Coping with Unexpected Change

Change can be hard to deal with, especially unexpected change. We're living in times of massive layoffs, political turmoil, and news cycles that will show what's the most traumatizing bits of information anytime you open a social media app or email. Change is constant, but some change can affect us on such a deep level that it can be hard to cope with. This is especially hard during times of loss, may it be loss of a job, a loved one, or any other sense of stability in our life, but instead of simply pointing out what's wrong with the world, let's talk about ways to cope with that loss.

Welcome to Exploring Esoterica, the podcast where I usually break down different esoteric practices and shed lights on the history and truth behind them. However, in this episode, I wanna do something different. I wanna bridge that esoteric knowledge that I've been studying and how that is showing up in the real world. I just wrapped up my introductory level on astrology, so I want to explore this notion of unexpected change in an esoteric and astrological sense.

[01:01] Uranus in Gemini

In previous episodes, I explored the traditional framework of astrology, however, that only included the five visible planets along with the sun and the moon. In 1781, the planet Uranus was discovered. This was after the telescope was invented about a century earlier, but this was the first official planet that was discovered with a telescope. It shifted not only our understanding of the universe at the time, but also the framework of astrology. And as more planets and cosmic bodies were discovered, the foundational knowledge of astrology continue to expand as well. I'll do a proper episode on modern versus traditional astrology later on, but the discovery of Uranus marked an unexpected shift in traditional knowledge.

In astrology, Uranus is the planet of unconventional and eccentric behavior, sudden changes and unexpected events, and the tools that facilitate in these rapid changes such as electricity and new technology. When Uranus is making a transit in a chart, it can spark some kind of sudden change. I like to relay the planets Neptune, Uranus, and Pluto in relation to Saturn.

Saturn represents the boundaries in which we live. It symbolizes the known knowledge and traditions within the systems we live in. However, the three outer planets, again, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, allow us to shift beyond these boundaries. Uranus, in particular, can cause major disruptions within societal structures as well as personal ideals.

The sign of Gemini is all about communication and sharing knowledge with one another, mostly in a very swift manner. This has a strong correlation to how we communicate with each other and the tools that facilitate that. So for example, cell phones, instant messaging and social media. Uranus entered the sign of Gemini at the beginning of July. Astrologers have been tracking what changes will happen in terms of technology and the systems that allow us to communicate with one another. What will be disrupted and what will emerge as something new. And while, sure, this can be seen as something exciting. Many times we witness something shocking and challenging.

It's like a lightning bolt. A sudden change could spark and have a scrambling for answers and what to do next. We've already been witnessing the rapid changes with AI that has been helping and harming the way we relate to one another and get work done. And that's something I wanna touch on from a personal perspective as well.

[03:22] My Experience and Philosophy

Now, speaking candidly, I'm not someone that uses the internet as my personal diary. This is why I don't really share too many personal details about myself, but I do see the value in sharing personal experiences because it makes us realize we're not alone in the world. So much of our capitalistic culture in America is based on competition with each other, to the point in which most of us are forced to wear a mask as if we're okay every day. That just keeps the status quo, and it's the furthest from the truth as we continue to see massive changes in this country that have left people broke and desperate.

Now, in my personal astrological chart, Gemini rules my second house of money and finances. Last month was a stressful month because of the sudden changes to my finances. It fundamentally shifted what I thought was safe and secure, only to realize that nothing is really guaranteed. Cue in the existential crisis I went through and that I'm only just barely coming out of.

There are some deep fundamental issues in our capitalistic economic structure of which I will do a later episode on. I remember during the pandemic there was this movement called the Great Resignation in which workers quit their jobs for better pay and working conditions. It was a moment of empowerment for the every man, especially during this time in which labor laws are changing for the worst, federal minimum wage is nowhere livable, and labor unions are barely a thing now. But now I'm seeing posts online about how the pendulum has swung the other way. Many people are holding onto their jobs for dear life. Times are so uncertain and people are drowning in fear and anxiety. We know the system isn't working. It hasn't been for a while. But the idea of making a fundamental change is enough to scare people into keeping the status quo.

I'm not saying that any of this is easy. I'm dealing with my own emotional turmoil from this unexpected change. But one thing I've learned that is very helpful, actually, two things, is: number one, leaning into our sense of community is important, and number two, not letting our personal identity be wrapped up in the capitalistic systems that we are forced to live in.

[05:27] Lean Into Community

One thing we must do in order to survive the horrific and tumultuous times we're in is being there for one another. I've been able to talk to friends about my issues and find other resources that help me realize I'm not alone. It's so helpful to have friends who remind you to take care of yourself and heal instead of being told to ignore your emotions and get back on the hamster wheel. Self-care and emotional healing is something that is diminished in our culture, but it's very important for everyone's wellbeing. Being able to acknowledge how I feel and express that in a safe way and safe environment has allowed me to be somewhat functional again.

Now, while family and friends are great support, they are not always the most helpful when trying to process a crisis. That's where traditional therapy and counseling comes in. Again, mental health services are something that is also undervalued in our society. I'll explain why that is in a second. But the job of a mental health professional is not only to help you process your emotions, but also give you tools that will help you regulate them.

Some people are afraid of their emotions and therefore afraid of working through trauma or related crises because they don't know how to handle those extreme emotions when they come up. Our society doesn't teach you how to work with anger, for example, beyond pushing it aside so that you can continue to do your work. That's not really helpful, and it can lead to feelings of deep resentments and powerlessness.

Like I said, a counselor can help you with this as well as other mental health resources like books, videos, and podcasts. But there is another component that can exacerbate our feelings in terms, especially of a financial crisis. And that thing is capitalism. Yes, I'm about to talk about it.

[07:05] Capitalism is not your identity

One thing capitalism tries to tell you is that your problems are all on you to solve. We're all in competition with each other, mostly for financial gain, and if you're not able to keep up with those daily demands, then it's all your fault and you need to figure out how to conform and participate. Now, all of this is a lie. It's meant to keep us separate and divide us, while those who benefit, think you're rich celebrities and politicians, are able to live in their comfort and prestige. But it's the idea of the community that helps us to succeed, not solely financial gain. It's our relationships we need to lean on when we're feeling anxious and uncertain, not our jobs that have us feeling unheard, exploited, and having to compromise our morals and wellbeing for a paycheck.

Now there is change happening. There are activist groups that are challenging the laws that are in place more so to push an agenda and disenfranchise us instead of keeping us safe and empowered. There are people and groups raising awareness alongside solutions that have been put in place. The thing to remember, and this is something I'm having to remind myself, is that change is happening. People are making noise and doing something about it. It may not get the airtime it deserves in the news cycles. It may not be shared and talked about on social media as much as it needs to be. And let's face it, most people on socials and in the news are more invested in talking about what's going wrong and focusing on the negative outcomes than solutions that are being explored and enacted.

I am signed up to a few newsletters, to a few organizations that are trying to do good for their community and the nation as a whole. It's been a source of inspiration when the world has been feeling bleak. I'll talk more about it in later episodes, but it's important to remember three things.

Number one, the system is set up against us. This is something that I believe most people know, but don't know how to reconcile with. It's inevitable that some people will be struggling. You can do all that conventional wisdom tells you to do, and still be laid off, a natural disaster can happen that could destroy your sense of stability, and yet, there are barely any resources to help us through these losses. Unemployment insurance can feel like a joke, and insurance companies as a whole can feel like scamming that's done on a systemic level.

Therefore, number two, your identity does not have to be wrapped up in the system. Life is so much more than clocking in at a nine to five, living paycheck to paycheck, and living off the scraps from that paycheck once the bills are paid. Some people thrive in hostile culture, but for others, that's just more stress.

Two ways to separate your identity from the mindset of capitalism is, number one, not getting caught up in over consumption. We're being sold things every day. Really ask yourself, what is the value this thing is gonna give me? And number two, not letting your paycheck and bank account determine your worth as a person. That is very hard because capitalism tells you your worth depends on how much money you can roll in. That's not true. This is a topic that's worth its own episode, but just remember those two things.

But overall number three, change is happening. Again, this could be hard to believe if all you're consuming is the negativity pushed out by news articles and blogs and doom scrolling on social media. There are organizations trying to help those struggling as well as uphold the accountability of those in power.

Systemic change doesn't happen overnight or by one person, but until the revolution actually happens, we need to do what we can in order to make us and those we care for feel safe, sane, and supported.

Now if you've made it this far, thank you so much for listening to this episode. If you would like to support me, you can go to my website to buy my books or make a donation. You can also join my monthly newsletter so you can stay updated on what's going on in my life and my content. But with all that said, thank you so much for listening, and I'll see you in the next one.