Wheel of Light Astrology by Rio Olesky - November 2018
One way we can notice the passage of time is through the planets changing sign. Since each planet revolves around the Sun at different rates, we can note shifts in everyday experiences as different planets transit from one sign to the next. For example, the Moon changes signs every 2-3 days. The Moon pertains to our emotional experiences in the moment. Neptune, on the other hand, changes signs every 14 years. Neptune is oriented toward shifts in the collective psyche that helps us with psychological clarity and spiritual growth. This month Jupiter will transit from Scorpio, where it’s been since October 2007 into Sagittarius, where it will remain until December 2019. Jupiter is the ruling planet of Sagittarius, so Jupiter will be home for the next 13 months.
Jupiter represents the principal of expansion. This could be attitudinal, bringing optimism, enthusiasm and joy into our lives. It could also be in terms of consciousness which can involve anything from advanced academic education to travel to philosophical, metaphysical or theological understanding. Since Sagittarius focuses on similar issues, this transit should help us all to be more open minded, curious and willing to discuss and debate big picture concepts, theories and thoughts. This is a change from the way in which Jupiter has been expressing itself while in Scorpio.
Sagittarius is a fire sign. It is adventurous, confident and independent. It focuses on big picture concepts that help to expand our understanding of life. Scorpio, however, is a water sign and as such is tends to be more sensitive, private and security-oriented. One of the few qualities that these two signs share is a love of the truth. For the past year we have collectively focused on discovering what has been hidden from public awareness by some of our political leaders. Whether these are sexual scandals, collusion with foreign countries or research into where a person’s wealth comes from Jupiter in Scorpio has brought out information that would have been otherwise hidden. This also includes conspiracy theories, weather valid or not, as well as bringing out into the open underlying themes of misogyny and white supremacy that have always been part of our cultural ethos but somehow don’t get called out much. Now they have. Jupiter in Scorpio also has helped us to focus on our personal connection to the Oneness. We have had the opportunity to research the nature of life and our place in the universal scheme of things.
Like anybody else, Jupiter at home in Sagittarius should have significant impact on our lives, both personal and collective. Collectively we might focus more on the philosophical values with which our country was founded and which many of us believe pertains to such qualities as equality, diversity and personal freedom. If those are truly the guideposts of our society, we need a collective discussion about how to bring those principals into existence throughout the country. The tribalism and philosophical differences that are breaking this country apart along gender, racial, economic and ethnic lines are contrary to both the founding principals of The Constitution as well as to a healthy democracy. Hopefully these issues will surface in a national discussion. In the same vein, perhaps someone will show up on the national scene who is a statesman philosopher who sees the big picture and wants the wealth and opportunity of this country to be accessed by all.
On the personal level, the transit of Jupiter through Sagittarius can also be impactful. With its orientation to philosophy, we can become clearer in defining what our beliefs and values are. With its orientation to big picture thinking, we can realize that we all have a lot more in common than we do differences. All human beings are seeking the same things. It would be nice if we were all able to see our brothers and sisters striving for the same things, instead of denigrating people based on nothing more than skin color or economic background. Jupiter and Sagittarius are generous, both in terms of acceptance as well as in terms of giving. These are influences that also tend to give others the benefit of the doubt although sometimes that can take the form of being overly idealistic in terms of both what we can accomplish as well as our expectations of others. Discernment about who really deserves a break and who doesn’t can make the difference between using this transit wisely and effectively as opposed to unwisely and sloppily.
This transit could also impel us to travel more. That could be either literally going to new places or to simply be more open to learn about others’ cultures, mores and ways of life. As a result of the technological revolution, the world is shrinking. Bringing differences into the light for appreciation and understanding is a better option for each of us than to judge, vilify and reject those whose lives and values are different from our own. Jupiter in Sagittarius could also bring a period of positive international relationships.