The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - April 2024
There are very few major aspects that are occurring this year. The main one is a conjunction between Jupiter and Uranus in Taurus, and that happens all this month. Like any interesting planetary pattern, this one could have multiple manifestations in different areas of life. However we experience this transit and take advantage of its possibilities, we can assume that the main themes will be expansion (Jupiter) change (Uranus) and stability (Taurus). How we manage and integrate those themes will determine how creative we are within an energetic context that has the potential to be challenging and confusing. After all, what can be more different than having the planet that loves change within the sign that insists on stability.
Uranus first entered Taurus in May 2018 and will remain there until April 2026. Taurus is associated with financial resources. Since Uranus ingressed into Taurus cryptocurrency has become more accepted as a way to hold and transfer money. This combines the revolutionary qualities of Uranus with the security oriented needs of Taurus. Uranus also prioritizes freedom, and is often associated with democracy. Since Uranus entered Taurus, a sign that values tradition. There has been an alarming expansion of autocratic governments. Not exactly revolutionary, but indicating radical change nonetheless.
Jupiter entered Taurus in May 2023 and will transit into Gemini on May 25, 2024. We will address that transit in next month’s column. Attitudinally Jupiter is positive, optimistic and joyful. It likes to be generous, have adventures and enjoy a good story or laugh. It is considered the most benefic of all the planetary energies. The downside of Jupiter can be too much of a good thing. It’s influence can induce exaggeration, excess and idealization. The higher octave of Jupiter can be represented by the professor, philosopher and spiritual seeker. It loves to travel as a way of expanding one’s consciousness or knowledge base. The lower octave is the person who prioritizes sales and profit over honesty and integrity.
Collectively, we could assume that the conjunction between Jupiter and Uranus this month could coincide with any or all of these possibilities. There could be a radical increase in the stock market and Bitcoin in particular. There could be a sudden change in foreign policy somewhere in this war torn world that could bring peace and harmony (Taurus) to a region. Recognized spiritual leaders such as the Dalai Lama and the Pope call for replacing war with communication with the intention of ending the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Or there could be unexpected changes in the campaign for President in the US. This could be anything from Trump being found guilty in a criminal case, to Biden changing his mind about running to a third party candidate unexpectedly generating more publicity both on line (Uranus) as well as in more traditional media outlets. It’s also possible that a health challenge sidelines one of the elderly men who are seeking the office.
Most of us are not in a position to either create, take advantage of or be taken advantage of by any of those possibilities. How, then, can we take advantage of this Jupiter-Uranus conjunction?
First, remember that as a fixed sign Taurus is fundamentally focused on values. It is clarity of values, and the desire to uphold them through habitual behaviors. Jupiter brings a love of learning, while Uranus, a relatively detached energy, embraces change. So we can spend time expanding our consciousness in ways that enhance our connection to Spirit. This in turn can lead to being more detached from material plane desires and attachments. This transit can also impel us to have a positive (Jupiter) sense of our uniqueness (Uranus) combined with a strong desire and ability to integrate our sense of individuality in practical, structured ways. That in turn can lead to both expansion of our spiritual awareness and concrete ways to integrate that consciousness and the enhanced sense of uniqueness. The bottom line is that we discover more meaning in our life even as our sense of security and well being are expanded.
This is a relatively short transit, but it could have implications to both our personal growth as well as material plain welfare for a long time to come.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: Four planets, including the New Moon will be in Aries this month. This is a time of new beginnings for you. Keep in mind, however, that the New Moon in Aries on the 8th will be solar eclipse. This could diminish your ambition or at least temporarily limit your drive. Seek to balance your readiness for new activities with a realistic assessment of your energy.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: The focus for you this month is on the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction. This could radically alter anything from values, priorities or habits. It could also alter some basic feelings about yourself, your confidence and a desire for new things in your life. Remember, however, not to change too radically as the changes inspired at this time still have to fit into your long range need for safety, stability and comfort.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: While other signs are initiating all kinds of new things in their life, this is a time for you to sit back and review what you have been doing since the beginning of the year. This is especially true relative to your social life, although that could be either personal (friends) or colleagues (work). Growth can come from being honest and authentic.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: The New Moon on the 8th will be a solar eclipse. The Full Moon on the 23rd will be in Scorpio. These events imply that the focus for you this month is inward, specifically dealing with underlying feelings about everyone from the most intense relationships (with partner and/or children) to the more detached (friends and colleagues). Growth can come from avoiding the extremes of being so sensitive that you hide due to begin overwhelmed by emotion or dump your emotional baggage everywhere.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: This could be a transitional period for you. This is a good time to make final preparations for any new beginnings that take place professionally for you in the near future.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: Research is a good way for you to take advantage of the transits this month. This could pertain to your profession and/or your personal life. The latter could be about either your financial situation to your primary relationship. Strive to balance the results of the research project with new behaviors that implement the results.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: It’s all about relationship for you this month. The point, however, is not to limit yourself when thinking about important one-to-one encounters. The important thing is that you value the relationship. This could be with a romantic partner, business partner, good friend or even a spiritual master-disciple relationship.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: The Full Moon in Scorpio on the 23rd brings intense emotion to everything you do. The good news is that this will enable you to realize your true feelings about someone or something and relate accordingly. The bad news is that the expression of feelings could be so intense that it overwhelms others, causing them to distance themselves from you.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: The Jupiter in Taurus transit may have been hard for you. This month, with Jupiter (your ruling planet) conjunct Uranus, that could change. You may feel as if your material plane foundation is solid enough that you can make some radical changes, especially in job and health care that are both liberating and inspirational.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: Take advantage of the season by using this month to start new projects, especially those that pertain to reading, writing, marketing and teaching. Be sure that your goals are realistic. Make sure that what you are doing is designed to benefit both yourself as well as others. Your altruism is strong this month.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: The Jupiter-Uranus conjunction will enhance your desire for change. For those changes to lead to personal growth keep a few things in mind. Make sure that the changes are being made more methodically than you usually do. Also make sure that there is a philosophical or clear intellectual path with which and along with you are making the changes.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: This is a month when your artistic nature can feel inspired, leading to impactful creativity. This will especially be true if you go outside your creative comfort zone and do something previously untried. The focus should be on self-satisfaction from doing something different rather than pleasing others through your efforts.
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.