Pluto into Aquarius

“To make deeper connections with each other, we need to be willing to be disturbed.”

-Meg Wheatley

Pluto entered Capricorn in January of 2008 and then toggled between Sag and Cap before finally staying in Capricorn for the last 15 years. Pluto in Capricorn, on a global level, has had to do with institutions, structures, rules, regulations, traditions, corporations, and the like. Most noticeably in 2008, when Pluto came into Capricorn we saw the instability in the financial and housing markets. As Pluto leaves we notice other institutions faltering or needing a rehaul, such as the IRS.

What will we notice when Pluto enters Aquarius? We had a taste of this back in March and AI was all over the news, and technology is an Aquarian keyword. Will we see some shake-ups in the communication world, such as the internet, media, discussions around intellectual property, and maybe even alien life? It’s time to get quirky, embrace the different, and recognize the humanity in everyone and everything.  

Like the author Meg Wheatley said, we need to be willing to be disturbed. Aquarius is a fixed air sign, so imagine you’ve just swept your floor, made a neat pile of dirt, and then someone turns on the overhead fan. How do we feel when our structures fall apart? Can we talk about it? Pluto is here to show us what has been rotting or decaying. There’s a breakdown before there is a building back. 

Pluto is connected to Hades, the Lord of the Underworld. When we read about Pluto and what astrologers have to say about Pluto we seem to be entering into Hades, or at least dealing with taboo topics such as death. “Transiting Pluto often brings us painfully into contact with death. In some cases, this can mean a literal death–our own or that of someone close to us–but more usually these transits correspond to psychological deaths or ‘ego deaths’: the death of a part of us, the death of ourselves as we know ourselves.” (The Gods of Change, Sasportas. P. 221). 

And, cultural historian and philosopher Richard Tarnas had this to say, “Pluto is associated with the principle of elemental power, depth, and intensity; with that which compels, empowers, and intensifies whatever it touches, sometimes to overwhelming and catastrophic extremes; with the primordial instincts, libidinal and aggressive, destructive and regenerative, volcanic and cathartic, eliminative, transformative, ever-evolving; with the biological processes of birth, sex, and death, the cycle of death and rebirth; with upheaval, breakdown, decay, and fertilization; violent purgatorial discharge of pent-up energies, purifying fire; situations of life-and-death extremes, power struggles, all that is titanic, potent and massive.” Richard Tarnas, Cosmos and Psyche. P.99

So, Pluto has come to work with Aquarius for the next 20 years. Look in your chart for any Aquarius placements and angles, as well as the other fixed signs, Taurus, Leo, and Scorpio. 

Aquarius is interested in the future, breaking tradition, and being a change agent. Revolutionary is another word associated with Aquarius. We often equate chaos and rebellion with the word revolution, which is certainly one way to see it.  Let’s also consider the etymology of the word revolution. It stems from the Latin word revolvere which speaks to how the planets rotate or a cyclical recurrence. So, this may suggest that a theme is coming back up for review. How did we deal with the topics of freedom and independence before?  The last time Pluto was in Aquarius was from 1777-1798. We had the French and American revolutions. Uranus was discovered. Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin which made clothing a lot more accessible. Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein, a book that explored themes around science, progress, and innovation. Are we looking back, not only to realize how far we’ve come, but perhaps, on what needs to change?

Recently, I’ve been obsessed (great Pluto keyword) with renovation shows. Maybe you’ve watched one? The new homeowners are all excited about the makeover, only to encounter structural issues, foundation problems, some leaks that have left mold, and other conditions. You get the picture. This is a Plutonian experience. You may be noticing an area of life that you think, “Maybe it’s time to freshen up this room. I’ll get some new curtains,” but then the contractor shows you where termites have been eating away all the wood on that side of the house, and what should’ve been a quick overhaul becomes major. 

Pluto in Aquarius is here to air out all the issues that keep you from healing and transforming in some way. Pluto can be a dark night of the soul. Consider the overused analogy of the caterpillar turning into a butterfly. No one knows what happens inside of that chrysalis, but if you’ve been through some tough times, you can imagine. No wonder we are told to dread Pluto transits. But, as ever with astrology, we have a choice.  

Want to know what you can do?

Notice when you have a strong reaction to anything or anyone.

Pause.

Be curious.

Ask yourself: what’s underneath this reaction?

What do I find so disturbing?

Am I open to another point of view? How could that help me see or experience something differently?

Pause again.

Then consciously respond.

I like how Richard Tarnas has said that every time we work with our chart or look at a transit and pause we are doing something not only for ourselves but for the collective. Noticing where this transit is taking place for you helps you become aware of the area of life that needs regeneration. When you commit to doing inner work, you are committing to healing. When you heal and then interact with the larger world, you come from a different space, hopefully, one with more compassion and kindness because you recognize others on their path and the struggles they are facing. Aquarius is about the collective and humanity. When we consider the Leo-Aquarius polarity, perhaps a question to ask ourselves is this, “How does healing myself help heal humanity?”