The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - April 2018
Jupiter takes about a year to transit through a sign. During that period it is retrograde for about 4 months. When a planet is retrograde we have an opportunity to feel its energy in a more personal way. We can be more aware of how we are experiencing and expressing it. It is a time to reflect and review. When we do this with Jupiter this year, we can discover some interesting perspectives. Jupiter's nature is to be expansive. It can impel us to travel and explore other cultures. It can inspire us to read and take classes in order to expand our intellect. It can develop our consciousness so that we can embrace philosophical, metaphysical and theological concepts. It can also help to expand our world view by enabling us to perceive life in joyful, optimistic ways. Its enthusiasm can help us to look to a bright future that we can have a hand in creating. From ancient times Jupiter has been referred to by astrologers as "the great benefic".
This year Jupiter is transiting through Scorpio. As a water sign Scorpio is oriented toward emotion. As a fixed sign it is oriented toward the deepest levels of emotion, feeling things intensely and passionately. As an extension of this awareness one might seek to connect with and understand the deepest level of our life experience. This could be in terms of intimate emotional bonding with a partner, or seeking awareness about the nature of life itself. People with strong Scorpio influence in their natal charts are often drawn toward science or mysticism. Scorpio is the sign of birth, sex and death, the ultimate and most primal element of the life cycle. Similarly, Scorpio challenges us to continually be aware of those parts of ourselves and our lives that are old, outmoded and dysfunctional even as we generate new parts of ourselves and our lives. As we let go, we are free to create new options whether they be values, behaviors or needs. This is heavy stuff and not easy. Scorpio has a reputation for being deep, dark and cold, just like the ocean, the ultimate body of fixed water.
Into this place is Jupiter. Jupiterian joy in the Scorpionic stew. It might seem as if Jupiter is just too upbeat to deal effectively with the demands for internal clarity and personal process work that Scorpio requires. There is a place, however, where these two archetypal forces connect: they are both oriented toward the truth. Jupiter may value the truth in a philosophical sense, whereas Scorpio is focused more on the emotional. We can integrate this energy (Jupiter) with this filter (Scorpio) in several key ways.
One is to realize that dealing with the deepest level of our emotional being can benefit from the positivity of Jupiter. It's OK to deal with anything that confronts us with the joyful attitude that we can learn from and overcome our challenges with confidence. Exploring our inner space can be an adventure, something Jupiter loves to do.
Another way to work with this planet/sign combination is to allow it to help us align our sense of personal integrity (Jupiter) with any feelings of jealousy, revenge or shame (some of the darker qualities associated with the Scorpionic archetype). As a water sign Scorpio's energy tends to be inward; Jupiter is more outgoing. By connecting the higher nature of Jupiter with the lower potential of Scorpio we can see our way, both conceptually and behaviorally, to eliminate those patterns in our life that are secretive, self-centered and fear based. Jupiter can enable us to feel powerful support from a joyful, expanding universe. This in turn can help us to feel safe and comfortable relating to others in ways that are generous and accepting.
In turn, Scorpio can help to deepen the awareness of Jupiter. In the course of life everything is not always positive. We have to deal with the reality of loss, sometimes in the form of another person, sometimes in the form of making a bad mistake, sometimes simply dealing with our own inevitable demise. Those are things that Scorpio deals with, sometimes obsessively. Jupiter in Scorpio is certainly aware of these realities, but it can bring the big picture into what otherwise might be deep and seemingly endless times of mourning. If we feel good about the process of personal growth, of honestly acknowledging our weaknesses, challenges and suffering we can feel good about doing the inner work necessary to let go of the unpleasant and learn to acknowledge and accept the bountiful. Even in the joy there can be pain.
This combination of planet and sign can address the realities of life that can be painful in ways that enable us avoid getting stuck in the grief. It can remind us that loss is as much a reality as creativity. We can realize that by acknowledging the ultimate cycle of life, and engaging in it consciously and consistently, we come closer to creating the person we want to be and the life we want to live in the context of what life really is. In that sense we are also open to feeling the presence of Divine Light guiding us even as it embraces us in relationship of devotion and joy.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: This is a good time to focus on career. Clarification of your goals and stabilizing your methodologies of achieving them can bring some profound experiences in late month. Working harmoniously with colleagues can enable everyone to succeed and feel good about each other in the process.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: The Sun enters Taurus on the 19th providing energy for creativity and an across the board expression of your authentic self. Opportunities for practical adventures could emerge at any time this month. This is a good time to slow down and feel comfortable doing what you enjoy and that which gives you a sense of well-being and satisfaction.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: This is a good time to make sure that you are being open and honest with your friends. If you are, and they are responding in kind, they are probably valuable associations and worthy of maintaining. If they aren't this is a good time to let them go or at least to minimize the time you spend with them.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: Conflicts between work responsibilities and your personal life could emerge around the new Moon on the 15th. This is a good time to re-order your priorities, standing up to both employers and partners. Letting them know your needs as well as limits and boundaries, is a good way to take advantage of a time of new beginnings.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: Introspective soul searching in mid month could give way to inspiring feelings of freedom the rest of the month. Changes in career, or at least responding effectively to unexpected challenges could propel your public life to new and exciting experiences. Growth can come from doing the inner work in preparation for external productivity.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: Early month could bring readiness for some type of breakthrough or new beginning, especially in relationship. However, there may be blockages that prevent you realizing that intention. The challenge could be more internal than interactive and based on the need to be very clear about what you truly want as well as how to go about creating it. Deliberation and clear analytical thinking now could bring the desired results later on.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: Things should flow in a smooth and harmonious manner this month. Artistic and social activities could prove enjoyable, especially from early to mid month. What makes this time most enjoyable, however, is the potential to be as productive in the more practical aspects of your life as you are fulfilled in the personal.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: The full Moon in Scorpio on the 29th could amplify your feelings and emotional state, especially with Jupiter in Scorpio. There should be support, either from within or from good friends and relatives, to feel safe expressing what's going on. This is a good opportunity to let go of things that have bottled up and create a new path of both expressing and relating.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: The transit of Jupiter, your ruling planet, in Scorpio could lead to a lot of introspective activity for you this year. This month in particular is a good time to delve into the depths of your own inner self. This is also a good time to strive for deeper understanding of the nature of life from either a spiritual or scientific perspective.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: Mars in Capricorn this month indicates that this is a time of high energy. You could express this either through physical activity or achievement of personal goals. Your ambition and sense of competitiveness is equally strong. Clarification of goals combined with sheer determination should make this a powerful time of fulfillment and satisfaction.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: Creative activity and social harmony in early month could lead to strong feelings of confidence and personal liberation from mid to late month. The primary challenge could come from feeling heard or understood when you share ideas and inspirations. Take some time to get clear about what you want to say, to whom, and strategize about the best time to communicate in order to take further advantage of the energies available to you this month.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: Support for your social, artistic and practical productivity abound for you most of this month. Growth can come from taking some time to get clear about the deeper elements of your life, those that pertain to the spiritual. Updating philosophical beliefs into present time activities can make this period transformational.
Rio Olesky has been a professional astrologer since 1976. He is the author of A Manual for the Modern Mystic and 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.