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Like many of millions of others I watched Brene Brown's latest Netflix special and was reminded by not only her brilliance in the shadow but the magic of vulnerability. Also, perhaps we can agree she is one of the most quotable people of all time??
Archetypally this is the domain of Pluto and Scorpio...the shadow and world of the hidden, often enveloped in shame. Like all planets and archetypes Pluto has a healthy and detrimental expression. In its shadow form I stay stuck in the drama of life and my secrets wear on me as I manipulate to hide the truth or my fear. In Pluto's more positive expression, I am constantly reborn through my vulnerability and have a reverence for the divine erotic energy I embody. Pluto is desire itself, pulling us toward something for our benefit and often detriment--to serve our evolution. Pluto doesn't just ask for attention like other planets in transit...it demands it. It wants you to get the deep lessons and has no patience for superficiality. Pluto yearns for depth, darkness, and divinity.
In honor of Pluto Retrograde, here is a list of my favorite Brene Brown quotes, a woman with a Scorpio Sun and Pluto conjunct Uranus (brings awareness to) and opposite Ceres (nurtures) and Chiron (heals).
Shadow:
“Numb the dark and you numb the light.”
“Only when we’re brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.”
"The dark does not destroy the light; it defines it. It’s our fear of the dark that casts our joy into the shadows. "
“DIG deep–get deliberate, inspired, and going.”
Vulnerability
“Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path.”
“I define vulnerability as uncertainty, risk and emotional exposure. With that definition in mind, let’s think about love. Waking up every day and loving someone who may or may not love us back, whose safety we can’t ensure, who may stay in our lives or may leave without a moment’s notice, who may be loyal to the day they die or betray us tomorrow—that’s vulnerability.”
“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change.”
“There is no intimacy without vulnerability. Yet another powerful example of vulnerability as courage.”
Shame
"Shame needs three things to grow exponentially in our lives: secrecy, silence, and judgment."
“Nothing silences us more effectively than shame.”
“Shame is the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing we are flawed and therefore unworthy of acceptance and belonging.”
“Shame derives its power from being unspeakable.”