The talk of the town, astrologically speaking, for 2024 is without a doubt Pluto formally entering Aquarius! But what does that actually mean -- in layperson's terms, for the collective and individuals? Pluto, the zodiacal planet of power and transformation, is the slowest moving in our solar system. On average it takes around 20 years (as few as 11 and as many as 32!) to move across the sky through a single astrological sign. The average global human lifespan is thought to be around 70yrs, which means we only live through a few of Plutonian ingresses. And that's exactly why Pluto switching signs is a big deal! Note: many astrologers view Pluto as the signifier of generations (e.g., Pluto in Scorpios natal placements are Millennials, in Sagittarius are Gen Z, and in Capricorn are Gen Alpha).
Pluto in Capricorn
Before we dig into Pluto in Aquarius, we must understand where this planet has been for last 15 years: Capricorn! It first entered the sign of the seagoat on January 25, 2008 at 9:38pm EST for an almost 6-month stint. Pluto went retrograde back into Sagittarius on June 14th at 1:18am EST before reentering Capricorn officially on November 26th of the same year at 8:03pm. Ever since, we've been living in a Capricornian world...
The hallmark archetypes of this era included confronting hierarchical power in systems of governmental, corporate, and fiscal bodies. Whenever Pluto formally exits a sign, it leaves destruction in its wake and calls for fundamental rebirth. For Capricorn, that translates into building new systems and shifting power from the traditional leaders out to the people in order to better our society (AKA Aquarius!). I think it's safe to say that ever since 2008 there are numerous examples of institutions failing the people, corruption being exposed, incremental shifts in leader demographics, and more. Once Pluto leaves on November 19, 2024 at 3:41pm EST, our perspective and understanding will only come more into focus.
Pluto in Aquarius
Now on to the main event! Pluto has already popped into Aquarius in our lifetimes -- first in 2023 and then again in 2024. The initial preview period ran from March 23, 2023 from 8:24am EST to June 11th at 5:36am EST of the same year. The second window was earlier in 2024, specifically January 20th at 7:57pm EST through September 1st at 7:58pm EST. The reason these preview periods happened in the first place has everything to due with where Pluto was in the sky as it went retrograde each year. Essentially this planet has been dancing back and forth across the astrological line between the Capricorn and Aquarius constellations. This dance doesn't happen every sign change (e.g., it wont when Pluto enters Pisces), which plays into the sense of extra disruption over the last 2 years!
On November 19th, 2024 at 3:41pm EST, Pluto will enter Aquarius and not return to Capricorn for roughly 250 years. The next 20 years will be fully engulfed in a new astrological chapter as Pluto remains in the sign of the water-bearer until January 19, 2044. Outer planets (i.e., Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto) move incredibly slowly, so don't expect major upheaval on Day 1! Rather, a gradual build over the coming decades followed by deeper clarity once Pluto enters Pisces. At which point, we'll be able to see the complete picture plus the contrasting energetics emerging tandem with the sign change, just as we will soon!
Pluto in Natal Astrology
As always, look to your Natal Chart for insight into the impacted areas of your life. For example, Capricorn represents my 7th House (i.e., committed partnerships) in the Whole Sign System and 6th House (i.e., work, service, health, routine, pets) in Placidus. Choose your preferred Astrological House System, or use multiple, and reflect on how those life areas have undergone challenges, destruction, upheaval, and even total transformation. In my case, both house themes absolutely apply for 2008-2024. Try jotting down major milestones, obstacles overcome, and lessons learned as a nice capstone for this era!
For Aquarius, look at the corresponding House(s) and make note of what occurred for you during the two preview periods: March 23rd through June 11th 2023 and January 20th through September 1st 2024. Identifying emerging themes helps prepare you for what may be to come over the next 20 years. For example, Aquarius represents my 8th House (i.e., taboo, other peoples' resources, mental health, death) in Whole Sign and an equal split of 8th House and 7th House for Placidus. During the first preview period I was planning for and living abroad with my long-term partner and experienced a mental health decline. The next month, when Pluto was back into Capricorn, I ended that relationship. Can you see all of the 8th and 7th House themes?! Well, there's more! The weekend of January 20th 2024 I attended wake and funeral services for my beloved Granddad; through August of this year I went through multiple deaths of ideas and rebirths of my sense of self as an individual and partner. I've witnessed how potent the energetic shifts were during those periods and know I'll need to buckle up for the next 20 years hahah
Need hands-on assistance in deciphering your Birth Chart? Through Read by Renee I provide Natal Astrology Readings to do just that! My Planets in the Signs and Houses offering, in particular, defines each planetary placement in your chart (including Pluto) in simple terms. You'll walk away with the knowledge you need to start working with planetary energy from the lens of the collective and, especially, your personal Natal Chart!
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