ASTROLOGY - Wheel of Light - February 2009

What's in the Stars & Planets for us in February 2009

Jupiter is the archetype of expansion. It can expand attitudinally, being positive, enthusiastic and joyful. It can suggest expansion in terms of opportunities. And it can bring expansion to the mind through academic as well as spiritual learning. Jupiter transits through each sign in about 12 months. Last month, on January 5, Jupiter entered Aquarius, where it will remain until January 2010.

Aquarius has been called the sign of humanity. It represents the desire to reach out to everyone and perceive all of us as part of the human family. It is inventive and inspiring and prefers to be on the cutting edge of change. Yet, for all of its tendency to be inclusive, it is also one of the most independent of the signs. The Aquarian paradox is the challenge to be open and friendly while maintaining a sense of individuality.

Another paradox is that Aquarius is co-ruled by Saturn and Uranus. In its lower octave influence, the Saturnine influence indicates a tendency to be controlling. The Uranian influence can be detached and aloof. The combination can cause Aquarius to have an “above it all” attitude.

In a more centered way, Uranus can provide a big picture, conceptual understanding to what is, and an inspiration of what could be. Saturn provides the discipline and structure to actually embody what could be a revolutionary concept.

The influence of Jupiter in Aquarius, therefore, could have the following manifestations. If we are centered, we could feel ourselves inspired to break out of old patterns of thinking and behaving. We could change by being open to different kinds of people and experiences than we ever have been. We could relate more readily to new forms of technology and be ready for new techniques of consciousness development.

If we are off-center, we could get carried away with too much enthusiasm for new ideas or social situations and get overextended. We could relate to others so idealistically that our potential for fulfillment or satisfaction in those situations is minimized. Alternatively, we could get carried away with our concept of the way things are or should be and relate to anyone with a different mind set in a demeaning or reductive way.

Any of the patterns come into very high and clear focus in mid-month, as Mars moves into a conjunction with Jupiter from approximately the 11th -24th. This aspect will provide more drive, energy and a sense of independence to the enthusiasm of Jupiter. It could also bring more courage or willingness to take risks and make changes that are oriented to new, liberating states of consciousness and patterns of behavior. One of the challenges at that time is to not get carried away with too much theory or idealism. This aspect could also bring a sense and attitude of entitlement that actually limits, rather than liberates.

Meanwhile, the co-rulers of Aquarius, Saturn and Uranus, remain in opposition to each other all month. This aspect began in September and will continue until March and returning again from late August through mid October. As mentioned in previous columns, this aspect represents the classic conflict between the traditional, conservative, authoritarian elements of life with those that are more progressive and innovative. Saturn is the box of rules and regulations we are supposed to follow. Aquarius is always outside that box, looking at life through the lens of the outsider, the rebel. This month, with this aspect complimented by Jupiter and Mars, these forces could become more contentious or even bombastic. Some older astrology books refer to the Mars-Jupiter conjunction as productive of tremendous anger or rage.

A way to avoid the downside potential of these influences is by integrating their various energies in a cohesive way in which neither the old nor the new elements of your life dominate at the expense of the other. Certainly the forces of change have the upper hand here. But it is not time to forget about the old and time honored just to start something unencumbered by our past. In fact, by including the wisdom of experience in the equation of strategic change, we are more likely to be successful in whatever changes we make.

In the chart of the United States, Jupiter is transiting the second house. Among other things, this area of life experience deals with resources and assets and the way in which we use them to create material security. Jupiter in this area can create a positive, even abundant flow of resources. In the face of numerable aspects that suggest a very dark time for us economically, this is one transit that suggests otherwise. It provides energy to utilize our collective resources in ways that coincide with our traditional values of thrift and financial self-reliance. It also offers the possibility of expanding the flow of income throughout the country. This could come from expanding our investment in technology (Aquarius) and specifically, technology that is oriented to things such as clean energy and environmental health. However, the sense of entitlement referred to above could also expand our recent history of greed and continue the economic downturn both for families and the government. It will be interesting to see how this energy will be utilized as the year unfolds.

Aries: The planet that rules Aries is Mars. It enters Aquarius on the 4th and conjuncts Jupiter on the 11th. This offers the potential to expand your life socially. This is a good time to initiate either new relationships or new elements in pre-existing ones. Your confidence, enthusiasm and willingness to take risks are very strong this month. Growth comes from integrating these qualities into your life in ways that enhance the relationships, not your own sense of self.

Taurus: This is a time to focus on harmony. This could be through relationships, the arts or even spending time on personal appearance. Growth comes from avoiding emotional extremes. Becoming obsessively attached to a person, feelings about that person, or to the state or nature of a relationship limits the potential for harmony. Similarly, seeking to avoid closeness altogether prevents any opportunity to connect in a deep, meaningful way.

Gemini: This is a good time to undertake a new study, take a trip or share what you know with others. The sharing could take the form of writing as well as speaking. Teaching could also prove exciting to you, inspiring to others. Your mind is ultra inventive, but the challenge is to not get so carried away with the ideas that they don‚t manifest in practical ways.

Cancer: The full Moon on the 9th will be a lunar eclipse. The bad news about this is that we usually feel a peak of energy and clarity at the time of the full Moon which is often minimized with the eclipse. The good news is that there could be insights and inspiration that manifest spontaneously and that pertain to consciousness development, compassion relating to others or creative expression.

Leo: Early month could bring the desire for increased alone time. This could be spent in creative expression or pursuing a spiritual discipline. Mid-month brings physical and social energy and lots of joyful enthusiasm about your life both now and in the future. Growth comes from using these influences in ways that both enhance your own sense of individuality as well as provide support and encouragement to others.

Virgo: This is a good time to learn new work-related skills or to refine and improve old ones. Learning more about health maintenance or actually implementing a new health care regimen is also supported. It could also be a good time to hire new employees. Growth comes from avoiding worry that comes from having either idealistic expectations about a situation or getting over extended and fearing you can‚t honor commitments.

Libra: Relationship is in very high focus for you this month. This is a good time to either start a new relationship or to initiate an element or behavior into a pre-existing one. Growth comes from maintaining your sense of self, and equanimity. When the emotions get intense, which they could in early month. This is a good time to work on being more emotionally open and honest in your primary relationship.

Scorpio: A month of extremes. One influence involves social activities, especially with family, neighbors or good friends. Growth comes from relating in thoughtful, harmonious ways even when the energies get intense. Simultaneously you may feel more expansive toward your family in new ways. You could be open to making, even initiating, domestic changes that enable everyone in the family to feel more seen and accepted.

Sagittarius: Jupiter is your ruling planet and its transit through Aquarius should feel comfortable to you. Like Aquarius, Sagittarius is highly independent. They are also similar in their embrace of the big picture. Growth for you this year comes from being more outgoing socially, even willing to take certain risks in that area. At the same time, learn to be more accepting and inclusive of others, especially with different points of view.

Capricorn: The energy this month could pull you inward. You could focus either on creating a more pleasant relationship with yourself or a more harmonious interaction with your family. Or both. The challenges are not being too self-critical or trying to run the show by being excessively critical of others. Growth comes from being self-accepting even as you strive to change elements of yourself that you don‚t like.

Aquarius: Jupiter‚s transit through Aquarius this year should increase your self-confidence as well as producing a positive outlook on your life both now and into the future. This transit could also impel you to new experiences, some social and some pertaining to consciousness development. Taking some classes, writing or committing more time to spiritual pursuits are realistic ways of taking advantage of Jupiter in Aquarius.

Pisces: The new Moon in Pisces on the 24th provides a significant opportunity to focus inward. This could help enhance your spiritual path or even enable you to work through and release old emotional baggage left over from past relationships. Pay attention to your dreams and any profound intuitive insights you have just prior to the new Moon. The information contained therein could prove enlightening.

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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. CDs of his Perspectives 2009 lecture are still available. To contact him about purchasing them, or to talk with him about classes or to make an appointment call Rio at 707-887-1820. Check out his website:
www.starwatcher.com