As Pluto moves out of Capricorn (not to return in our lifetimes), we are consumed with ridding ourselves of the last vestiges of institutions, restrictions, boundaries, restraints, barriers, rules, and authorities that seem to be holding us back–but the operative word here is ‘seem’. That final pass of Pluto through the 29th degree of Capricorn, that began in September and lasted through November 19th, ground down on our last nerve and made us feel that if we didn’t throw off our chains, we’d lose any chance at freedom–forever. That’s Pluto at his most dramatic, threatening oblivion and wipe out, when the real agenda is change–or clear the boards–or even transformation, which can be a butterfly-delicate business. Leaving Capricorn means leaving behind much we’ve come to see as steadying, reliable, safe–we understand these rules, whether we like them or not–and entering Aquarius what we are most likely to sense is approaching chaos–and that can make even the coolest of us panic. Every time you feel that fear of anarchy rising, remind yourself that this lack of constraints is something we’ve silently been wishing for–and that what we’re enjoying now is the opportunity for significant Self-determination, the development of our individuality, originality, and expression unique to us. That’s a great gift, if we can release our fear of the unknown and embrace trust in ourselves, believing we’re able to handle whatever comes.

Mercury moves into apparent retrograde motion at 22 Sagittarius 40 on the 25th, and it may take a few hours (or days) to feel it’s moving backward reliably; it’s almost like the stationary period leading up to the retro has been extra trying, making us question what we know and what we believe, and we may remain in that state until it picks up speed (certainly by the 29th, when Merc pulls out of its quincunx to Uranus). That will remove the sense of unpredictability to what we hear, think about, absorb, or perceive mentally–and in its place the way should open to using the feeling nature in making choices and understanding our surroundings (look at the states of natal Moon, transiting Moon, and natal and transiting Venus, for best ways to read, approach, and handle current events).

Remember, trusting our intuition, those things we ‘know but don’t know’, and the feeling conduit we each have that feeds info directly from nature/ the ether/ our surroundings/ people around us to our bodies is vital to accept without letting our mind take over and question those perceptions. We find this knowledge not just in that flood of ‘knowing’ that can occur; it’s also available through the pit in our stomach, the flutter of our heart, the chill to our bones, or the hair standing on end, just to name a few of our most effective non-mental information mechanisms. During a Merc retro period these sensations must be honored as genuine sources of guidance–anything less just means we will turn to the (just for now) incomplete and unreliable mental assessment of the situation–and for the present that’s what we need to avoid.

One other thing I’d like to point out: Saturn in Pisces isn’t getting much contact from other bodies currently, but it’s the kind of energy we’d do well to take active advantage of. It’s offering ways in which we can take ideas into reality, giving the imagination or the ideals concrete, lasting forms. All you need to do is tap into it through appropriate effort–Saturn rewards work–and once you start it can lend an inspired air to what you build or give form, and pulls in some surprising inspiration and support along the way.

Just a thought, but one I think worth mentioning: consider who you are, what you see yourself as, and then consider how that changes when you remove from your definition all the things you are against. Too often we define ourselves via what we don’t want, like, or support–but that focus on a negative can backfire, drawing it to us, making the thing we hate or reject a stronger part of us than we realize. For instance, if you were a cancer researcher, and suddenly a cure was found that meant no one would suffer this disease again, how would that affect your idea of you? Until then you had seen yourself as a warrior against cancer–but with cancer no longer a danger, who do you become, and what do you do with that energy that was dedicated to eradicating something you’d made central to your life? This issue isn’t always that obvious or dramatic, but still worth addressing, as we can all use as much available energy as possible right now. I would suggest allowing yourself to dwell only on those things you want to be, live like, do, while refusing to dedicate any energy to what you find unacceptable–see if shifting your attention to the positive doesn’t lighten the load, and free up energy in unexpected and refreshing ways.

Have a lovely week, everyone!