We do not lack the genius, the creative ability, the passion or the desire to bring about a more just and equitable world. We do not lack the shoulders of giants to stand on; blueprints of what worked and why, or what failed and when; or teachers who are willing to pass on the wisdom they have developed. We are not lacking facts and data about how grossly incompetent and violent the systems we live in are. We do not lack real-time images of unimaginable devastation. We have all the proof we need that the world is ready for a reset.
Social media is a phenomenal tool that spreads words and images at lightning speed. It gets us to the marches and rallies on time, shifts narratives and power away from the big media conglomerates seemingly overnight, and brings awareness to situations that would otherwise remain hidden.
In doing so, we are changing the culture in ways we have never seen before – to a certain extent.
But long-lasting, effective change takes time, work, effort, building bridges, and the ability to withstand losses, endure moments of immense discomfort, and process our share of grief. Things the internet can’t teach – and in some cases weaken. Because algorithms tailor our feeds to our desires, we’re trained to treat anything we don’t like as disposable, swipeable, and untrackable. This includes each other. It cultivates the belief that perfection is possible, that the world (and therefore our movements and the people who compose them) should be as we imagine, as if we could live a life as delusional as face filters.
Life is so much messier than that.
For all its gifts, social media has also imposed the curse of confirmation bias on us. The expectation that life should be as perfect as a beautifully crafted post, slogan or viral soundbite. When conflict arises, our phones beckon us to numb into a dopamine rush, leaving our tolerance for discomfort little to none. But the truth is: when life confronts us with our lack of experience or expertise (which it often does), feelings of inferiority are quite natural. Instead of forcing us to struggle with it, our digital creates playgrounds it’s all too easy to give in to righteous indignation. The group sport of insulting strangers over half-read, misunderstood, out-of-context (or actually not-so-important) sentiments on the Internet cruise feeling the terror and humiliation that often accompanies our humanity and growth. But more importantly, it wastes our precious time and energy – a sure way to lose every bigger battle we have to win.
Mars conjunct Pluto in Aquarius
This week, Mars and Pluto meet in Aquarius for the first time in a few centuries and we begin a whole new cycle. Mars is the warrior and Pluto is the deity of the underworld, transformation and power. Together they indicate determination. In Aquarius, that determination is intellectual, technological, and possibly collective: a signature of the ultimate strategist.
Aquarius is a sign that takes its time. It is what we call ‘solid’, which means that its main characteristic is certainty. But this isn’t just a personality trait; it’s because of the rigorous ways in which Aquarius applies its mental energy. Mars in this sign is a duelist with a deep knowledge of the system in which he fights. The battle plan is thorough and different from anyone else’s.
This combination of Mars and Pluto asks us to reconsider who and what we study, how we spend our energy, and whether it will help us achieve our goal. It’s a sign from above that we need to take our intellectual training seriously so that we have a good chance of outwitting the tyrants and bullies, staying one step ahead of their antics (at least) and rejecting answers that are prepackaged and perfect are. Pluto gets dirty, and Mars knows that if you’re marked by struggle, you’ve lived. Together they remind us that lasting change requires us to be challenged and challenged.
The world events happening now are a marker for what will develop and deepen as these two make multiple conjunctions in Aquarius over the next few decades (aka Pluto’s time here). In our personal lives they signal the beginning of a new cycle in the areas of our horoscope in which Aquarius occurs. (To get a better sense of this moment, I highly recommend checking out your Mars in Aquarius and… Pluto in Aquarius horoscopes and listen to your weekly reading in the CHANI app.)
Above all, this astrology asks all of us to begin our training, to expand our understanding of the kind of strategy we need to develop, and to think about what it might mean to be so determined in our mission that obstacles and setbacks only encourage our courage. solve and inspire us to sharpen our skills. Aquarius’ talent is that he perceives what others do not recognize, and in this sign Mars knows how to use that to his advantage. May we follow this example.
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Ram | Taurus | Gemini | Cancer | Leo | Virgo | Scale
Scorpion | Sagittarius | Capricorn | Aquarius | Fishing
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