The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - February 2022
Conjunctions are times of new beginnings. This month a conjunction between Venus and Mars in Capricorn provides such an opportunity. But before we talk about the main event, let’s address the backstory. Venus was retrograde from December 19, 2021 to January 29, 2022. Venus pertains to relationship needs and behaviors. When retrograde, we have the opportunity to view our relationships from a very subjective point of view, hence we may perceive or experience the relationship or the partner very differently than normal. In addition, Venus was conjunct Pluto for most of the time it was retrograde. Pluto is the energy of transformation. By nature it is truth seeking and truth speaking. We had the opportunity, therefore, to become aware of those parts of our relationship that didn’t work in terms of fulfilling our needs. Hopefully, we began an honest dialogue with the partner about these issues and as a result our sense of satisfaction has improved. The potential to have those types of conversations still exists. Even if we haven’t yet begun the process of change, it’s not too late to do so. One of the reasons for that is the conjunction between Venus and Mars this month.
In addition to being about new beginnings, conjunctions provide the opportunity to integrate each of the separate energies into a larger block. If we are successful in the integration, we can be quite productive because we will have a lot of energy in the same place at the same time doing the same thing. If we are unsuccessful, the energy could be blocked or wasted in its expression.
The integration of Venus and Mars deals with incorporating our receptivity (Venus) with our assertiveness (Mars). This is about more than what we need in a relationship. It’s about who we are in that relationship. Regardless of our gender, we all have a combination of feminine and masculine qualities. A conjunction between Venus and Mars is a perfect time to work on melding those primal parts of ourselves.
One of the qualities of Venus retrograde is that it provided the time to define our social needs and behaviors in a more personal way than usual. Normally, we may tend to look outside ourselves, to other people. We see how they, or society at large, defines the needs and behaviors for men and women with the unspoken expectation that we will conform to those patterns. Venus retrograde enables us to realize the ways in which we may not conform to those dictates. A man may realize he feels more comfortable being receptive. A woman may realize that she feels more comfortable being assertive. Being who we are is more important than pretending to be someone else. With Pluto conjunct the retrograde Venus we may have had some significant insights into ourselves and breakthroughs in wanting to change our relationships and ourselves so that they and we are more authentic and we experience more emotional intimacy. The Venus-Mars conjunction is coming at a perfect time. Mars provides the courage and the drive to make these changes. This can be in terms of acknowledging the truth of who we are as well as discussing this new awareness with the partner.
The highest octave way of experiencing this transit is through the Sacred Marriage. This is a term that pertains to the integration of our masculine and feminine energy. It provides liberation from the co-dependent pattern of needing a man to be fulfilled (if you are a heterosexual woman) or a woman to hold the emotional space in a relationship (if you are a heterosexual man). This in turn can prove liberating in that we can experience ourselves as complete beings. Not that we won’t want to be in a relationship, but that desire doesn’t become an all consuming need because we are living our life holistically. We aren’t looking for someone else to complete us, but looking for someone who is as centered and complete within themselves as we are within ourselves. This minimizes any neediness or tendencies to control the partner in order to get what we want. As two whole people we can create a very interesting and fulfilling relationship even as we continue to grow as a well-integrated individual.
A lot of new beginnings are on tap for us this year. Starting with personal relationships is a good way to bring joy and happiness into your life in a very primal and important area.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: Growth for you this month comes from being more adaptable in your relational dynamic. Your ruling planet, Mars, is in Capricorn which suggests you could be ambitious and competitive. That’s fine professionally. But in personal relationship, this is time to balance the assertive with the receptive.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: This is a good time to become aware of your social needs and to express them clearly. This could pertain to a relationship with a romantic partner, friend or colleague. Opportunities for growth in those situations is very promising as is feelings of joy being shared between you and others.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: Spend some time in deep, analytical research this month. It could be focused on a scientific or metaphysical issue or one that is more oriented toward personal relationship or finance. Late month is time to act on the research by establishing concrete goals you want to accomplish that pertains to topics you are studying.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: The New Moon in Aquarius on the 1st and the Full Moon in Leo on the 16th,, suggest that this is a month to focus on individuation. Realizing the ways in which we are similar, but also different, from friends and family can help enhance your experience in those relationships, especially in terms of sharing love with them.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: The Full Moon in Leo on the 16th suggests that this is a month to tune into your feelings. It’s also a good time to share your emotional needs and feelings with others. This could be through meaningful conversations, creating a work of art that expresses those feelings or simply acting them out. That transparency could lead to feeling vulnerable, but it will also ensure that others see the real you.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: Early month is a good time to work on rebuilding a relationship with a child, lover or friend. You could also use the energy of that time to be creatively expressive. Late month the focus shifts to health maintenance and working to develop new skills or refine old ones that pertain to your work.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: This is a time to focus inward. This could manifest as working on the “sacred marriage” mentioned above. Balancing your own energy helps you to balance the energetic interaction with others. This is also a good time to have projects around the house that beautify and/or organize your personal environment.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: Communication and education are points of focus for you this month. Be careful in sharing information, however, because your passion for certain ideas or points of view is intense. You could lose the listener by coming on too strong, even if they might otherwise agree with you.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: This is time to focus on personal and domestic issues. Personally, this is a good time to start or deepen your spiritual quest. Feelings of joy and compassion are strong at this time. Domestically, this could be a good time to start a study group in your home or simply study on line or on Zoom in order to expand awareness.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: Early month is a good time to explore and express your creative interests. Feelings of self-confidence could also be strong at this time. This is also a good time to initiate a new financial project.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: The New Moon in Aquarius on the 1st can indicate two things. One is an opportunity to get in touch with your feelings and emotional needs. The other is that this is a good time to begin something that is intended to promote self-awareness and personal growth.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: Creativity and physicality are both strong for you this month. Be physically active in ways that are both enjoyable and productive. Self-confidence should be strong this month. Use that to put yourself out there in meaningful social contexts.
Rio Olesky has been a professional astrologer since 1976. He is the author of A Manual for the Modern Mystic, Astrology and Consciousness and The Astroreader. He offers both private readings as well as classes for both beginning and intermediate students. Call Rio at 707-887-1820. Check out his website: www.starwatcher.com.