Pluto in Aquarius: How to heal yourself so you can spend time with your family this Holiday season
This week, Pluto moved into Aquarius for the first time in over 200 years. Pluto is an outer planet that, when we look at it in transit, affects how we view collective transformation for our humanity on Earth. Pluto in Capricorn, where it’s been since 2008, is more about transformation through empowering the individual or small group ideals. When in Aquarius, it represents intentional movement, bringing mindful power to the masses.
When we dial in, this planetary shift will aim to move us away from self-focused toxic masculinity (Capricorn) to embracing the divine feminine for balance and peace in the collective (Aquarius). This shift could not have come at a better time. Aquarius Energy wants to understand the why of a situation before deciding the how. Instead of getting stuck in a repetitive cycle of doing things because “that’s how it has always been done.” Aquarius asks us to take it one step further, examining situations from an intellectual point of view to find beneficial solutions for all.
But, the first step for collective change starts with us as individuals. Focusing on personal healing can create a ripple effect, sending healing energy to situations that empower others to make healthy choices.
Ram Dass famously says, “If you think you’re healed, spend a week with your family.” Ironically, I recently spent several weeks with my family to help my dad while he was going through some health issues. He has had several near-death experiences over the last six years, will make minimal changes after the event, and will walk around touting how the providers call him a “medical miracle.” You can usually find me behind him with steam coming out of my ears, barely containing my rage that we are in the same situation AGAIN. My dad is a 70-year-old man who grew up on a dairy farm in rural Michigan in the 50s and 60s. He spent his formative years in an era that required him to bury his emotions, ignore mental health, and suppress any trauma. This might be why his body is exploding. Our trauma is not our fault, but healing is our responsibility. Continuing to ignore our wounds instead of healing them is precisely why we are where we are as a collective.
However, I decided to apply a different tactic to my caretaking this time. I used all the tools in my toolkit to self-regulate and ensure my emotions were under control before I approached my Dad. Holding space and compassion for someone else can be challenging when you are in a situation that triggers several wounds. This experience wasn’t easy or comfortable for me - I still lost my temper at times when I felt overwhelmed. In those moments, I did my best to focus on my breath, clear my energy, and remind myself that his reactions are his responsibility, and mine are mine.
Because of my Aquarius-coded intentional perspective, I saw many situations where I would have yelled at him for not making the right decisions and badgered him into doing things my way. But this time, I could see that he felt he was losing his autonomy – Capricorn energy. I allowed myself to see things from his perspective compassionately - I thought about all the fears he must have buried inside. I approached him from a place where he could feel my love and concern instead of my fear expressed as anger. I asked him why he continued to make unhealthy choices when he knew it was hurting him, gave him space to process a different viewpoint, and let him decide to break the cycle. I was able to approach him differently because I allowed myself to meet my needs first. Previously, I stopped doing self-care rituals while there and prioritized their needs, which made me feel drained and annoyed with everyone. Now, I care for myself first, ensuring my needs and vibrations are met; only then will I help others.
Are you heading home to spend time with your family and friends over the holiday season? Check out my tips below!
Breathwork is a lifesaver - Try this box-breathing tactic as soon as you feel your energy shift and emotions rise:
Inhale for four seconds, hold for four seconds, exhale for four seconds, and hold for four seconds – repeat at least 4 times
DISCLAIMER: do not do this if pregnant or have other health concerns where you should not hold your breath. Instead, eliminate the holding and create a longer exhale – Inhale for four seconds, exhale for seven seconds – repeat at least 4 times.Clear and protect your energy –
Imagine a white light coming down from above, washing away anything that does not belong to you around your body, and sending the energy that does not belong into the earth.
Open your crown chakra, allowing the white light to come into your body, clearing and releasing any energy that does not belong, flushing any energy that does not belong into the earth. Move to your third eye, throat, heart, solar plexus, and sacral, and finish at your root.
Imagine the white light as a bubble surrounding your entire body at the end of the clearing. The light is bright and powerful. You feel refreshed and rejuvenated in your energy and surrounded by Source energy. Now, ask that the white light shield you for 24 hours; only energy you allow can enter your bubble.
Repeat the steps above if you feel your energy shift throughout the day.
Grounding your energy –
Take a few deep breaths, close your eyes, and imagine a root growing from the base of your spine.
The roots enter the earth, growing and spreading deep into the world.
Inhale, feeling the Earth’s energy rise through the Earth and into your body.
Exhale, sending any energy that does not belong with you into the Earth to be transmuted for the highest good.
Do this exercise for 2-3 minutes until you feel calm and centered.