The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - February 2024
Three planets will transit from Capricorn to Aquarius this month. In addition, Pluto entered Aquarius last month and the New Moon will be in Aquarius on the 9th. Aquarius is an interesting sign in that it partakes of the fixed mode, suggesting it prefers stability and continuity to change. Yet Aquarius is known as the sign of change. It’s as if Aquarius is set to prove that there is nothing so permanent as change. It’s what life is and what life does. The changes could be inspired and oriented toward the creation of a social reality that focuses on improving the quality of life for a majority of the people. Or, the changes could be based on frustration, impatience or rebellion.
Two of the planets entering Aquarius this month are Mars (on February 12) and Venus (on February 16). These planets work in polarity to help with our artistic and relational activities. Venus is about beauty and esthetics. It helps to understand our needs in relationship, our social behaviors and ways of expressing affection. Mars focuses more on new beginnings and physicality. Socially this can pertain to the initiation of a relationship as well a ways of being sexual within it. The focus of Mars is more abut the self; the focus of Venus is more about sharing the self with others.
As a fixed sign, Aquarius does value stability, as in the commitment to a person. But it requires that the dynamics of that relationship are always changing in order to meet the ever changing needs of the people involved. In addition, Aquarian energy prefers to create a relationship that fits the needs of the partners, even if they lead to behaviors or agreements that are unconventional. For example, I have an Aquarian client who has been married for 20 years and is madly in love with and committed to her husband. In true Aquarian style, however, they have never lived together. Change within a stable context works for Aquarius.
When Venus and Mars are conjunct, relationship desires are strong. Whether that pertains to a desire to be in a relationship or a desire to share immediately and intensely with the partner. In additions, Aquarius is the sign of friends, so this transit could pertain to ones’ romantic relationship or to that with a good friend.
When in Aquarius, these planets tend to avoid relating in patterns that are role-based and accepted by our society at large. Aquarius prefers the unique and unconventional. It would rather function in ways that are true to the authentic individual, even if those behaviors are counter to those accepted by society. Venus pertains to the feminine, Mars to the masculine. In Aquarius those planets prefer to be expressed according to how an individual perceives themselves rather than how society wants them to function based on being either male or female. Obviously, the relationship will function better if both people distance themselves from the conventional.
These transits will only last a few weeks each. This is not long enough to radically change one’s behavior let alone the relationship. It does, however, provide some time in which to work on being true to yourself, to sharing that truth with your partner or friend and experimenting with new behaviors. If the relationship has been challenging, this is a good time to explore new ways of being together, ways that are objective and non-judgmental. This is a useful attitude with which to get the relationship on a good, fulfilling track. If these experiments fail to improve the situation, it may be time to move on. Even if the relationship has been good, this is still a time to ensure that much of your unique self is present. If the relationship is already working, you being more present will only make it more satisfying for all concerned. Remember than Aquarius is not only comfortable with the unconventional, it can actively seeks it out or deliberately try to manifest it. This enables the Aquarian to be true to themselves both in the sense of owning, experimenting with and expressing their uniqueness, as well as integrating that self wholeheartedly into the social situation. This will lead to more satisfaction for that partner as well as a more interesting situation to the other person as well.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: The transits this month could affect relationships that are more public and less personal or romantic. Activities with friends or colleagues or in groups could get your attention. This is a good time to be real with these people, letting them know, in a nice way, how you feel about your involvement with them and to initiate any changes that you feel are desirable.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: The changes of the month could affect your professional situation. This is a good time to initiate and act on changes in the workplace. This could involve colleagues as well as customers. The focus is similar in either case. Bringing your authentic self into the situation can liberate you to also be creative in manifesting changes that could lead to more interest in what you’re doing.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: Like Aquarius, Gemini is an air sign. Air signs prioritize ideas and sharing them with people in ways that improve one’s understanding or quality of life. Growth for you this month can come from using the air energy to expand your knowledge base. Reading, studying, taking classes or simply reading an inspiring book are all supported for you at this time.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: The New Moon is in Aquarius on the 9th could lead to unexpected changes in your social life. Growth for you can come from developing an attitude of detachment. This will enable you to be objective about these changes and not take them personally. In the long run these changes could enable you to feel freer in terms of being your true self in the situation rather than staying stuck in patterns that are stable but boring.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: The transits this month could focus on your primary or romantic relationship. This is a time to work with your partner to experimentally co-create this phase of your relationship so that both of you can express your needs in the situation. This could change certain dynamics of the situation but in the long run should lead to really being seen so that your, and your partner’s, needs can be met and fulfilled.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: The Full Moon in Virgo on the 24th brings emotional self-awareness into high focus for you. This could enable you to notice the dynamics of your relationship and the degree to which your needs are being met. If they are not, you can establish limits between you and your partner so that the energy exchange between you is more balanced. If not, it could be clear that it’s time for more radical changes.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: The Aquarian energy this month could trigger romantic feelings, but they could also bring some creative inspiration. This would be a good time to break out and try something new. This could be a new art form, a new project in a familiar art form or something radically different from anything you’ve done before.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: Changes in the home or relative to your family is up for you this month. On the family front, you might feel like separating yourself more from family, in order to be your true self. Or, you might feel like making some esthetic changes in the home that are unique and in that way reflective of your taste.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: You could feel inspired to get involved in some type of community service this month. Ideally, it would be something that you are interested in already but are motivated to do something that could radically alter what the group is doing.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: This is a good time for you to focus on financial matters, especially those that have long-range implications. Be open to new insights or realizations that could alter previous plans. Being open to new financial instruments could also prove useful at this time.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: All these planets lining up in Aquarius makes this a beautiful time to liberate yourself from any situation that feels restrictive or repressive. At the same time you may feel social and want to spend time with your friends. The same rule applies. This is a time to free yourself from any situation that causes you to want to hide some significant part of your self.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: As is often the case when the other signs focus on the outer world, this is a time for you to focus on the inner. Creative or spiritual inspiration could come through a dream or during meditation. Simultaneously the transits this month could also inspire you do some type of selfless service. Doing the inner work can lead to clarity about what to do externally that would be personally rewarding.
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.