Welcome to Pluto in Capricorn, where structures of every denomination—personal and collective as well as physical and psychic—are unmasked to reveal the bare bones of what lies behind or beneath; where wrathful deities, dressed in primary colors, challenge corruption as they simultaneously encourage authenticity; where government officials, financial institutions, and just about every other prototype of authority seem to crumble from the weight of meaningless modus operandi. It’s no wonder lots of people just want to stay in bed—it’s exhausting keeping up, let alone bearing witness to the non-stop shocking disclosures. What’s more, these bombshells strike at the core of personal survival issues and that translates into continuous tension that is stressful and wearying for the heart. 

After all, if an elected crime fighter can’t hold a moral center, how is a “normal” human expected to navigate the temptation to lie and cheat? And if “reputable” financial institutions can fool the pundits, advisors, and experts, how is an average citizen expected to feel safe and secure about the future? For a pessimist, Pluto in Capricorn is a perfect Henny-Penny moment: the sky is falling, and who knows what piece is going to crash to Earth next. But like a true optimist, I’m always wondering, “Where’s the pony?” Surely all this angst must have a purpose. And perhaps that purpose might be for each of us to find or refine the integrity of our individual internal moral and ethical foundation, and then to act in the world on the basis of that clarity and strength.

Fortunately, the on-going Jupiter/Uranus sextile lends support for standing certain situations on their heads and figuring out a different way to approach persistent problems. This sextile desires the type of knowledge that supports a philosophical perspective. It also supplies the ability to stay present as you simultaneously assess future consequences. But it’s important to keep in mind that Uranus is always stirring what’s stagnant, which means relationships of every kind could get rattled where rattling is least expected.  Currently, Venus and Mercury are both conjunct Uranus and trine Jupiter, a multiple alliance that packs this entire bundle with creative inspiration, a devotion to beauty, and a ton of ideas. And while the influence of this configuration can be seen as a tendency toward rash decisions based on declarations of undying affection and allegiance, romantic, political, or professional, this bundle could just as easily stir innovative thinking capable of bypassing the same-old-same-old, and instead spark a truly revolutionary approach. Something we could use right now to enliven our ability to find creative solutions.

As the week unfolds, despite the intensity of the Pluto in Capricorn signature, do your best to be an optimist. Remember, while it may not always appear to be obvious, each of us co-creates our own reality—a process best started with an attitude capable of propelling us into positive motion.