On March 23, a significant cosmic event occurs as Pluto embarks on its first astrological journey into a new sign, Aquarius, since 2008.
Due to retrograde periods, Pluto will swerve in and out of Aquarius and will only remain in this constellation until June 11th, 2023. It will then return to Aquarius from January 20th, 2024 until September 1st, 2024, and will later re-enter Aquarius on November 19th, 2024, and stay until March 8th, 2043. Finally, Pluto will return to Aquarius again from September 1st, 2043 to January 19th, 2044, before transiting to Pisces.
Pluto is famously known as the “generation planet,” and its transitions into new signs are extremely rare, happening only once every generation. This transit in Aquarius will be particularly noteworthy, as it will continue for 19 and a half years.
This is an unusually long period of time for a planetary transit, and it means that the transformative energies of Pluto will be at work in the sign of Aquarius for an extended period of time. Pluto last traveled through Aquarius during the 18th century, specifically from 1778 to 1798. This makes this Pluto in Aquarius transit a once in a lifetime experience.
It is the farthest planet in our solar system and is a slow-moving planet that takes approximately 248 years to complete its orbit around the Sun. It takes about 12 to 31 years to pass through each sign, and since Pluto’s orbit is not perfectly circular it can be influenced by the gravitational pull of other planets, therefore the time it spends in each sign can vary slightly.
Pluto is one of the most mysterious and enigmatic planets in astrology, and its placement in a particular sign can have a profound impact on our lives.
It is known as the planet of transformation, mystery, rebirth, regeneration, and intense psychological experiences. and is related to power, intensity, and profound changes that occur over long periods.
Pluto’s energies are intense and can be transformative, destructive, and potent. It brings to light deep-seated issues or secrets that have been hidden, buried, denied, or suppressed, and it can force us to confront difficult truths and traumatic experiences that require healing and released.
Pluto in Aquarius is known for its ruthless honesty, which can be a shock to the system for those who prefer to live in denial. This energy is not afraid to expose the truth, even if it means confronting uncomfortable or taboo topics. This can be especially challenging in a society that often values conformity and group thinking over individual expression and critical thinking.
Pluto in Aquarius dismantles what is begging to evolve, forcing us to rebuild from the ashes. This can manifest as major upheavals in society, such as revolutions, technological advancements, or paradigm shifts in how we relate to ourselves and one another.
It is commonly associated with the darker aspects of the human psyche, including the hidden depths of the unconscious mind. It is often linked with the shadow self and aspects of our personality that are not immediately apparent on the surface. It asks that we face our inner demons and come to terms with aspects of ourselves that we may suppress or dislike.
Pluto represents the process of death and rebirth that we all go through, whether it is literal or metaphorical. This involves the shedding of old patterns and the emergence of new ones, which is a core theme of its energy.
This may be a challenging and painful process as we are faced with our deepest fears, insecurities, repressed desires, and past traumas. However, Pluto’s influence can lead to monumental metamorphosis, tearing down what is begging to evolve, demanding us to let go, and forcing us to rebuild from the ashes, which can also be incredibly liberating and empowering.
On a literal level, this process can also involve the physical death of a person or an organism, followed by a rebirth or renewal of some kind. This can take many forms, such as the death of a loved one leading to a spiritual awakening or the birth of a new life after a near-death experience.
On a metaphorical level, the process of death and rebirth can manifest as a major life transition or transformation. This might include the end of a relationship, the loss of a job, or a major health crisis. Just as the caterpillar must die in order to become a butterfly, we must sometimes let go of the old in order to make way for the new.
This placement of Pluto can also bring grief, crisis, and loss as we release the outdated past. However, these experiences can ultimately lead to a greater sense of purpose and clarity, as we shed what no longer serves us and make way for new growth.
Aquarius is focused on innovation, ideas, communication, intellectual pursuits, humanitarianism, social change, and progress, however being a fixed sign it can sometimes be resistance to change, especially if the change does not align with its values.
Aquarius desires freedom and personal autonomy, and it seeks to create a better world through intellectual and technological advancements. It is highly analytical and rational in nature, with a pull to the scientific and technological fields, and it is known for its creativity and originality, often being at the forefront of new trends and ideas.
The symbol of Aquarius is the water-bearer, which represents the idea of carrying and distributing knowledge and progressive ideas, particularly for humanitarian causes.
Aquarius’ energy is deeply rooted in the values of peace, unity, social justice, and equality, and is commonly known for its desire for harmony and cooperation. However, the influence of Pluto can be quite disruptive and create temporary disharmony, as it has the power to deconstruct anything that is ready to be alchemized into a new form, to pave the way for radical change. Despite the turmoil, this destructive force can be seen as a necessary step in the evolution of society as well as individual growth.
It is important to note that the ruling planet of Aquarius is Uranus, which is notorious for its unpredictable and disruptive nature. It is a planet that is associated with progress, rebellion, unconventional thinking, and freedom and it can bring sudden breakthroughs and unexpected change that disrupt the status quo.
The challenge in this energy in finding a balance between the desire for peace and unity and the need for transformational change. Collectively we must learn to navigate this destabilizing era with a sense of purpose and intention, and work together to create new structures that align with fairness, equality, and harmony for all.
The combination of these energies is potent and transformative, as Aquarius is an innovative and forward-thinking sign that is concerned with progress and change, and Pluto’s transformative energy will amplify these qualities.
Pluto in Aquarius also represents a time of extreme intellectual and technological advancement. We will experience profound changes in our intellectual pursuits and our relationship with technology. We will be forced to confront the deep-seated issues that plague our technological advancements, such as privacy concerns, artificial intelligence, and the role of technology in our lives. This transit could bring about breakthroughs in areas such as renewable energy, space exploration, and medical research.
Pluto in Aquarius also represents a time when we will see the emergence of new social movements that seek to create a fairer world at any cost, therefore we may see a rise in activism and social justice movements.
People will be interested in creating a society that values individual freedom and personal autonomy, and they will take advantage of advancements in technology to create positive and lasting change. However, it can also bring chaos and uncertainty, and a tendency towards extremism.
When Pluto is in Aquarius, it can bring upheaval that leads to a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of all things, and a greater awareness of the impact of human actions on the environment and the world at large.
Overall, the energy of Pluto in Aquarius could lead us to question our beliefs and values, and to seek out new and innovative ways of living and being. This could be a time of profound self-discovery, as we are encouraged to break free from outdated patterns, and societal norms and expectations, and embrace our unique individuality. It suggests that the most profound transformations will occur when we collectively let go of outdated patterns and embrace new, progressive ways of being.
*As with any astrological placement, it is important to approach Pluto in Aquarius with a sense of awareness and mindfulness, and to embrace the transformative energies of this powerful planet with intention and purpose. The transformative energies of Pluto can be intense, so it is important we have a clear sense of what we want to achieve and what we are willing to let go of in order to make space for growth and change.
Alex Myles
