In a world that's obsessed with presenting a polished facade, embracing our whole selves can be a radical act of rebellion. We’re taught to compartmentalize our emotions, neatly tuck them away, and project an image of perfection. But what if we collectively decide to take off the mask? Could we dismantle the systems that demand conformity? I have some thoughts…
Being your authentic, high-self-worth self is much harder than we realize. From a young age, we were taught that standing out is unsafe. We learned that conformity kept us protected, especially during our formative years, and the need to "fit in" was reinforced brutally in adolescence. Add in subjective grading systems, senior superlatives, and other societal standards, and you’ve got a factory producing “good people.” To maintain this status quo, we wear various masks—thicker for some, depending on how far their truth deviates from their caregivers' or their caregivers' caregivers'.
I’ve come to the conclusion that the thickness and rigidity of these masks depend on how much of our truth we’ve been forced to hide. The more distant our truth, the more poison we inherit from others and unknowingly pass on. This poison shows up as avoiding uncomfortable emotions, giving power to the powerful, going to work when we’re ill, judging others, indulging in addictions (literal and figurative), or gaslighting ourselves with self-improvement methods. All of these are ways we disconnect from our humanity in pursuit of sameness.
What if we practiced radical self-acceptance? There is no amount of self-improvement that can replace self-acceptance. No external validation or achievement can fill the void left by a lack of self-love. Only when we embrace ourselves—flaws and all—can we experience true peace and fulfillment.
And here’s the coolest part: When your self-worth rises, so does everyone else's! By raising your own sense of self, you create space for others to be their full selves too. It makes it easier to accept differences and removes judgment from those who don’t conform. Each person’s unique brilliance adds to the collective beauty because your brilliance shines alongside theirs.
I want to be clear—we're not talking about creating space for harmful behavior. This is about you becoming so enriched by your relationship with yourself that you naturally want that abundance for others. You understand that everyone’s journey looks different, and their self-love may manifest differently than your own. When we’re in an emotionally safe community, harm is minimized. When we’re not under attack, we can lay down our offense and defense (because yes, that’s where our inner bitch hides!).
Astrologically, this is the energy of Aquarius. Aquarius placements bring rebellion, originality, innovation, confidence, independence, and collective altruism. Aquarians are “weird” because they think outside the box and aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo. They believe in the potential for things to be better and understand the collective responsibility involved.
We’ve had a lot of planetary action in Aquarius lately, starting with Saturn from 2020-2023. Saturn in Aquarius told the story of COVID—of isolation and unity at the same time. Collectively, we were separated, yet connected through technology, living shared experiences from political discourse to "Tiger King" to wine o’clock. Saturn, the planet of boundaries, also rewrote the rules. People across industries redefined productivity and work-life balance. As someone who has this placement squaring my natal Saturn, I found myself epically fed up with prioritizing career over life, and I left teaching during this timeline.
Now, Pluto has entered Aquarius, and it’s shaking things up again, initiating waves of transformation. We’ve established new boundaries, and now we’re forcing employers and leaders to shift their understanding. Pluto’s energy will continue influencing us until 2044, and the first part of this journey will be guided by Venus, the ruler of love and beauty. What if we use this Aquarian energy to start a revolution, not from a place of anger or fear, but from a place of inner peace? Could we facilitate collective change while feeling grounded and whole?
Pluto first entered Aquarius on March 23, 2023, retrograded back into Capricorn in June, and will finally station direct in Aquarius on November 19, 2024, where it will stay until 2044. This long arc means we’re playing the long game—transforming our lives and the world around us over the next two decades. The first 6 years of this transit are heavily influenced by Venus, helping us shape this new reality through the lens of love and beauty.
Let’s use this energy to put on our own oxygen masks first, knowing that self-care is not selfish but necessary for the collective. By honoring and loving ourselves, we create a ripple effect that uplifts everyone around us. Aquarius fortifies our ability to be both unique individuals and committed members of the collective. History shows that Pluto in Aquarius brings revolution. What if this time, the revolution begins with inner peace?
If you’re curious about what this major cosmic shift means for you, or how these transits are influencing your personal journey, I’d love to be your Astrologer in person or online. Together, we can explore your unique chart and uncover the magic that resides within.
Have the best whole-ass day!
Peace.
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