WHEEL OF LIGHT JUNE 2011

BY RIO OLESKY

Whenever the outer planets, Uranus, Neptune or Pluto, connect in a significant way changes occur in individual consciousness as well as collective reality. This month a square (ninety degree angular relationship) begins between Uranus and Pluto. This will continue strongly until October and then will come in and out of orb of that aspect until the spring of 2016. These planets represent the greatest potential for change. Uranus can bring change that is inspired or rebellious. Its machinations can create awareness and expression of one’s uniqueness and provide motivation to live in a progressive, experimental way. It can bring changes that are unexpected and extreme. Pluto is about transformation. Its tendency is to eliminate whatever has become stale, stagnant or boring. It can also create new priorities, values and behaviors to replace the old and worn out.

Squares create internal tension. It’s as if a part of ourselves is blocked by another part. One way to determine the nature of the tension is to look at what happened when the planets were conjunct to each other because conjunctions are a time of new beginnings. By the time the planets are squared to each other whatever began at the conjunction is challenged. The last conjunction between Uranus and Pluto was in the mid-1960s. This was a time of incredible, unprecedented changes that affected everything from human behavior to our collective definition of reality. We can assume, therefore, that the next few years will bring challenges and changes to much of what got started over 40 years ago.

The 1960s were a time of awakening. People were emerging from the stability and boredom of the 1950s that were in turn created by a generation of war and depression weary people. Adults at that time were often shocked that so many of their values, life style and behaviors were being challenged and often eliminated by their children. It was a time of revolution sociologically and politically. If one was young at that time the world seemed filled with creative potential and dynamic, liberating changes. We were destroying what seemed outmoded and creating a new reality that reflected our perspectives and desires. It was a marvelous, exciting time to be alive. A bumper sticker catches the feeling when it says, “Stuck in the 60’s until something better comes along”. With the challenges of the square,  we are being confronted with the next chapter of this story.

This square is called an “opening” square because it’s the first one since the conjunction. An opening square is characterized as a time of crisis of action. That is, the seeds sewn in the 60s have been germinating a real world scenario that is currently and clearly at a crisis point. In general, the themes of this crisis are similar to that of the mid-60s: are we going to hang on to a reality that is decaying morally, economically, politically, environmentally and spiritually or are we going to lend a creative hand in changing things.

No doubt I will be writing many columns over the next few years about this aspect. In this initial column I would like to define some primary themes to keep in mind.

Collectively, this is an aspect that can bring sudden, unexpected changes to social and political institutions. We may feel confronted and overwhelmed by demands of our time and resources that we don’t seem to have any control over. It could feel like waiting for the other shoe to drop knowing that our opponent is an octopus who has lots and lots of feet. Time honored values, behaviors and priorities are being called into question in ways that could feel extreme and the outcome of which is uncertain.

In general, at the individual level, we should respond to the demands of this time by being open and willing to change. As noted in previous columns, this is a time when we have creativity and the drive and confidence to accommodate these changes in ways that are honest, real and self-affirming. With the abundance of planets in Aries this spring, now is a good time to do something new and inspiring. With Pluto’s involvement, we need to engage in deep, introspective questioning of everything that we have or are doing, including people with whom we are interacting.

If we respond to this transit with attachment to the old and dogmatic resistance to change we may be confronted by betrayal, restrictions to our personal freedom or expression of our uniqueness and inspiration. We may feel overwhelmed by feelings of vulnerability that seemingly immobilize us. But if we rely on our own individual inventiveness to solve the problems that come up, if we are willing to look outside the box and experiment with different solutions and possibilities this could be a period that proves even more amazing and exciting than the mid-60s. The revolution that began then can come back and make major strides in changing the world and the consciousness of its people in ways that bring lasting benefit to life on earth economically, sociologically and politically. The potential consciousness changes are limitless and with some collective good karma we can create a world based on equality for people and a healthy environment for all living creatures.

Aries: Two prime influences affecting you this month. One could bring confusion that could lead to inappropriate expressions of anger or the appearance of narcissism. The other is a drive to express yourself freely, openly and inspirationally. This is a volatile combination. Growth comes from spending some private, contemplation time to ensure that your creativity is met by conscious thought and conscientious behavior.

Taurus: Be careful about being too open to others, especially those who are having a hard time. Make sure that you aren’t helping others to the extent that you wind up suffering. Late month brings more deliberate and stable energy. Spend early and mid month engaging in creative or spiritual pursuits and focus on your social life after that.

Gemini: Pushed, pulled and prodded could be your mantra for the month. Early month offers the energy of creativity and confidence. But from mid to late month you may feel confronted by financial difficulties, romantic challenges and even unexpected changes or challenges with friends and colleagues. Growth for you comes from dealing with these challenges in a deliberate, conscious manner that allows for concrete and practical solutions to the issues.

Cancer: A new Moon solar eclipse on the 1^st can bring unexpected changes that are mirrored by challenges affecting the masses. Stay out of the martyr or savior space.
Avoid trying to solve other people’s problems. Instead, use the time around that event to be alone in either quiet contemplation or creative expression. Volunteer service within a clearly defined framework is also a good way to use the energy at that time.

Leo: Early to mid-month brings energy of stability and social connectivity. Challenges could appear from mid to late month in the form of health problems, confrontation or betrayal in your work or difficulties showing up when traveling or in school. Growth for you this month can come from relying on intuition and emotions to respond effectively to this issues.

Virgo: A push-pull between personal and professional life issues could surface this month. You may also notice that your head is telling you one thing, your emotions something else about what the problems are or what to do about them. The way out is to seek the balance between the inner and the outer, logic versus emotion and the practical relative to the adventurous.

Libra: This is a good time for communication of any kind. Sharing small talk with a friend or associate, writing either creatively or journaling and making new contacts are furthered all month. Early to mid-month pay attention to who you are interacting with, as you could be confused or fooled by someone. After that, relationships and the mind become more stable and pragmatic.

Scorpio: Challenges come in late month for you. Situations or people could confront you in ways that require the willingness to change your mind and behaviors in certain areas. A possible unexpected windfall either financially or in terms of an intimate relationship could surface at that time.

Sagittarius: The full Moon in Sagittarius on the 15^th brings emotional self awareness as well as the tendency to be open with others about how you feel about them as well as what you need in the relationship. This is a good time to verbalize your feelings as a way of taking care of your inner being.

Capricorn: If you have put projects on hold for the last few months, now is the time to start taking steps to realize the goals you established last year. These could pertain to personal relationship or career or perhaps to a new way of balancing the personal with the professional aspects of your life.

Aquarius: This is a good time to verbalize things you have been contemplating for the past few months. Writing or speaking doesn’t matter, just share the information. A lot of what you know may seem confusing or unintelligible to others. Growth comes from learning how to express arcane information in practical, everyday terms in order to help others learn what you already know.

Pisces: This could be a time of grounded stability for you. Spontaneous contacts should be harmonious and comfortable for all. You may even feel clarity and self-confidence simply by showing up and being yourself in all social situations. Growth for you comes from balancing your alone time with social activity. That balance is the key to creating and maintaining healthy, fulfilling relationships.

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 downtown 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