Wheel of Light Astrology by Rio Olesky - January 2019

With four planets in fire signs this month, the year should get off to a dynamic and creative beginning. This will be helpful as we face what eventually could become a dual themed year. These patterns are illuminated by Jupiter in Sagittarius, one of the signs it rules, and Saturn in Capricorn one of the signs it rules. Planets represent energies and the signs they reside in indicate the way in which the energies will be expressed. When a planet is in its own sign the energy is expressed in a pure way that enables us greater access to working with them in ways that are most productive. Yet Jupiter and Saturn represent completely different influences. Jupiter is expansive, Saturn contractive. Jupiter is philosophical, Saturn practical. Jupiter is joyful, Saturn is serious. Jupiter is progressive, Saturn conservative. When planets are in their home signs (the term for this is “dignity”) the archetypal nature of the planet/sign combination is revealed and primed for expression.

Jupiter will be in Sagittarius until December. These are “big picture” forces and tend to focus on theories and concepts. One point of awareness of this orientation is the future, hence they are also associated with prophecy. This could be a spiritual prophecy or one that is politically based, such as who is going to be the next President. Right now, however, any discussion about the future must include the one issue that unites all human beings, — because it affect everybody one way or the other — the quality of the physical environment. If we simply focus on the present, or only look a couple of years ahead, we might not perceive or believe the disaster that the vast majority of the world’s scientific studies have predicted. One reason why this transit can be so impactful is that Jupiter and Sagittarius are very open-minded and truth oriented. It also can be very academic, thus more likely to embrace the predictions that the scientists have been making. The exciting and creative response to this threat is twofold.

First are the ways that average citizens around the world change their habits so that the quality of the environment is a high priority. The concept of going through life leaving a light footprint is a challenge that we all have to accept as part of our job and our life at this time. Second, Jupiter and Sagittarius can be oriented toward travel. We could assume that due to the positivity and breadth of the Sagittarian perspective, that the nations of the world will unite to solve this dilemma in a true spirit of oneness. By extension, this could mobilize the scientists to invent new forms of industry and technology that creates new jobs that are focused on healing the environment. The financial as well as environmental benefits would be significant.

Any nation not responding in this way will be seen as short sighted and greedy, only looking out for the best interests of certain industries, and their leaders, rather than what’s in the greater interest of the world. Such a nation would immediately lose standing in the court of international opinion and would be challenged for choosing greed over ethical behavior. One thing that Jupiter and Sagittarius prioritize is principle.

Saturn represents personal responsibility. Saturn in Capricorn prioritizes practicality and achievement. In December, Saturn will conjoin Pluto, also in Capricorn. This conjunction will remain through 2019 - 2020 and is one of the most profound transits we can experience. We will be discussing this combination in this space periodically throughout the year. In terms of personal responsibility, Saturn adds the concept of accountability to the Jupiter orientation to ethics. Saturn is methodical, cautious and deliberate. This is a transit that requires that we show up and own up to what we are doing and why. In an individual life or in the life of a democratic country transparency is important. Politically, it determines whether we have a nation of the people, by the people and for the people or whether our government exists primarily as a tool to generate profit. Personally, our degree of accountability will enable others to determine how much they can trust us to do right thing in ways that benefit others. Otherwise, we could be seen as so self-focused that others choose to look elsewhere personal or business connections.

The combination of these planets being in these signs for all or most of the year provides each of us with the potential to take our thoughts, feelings and actions seriously. What are we doing, why are we doing it and how do we propose to get it done? Are our decisions made for personal gain only? Or, are our decisions made for everyone except us? I think everyone knows what the right thing to do is. Perhaps this year we will collectively move in that direction, rather than seeking the easy way when confronted with challenging choices.

Aries: Mars, your ruling planet, will be in Aries for the next 6 weeks. The good news is your physical energy, initiative and assertiveness will be quite strong. This is s great way to start the year, with plans for new projects and the will to manifest them. The challenge, however, is to be patient with the process. Frustration and impulsiveness can lead to rash actions and mistakes. Growth comes from learning to balance desire with persistence.

Taurus: This is a month to take advantage of new opportunities. Some of these may be the result of your hard work and planning in the past. Some of it may just show up unexpectedly. In either case, your confidence should be high and your physical energy and confidence strong. Growth can come from sharing your bounty with others, whether that is in a material form or simply from feeling and expressing joy,

Gemini: The year begins with joyful optimism for you. Most of this month, however, will be taken up with making plans for the New Year. This is a good time to think strategically, lining up your resources in order to be productive throughout the year. Don’t be afraid to change plans, perhaps even radically, if your initial analysis of a situation proves incorrect. Focus on the big picture and long range plans.

Cancer: The New Moon in Capricorn on the 5th puts emphasis on accountability and personal authority. The more responsible you are the more empowered you will feel. The Full Moon in Leo on the 21st will be a lunar eclipse. This is a good time to focus inward, striving for both emotional self-awareness as well as clarity about how to express your feelings to others.

Leo: Early month brings focus on issues relating to work and health. This is a good time to be productive and dutiful. From mid-month the focus could shift to personal relationship. Growth can come from letting your partner know how you feel and what your emotional needs are even as you relate in ways that are accepting, friendly and inclusive of your partner’s plans and needs.

Virgo: Creative and playful energies are strong for you to start the year. Focusing on children, your investment portfolio and recreational activity will bring rewards both now and in the future. Growth for you can come from setting aside tendencies to be self-effacing or modest so that you can fully embrace the potential for expressing yourself as well as receiving attention from others.

Libra: The social and creative aspects of your life are highlighted this month. This is a good time to expand your social circle, or to at least be engaged in a variety of new situations and experiences. Your artistic nature can find outlets through writing or story telling. Your sense of humor is strong, as is your self-confidence, so don’t be afraid to be self-affirming in your activities this month.

Scorpio: This month your mind should be quite active. This could manifest as either analytical clarity or intuitive insights. Share your ideas in creative ways. This is a good time for you to be more direct and present than you may tend to be at other times. Growth can come from being clear about who you want to share with, why and how.

Sagittarius: Lots of good energies for you all month. Feeling positive about your future, being enthusiastic in your daily activities and confident in yourself are all strong. The challenge, however, comes from not getting carried away with excess optimism or dealing so idealistically with others that you wind up feeling frustrated, disappointed and drained.

Capricorn: The year begins with the potential to be a productive one for you. Take advantage of this energy because it can bring both confidence as well as creativity to the planning and implementation of your goals. Growth can come from developing self-discipline that can prevent you from becoming too authoritarian or controlling of other people or external situations.

Aquarius: This is a good time to move forward with projects that you have been planning for several months. Communication and networking are strong allies for you to work with. Growth can come from integrating intuitive insights with analytical understanding as you implement plans and goals this month.

Pisces: This year could bring professional opportunities that lead to success and prosperity. In order to fully take advantage of them, however, two things need to be in place. One is the confidence that you have earned the opportunities. Second is making sure that what you are offered is viable and not just a figment of someone else’s imagination. If something seems to good to be true it probably is.