Mars opposite Pluto was never going to sneak up on us without being seen, heard and felt. And so it has come to pass. As aspects go, Mars opposite Pluto is not an easy one – and this particular manifestation of it is more difficult than most because of the length of time it’s going to be in operation. It’s one of this year’s biggest astrological events – and believe me, there has been a crowded field. In most of my recent posts (particularly the ones in connection with the US election), I have referred to this aspect because of its powerful influence on what is happening right now, but we are going to feel it’s impact for some time.
So, in this post, I’m going to look at Mars opposite Pluto as it’s affecting us this year – and beyond – and then I’m going to look at the basic meanings we associate with this aspect. Right now, as a transiting aspect, it will affect all of us – particularly those of you (like me) who have planets or points touched by one or the other of these planets in opposition.. Those of you with birthdays from October 2024 up to early May 2025 will also have this aspect in your solar return chart for 2024-25. The opposition will be in orb for much of that time, so I’m going to summarize its effects for predictive charts too.
Mars Opposite Pluto 2024 – 2025: The Timeline
Let’s start at the beginning. Mars opposite Pluto is a major event because Mars is retrograde in Leo-Cancer from December 7th 2024 (retrograde motions begins at 6˚ Leo) to February 24th 2025 when Mars turns direct at 17˚ Cancer. However, owing to the shadow periods at either end of the retrograde period, Mars retrograde is effective between 5th October 2024 and May 2nd 2025 – almost six months. And during that six month period, it makes a triple opposition aspect to Pluto – just at the time Pluto makes its final ingress into Aquarius. That is a major astrological event in all senses.
To see how momentous it is, here’s the timeline:
- The first Mars-Pluto opposition took place across the anaretic degrees of 29˚ Cancer – Capricorn. And it was exact on November 4th 2024, just before the US Election.
- Mars entered Leo on November 5th 2024 – US election day – and surely a day that will go down in history.
- Pluto enters Aquarius on November 20th 2024. Watch that space.
- Mars turns retrograde on December 7th 2024.
- The second Mars-Pluto opposition (in Aquarius) takes place over the New Year 2025 – the first week of January – and coincides with the US Election electoral college vote count.
- Mars turns direct on February 24th 2025 and makes transiting aspects to Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Neptune also makes its first ingress into Aries during this time.
- The final Mars-Pluto opposition in Aquarius takes place on April 27th 2025. Watch that space.
- Mars leaves its retrograde shadow period on May 2nd 2025.
- Pluto will remain part of the outer planet minor trine (mini triangle) from 2024-2028.
When we emerge blinking into the light sometime in Spring 2025, the world is going to look a very different place. The effects of this opposition will affect all of us in a variety of ways, and they will be more challenging for some people than others. However, we have a great opportunity to examine Mars opposite Pluto at close quarters over the next few months, and to make the best of that opportunity, we need to understand exactly where it’s coming from.
Mars Opposite Pluto: The Essentials
Mars opposite Pluto – whether it’s in your natal chart, lands on your chart as a transiting aspect or appears in your solar return chart – it produces fundamental tensions that are going to manifest in some form, regardless of who you are or what’s in the rest of your chart. An opposition aspect signifies discomfort, conflict, projection, polarization, alienation and discord. That’s bad enough when ‘gentle’ planets are involved, but gentle Mars and Pluto are not. They fall in to the ‘irreconcilable differences’ category – and irreconcilable differences can be fights to the death when Mars and Pluto are involved.
The main characteristics of a Mars – Pluto opposition are as follows:
- Lust for power and/or control.
- Inability to control aggression.
- Defiance and defensiveness.
- A need to victimize or play the victim.
- Inability to compromise
- Manipulation and using others for gain.
- Abuse of wealth and/or power.
- Winners annihilate losers.
- Ruthlessness and vengeance
- Use of threats and violence to control and coerce.
I could go on, but I’m sure you get the picture. I think I mentioned in one of my earlier posts that compromise would be in short supply during the Mars opposite Pluto aspect and that is likely to be borne out simply by the nature of Mars and Pluto: there is little trust and a lot of sound and fury – but is that all there is to this powerful aspect? Believe it or not, good can come from this powerful opposition, if you know where to look for it – and often it will be found in the righteousness of your cause. There is a caveat: all sides will be convinced they are on the side of right.
The propensity for dispute and conflict is almost impossible to overcome. Unless – of course – this energy is applied towards an adversary that you really need to defeat as in a clear ‘right and wrong’ situation. Morality often plays a role in Mars – Pluto conflicts. Your adversary may not be a person – it could just as easily be a situation that appears impossible to resolve. Whether this opposition results in rage or fierce determination, someone will be upset. If you’re on the winning side, you won’t care about that. And bear in mind, this aspect can refer to internal battles as well as external ones.
Mars Opposite Pluto: A Transiting Aspect
As a transiting aspect, Mars opposite Pluto is affecting everyone’s chart until May 2025. It’s going to feel personal and if Mars opposite Pluto touches a personal planet or point in your chart, be prepared for this aspect – with all its attendant problems – to manifest in some form. it will, of course, make its presence felt in the houses in which it falls, so expect conflict or challenges in connection with the affairs of the relevant houses in your natal chart. This may still occur even of there is no natal planetary contact; pay special attention to house cusps as they are also sensitive.
If Mars opposite Pluto contacts nothing in your natal chart, it’s still possible to experience a sense of deep unease, feel defensive or be easy to trigger. Whatever happens, it’s a three part series: first you face a crisis, then you learn to manage that crisis, and finally you develop a new structure in which you can implement the lessons you have learned – and move on. The urge for irreversible change is strong with Mars opposite Pluto – as are impulsive and compulsive acts. Listening and logic (like compromise) will be in short supply.
Mars Opposite Pluto in a Solar Return Chart
In a solar return chart, this aspect lasts all year and may represent some major life lesson. Again, the house positions show where it will affect your life in the most noticeable way. Much of what I have said in connection with the transiting aspect to your natal chart may apply – except Mars opposite Pluto is likely to be connected to some specific event (or events) that are indicated by other placements in your solar return chart. It’s more specific: an event may occur that completely reshapes your life – or the parts of your life affected by this aspect pattern in your solar return chart and the houses it occupies.
What can you do about that? During 2024-25, Pluto is part of the outer planet mini triangle – and that means it is sextile Neptune – currently in Pisces but soon to ingress into Aries. Planets that are sextile a planet in opposition are usually regarded as the key to resolving an opposition – even one as intransigent as this one. Whether you are dealing with Mars opposite Pluto in your solar return chart, or as a transiting aspect, Neptune’s connection with Pluto suggests all you can do is accept whatever is coming your way.
Acceptance may not resolve your crisis in the traditional sense, but it may make it easier to bear and move on from profound shock, annoyance or whatever else Mars opposite Pluto has visited on you. If things change and you are powerless to resist, then it may be time to move on. Remember this: you are living through a period of profound change, and even if it’s not personal to you, it will feel that way. If you want to avoid being eaten alive by the fury of this aspect, then let go – and if the sextile to Neptune lets you do so, go for it. There is no other outlet available.
Further Reading
Sara Shipman | Astrology Books
USA Solar Return 2024: Happy Birthday America?
2024 US Election Result: Donald Trump Wins. Pluto Wins Bigger.
REblog | The Outer Planets Mini Triangle 2024-2028
The Astrology of November 2024: What the Heck Just Happened?
Pluto in Aquarius: What Happens Next?
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© Sara Shipman 2024
Picture credit: Image by 雅惠 游 from Pixabay
Has to be the most outer space reply I’ve ever had!
I will contact you Re: this transit.
Interesting (life threatening) experience with this transit.