The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - December 2023
December is the month of the Winter Solstice. This is the day that the Sun reaches the Tropic of Capricorn when the Sun enters the sign Capricorn. It is the shortest day and the longest night of the year as such it is the first day of winter. I think of this as the annual birthday of the Sun. It has reached its southern most point and is turning around and starting to move north. Many ancient cultures built megalithic structures (think Stonehenge) to honor this day. These were primarily created in what today we call the British Isles. England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland all had such monuments. They were all built so that the Sun was shining light directly into the main entrance on the day of the Winter Solstice. Some of these cultures established rituals at the time of the Spring Equinox that led to courtship rituals and mating so that the offspring would be born on or around the Winter Solstice. This would especially be true of royal families. These rituals can be traced to 5000-8000 years ago.
One practical reason for this pertained to the development of agriculture. Humans needed to know when the Sun had reached the point of return to the northern hemisphere. This would indicate the right time to plant crops in order to ensure survival for the tribe. This could also pertain to animal husbandry and breeding of livestock.
Spiritually, this was a time that humans could feel and see the return of the light. It was a way to connect with Divine Spirit and be in tune with the cycles of life. We can maintain this tradition by using the time around the Solstice to spend some time on the inner planes. One could go on retreat or simply deepen and lengthen one’s daily meditation routine. This would enable each of us to feel a personal connection to the renewal and rebirth of life and light. During these times of heightened global conflict, whether between two countries or between humanity and nature, feeling a connection to the Divine can be a way of alleviating stress and alienation. As we feel the cosmic embrace we can deepen our faith that everything is, ultimately, going to be OK.
There are several transits that can support us in our spiritual journey at this time. The main ones have been ongoing throughout the year. Thus their influence should be familiar to us to the point that we can use them to support our own personal renewal at this time.
The most obvious one is Saturn in Pisces. Saturn, representing the Law of Karma, likes things to be defined, goal oriented and practical. It is the energy of form and structure, limits and boundaries. One problem with this transit is that there is nothing grounded, practical or stable about Pisces. The greatest benefit, and the most realistic way to take advantage of this transit, is by engaging in some type of spiritual (Pisces) discipline (Saturn). Whether through meditation, prayer, yoga, T’ai Chi or Chi Gong we solidify our relationship to the Light. In that process we can also discern an inner directive or higher purpose in being. This is a way to discover our place in the universal scheme of things and realize how we can apply our tools and talents to alleviating pain in the world and promote more love and light in our lives and in the world.
Jupiter and Uranus are both in Taurus. As an earth sign, Taurus can help counter balance the internal perspective of Pisces. Taurus is perhaps the most self-reliant and resourceful of the 12 signs. The higher octave of Taurus likes to create a simple lifestyle that enables them to create a safe, stable and comfortable material plane reality. Taurus is also the sign of survival. It connects us with our fundamental tools and talents that the inner directive inspired by the Saturn in Pisces transit wants us to move toward. The lower octave of Taurus, however, tends to keep us attached to possessions and takes this season away from spiritual rebirth and into the malls.
Jupiter can bring opportunities for abundance and prosperity in terms of survival and doing it in a conscious, philosophical way. Uranus can bring inspiration to the process and the freedom to be true to ourselves, our values and priorities in the process.
The most important celestial actor at this time is Pluto. This year it went into Aquarius and then retrograded back into Capricorn. It will do the same dance in 2024. Zero degrees Aquarius was where Jupiter and Saturn were conjunct on the Winter Solstice of 2020. This conjunction occurs every 20 years and marks the beginning of a new cultural zeitgeist. Aquarius is the sign of the social collective. So we are all experiencing many things in life, both collectively and personally, that are new and sometimes frightening. Pluto hitting the same zero Aquarius point implies a lot of uncomfortable, even painful, changes that will accompany our journey into a new age. I will be addressing this specific point at length in my annul Perspectives talk that will take place on Tuesday, January 9 2024. For more information about this event, email me at rio@starwatcher.com.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: This is a good time to initiate some type of activity that can help to expand consciousness. Taking advantage of the Saturn in Pisces transit, this could be a spiritual journey. It could also lay plans for an actual journey to be taken sometime next year. Thinking about taking a class or two would also take advantage of this potential.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: This month is about honesty and intimacy. The latter would apply to a romantic relationship in which you and the partner become more vulnerable to each other and hence promote emotional deepening. The former would apply to other types of significant relationships that could benefit from clearing the air and assessing what you each need from this relationship in the future.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: Your ruling planet, Mercury, transits into Capricorn on December 1. This can impel you to define some practical goals for the New Year. But Mercury will retrograde on the 12, implying that from that point it would be useful to review this year in order to have your plans for next year more clear and more achievable.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: The New Moon in Sagittarius on the 12th is a good time for an adventure. This could be a journey of some kind or an opportunity to enhance your spiritual growth. Or both. The Full Moon on the 26th will be in Cancer and offer the opportunity to feel both a sense of family renewal as well as a way to monitor your own emotional responses to situations and relationships in your life.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: The Winter Solstice provides an opportunity each year to discover new ways to help your life flow more efficiently and productively. It’s a time to refine your routines and become conscientious about taking care of your body. This could also be a time to commit to some type of service.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: This could be a time when you feel inspired to play and create. This could take the form of giving a holiday party for friends and family, making some gifts for others or simply spending time with children. Mid-month on is a good time to redirect patterns of relating to certain family members.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: This is good time for you to return to the basics. Getting clear about values and priorities can help you establish a path to enhance material security in the New Year. By extension, this is a good time to renew awareness of the tools and talents that you can apply to that process in order to ensure success in achieving your goals.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: Venus will be Scorpio most of the month. This can help you prioritize harmony and consideration in your relationships. It can also bring some artistic inspiration. Growth can come from allowing relationships to develop organically rather than trying to control their development. Avoid being pushy.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: Your ruling planet Jupiter will turn direct on the 30th. This suggests that plans you have been formulating for the past few months can be put into action right after the first of the year. This would also be a good time to start acting on some of the knowledge you gained, including about yourself, in your relationships.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: There can be a profoundly spiritual part to the Capricornian nature. Often it is submerged in the drive to achieve practical goals. With your ruling planet Saturn in Pisces at the time of the Winter Solstice, this is a good time to turn your attention to spiritual matters. A retreat, deepening of your meditation or simply getting away for a few days to a place of quiet and inspiration can all lead to significant spiritual growth.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: This is a good time for you to enjoy social opportunities that come your way. Expressing joy and sharing of knowledge are two ways to take advantage of the energy this month. Growth can come from enjoying being part of the situation even as you detach from the need for attention or recognition.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: Both your co-ruling planets, Jupiter and Neptune, turn direct this month. This is a good time to start implanting things you have contemplating in both your inner as well a outer lives. Be patient with this process, however, as these energies don’t attain the maximum strength until after the first of the year.
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.