Pluto

Key words: permanent change, transformation, destruction, death, rebirth, purge, cleansing, Lord of the Underworld, authority, regeneration, renewal, uncovered treasure, revelation of secrets

Meaning

A transformation that is purgatorial in style. It’s possible to tense at the thought of Pluto the Lord of the Underworld. He demands that you are stripped of all your frippery and that you descend into underground, where you undergo a blunt metamorphosis, usually associated with a loss of innocence or naivety. The good news is, you emerge from the caverns but you are changed, profoundly and deeply, ready continue your journey again hopefully a little wiser. Pluto wants you to become the individual who brings about change, streetwise, he wants you to grow up and if you do this, you can reap rewards. The “descent” can be deep, and take you deeper than before – leading to obsession, as once you realise the significance of the journey, you may want to go further to discover more. Obsession and addiction are two potential manifestations.

I sometimes think Pluto considers everyone else a hoarder and with an often violent or sudden action, definitely with an authority you cannot argue with, Pluto hurls your existence and everything you were used to into a skip. After this potentially jarring purge, we can be in a state of momentary limbo. The question then becomes, what am I? What do I become? Then the regeneration and renewal begins.

Associations with Pluto are the underground, both in a literal and metaphysical sense. Mining, oil, buried treasure, death, burial and descent. Criminality, taboo, comedy, things that society wish they could remain blissfully ignorant of.   Pluto is one of the planets associated with death or some kind of permanent change which has come about through the stripping away/purging of the situation. Some astrologers connect Pluto to karmic debt carried over from a previous existence. Something everyone seems to agree on is that the transformation is often blunt in method and profound in effect, but this can enable you to reach your goals, and gain rewards.

Pluto is a transpersonal planet, which means it has an influence on generations due to it's slow moving nature. It affects the attitude of the times, the collective conscious and subconscious. Despite this, I have found that Pluto can have a deeply personal influence in life especially when entering a new Zodiac sign or making a tight aspect in your chart. Taking anywhere between 12 and 30 years to transit a zodiac sign, the effect allows for broad themes to develop overtime.

Pluto in aspects and transits

When Pluto makes an aspect to an object, it will do so very slowly. I like to allow a 1 degree orb, since it takes Pluto anywhere between 18 months and just over 4 and a half years to move a degree, depending on where it is.   

Transit Pluto aspects an Object in your chart

This aspect of your life is undergoing a metamorphosis. It is being pulled apart, there will be losses, there will be the opportunity to embrace this experience and take an active part in your change. 

Transit Object aspects Pluto in your chart

This object becomes capable of going deeper, it becomes capable of making the changes necessary to full express itself. It’s an excellent moment to focus on the character of the object being affected. How can you be the individual who uses this moment to remove what you don’t need, stare darkness in the face and pursue your goals?