Planetary Shift

I read somewhere that the planet Pluto is traveling through the zodiac Aquarius after 250 years, from November 19, 2024 to January 19, 2044. Being the farthest planet, it stays in each sign for more than ten years and brings in new ideas, innovation and transformation. The last time Pluto was in Aquarius (1778-1798), we had American and French Revolutions as well as the early stages of Industrial Revolution. Why is this relevant? Aquarius is my sign, and while I don’t believe in astrology enough to base decisions off of it, the additional point of view doesn’t hurt.  The last time Pluto changed signs was in 2008, during the infamous financial crisis, which may explain why there are some “astrology traders” out there. If you can believe in man-made ideas of legal frameworks, financial systems and morality, how is astrology any different?

In less delusional news, I had the privilege of celebrating both Navratri and Diwali amidst suitcases and paperwork, as I shifted residences within the city. It had to be done, I couldn’t see the point of having to walk from the MRT to my home with my eyes glued to the floor while living in one of the safest countries in the world. I don’t think I ever felt so creeped out in India, probably because I grew up and studied in well maintained safe residential areas full of families.

I don’t know why and how such crowds exist, and what the appropriate policy measure is to manage them, but I sure as hell wasn’t going to wait around until something happened for me to extract myself from a fairly seedy neighbourhood. Before you ask me if I’m overreacting, four young men decided against living in Little India due to the crowds. Why did I go there in the first place? Peak rental market, overpowering need to plan fast and plan ahead and maybe some impractical patriotism. Anyway, thanks for all the lovely meals and temple-y fragrances which helped me through a chaotic time of my life, but that chapter is rightfully closed.

Onto my current HDB residence, wow!- now THIS is what I pictured living in Singapore would be like. Living in an estate 1969-build with the classic window/door gate designs. Maybe the influences of early education in a heavily socialist state can explain my love for identical well-organised public housing. Hawker centres, grocery, pharmacy; all at a stone’s throw away. Rain shelter walkways, well-connected bus and MRT stops AND East Coast Park nearby. I was woken up by birds chirping on my first Sunday morning here – is this what happiness feels like? A lot of trial and error through the last week as I try to dry clothes on those steel poles that go outside the window (operating one feels like I am participating in javelin throw) or as I struggle with returning to a gas stove after five years of induction cooking.

October was monumental in so many ways – my career, my living situation, the festivals and celebrations with friends and family. Maybe the apparent position of the stars and planets had nothing to do with it, yet it definitely feels like the end of a phase of life. I can sense that I am “turning the page” (although the Americans didn’t) onto a more settled, stable lifestyle which hopefully involves reducing a few kilos. Did I think about all this while feasting on three different Diwali dinners? Nope. The consequences were felt when I put on a running playlist and was wheezing before the first song ended. So much for transformation.