WHEEL OF LIGHT - JULY 2011

The outermost planets of our solar system, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, pertain to collective experience as well as individual consciousness development.  Uranus reflects collective consciousness, the group mind. It also pertains to individuation, the unique and unconventional. Neptune represents the collective subconscious or group psyche.  It can also indicate how we can connect with transcendent awareness. Pluto is about transformation. It enables us to dig out everything that is stagnant, decaying or toxic and replace it with something new and meaningful. Pluto implores us to engage in self-analytical personal process work that clarifies what should go, what should stay and how to do that.

This month all three of these planets will be retrograde. When a planet is retrograde we tend to experience its nature in more personal and subjective ways. When direct, these influences connect us as much with the collective experience as with our own. When retrograde, we can benefit from the energies more by tuning within.

Uranus retrograde prioritizes the awakening of individual consciousness. We can become more aware of our unique perspective on life, both now and for the future. We can feel inspiration to break out of our old, boring routines and experiment with new activities and behaviors. We may surprise ourselves about how easy it is to make some fairly radical shifts, but if we are centered the changes will prove useful on the path of personal liberation. Others may look askance as we change in unpredictable and previously unchartered ways. They also have an opportunity to benefit from our changes. They could either see us as role models – after all if we are changing so much, so can they. Or they may actually benefit from our experience by emulating our changes in some way. Being ahead of our time and further along the path of personal freedom are some ways to take advantage of Uranus relationship.

Neptune retrograde provides the opportunity to connect with that which is greater than we are in direct, personal ways. Neptune is known as the energy of illusion. That can manifest as assuming that the material plane is the only reality and everything else is illusion. Or, we can see through the illusion of “maya” and realize that the material plane is only one small energy band of reality and hence total consciousness. But when retrograde, Neptune enables us to pick up the receiver on our “hot line to God” and feel the Oneness that is life. Neptune is highly intuitive. When retrograde it functions almost counter-intuitively. The more personally we experience the nature of its energy the more we are able to perceive life as it is, with less illusion and self-deception creating confusion. During this time, spending extra time in meditation, going on a spiritual retreat, taking time to work with our dreams or attending to creative projects are realistic and useful ways to take advantage of Neptune retrograde and enhance our spiritual development as a result.

Pluto pertains to the ultimate basics of life – birth, sex and death. When direct we tend to define or experience these activities as our prevailing culture dictates – birth is hard but exciting, sex is sinful but addictive and death is the final taboo. When Pluto is retrograde we are free to create our own experience of these fundamental qualities. Birth can pertain to allowing ourselves to release and let go of all destructive habits and addictions. This frees up time and energy to put into new creative projects, as well as the continued renewal of our sense of self. Sex is so highly charged in our world that it can be hard to get in touch with what we really want or need. Pluto retrograde is a good time to get in touch with and own our sexuality. Not in the extreme ways it is portrayed by the media or from the pulpit, but in terms of who we each are and what our personal needs are that are as much emotional and psychological as physical. Death can evoke fear in anyone who realizes its inevitability. We are confronted with such possibilities as hell, personal annihilation or a seemingly endless purgatorial nightmare. But when we deal with the inevitable from a centered perspective we realize that the “dropping of the body” is just another point on the cycle of life. The fundamentals of life that Pluto deals with are actually one big cyclical loop. We are born, we re-create ourselves and we transform to a new identity or reality. This pattern is reflected in life on a daily basis. We are always being reborn in thoughts, interests, values and relationships. We express ourselves in some way and then let go of what we don’t need and start over again. Pluto retrograde helps us to see the truth of that cycle and embrace it without fear.

A retrograde planet isn’t a bad thing. It’s just an opportunity to understanding the energy of that planet and how its energy can be utilized in new ways. Take advantage of these “trans-Saturnian” planets being retrograde by tuning in and acting on the inspirations and clarity that is available to us at this time.

Aries: This is a time to initiate new social contacts. This could take the form of networking for professional purposes or simply engaging friends and neighbors in backyard barbecues. You could also use the energy this month to begin a creative writing project.

Taurus: You may feel a lot of push-pull influences in your social life this month. Some people may want more time or depth of connection, others may want to control you or want a commitment from you, still others may separate or be unavailable. Growth for you this month comes from being true to yourself and upholding your values in the face of others’ demands.

Gemini: Your energy level should be quite high all month. You can take advantage of this by initiating a new type of physical activity. You can also be more self-assured and self-affirming in your social interaction. You can use the energy this month to be more creatively expressive in a variety of ways.

Cancer: Two new Moons this month provide ample opportunity for inner work and growth. Especially on July 1^st when the new Moon will be in Cancer. New Moons are good opportunities for new beginnings. On the first, focus on creating a balance between daily activity and long-range goals. On the 30^th, focus more on relationship and financial issues as well as ways of owning and expressing your uniqueness, especially at work.

Leo: The energy in early month may challenge you to rethink the ways in which you integrate your philosophy of life into your daily reality. Are you too idealistic? Too cynical? Responding to this question helps you to live an authentic and centered life. Later month offers good energy for travel or to start studying something new and inspiring either in a classroom or on your own.

Virgo: This is a period to spend quality time alone on a daily basis. Gardening, hiking, yoga, meditation are all useful activities to pursue. You could also feel impelled to do some volunteer work as an expression of your spirituality. Just remember not to get lost in the alone time or pushing the service envelope to a point of self-sacrifice. Growth for you this month comes from feeling the connection to that which is greater than you are.

Libra: The focus for you this month is career and public activity. Early month could bring some unexpected challenges and changes, some of which could involve power struggles or control issues. Growth for you comes from maintaining your internal equilibrium even as you strive to create harmony in a contentious environment.

Scorpio: Two prominent energies flow for you this month. One involves focusing on material and financial issues. Opportunities to expand your income stream or plans to create more material security could manifest. Second, expanding relationships in a variety of contexts could prove rewarding by deepening the connection between you and others.

Sagittarius: This is a good time to put some financial resources into your work and/or health maintenance protocol. The former should yield increased earned income. The latter could facilitate physical regeneration. Growth for you this month comes from paying more attention to the bottom line right now rather than a theoretical possibility in the future.

Capricorn: The full Moon in Capricorn on the 14^th implies the energy to become emotionally self-aware. How you feel about or respond to different people and situations will enable you to realize which ones feed you and which ones drain you. Growth comes from defining and enforcing emotional limits and boundaries.

Aquarius: Feelings of frustration or dissatisfaction, especially around important relationships, could manifest this month. The way out is to go within and start a process of getting in touch with what you need in each situation, combined with what behaviors you are choosing that may not lead to those needs being fulfilled. Growth comes from changing behaviors and allowing the relationships to adjust accordingly.

Pisces: Positive social connections can bring deep fulfillment. It’s as if you are being truly seen by others that in turn can enable you to be open to these people on a deeper and more emotionally intimate level. One of the most gratifying aspects of this is feeling connected with others in a common philosophy of life or similar spiritual path.

Rio Olesky has been studying astrology since 1967 and has been a practicing professional astrologer since 1976. The author of Astrology and Consciousness, Rio offers classes in beginning astrology through SRJC and ongoing classes through New Horizons School in Santa Rosa. To make an appointment for a reading, or to inquire about classes, call Rio at 707-887-1820. Check out his website: www.starwatcher.com.