I was listening to NPR the other evening and an indigenous man made a statement that really struck me. He said, “For the first time in my memory, it seems the world is covered by the same blanket.”
Early last fall when I began talking to my astrology clients about the beginning of 2020, I had no idea what might be in front of us. I knew when Saturn (the great teacher) and Pluto (the transformer) joined up in Capricorn (the patriarchy, government, economy), the world would likely be hit by something profound. Since, we have experienced much of Capricorn’s shadow over the past several years, I assumed that it would be heavy, politically charged and something that might affect the entire globe. I initially assumed it would be a war of some kind or domestic terrorism. A worldwide pandemic was not on my radar, yet here we are in the middle of an international event that has shaken each of us.
I was listening to NPR the other evening and an indigenous man made a statement that really struck me. He said, “For the first time in my memory, it seems the world is covered by the same blanket.” I like that, and even though I don’t like what has happened, somehow it provides a little comfort to know we are all experiencing something similar.
Many of my clients have experienced increased anxiety and depression during this period of time and I, too, have felt the heaviness and weight of the unknown - especially upon waking in the morning. This is definitely the time to take care of ourselves and our families. Children are especially vulnerable during this time and it is important to watch for signs of increased emotional distress. Of course this looks different in each of us, but particularly with our children early signs of depression might manifest as complaints of feeling tired and sleepy, increased sleep, loss of interest in things they used to enjoy, and emotional volatility such as intense expressions of anger or tearfulness.
If you are seeing any of these symptoms in your child, try to take a step back and not react impulsively. Talk with a friend, family member or maybe your child’s teacher in order to strategize a plan to help your child manage this disruption in their life. Maybe it is time for increased physical affection. A hug can do wonders. Get out in the sunshine, go for a walk, play a game of basketball, or maybe a video call to a friend or family member will help. Try keeping to a schedule. Having nutritious meals at the same time every day, as well as going to bed and waking on schedule will provide a sense of structure and predictability. The most important thing though is to reassure your child that this is temporary, and eventually life will feel more normal. Children need to know that they are going to be okay, that their families are going to be okay, and that they are loved.
Actually we all need these things, so don’t forget about yourself during this time. One thing I have learned during my sixty-five years is that hard times come and go. Just like the planets, life is not static, we all move through and evolve. Our world will likely look very different a year from now. May this time produce more compassion, increased resiliency, and an abundance of grace extended to those who suffer. Blessings to you and those you love.