Guilt: the gift that keeps on giving. Erma Bombeck
This part of the journey toward being Simply Fit begins with the end. Well, really, it begins with a notebook. So, go get one, now. You’ll need it.
Now we can begin at the end. In this instance, the “end” is the last planet: Pluto. In astrological terms, Pluto symbolizes transformation, rebirth, destruction, and change. It can also, according to some astrologers, represent that which we need to let go of in order to be renewed.
Think of “old baggage” that you have been dragging around with you. (For the purposes of this program, please feel free to consider past lives too, if you so choose. It’s not a requirement, though.) Very likely, you’ve got some shame and guilt stuffed into that baggage. “I shouldn’t have eaten the whole box of cookies; I’m such a loser!” ” Julie stayed late at work to finish up the Jones file, so I should have too. . . . now everyone will think I’m a slacker.” “I can’t believe I said that to my child; now I’ve messed her up for life.”
Shame and guilt pack a powerful one-two punch that can take us down for the count. And with heavy burdens like that, we are not free to be Simply Fit. So let’s look at an astrological explanation and solution for guilt.
The sign that Pluto was in at your birth describes the specifics of the baggage you need to transform. Check the list below to see what sign Pluto was in when you were born:
June 15, 1939 – October 19, 1956 (Leo)
October 20, 1956 – January 15, 1957 (Virgo)
January 16, 1957 – August 19, 1957 (Leo)
August 20, 1957 – April 12, 1958 (Virgo)
April 13, 1958 – June 10, 1958 (Leo)
June 11, 1958 – July 30, 1972 (Virgo)
July 31, 1972 – November 5, 1983 (Libra)
November 6, 1983 – May 18, 1984 (Scorpio)
May 19, 1984 – August 28, 1984 (Libra)
August 29, 1984 – January 17, 1995 (Scorpio)
January 18, 1995 – April 21, 1995 (Sagittarius)
April 22, 1995 – November 10, 1995 (Scorpio
November 11, 1995 – January 26, 2008 (Sagittarius)
Now that you know the sign that Pluto was in at the moment of your birth, you can stare into the abyss, as it were, and uncover the deep, scary things that you might need to transform and release. First, read the explanation for your Pluto placement below.
PLUTO IN LEO KEYWORDS: youthful, spontaneous, powerful, autocratic, self-indulgent, fear of aging, self-respecting, confident, status conscious, pretentious, dramatic
PLUTO IN VIRGO KEYWORDS: efficient, modest, perfectionist, logical, hypochondriac, judgmental, obsessive, service oriented, healthy, practical, critical
PLUTO IN LIBRA KEYWORDS: balanced, refined, compromising, social, charming, indecisive, vacillating, superficial, cooperative, artistic, vain, flattering, fair
PLUTO IN SCORPIO KEYWORDS: insightful, passionate, vindictive, intense, mysterious, secretive, paranoid, powerful, magnetic
PLUTO IN SAGITTARIUS KEYWORDS: optimistic, restless, commitment phobic, inspiring, dogmatic, philosophical, procrastinating, ethical, outspoken
Okay, got your notebook? Then jot down a few of the keywords from your Pluto that resonate with you. For example, I have Pluto in Virgo. So in looking at the Pluto in Virgo Keywords, the ones that jump out at me are efficient, perfectionist, judgmental, healthy, and critical.
Now that you have your keywords, write a few sentences using those words which sum up your “old baggage.” Again, using myself as an example, I might write this:
I feel absolutely horrible when I make a mistake, no matter how big or small, and then I criticize myself harshly. And when I see others make mistakes, I am judgmental and critical of them too.
You might need to take some time to choose your words and write your summary. Maybe you might even want to observe yourself for a couple of days to see what things you notice.
Once you feel comfortable with your summary statement, you can begin to work on your “redemption” and transformation. In many ways, transformation lies in finding balance, or the other side of the coin. For balance, then, I like to look at the sign directly opposite mine. Look at the list below to see the sign and keywords opposite your Pluto placement.
AQUARIUS KEYWORDS TO BALANCE LEO: open-minded, rational, humanistic, reformer, innovative, holistic, unique
PISCES KEYWORDS TO BALANCE VIRGO: forgiveness, compassionate, mystical, imaginative, transcendent, dreamer, serene, spiritual
ARIES KEYWORDS TO BALANCE LIBRA: assertive, courageous, enterprising, initiating, confident, pioneering, energetic, independent
TAURUS KEYWORDS TO BALANCE SCORPIO: grounded, patient, loyal, dependable, creative, practical, earthy, artistic
GEMINI KEYWORDS TO BALANCE SAGITTARIUS: adaptable, versatile, communicative, bright, inquisitive, social, witty
Using your notebook again, write down the balance keywords that catch your eye. In my notebook, keeping my own Pluto in Virgo in mind, I would choose Pisces words such as forgiveness and spiritual. And once again, as you did above, write a summary using your balance words. Here’s mine: When I make mistakes, it’s an opportunity for me to forgive myself and understand the spiritual value of failing and learning and growing; in this way, I can have compassion for myself and others when we make mistakes.
Now the tricky part. . . . It’s one thing to “get it” in theory. It’s another thing entirely to put that theory into practice. So here’s your homework! Keep your notebook with your for the rest of the week. Now that you’ve got both your summary statements, keep track of all the opportunities you have to put your words into action. Use your notebook like a diary to record instances where your Pluto stuff comes up.
Please feel free to share your statements, to ask questions, and to pass along your observations from the week!
aim4wisdom 