ASTROLOGY: Wheel of Light - November 2008

NOVEMBER 2008

Rio Olesky has been studying astrology since 1967 and been a practicing professional since 1976. The author of Astrology and Consciousness, Rio offers classes in beginning astrology through SRJC and ongoing classes through Crystal Channels in Santa Rosa. Rio will be giving his annual first of the year talk on January 6 at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts. To inquire about the talk or classes, or to make an appointment for a reading, call Rio at 707-887-1820.

Last month we discussed the influence of the transiting Saturn-Uranus opposition on the US Presidential election. That aspect will be close to exact all this month and its influence extends beyond that event. In addition, Jupiter will be trine Saturn and sextile Uranus, an aspect referred to as a „working wedge‰. The affect of Jupiter is to lighten up the opposition by providing beneficial ways out of the inherent tension between Saturn and Uranus.

Saturn represents that which is traditional and conventional. It is the energy of authority and likes to exhibit control on the events of the material plane. When we are centered we experience Saturn as the energy of personal responsibility and as such it provides the discipline that enables us to establish goals and work to achieve them. By nature, Saturn is methodical, cautious and deliberate. If we are off-center we experience Saturn as fear. In that case its influence would be restrictive and we could tend to give our power away.

Uranus is almost the exact opposite of Saturn. Uranus is the tradition breaker, of the zodiac. It is progressive, edgy and innovative. It provides us with the impetus to change. If we are centered, the changes are born of inspiration and lead to personal liberation. If we are off-center, the changes will be more reactive and come from a place of boredom, restlessness and frustration.

Where Saturn likes control, Uranus prefers freedom. Saturn is predictable, Uranus is erratic. Saturn is practical, Uranus is theoretical. Saturn values the past, Uranus envisions the future.

The opposition creates a push-pull dynamic in relationship to others. Sometimes, we project Saturn onto others and keep the Uranian energy for ourselves. In this case we feel that others are trying to control us, don‚t understand us or are keeping us stuck in a box like place of restriction, while we try to be free spirits, acting on our impulses. Or, we could experience external events as being restrictive to our originality and leaving us no possibility of being true to ourselves.

Alternatively, we could own the Saturn and project Uranus. Under those conditions, we identity as the stable, responsible party frustrated by all the flaky people who are destroying the structure of our lives. Or we could experience external events as undermining our need for structure and productivity. Insecurity and unempowerment result. As long as we don‚t own, integrate and work with both energies, this push-pull dynamic continues. It is confusing, projecting and counter productive to either the goals that Saturn wants or the liberation that Uranus likes.

Integrating these two disparate energies requires recognition and acceptance of both the part of us that likes security, likes to play by the rules and enjoys the fulfillment that comes from achieving and producing things. It is also necessary to be open to change; to detach from what we have done and who we have been in the process of doing it.

The benefit of the working wedge is that a third planet is involved in this oppositional dynamic. Jupiter is the energy of expansion. It can focus on growth through intellectual understanding new concepts. Attitudinally, Jupiter is positive and optimistic. It enjoys the adventure of life, since everything we do can teach us something. In the trine to Saturn, Jupiter can provide the confidence and reassurance that our goals can be achieved. It also provides a sense of moral rectitude or ethical certainty that we are going about our business in a principled way, not just following some rule. Jupiter can provide Saturn with a clear vision about what the end result of our efforts can bring. This combination of influences combines to provide a harmonious way of integrating our intellectual, spiritual and practical realities in ways that enable us to be successful and to feel good about it.

Jupiter is also is a supportive aspect to Uranus. In this case Jupiter provides joy to the process of change. It can help Uranus by giving a big picture, philosophical perspective on the innovative or experimental changes Uranus wants to manifest. It's as if Jupiter is the diplomat working to resolve the inherent conflict between stability and change, or between the traditional and the progressive. The key is to be able to define a clear philosophy of life that enhances our social reality. A philosophy that enables us to manifest behaviors and thoughts that are coincident with our sense of spiritual rightness and our need for spiritual growth. A nice aspect under which to welcome in a new President of the United States.

Aries: Questions of metaphysical significance could come up in early month. Answers lie within, so spend some time in quiet contemplation, considering that nature of life and your place in it. Later month brings adventure, possibly including the desire and opportunity for travel. Learning, teaching and writing are also supported at this time.

Taurus: The full Moon in Taurus on the 12th reminds us that Taurus is an extremely nurturing sign. The full Moon is a time to be open to new emotional realizations. This could pertain either to feelings about yourself or others. With the clarity of these realizations, you may feel the need to alter your behaviors in certain relationships.

Gemini: Health issues may come up this month. If so, spend time researching your situation. If not, use the energy this month to develop new skills that are applicable to your job, or at least work at refining skills you already have. Late month could bring a new beginning in an important relationship.

Cancer: The full Moon in Taurus on the 12th is a good time to get clarity about friendships. The point is not to make new friends or even sever connections with old ones. It‚s more about checking to see the realistic connections with your pals. You may feel drawn to being more supportive and nurturing in the friendships that warrant it.

Leo: Spending time at home or with family in early month provides opportunity for deepening your emotional connection to people and activities that are dear to your heart. Mid-month focuses attention more on creative expression which could take the form of anything from parenting to the arts. Communication in late month can be honest and open and lead to learning some interesting lessons.

Virgo: With Saturn in Virgo, you may find the opposition from it to Uranus quite significant. The main area to pay attention to is primary relationship. Discuss with your partner what are the values, priorities and behaviors which are routine in your relationship and acceptable to both. What is unfulfilling or unacceptable to either of you is grounds for change. Do so with the willingness to experiment with new ways of being together.

Libra: You may feel challenged in early month by the desire to spend time alone, combined with the need or desire to be social. You can have both but the key is your ability to communicate your needs to others. Don‚t wait for their approval for your decisions. Growth comes from being self-aware and self-affirming enough to validate who and where you are and acting on that knowledge.

Scorpio: Early month can bring confusion, so be careful about any decisions you make, especially if they have long range significance. Mid-month brings social harmony and possibly the desire to do something artistic. Late month can bring opportunities to share your knowledge with others in open, honest ways. Overcome any tendencies to be shy or self-protective and tell others who you are and what you know.

Sagittarius: The new Moon is in Sagittarius on the 27th. The new Moon is a time to go within the self in order to tune in to deeper feelings and insights. It is also a good time to sow seeds in preparation for things to come. This is a time to have clarity about something and then act.

Capricorn: The working wedge could be most beneficial for you. Saturn rules Capricorn and Jupiter is transiting Capricorn. This combination provides both the practical application of energy to ideas with the confidence that doing a job with integrity and hard work is the best avenue.

Aquarius: Saturn and Uranus are the co-rulers of Aquarius. This is a time to confront the two primary and paradoxical parts of who you are. Most Aquarians I know enjoy their status as iconoclasts who lovingly and openly embrace their uniqueness. But you can also be rigid, stubborn and dogmatic as a result of the Uranian influence. The opposition this month challenges you to be comfortable owning the energy of both planets. This can eliminate the harder Saturnian influences while making the Uranian qualities more realistic.

Pisces: Your co-ruler, Neptune, turns direct on the 26th after having been retrograde since May. This may cause you to feel less connected to Divine Spirit or your own higher being. Growth for you comes from integrating your personal connection to the universe with the common reality that we live day to day.

Check out his website at www.starwatcher.com