The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - February 2007
There are two significant planetary events occurring this month. One is very fast, but could have challenging repercussions. The other is a continuation of something that began in 2005, persisted throughout 2006 and will begin again in February. The former transit pertains to Mercury.
The month begins with Mercury in Aquarius. It enters Pisces on the second, retrogrades on the 13 and backs up into Aquarius again on the 26th. What makes this period difficult is not those changes, but the fact that it makes almost no aspects to other planets all month. Aspects signify connections. No aspects, no connections. Mercury deals with communication: sharing ideas and information with others and being curious about learning from them. This implies that Mercury also has to do with associations such as networking and data gathering. With no aspects this month, and especially with Mercury retrograde, this could be a time when connections are difficult to make. If they are made there may not be any follow through. If there is follow through the outcome could prove confusing. Be careful with communication this month. Don't assume that you and anybody else are on the same page. While this is a great time for reading, research and internal contemplation, good ideas and signed documents could get lost or slip between the cracks. Be very careful about serious communication, signing legal documents or taking important tests until March.
The other, longer lasting transit is the opposition between Saturn and Neptune. This began in October of 2005. At that time Jupiter and Mars were also in opposition to each other and they both squared Saturn-Neptune. Shortly thereafter Mars moved on, but we were left with Jupiter squaring Saturn-Neptune throughout 2006. Now Jupiter has moved on and only the Saturn-Neptune opposition remains. This aspect has been discussed here before, but I'd like to address it again bringing in new insights. We will be dealing with this aspect until late July, so we have plenty of time to work with it.
The opposition brings tension between self and others. With two planets in opposition to each other the tension can manifest through projection. First we project one of the planetary energies onto "other". Then turn around and project the other one. One problem with an opposition is that we don't own both energies simultaneously. It could appear as if someone is doing something to us that creates stress and somehow we don't have the clarity o resolve it. This is especially pronounced if the planets involved have different energies and focus on different things. That is the case with Saturn and Neptune.
Saturn pertains to form. It provides the energy to define goals and the drive to work diligently to achieve them. Discipline and control are allies of Saturn. This is an energy that motivates us to achieve something in the material world. If we are off-center, Saturn can bring up fear. With fear we could either withdraw from a situation or assume that we don't have what it takes to succeed. Responsibility to create our own reality is replaced with the assumption that someone else is in charge.
Neptune pertains to the formless. It provides the energy to be aware of life beyond the material plane and connect with life in a transcendent way. Neptune is helpful to achieve psychological clarity through counseling and working with dreams. It can also enable us to connect with Divine Spirit through meditation, yoga and prayer. But, if we are off-center, Neptune can bring illusion and self-deception. It can seduce us into self-destructive patterns that undermine any sense of well-being.
The combination of Saturn and Neptune can create confusion in relationship. If we own Saturn and project Neptune, we could feel grounded and responsible for helping others whom we perceive as needy. This is based on an unrealistic sense of power combined with an illusion of who others are or our proper place in the relationship wit them. Or we could own Neptune and project Saturn. Here we could feel as if our vision is ethereal and creative and we see others as authority figures who are trying to restrict us in some way.
One way out of this dilemma is to realize that form and formlessness are two fundamental and important parts of life. When we go within and access Neptune, we can discover an intuitive understanding of the nature of a relationship or the nature of life. We can feel uplifted by creative inspiration and the wisdom of knowing where and how to apply that creativity in order to benefit both ourselves and others. When we seek to implement that vision, we access Saturn. We put the inspiration into a structure that will produce concrete results. As that process is underway, we go back within for more insight, clarity and inspiration.
This process is similar to our experience beyond a specific activity, event or relationship. It mirrors a pattern of eternal life. We begin as ethereal beings without form (Neptune). In that state we have access to total awareness, including ourselves as beings of limitless, radiant light and creative potential. When we incarnate (Saturn) we limit that potential to what we choose to accomplish in this life. After incarnation, we return to the ethereal state where we assess our actions and contributions during incarnation. We feel again comforted by the Love of Eternal Source and inspired to continue our journey toward the Light of Oneness. Again, we incarnate, make choices, take action and then return to the realm of the formless.
Our challenge this year is to own both Saturn and Neptune so that our internal connection to Spirit accompanies our clearly defined actions. Our actions in turn help us to get closer to Source. It is not an easy path. But it does offer literally limitless potential for both inspired, creative action as well as greater identification with Spirit.
Aries (March 21-April 20Early month is time to focus on career and public issues. You could feel a strong sense of competitive drive, so be clear about your goals and you should be able to accomplish a lot. Late month could bring unexpected changes either in work or your personal life. Growth comes from using the energy of late month to find new ways to achieve the goals you established in early month.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)Exciting changes or opportunities could arise in your social life during the first half of the month. Be open to new people and experiment with new social patterns and interests. Watch out for tendencies to be too kind, generous or accepting. Late month could bring challenges to deepen at least some of the new relationship. Growth comes from being selective about who to share with in this vulnerable way, and how to do it.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)You may feel confused or alienated in your job or about career goals in general. This is a time to focus more inward, even though you may feel impelled to be more practical. Contemplate your goals, write them down and plan a strategy for the future. The information you need at this time is already within. Take the time to find it. Growth comes from being patient in this process and having the faith in yourself.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)The full Moon comes early this month, on the 2nd and in the sign Leo. This is a wonderful time to feel lots of love and joy and to relate to others in a compassionate, yet disciplined way. The new Moon in Aquarius on the 17th suggests a time to connect with loved ones. Growth comes from opening your heart with them while being able to maintain your sense of independence and individuality.
Leo (July 23-August 23)You could get caught in the either-or dynamic of the Saturn-Neptune conjunction during the first half of the month. Practice being on the physical-nonphysical continuum in ways that enable you to feel connected to Spirit yet grounded in your body. The full Moon in Leo on the 2nd could help get more in touch with your feelings.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)You may feel either disconnected from your partner this month, or, if you are not in relationship, that the prospects of getting into one are nonexistent. This is a time to work on communication issues with your partner, but start that process by getting clear within yourself first. Communication could be more effective by writing than by speaking. If you are not in relationship, this is a good time to clarify who and what you are looking for.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)Focus on health issues in early month. This is a good time to experiment with changes to your protocol of exercise or diet. Be open to alternative or non-traditional methods of healing. Late month is a good time to work on clearing issues between yourself and a significant partner, either in your personal or professional lives. Growth comes from being honest with this person. Be willing to set harmony aside in the name of truth.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)Communication challenges can be offset by your willingness to experiment with new ways of sharing your information. Late month could bring challenges with neighbors, relatives or children. Growth for you comes from letting the other people know where you stand. Let them know how you feel as that vulnerability will prove beneficial to all concerned.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)This is a month to practice self-discipline. Opportunities to over-indulge or tendencies to get overextended will be strong all month. Counter the former by limiting your choices to what you truly value. Counter the latter by being innovative with current activities rather than responding to feelings of frustration by getting involved with new activities that could prove to be more than you can handle.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)From now through April a key challenge for you is empowerment. If you are in a situation in which you define someone else as the authority, or feel as if you have no power, that is an opportunity to realize that you are the responsible adult in charge of your life. Growth this month comes from being clear and firm in areas that involve sharing money with others, or in discussions where the topic is values.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)Early month could bring social activities that are playful, creative and fulfilling. Growth this month comes from not being overly accepting of or idealistic about others. This is a time to capitalize on the harmony of early month by working to establish and enforce limits and boundaries later on.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)The month could begin with confidence and creativity. That energy could feel jarred by feelings of ambivalence in your desires. This is the month to give yourself maximum freedom to explore all parts of yourself in new ways, with new tools and new perspectives. Opportunities for enjoyable experiences could be available and growth comes from choosing those that support you feeling strong and empowered.