At one point, it was believed that criticism and shame were effective methods for helping people move past their limitations. Many parents and teachers used these techniques in the belief that they were helping to “motivate” an individual.
We now know the damaging effects that this can have on a child — effects that get carried into adulthood.
Those outer voices turn into inner voices — the voices of the inner critic.
On one hand, they might serve to instill discipline into a person. But that discipline is generally motivated by fear of negative consequences, rather than by a true desire for building something positive.
In addition, too much discipline and structure can lead to rigidity of thinking, keeping us from being open to new ideas or ways of thinking about things.
As Mercury in Gemini forms a square with Saturn in Pisces (June 12 at 6:47 am ET, 19º11’), we are invited to look at the ways in which our inner critic shows up, and the ways in which we might even embrace the inner critic under the false belief that it will motivate us into taking action.
Mercury Square Saturn: Rigid Thinking
Mercury is the planet of communication, thinking, planning, and learning. Saturn is the planet of restriction, limitations, and structure.
Mercury is curious, while Saturn also represents what’s traditional and established.
There are moments when these two planets align in supportive ways, for example, to help us create a plan for how we might communicate more effectively, or how we might embark on a learning project.
Square are not that kind of alignment. Squares are aspects of friction — with the opportunity to build strength by working through the challenge they present.
Saturn represents a wise elder, teacher, or father figure. It’s shadow side can be extremely critical, harping on flaws and deficits.
While our inner Saturn can help us create supportive structures to build great work over time, its shadow side can hamper us with criticism. Saturn is the voice of your inner critic.
You might read this and think,
I like my inner critic. It puts me in my place, points out what needs to be fixed, and helps me get things done.
If that’s the case, know you’re not alone. When we have been conditioned to be motivated by the “stick” of criticism and shame, it’s easy to believe that this is the best way — if not the only way — to get things done.
We come to believe that if we’re not getting results we need to push harder, and work more. It’s hard to believe otherwise when you’re habituated to tactic of motivation by reprimanding.
This very thought patterns is a classic example of Mercury square Saturn.
Saturn is a planet that also speaks to our fears. Fears get alleviated by stability, and its this stability and certainty that Saturn seeks to provide through its structure and criticism. But it’s this same desire for stability that can lead to rigidity in thinking, or adherence to traditional beliefs even after they’ve been proven wrong.
Rigid thinking is often a result of defensiveness and insecurity, borne from a desire to find certainty in something.
The same diligence and discipline that helps you reach your ambitions can quickly turn into narrow-mindedness or pessimism, hindering your growth.
Certain forms of criticism can help us to create better work, but when all we receive is criticism and corrections, all the time, it can stifle our creativity, curiosity, and our best work.
Rigidity is Not Strength
It’s common to mistake rigidity for strength, but in fact rigid is the opposite of strong.
Trees that aren’t exposed to wind as they grow don’t survive. A tree that is too rigid will break apart in a wind storm, or become uprooted.
Architects design tall buildings to have a certain amount of “give” in the wind; if you are on a high enough floor, you’ll feel the building sway. This is necessary to avoid the building falling over in a wind storm.
In the body, injury occurs when our muscles and bones are so rigid that they cannot adapt to being pushed or falling slightly off alignment.
Structures that are too rigid break easily. Strength comes from being adaptable and flexible.
Healing the Wounds of Rigidity
As Mercury squares Saturn, it invites us to revisit the early conditioning we received that led to our inner critics.
When you hear your inner critic start to berate you, connect with your inner child to ask it what kind of nurturing it needs to thrive?
We certainly don’t need to overlook real flaws, or pretend that everything is great when it isn’t. Instead, we can find a new way to engage with ourselves that is supportive and nurturing, to allow for adaptability.
How can you allow some more flexibility in your thoughts and communication, especially with yourself?
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