The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - May 2025
Saturn changes sign about every 2-3 years. It entered Pisces in March 2023 and will transit into Aries on May 25. With a short detour back into Aries from September 2025 until February 2026, Saturn will remain in Aries until April 2028. Saturn in Aries is challenging. Saturn focuses on long-range plans. It seeks to create stability through hard work and productivity. It is the energy of personal responsibility. Aries, on the other hand, is about focuses on the present time. It strives to express itself by initiating new projects that are creative expressions of the self. Saturn is said to be in its “fall” in Aries because the priorities of this planet-sign combination are so different.
The general theme of Saturn in Aries is to take seriously the process of defining, developing and expressing the self. Aries is one of the most independent of the 12 signs. Although Saturn is about productive responsibility, it is also the energy of fear. When one is off-center, Saturn in Aries identifies with the ego and the external persona, forgetting about the spiritual or transpersonal self. There can be lack of initiative, spontaneity, self-confidence and courage. The goal is to control the immediate environment rather than planning long-range goals.
Aries is the sign of self. But if one is off-center with Saturn in Aries there is a tendency to cut oneself off from the flow of energy between the inner and outer selves. The priority is to defend oneself from external threats, regardless of how unrealistic they may be. This can be accompanied by a desire to control everyone you know and everything that you do. The best offense is a good defense. There can be a fear of powerlessness in responding to challenging issues and a corresponding tendency to become attached to the image that is being projected by the personality.
Getting centered with Saturn in Aries involves overcoming the inherent weakness of this planet-sign combination. This is, of course, especially important for those who have Saturn in Aries natally. But it will be true for all of us for the next 3 years. We have to struggle between the desire to challenge and experience life versus the fear of being hurt or dominated by hostile forces in the environment. In that process we can gain valuable insights into ourselves, which in turn enable us to get centered. Since Aries is one of the most independent of the 12 signs, with Saturn there we can explore previously unknown parts of ourselves and responding to previously unknown challenges we face. We can experience stability and joy through personal liberation. These are important, realistic goals with Saturn in Aries.
The ultimate goals of Saturn in Aries are self-knowledge and self-mastery. Strive to develop a life purpose that coincides with your authentic self. This requires a deep exploration of yourself, your life and your personal place in the universal scheme of things. An important goal for the next 3 years is to learn to control and direct your will with a sense of purpose and intention.
Collectively, relative to the chart of the United States, Saturn is moving into our 4th house. The area pertains to home and family. Saturn here is all about security, so we can assume that the issue of immigration and homeland security is going to be a priority for the next few years. This can also, however, indicate the fear that is just under the surface for many of us. This is due to the authoritarian control exhibited by our elected leaders at the Federal level. But the 4th house also pertains to one’s personal relationship to Source. As we tune in to the Divine Presence, we can learn what we, as individuals, can do to limit the effects of the external control and work to bring back into the collective conversation the realistic restraints of our Constitution.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: Even though Saturn is entering Aries this month, Venus is also there. This should help you to balance the seriousness of Saturn with the harmony of Venus. You can use this transit to enhance your creativity and fulfillment in your social life. Be careful about confrontations in early month.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: Two main priorities for you this month: creativity and communication. Take advantage of the former by spending time alone, tapping into your creative imagination. Use the latter to expressively share who you are and what is important to you.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: Early and late month are good times for social interaction. Mid-month the energy moves in the direction of alone time. Use this to develop a deeper connection to your spiritual self and greater clarity into your psyche. The New Moon in Gemini on the 26th can bring new ideas, insights and realizations to share with others.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: The Full Moon in Scorpio on the 12th can help to bring deep emotions to the surface. Use them as tools for deepening self-awareness. Part of that can be learning what you need to do, both internally and interactively, to create a powerful sense of security and well-being.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: Mars will be in Leo all month. This highlights some basic qualities you have anyway, such as athleticism, creative expression and love of play. Early month could bring power struggles that could show up with a partner, friend, child or colleague. Growth can come from responding to those situations with patience and love.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: This could be a good month to travel. This could be physically by taking a nice vacation, or intellectually by taking a class or reading a book about a new, interesting subject. In general this is a month when intellectual inspiration could proliferate, so be open to learning about new things.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: This is a good time to focus on new beginnings in primary relationships. This could involve an exciting adventure with an ongoing partner. It could also indicate a time to initiate a new relationship altogether. Growth can come from being upfront about who you are and what you want and need in the relationship, rather than waiting to be initiated or simply complying with the partners needs.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: The Full Moon in Scorpio on the 12th could bring up deep passions and intense feelings. This can be particularly challenging due to a Mars-Pluto opposition. These are the co-rulers of Scorpio and when combined in this dynamic can lead to emotional volatility. Growth can come from feeling your feelings and expressing them without getting overwrought.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: Sagittarius and Aries are similar. They are both fire signs. They are two of the most independent and adventurous of the signs. So you may be impacted by the Saturn transit into Aries in ways that are similar to those mentioned in the first part of this column. Responding affectively to this transit can enhance your sense of well-being as well as enabling you to be more productive.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: Your ruling planet, Saturn, will be in Aries for the next 3 years. This can bring monumental challenges but also unprecedented opportunities. The challenges lie in the need to be present in the here and now. No more ends justifying the means. The opportunities are the potential to be more spontaneous and independent. How you respond to those issues will determine the quality of your life for the next few years.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: Both you ruling planets, Saturn and Uranus will change sign within 2 months of each other. This is very rare but also suggests a year of change that may also be unprecedented. Growth can come from paying attention and being flexible in the face of what some of these changes may bring.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: This is a good time for you to find new areas within which to volunteer your time and service. It’s also a good time focus on your physical health. Finding new ways to address chronic health challenges or create new healthy routines are good ways to grow at this time.
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.