On March 24, 2023, Pluto made its initial ingress into the sign of Aquarius. Because Pluto is so far out in our solar system, it moves very slowly. Therefore, it’s a big deal any time it changes signs. There is much to discuss about this; I started the conversation on TikTok (@720astrologer), and created a longer form video on YouTube (@720astrology). But while you’re here, let’s take a look at 10 ways we may see this energy unfold as Pluto transits Aquarius until 2043!
How Does Pluto Express?
Pluto was officially discovered on February 18th, 1930. This was a tumultuous time in United States history, as the country was on the verge of financial collapse, following the 1929 stock market crash. At the time of its discovery, Pluto was in the sign of Cancer, opposite where it was when the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4th, 1776 (27 degrees of Capricorn). In the U.S. birth chart, Pluto is in the 2nd house – that of resources and things valued (i.e. the primary money house). Conversely, Pluto’s transit through Cancer, in the 8th house (debts, inheritance, occult realization, ego death), placed the U.S. debt on full display.
From the perspective of quantum physics, when a planet is first discovered we can see how its influence is, amazingly, experienced on the Earth plane. This harkens to the well-known double slit test that demonstrated how photons can behave as particles or waves, all depending on whether they are being observed. Once Pluto was discovered (observed), it immediately demonstrated its nature – that of uncovering what has been hidden; emitting unstoppable, occult power; eliminating that which isn’t real; and displaying an obsession with control.
Thus, wherever Pluto travels, these tendencies can unfold in different ways. We’ll take a look at 10 possibilities.
#1 – The Ugliness of Tech and Community on Display
As the natural sign on the 11th house cusp, Aquarius is associated with the future, outside-the-box thinking, technology and community. Because Pluto is the lord of the underworld, he will reveal the hidden and “ugly” aspects of the above mentioned.
The internet is already buzzing around ChatGPT, an “artificial-intelligence developed by OpenAI and launched in November 2022” (when it launched, Pluto was at 26 degrees of Capricorn – 1 degree from its natal position of 27 degrees in the U.S. birth chart). There are too many implications to unpack, but the most alarming and dangerous possibility is the deterioration of humanity into a senseless, nihilistic shell.
When it comes to community, Pluto will bring taboo details to light. We will discover the dark side of certain gurus, organizations and groups. Meanwhile, there will be a necessity for finding the right community or “tribe” for the healthy expression of one’s individuality.
#2 – The Continued Rise of Group Think
As an extension to the previous point, a dark side to Aquarius is the tendency toward singlemindedness amongst members of a particular group. This type of hive thinking eliminates one’s natural expression and extinguishes the internal flame.
We may very well see efforts toward such, especially if the unevolved nature of Pluto (to maintain control at any cost) is channeled.
#3 – Old World Models Destroyed
In its efforts to forge a new path for the future and bring about the deeper truth, we can expect Pluto to destroy old, outdated ways of thinking about, expressing and perceiving life. As the modern ruler of Scorpio (the natural sign of the 8th house), Pluto teaches the power of loss, and how it can serve as the ultimate conduit for gain. When utilized at its highest potential, Pluto will tear down old barriers so that a new, wiser identity can emerge.
Like a snake, the Earth herself is shedding her old skin. As many have come to realize, She is a living, sentient intelligence, evolving and becoming. Pluto’s journey through Aquarius will further the metamorphosis and upgrade to a new Earth consciousness and environment.
#4 – New Communities Formed Based on Soul Alignment
There are 3 symbols associated with Pluto’s sign, Scorpio: the scorpion, the eagle and the phoenix. The latter represents the resurrected nature that the soul strives for.
Based on the understanding that everything in creation is vibrating and moving, we come to the further realization that everything has a particular frequency. You’ve likely met people in your travels and had an immediate feeling of disconnect – that their energy doesn’t line up with yours. At other times, you may have felt that you and the other person have complimentary energy. This has much to do with the frequency that both of you emit.
As Pluto transits Aquarius, the internet will become more prevalent in connecting people who would otherwise never meet. These connections help to demonstrate why Astrology works – how planets billions of miles away could actually have an impact on each other and humans on Earth. It comes down to the power of electro-magnetic energy fields and the quantum phenomenon of non-locality (things or objects that shouldn’t have an impact on each other, actually displaying effect).
Through the internet and old-fashioned in-person interaction, people’s energy fields will meet, mix, and form new bonds.
#5 – The Development of Toxic Groups
Just as new, positive groups will form, we must equally expect to see the emergence of toxic societies. As co-ruler of Scorpio, Pluto has the job of facilitating transformation. To accomplish this, it must first provide for the release of toxic substances (Scorpio is associated with restrooms, waste, and stagnant water). The toxic substances are then used as fertilizer that eventually leads to new growth.
This helps to explain the irony of Scorpio’s etymology (word origin): to live. We naturally associate Scorpio with death, but it really means life. Unfortunately, many fail to fully engage in the alchemical process that elevates Scorpio from agent of death to bringer of new life. Thus, just as high frequency beings will find each other during Pluto’s transit in Aquarius, so to will low vibrating humans clump together. This will lead to the creation of even more toxic societies and affiliations, where the members are drawn together by the fixed, unfiltered, unhealed emotional perspectives they hold.
#6 – The Removal of Old Taskmasters
Pluto made its ingress into Capricorn in 2008. While it is currently in Aquarius, its initial stay will be brief, as it will retrograde back into Capricorn and remain there until January 2024. It will take a final dip back into the contracting energy of Capricorn in September, arriving in Aquarius for good in November of 2024. That amounts to 16 years in Capricorn, the sign of tradition, taskmasters and just about any word that starts with st that you can think of (i.e. stuck, steady, steadfast, stick, stand, strict, etc.).
Part of Pluto’s purpose while in Capricorn was to expose the dark nature of traditional methods of governance, status and corporate practices, and the prevailing tendency toward a cold and calculated drive for achievement. With its arrival in Aquarius, we can expect to witness a tearing down of some of the old, dilapidated structures that are long overdue for demolition. And after the mysterious planet settles in Aquarius for good in late 2024, it will have until 2043 to carry out its initiatives.
#7 – New Social Media Constraints
Likely, you’ve heard about the push back against TikTok, as the China-based corporation is being accused of doing what certain whistleblowers accused the U.S. government of doing a decade ago – unethically gathering information and invading privacy. This will be something to keep an eye on, as to determine whether it’s being used as a convenient avenue for levying restrictions that further infringe upon the rights and freedoms that are assumed to come along with citizenship in a “democratic” society.
If the darker side of Pluto takes center stage, we can expect new regulations and policies regarding social media. Over the next 20 years, the concept of free speech could very well be completely different from what we have known it to be.
#8 – Government-Corporate-Religious Corruption Unveiled
Because Pluto, as ruler of the underworld, reveals things that are considered taboo, we can certainly expect long hidden secrets involving politicians, corporations and religious institutions to come to the light. As I’m writing this, the latest headline involves a video of the Dalai Lama attempting to kiss a young boy, orally.
This certainly fits into the category of horrid secrets coming to light via the internet, as the natural question arises, “What has he and his sect been secretly doing with young children?” And we’re just at the beginning of Pluto’s transit in Aquarius!
Then there is the ongoing drama involving former U.S. President Donald Trump, which involves the probing of supposed secret and unlawful financial transactions. This has led to his indictment and a media frenzy that the major players (FOX, NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, etc.) are surely looking to cash in on, in hopes that it will help revitalize their public perception, given that they’ve been losing influence to independent, online “journalists.”
#9 – Soul Upgrades
Just as the planet is getting an upgrade, there is a window of opportunity for the human species to experience a quantum leap in its total evolution. But this only applies to those who have been open to awakening, allowing the many layers of their ego to dissolve, and who possess the courage to travel down previously uncharted roads.
As a reward, Pluto offers the experience of the phoenix, the magical bird that arises (Aries) from the molten ashes. The resurrected creature emerges with and because of soul upgrades that have been earned by enduring and learning to flow with the mighty Plutonian current of change and transformation.
#10 – The Expanded Mind
To piggyback on the above, Aquarius is an air sign. Therefore, it’s associated with the mental plane. Through Pluto’s rulership of Scorpio and its association with elimination, old thought patterns must be removed. Otherwise, their toxins will be released within the mind to cause mental decay.
Again, referencing Scorpio’s etymological meaning of life, we find that the sign is also associated with the reproductive organs. The flushing of old stagnant mental energy and the resulting expansion of the mind represent some of the rewards that Pluto has to offer for the future!
In Your Birth Chart
Of course, this discussion is presented from a macrocosmic perspective, but what about your personal life (the microcosm)? How does Pluto’s journey through Aquarius factor into your individual experience? What bold new future are you initiating? Treat yourself to a transit reading, and we’ll comb through the celestial movements, relative to how they impact your birth chart, and your current life experiences.
Therefore, you can live with a greater sense of power, purpose, and direction. To make the process a little easier, here is a discount code that you can use until the end of April – oxgoad.
So until our next chat, be sure to take time to know the starts to know yourself!
Jamal