What You Need To Know About Pluto's First Station In Aquarius In Centuries
Pluto in Aquarius is just a few months away, and with it comes a major shift in the world's power dynamics. On March 23, 2023, Pluto leaves Capricorn and enters Aquarius, marking the beginning of the end of one of the most grueling planetary cycles of the last decade (via Café Astrology). The last time Pluto passed through Aquarius was between 1778 and 1798, a revolutionary and transformative period of time that changed the way the world viewed power, money, technology, and society as a whole, according to Shape. With the end of Pluto in Capricorn and the dawning of the Age of Aquarius just on the horizon, astrologers agree that this transit will be just as revolutionary, if not more, than the last time these energies graced the night sky.
Pluto in Aquarius means revolution, and with that comes a need to evaluate the current state of the world. As astrologer Robert Hand writes in his book "Horoscope Symbols," the influence of Pluto is intrinsically linked with the cycle of beginnings and ends. "Pluto represents an evolutionary power built into the nature of things. Living things develop: they grow, die, decay, and are changed into something else. Cultures rise, fall, and become the seeds of new cultures," Hand explains. The last time Pluto was in Aquarius was during a period of massive change all over the world. And after dealing with the authoritative and restrictive reach of Pluto in Capricorn, this change couldn't come at a better time.
What does Pluto in Aquarius actually mean?
Pluto will briefly spend some time in Aquarius from March 23, 2023, to June 11, 2023, with a few key retrogrades back into Capricorn sprinkled throughout. However, its uninterrupted 20-year journey through Aquarius officially begins on January 21, 2024. In astrology, Pluto represents themes surrounding destruction, death, and rebirth, while Aquarius represents revolution, rebellion, and reshaping humanity. "Pluto's role is to keep the engine of the universe going, by eliminating what can no longer sustain life. If something is rotten, Pluto will eliminate it, to leave space for healthy growth," astrologer Naajmi W. shares on Twitter. The combination of these energies together sets the stage for a complete overhaul of how each individual views their place in the world, as well as how the current systems prevent progress — and, therefore, must be left behind.
Pluto in Aquarius will spend its time shaking up all preconceived notions and beliefs around society, technology, social media, and more, and you can expect things to become even tenser when these transits ignite the flames of change and begin the decentralization of existing power structures. While Pluto hangs out in the sign of rebellious Aquarius, several other key planets will make their move through Aries, the sign of passion and aggression — first with Jupiter in 2023; then with Saturn from 2025 to 2028; and finally with Neptune from 2025 to 2039 (via Astrology with Andy). The passionate connection between these planets will spark conversations around enlightenment, exploration, leadership, and new frontiers.
What to expect when Pluto goes retrograde
During this long-term cycle, Pluto in Aquarius is asking the collective to confront the antiquity of established, outdated systems, take action around issues of control, and stand up to misuse of power related to individuality, equality, and freedom. As astrologer Martin Schulman explains in his book "Karmic Astrology: Retrogrades and Reincarnation," the spiritual growth possible when Pluto is retrograde is limited only by the individual's own creativity, imagination, and conscious mind. And when faced with the breakdowns that Pluto reveals, many people will desperately try to hold together what is disintegrating. So, you can expect there will be some push-back on the way to progress during this transit when Pluto in Aquarius retrogrades back into Capricorn before finally settling down into the sign of Aquarius for the next 20 years.
Once Pluto makes its home in Aquarius, expect to see a much larger conversation on how to build long and lasting change. It's common to feel Pluto's effects on a much deeper, more long-term level during retrograde thanks to the distance between the collective energy and the planet of death and destruction. As astrologer Liz Greene explains in "The Astrology of Fate," the transformative influences of Pluto transits offer a renewal of life by giving you the ability to see life with different eyes. This distance gives everyone the chance to see the truth behind toxic systems and reveals the lessons and realizations that must occur in order to move forward toward more revolutionary ideals.
How does Pluto in Aquarius impact the collective?
Pluto is what's known as a generational planet, which means we'll see its influence on a larger, collective scale. However, Pluto transits can bring deep personal changes as well. As astrologer and actress Novi Brown shares on Twitter, "Pluto shows where you have to change first before you gain power." And while it's true that Pluto rules destruction and decay, it also influences personal power, fulfillment, and rebirth. So, you can expect Pluto in Aquarius to shift the way people view their place in the world and force people to re-examine their personal beliefs and mindsets.
Pluto in Aquarius symbolizes the end of the process that Pluto in Capricorn began. With conversations around social justice, environmental change, and more brewing in the air, Pluto in Aquarius will act as the final push toward change. "Aquarius is all about collective responsibility," astrologer Aliza Kelly tells Vogue. "We will hopefully be learning how to be part of a larger system, as opposed to just caring about oneself and our immediate family. This is one of the most important lessons that we'll need to learn if we are to be in a much better situation when we exit this age than we are as we enter it." It's through this changed perspective that change and progress can be identified and acted upon. And this new perspective given by Pluto in Aquarius will set the tone for years of progress and change to come.