The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - May 2007
The transits of 2007 seem to be fairly mild. They don’t have the bite of the alignment of 2006. Last year was filled with a series of challenges that kept many of us on the edge of our seats, dodging a seemingly endless series of difficulties. This year we don’t have to be as vigilant in terms of defending ourselves. We have the opportunity to focus our time and energy inward. Fortunately there is a series of aspects that are quite supportive of that inner work. Each in their own way can help us to expand our consciousness and explore deeper levels of connection to life.
The most profound of these influences is based on the transit of Pluto, the energy of transformation. This year Pluto is transiting across the geographic center of our galaxy, the Milky Way. Like everything else in life, the galaxy is in constant movement. The galaxy moves in a spiral. From our geocentric perspective the core of that spiral is 26-27 degrees of Sagittarius, which is where Pluto is and will be all year. This core is considered a power place. It has a huge mass and is thus a source of gravitational force. Some people consider this area to be a portal, a source of galactic intelligence that is perhaps related to the development of consciousness. It has been theorized that the center of our galaxy is a black hole. If we were to travel deeply enough into that black hole we would eventually enter a white hole and we would emerge into a different dimension. We are experiencing this potential through the transformational power of Pluto. Pluto is the energy of death and rebirth, and thus helps us to connect with the most fundamental parts of the life cycle. If that theory of black and white holes is true, then the concept of death and rebirth as we know it fails to accurately grasp the real meaning and magnitude of those states of being. The possibility that life is endless, and that we simply move through different dimensions throughout eternity is quite thought provoking.
Pluto’s job is to help us realize what is outmoded, stagnant or boring and to eliminate it from our lives. This could pertain to relationships, habits, value systems, goals or states of consciousness. Once the old and obsolete has been removed, space and energy is released to create or allow something new. Whatever that is should be something that is meaningful and alive; something that helps us to access the power of creativity that lies within all of us.
Pluto is ruthless and relentless in pursuit of the truth. With Pluto at the galactic center this year, it provides the opportunity to become aware of the fundamental truths of being. It could exponentially increase the potential to connect with our own core and through that, to connect with Source. This in turn could catapult us to new levels of awareness, both individually and collectively. These changes could also manifest on the physical plane as attributes of our material reality shift and become either less available or less desirable. Because Sagittarius is the sign of higher consciousness, these changes could also lead to the dawning of a new concept of reality and new ways of relating to each other.
Even though 2007 is the only year that Pluto will be at the galactic center we shouldn’t expect immediate changes. There may need to be a period of time when things that reflect the old modes are eliminated. During that period the germination of the new could be gestating. What makes Pluto transits most difficult is if we hang on to that which must go. Or if we become so obsessed with the new that we forget about working through the old and just blunder clumsily into the new.
The lengthiest transit that pertains to internal change is the mutual reception between Uranus and Neptune. Mutual reception is a term astrologers use to signify that two planets are moving through each other’s sign. Uranus is said to rule Aquarius, which is where Neptune is right now. Neptune is said to rule Pisces, which is where Uranus is. This phenomenon began in 2003 and will continue until early 2011.
All of these influences pertain to collective experience and to consciousness. Uranus and Aquarius relate to the group mind and collective consciousness. Neptune and Pisces reflect the group psyche and the collective subconscious. The mutual reception between these planets suggests that the ways in which we define ourselves as individuals and the ways in which we accept and relate to others is shifting. The changes could lead to more acceptance, inclusion and compassion which would minimize judgment, elitism and detachment. We could realize and prioritize our similarities as human beings and cease to be as focused on personal needs. The fear based reality that is the foundation of greed and defensiveness could be replaced by a faith-based reality that is grounded in a personal connection to Divine Spirit.
The most interactive of the consciousness altering transits this year is the opposition between Saturn and Neptune. This aspect creates a seeming dichotomy between the world of form (Saturn) and the world of the formless (Neptune). It suggests that one is real while the other is an illusion. Yet as long as we perceive these influences in an either-or manner, we will tend to be lost, confused and alienated. The way out is to realize that each planet, and what it represents, is fundamental to being centered and being happy. Saturn teaches about the importance of grounding ourselves in the material world by taking total personal responsibility for everything we feel, think, say and do. Neptune helps us to focus on a transcendent reality, becoming aware of our connection to Spirit. It supports us in our journey to become clear and healthy emotionally and psychologically so that we can merge our consciousness with the Divine.
Each of these influences is subtle in its own way. None are going to beat us over the head and demand anything. But they do provide a unique and wonderful opportunity. They can stimulate us to open our minds, hearts and souls to new, deeper and profound ways of understanding and relating to life. By extension they help us to become more aware of what the nature of life really is and who we are in the big picture of the universal scheme of things.
Aries (March 21-April 20)You could be reflective and creative in early month, feeling the need for alone time. Around mid-month you could feel as if you suddenly woke up. The drive to start new projects, be more assertive and more physical could manifest from then on for several weeks. Growth for you this month comes from integrating the truths and insights you learned in early month to the activities later on.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)Focusing on financial and other practical matters in early month could give way to the desire to be more spontaneous and social the last three weeks of the month. The grounding issues could involve getting clear about certain things that require letting go of old habits or assumptions. Growth comes from allowing the transformation to take place with harmony and grace.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)Clarity, confidence and creativity are available to you this month, as four planets will be transiting through Gemini at various times. Growth for you comes from being balanced. Don’t get so caught up in the energy that you scatter your interests to the point of fragmentation. Similarly, don’t try to narrow your focus to only activity. Strive to integrate each of your various activities into one cohesive reality.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)The ruling planet of Cancer is the Moon. This month there is, as always, a new Moon. But there are also 2 full Moons. The second is called a Blue Moon. Astrologically there is no significance to a Blue Moon, but it will enhance your ability to be more self-aware. It could also heighten your sensitivity, so be careful about who you share time and energy with. Beyond that, this is a good month for experimentation, new beginnings, and allowing yourself to be spontaneously self-expressive.
Leo (July 23-August 23)With Saturn transiting Leo since July 2005, you may have been experiencing a challenging 2 years. The way out, as has been expressed in this column previously, is to work on being centered. This month provides a litmus test of how centered you are. If you are, you will notice powerful feelings of empowerment and liberation accompanying you everywhere. If you aren’t you could feel plagued with guilt, confusion and fear. In either case use this month as a time to either continue to move forward, or take some time to re-establish your center.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)This is a period to focus on work and career issues. This would be a good time to make changes, although not necessarily major ones. Be cautious with these shifts. Make sure that they are truly expressive of what you want to do and that they coincide more or less with what is already happening. The more extreme the changes, even if they seemingly are inspired, the more likely they will lead to confrontation or disappointment.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)There could be some profound inner challenges emerging in early month. They could pertain to your philosophy, spiritual or political. The question is to what degree are you truly acting in alignment with your beliefs? You may notice certain dogmatism or hypocrisy. Growth comes from doing this work in a non-judgmental way. If you discover the need to improve, acknowledge that realization and do the work necessary.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)The full Moon on the 2nd will be in Scorpio. This brings a heightened sense of emotions and increased sensitivity before, during and after that date. Growth for you comes from being mindful of what you are feeling and working to become better at self-nurturing. By extension, this will enable you to become more emotionally supportive to others in clean and healthy ways.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)Enthusiasm and confidence run high all month for you. You could feel inspired to experiment with anything from clothing styles to spiritual paths. Two notes of caution, however. First, your judgment may be skewed based on too much of a big picture focus without enough attention to detail. Second, you may try to do too much too fast. Slow down, discern and select. That’s the key to growth and success for you this month.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)Issues, challenges or points of confusion about children, parenting or romance could come up for you this month. Growth comes from getting clear about your values. Your behaviors may reflect old and outdated values in which case altering those patterns to reflect your present time values is called for. If your old values are still meaningful, stick to them.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)Feelings of internal discomfort could impel changes that are born more of confusion and frustration than clarity and inspiration. Be particularly cautious about changes that pertain to finances, whether in the form of earned income or investment income. Advice from friends could provide useful insight into either what the real problem is or how to make those changes in practical, grounded ways.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)Your co-ruling planet Neptune goes retrograde each year for approximately six months. This is the month this year that Neptune turns retrograde. Respond to this phenomenon by looking more within yourself for clarity and direction. You may discover that what you want, where you’re going, or how you’re getting there is unique to you or at least unconventional. That’s ok provided that you truly feel an inner directive impelling the decision and ensuing action.