at least organizing your time so that you can integrate some playtime with more productive activities.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: Initiating new contacts in your social or professional network is a good way to start the year. Making changes in the home, structural or social would be beneficial from mid-month onward.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: Tensions within the extended family could boil over this month. Growth can come from allowing what had been hidden to come to the surface. It may not feel good, but it can enable the New Year to begin with fresh insights, realizations and relational changes in a very primal part of your life.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: You may feel lighter and more positive this month than you have for a while. Use that attitude to help you in two ways. One is to express that positivity. Two, bring feelings of joyful optimism into your social life, especially with friends, relatives and neighbors.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: Start the year by focusing on long range financial issues. Use the energy this month to configure a financial strategy that can lead to enhanced security in the future.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: The New Year brings lots of energy that can be employed for self-awareness and personal growth. The focus should be on you, not on others. Getting those priorities wrong can lead to contention with others who feel that you are trying to change them. Instead, make change within yourself.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: Within the social limits demanded by Covid, try to interact with friends and colleagues as much as possible, even it’s by phone or Zoom. Working on creative projects with others or spending time on working collectively to help others are useful and realistic ways of taking advantage of the energy available to you this month.
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 a Tuesday Nite astrology class each week through Zoom. To make an appointment for a reading, or to find out more about his class, contact Rio at 707-887-1820. Check out his website: www.starwatcher.com.