On January 22nd 2024, Pluto entered Aquarius. And Pluto in Aquarius is a major event. However, this is not the major Pluto transit through Aquarius – that begins later this year, when Pluto will make it’s final ingress into the Uranus-ruled sign – and stays there for the next 20 years. Whatever Pluto brings to the table will be on the menu for a long time. So how will we know what’s going to be on offer? In the most general terms, I think we know deep down, that what’s on offer is radical change and a complete break from the past. And we suspect it won’t be easy.
Pluto has been testing out Aquarius for a while. Back in 2023, we were given a ‘teaser’, as if Pluto was testing out the audience reaction. That lasted two months – and at that time I set out some of the key areas I thought would be affected during this significant Pluto shift. Now we are going to experience the trailer for the main event – and as you know from your visits to the cinema, movie trailers are intense. The dramatic themes are compressed into an exhilarating few minutes; it’s designed to grab your attention in a big way.
So, forget the micro-drama of Pluto in Aquarius 2023; the next ten months are going to set out the big themes, characters and plot lines – but there will be no spoilers, as Pluto always leaves a twist in the tale. Pluto in Aquarius is going to change everything forever, so I’m going to focus on two things in this post: first, an overview of how Pluto functions in Aquarius, and second, how this transit is likely to affect you. Because, believe me, it will do so – and in ways you can’t begin to imagine. All I can say is this: pay attention to the trailer and remember, ten months is only a heartbeat in Pluto-time.
Pluto in Aquarius: An Overview
And speaking of time, I’m going to go back in time to answer a big question – how will we notice the ingress of Pluto into Aquarius? To answer that, I’m going back to 2008, when Pluto entered Capricorn. First, I want you to think about what Pluto and Capricorn represent: Pluto is big money, unimaginable wealth and power. It’s exploitation, corruption and destruction. Capricorn represents the power of big business – corporate power. When Pluto entered Capricorn, the banks crashed and took the global economy down with them. Pluto’s movements affect all of us.
The hyper-rich have recovered from the global shock and rebuilt their fortunes. Actually, they never lost them. They are more powerful and wealthy than ever. The rest of us are still picking up the pieces. Money and power have been at the top of the Pluto in Capricorn agenda since 2008. Now Pluto is entering Aquarius – a totally different type of sign, so let’s put Pluto in an Aquarius context: Pluto tears the house down. It represents demolition, elimination, fanaticism and those qualities will explode in the sign of revolution. That’s one heck of a prospect.
Think of the following: extreme chaos; powerful dictators; reactionary thinking; violent rebellion – they are just a few of the potentials present in this Pluto in Aquarius transit and, as this transit is likely to be unpredictable in its effects, there is simply no way of knowing which way things will go. It’s going to be an extreme and divisive time, with winners and losers and not a lot of grace on either side. It’s a turning point in history. There is no way back and there is no way to avoid it. And yes, it will affect us all, because Aquarius is the sign of the collective.
That’s a lot to process, as it points to an immediate future where things are likely to be anything but stable or peaceful. However, you need to remember the following: Pluto in Aquarius is going to be extreme and shocking, but it holds the potential for an explosion of social reforms, of technological transformation and some innovative, inventive, progressive and humanitarian responses to fundamentally important issues like sustainability, resources, inequality – and survival itself. So, it’s not all bad – but the problem with Pluto is that you generally have to wade through the bad stuff first.
It’s only when you realise how bad things are (or how bad they can get) that you make the ultimate decision: you pursue something so self-defeating that it leads to annihilation, or you wake up and decide to reconfigure, renew and rebuild on the rubble of the past. Pluto transforms and Aquarius is objective, rational and future oriented, so Pluto will shear away all that is outmoded, outdated and serves no purpose. And in unemotional, rational Aquarius, you can be sure that no tears will be shed. It’s about clearing out the dead wood. And that will shock anyone who is clinging to the tree.
So, what do we take from that – apart from a desire to hide under the duvet for the next 20 years? The underlying dynamic – regardless of how it manifests – is simply this: you relinquish things you have been holding onto, embrace the new – and the as yet unknown. Though usually not without a fight. Pluto is a generational planet (remember ‘Gen X’ were born during the Pluto in Capricorn years), but it works in a deeply personal way too.
So, unless you’re a world leader who happens to be reading this between meetings to plot the destruction of humankind, I will assume that you, dear reader, have no power to change the world. However, Pluto gives you the power to transform your life – and that’s what you need to focus on – perhaps for the next 20 years.
Pluto in Aquarius: How it Affects You
The power to transform your own life: that sounds like a major ask, doesn’t it?. So, I’m going to tell you a personal story to demonstrate what that means. Recently, my husband visited his cardiologists office. The issue that brought him there turned out – thankfully – to be minor, but the physician – a hawkish looking man (Pluto) of considerable status (Capricorn) looked him in the eye and said: if you want to survive another 20 years (how prescient is that?) you need to radically re-think your alcohol consumption. Or you will die. Pluto in Capricorn pointed out that Pluto in Aquarius was coming down the line.
And now Pluto in Aquarius is here. And my husband has chosen to shear away his self-destructive lifestyle habits and heed the doctor’s words. Sudden death (also a Pluto in Aquarius possibility) was clearly a less attractive option than leaving those habits behind. He has embraced a bright new future that offers longer term survival. In fact, he’s messianic (Pluto) about following his new enlightened path (Aquarius). Of course, none of us are immortal – but the prospect of mortality (Pluto) is one that focuses the consciousness (Aquarius). This transit’s dynamics are going to work in fundamental and profound ways.
Pluto will transit through everyone’s birth chart and transits are most powerful when they make ingress into a sign or house, or make a conjunct aspect to a planet or point. In this post, I’m going to look at only one of those things – Pluto’s transition into Aquarius – because wherever that takes place in your natal chart, it will have a signifiant impact on your life moving forwards – and moving forwards is the important part. It’s about shearing away the things that no longer serve you well – and embracing radical reform. The downside of refusing to change is not worth considering. Let’s look at how this transit will affect you.
Pluto in Aquarius: Aries & Aries Rising
This transit has the potential to radically change your social involvements, but first, you need to remember two things: Capricorn represents limitation and Aquarius represents liberation. For some time, you may have felt, deep down, that your habitual alignments, associations and affiliations have left you feeling increasingly isolated from a more dynamic direction of travel – and that’s the direction that’s right for you. The ‘like-minded’ souls you hang out with, may not feel so like-minded any more. Your deep sense of how you fit into this world is changing – and that’s something you need to acknowledge.
It is always better to initiate change than have it thrust upon you; old friends may leave you – but you’ll discover detachment is easier than you thought it would be. Pluto in Aquarius may bring new friends and acquaintances into your life – and they will challenge long held assumptions about your choice of team. Your personal conscience and your social consciousness may be impacted by Pluto’s transition into Aquarius; that may alter your goals, your long term plans and your hopes for the future. It may have been a secret that you felt this way; with Pluto in Aquarius, the secret will be out.
Pluto in Aquarius: Taurus & Taurus Rising
Are you on the right path? Do you have a sense of purpose? Are you doing the right job? Pluto in Aquarius is going to hit you with the inescapable truth: you’ve been avoiding answering those questions for years. A fixed earth sign, you stick with what you know and you hold on to what you have – and you may have been clinging on to a perceived status, a sense of importance or set of goals and ambitions that are no longer tenable. You’re a realist and a hard worker, but you need to radically rethink your objectives – and how you’re going to achieve them. No-one else will do it for you.
‘Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results’. It’s a quote attributed to Albert Einstein, but you don’t have to be Einstein to recognise the profound truth in that. To provoke change, Pluto may strip away your status in the eyes of the world: suddenly the way you do things at work is questioned, or your job becomes obsolete – and you with it. Marriages crumble, or you have a brush with authority. It’s a shock, so how do you respond? With dignity and self-respect. Transform your life by doing things differently and playing by new rules. It may be uncharted territory, but it works every time.
Pluto in Aquarius: Gemini & Gemini Rising
Every one of us has a ‘take’ on life, a world view or a set of beliefs that enable us to develop a sense of perspective. Pluto in Aquarius is going to radically alter your perspective on life – and it will do so because your beliefs will be subjected to a brutal interrogation. You may discover that you no longer understand the world around you. You may believe that opportunity has passed you by. You may recognise that your beliefs have not served you well – but you’re unable to say why. You may be a law unto yourself – answerable to no-one. Fear of being open or honest can do that to a person – yet honest you must be.
Pluto in Aquarius will confront you with the fact that your belief system – whatever that may be – requires an update and an upgrade. There may be obvious challenges to your views on the law, morality, religion or political ideology. The understanding you derived from past experience will no longer be applicable because the world is going to be a radically different place from now on. You need to embrace new ideas and perspectives and incorporate them into your ‘data base’. This will enhance your level of understanding – and your ability to see life’s bigger picture in far more detail than you thought possible.
Pluto in Aquarius: Cancer & Cancer Rising
Brace yourself for a serious impact, as Pluto in Aquarius is going to leave you in no doubt that a major change is happening, right here and right now. For some time, you have been sensing that a radical move is long overdue, so don’t be surprised if the universe taps you on the shoulder around the time of Pluto’s ingress in to the Uranus-ruled sign. Your sixth sense may have been telling you that something was up – but the celestial wake-up call may hit you like a bolt from the blue. That’s not to say it it will bring bad news: ‘life changing’ and ‘sudden’ are not always existential – even with Pluto.
Sometimes you have to lose something in order to gain something else. Ultimately the something else may be an improvement on what you have – though it may not feel that way at first. Inheritance involves loss, as does compensation. Insurance payouts involve damage and distress. and that’e especially so if the loss was a shock to your system. That’s the Pluto in Aquarius dynamic, but that symbolism may work through your life in other ways. Regardless of how this transit manifests, you are going to have to accept whatever the universe brings – and move on. And that’s the core message: don’t look back – there nothing to see.
Pluto in Aquarius: Leo & Leo Rising
Dramatic and unexpected shifts in personal relationships are something that may unnerve you – especially if you are (or appear to be) content on the surface. Pluto hates superficial, and Pluto in Aquarius hates superficial and likes to upset the way things are by introducing disruptive elements that make it impossible to go back to the way things were. I think you know what I’m saying, but you will be relieved to know that dynamiting your love life is not the only option with this Pluto transit. Your relationship(s) will be affected, but sometimes going back to the fundamentals of why you’re in that relationship is a good thing.
The part of your chart that’s being affected often results in projection, so your partner may suddenly display plutonic tendencies: jealousy, envy, intolerance, compulsiveness, power games: any of these could become an issue in your relationship – and they will appear suddenly, as if from nowhere. Of course, there is a reason for everything; nothing comes out of the blue – and that’s the purpose of this transit, to remind you that you cannot take your partner for granted. Digging deep to root out the issues may be painful, but it’s essential if you want your relationship to survive – and thrive.
Pluto in Aquarius: Virgo & Virgo Rising
Pluto in Aquarius is going to radically alter the pattern of your life, because it’s going to radically alter the things you take for granted: your daily routines, your working day, your lifestyle, your current job and your attitude towards all of those things. Let’s reprise the basic meaning of Pluto in Aquarius: irrevocable change happens fast – and when you least expect it. Again, a revolution in your daily life is not necessarily existential; as a Virgo, you are driven to improve your circumstances wherever possible. This transit will promote a radical overhaul of at least one of the areas indicated on the list above – and perhaps all of them.
Chain reactions are ‘Pluto in action’ and with Pluto in Aquarius, the chain reaction may be rapid – with some unexpected consequences. And that’s because all things are connected; changes in one area will provoke a reaction somewhere down the line. if you have taken your eye away from where your focus needs to be, you’re likely to feel disoriented by this influence – at least for a while. However, the purpose of your discomfort is to enable you to work out how to get your life back on track. It’s going to be stressful, but get the detail right and the rest will fall into place. Think outside the box, use your intellect – and all will be well.
Pluto in Aquarius: Libra & Libra Rising
Pluto in Aquarius is going to remind you that three is such a thing as trying too hard – especially when it comes to pleasure You may look as if you’re having fun, but are you? One issue you may have is your tendency to be a people pleaser; you rarely let your true self shine, as you’re afraid of how that would appear to others – and appearances matter to you. Pluto in Aquarius will remind you that fulfilment is too important to be sacrificed on the altar of love. If you prioritise what other people want – or what you think they want – don’t be surprised when your confidence takes a dive.
Reciprocity may be important, but there are some things you have to do for yourself. If no-one seems to be appreciating you, then learn to appreciate yourself. Think back to your youth, before you were burdened with commitments and responsibilities. The joy of living may have been buried – but it’s still there. Pluto will enable you to unearth the ‘you’ that’s crying out for attention – and in Aquarius, be prepared to give yourself some love in new and exciting ways. You are no longer a child, so become the adult you want to be rather than the person everyone expects you to be. Tap into ‘happy’, and rediscover who you are.
Pluto in Aquarius: Scorpio & Scorpio Rising
Pluto homes in on your vulnerabilities. Our earliest childhood experiences often result in unconscious fears, habits and complexes that we carry for life – even if the burden is more than we can bear. Pluto in Aquarius is about to tear open your baggage and ask you the following question: do you really need to take all of this stuff with you, or could you travel light? You may be holding onto the past in a way that does not serve you well. The past informs the present in so many ways; we attach to our homeland (especially if it’s far away, we attach to our parents (even if the relationship is poor) and we treasure memories.
This reluctance to let go holds you back. It makes no sense to live in the past when the present demands your full attention – and the future is heavy with possibility. Pluto in Aquarius shears away the past and opens up the future, so be prepared for your attachments to be cut away. Whatever your comfort zone may be, Pluto will reconfigure it to meet your current and future needs. If you need to relocate, Pluto will relocate you – and with Pluto in Aquarius, expect the unexpected: your tastes will change. You need to be armed with reason, not cling to sentiment. Let go of the past and embrace the now. It’s all you have.
Pluto in Aquarius: Sagittarius & Sagittarius Rising
It’s good to share – or so we’re told. Pluto in Aquarius is going to revolutionise your opinion on that – as well as on many other things. Your thoughts, ideas, the way you communicate and perceive the world are up for review – but there will only be one outcome – and it’s will blow your mind. You will need to accept that the way you currently engage with the world is over. A radical re-think of your communication needs and strategies is on the cards and you are going to have a lot to learn. Pluto will bring one chapter of your life to a close; the book will open for the next one, but you will need to read between the lines.
If you learn to speak a different language – symbolically of course – you will find the transition a whole lot easier. Pluto in Aquarius blasts us out of situations that limit our options. Times change – and you need to change with them. The things you thought were valid, reliable or secure may have proved to be less durable than you thought they would be – and if you feel that your progress has stalled, then you will need to get your head around whatever it is that you need to do to bring your thinking up to speed.. Quick reactions and mental flexibility will help. This is the time for bright ideas; your ‘lightbulb’ moment is now.
Pluto in Aquarius: Capricorn & Capricorn Rising
You function best in the real world. Hard working and ambitious, you expect to be rewarded for your efforts – and that gives you a real concern with the material resources. When Pluto enters Aquarius, you may need to be more resourceful than you were before. The way you handle your finances, your possessions, the things you value – and your value system – are going to undergo a complete re-appraisal. One thing is certain: you are not what you own, but your attachment to ‘ownership’, may be getting in the way of you appreciating that the finer things in life do not always come with a high price tag.
Pluto in Aquarius, will ensure that pay the price if you fail to adopt a more conventional approach towards what it means ‘to possess’. There are things that are priceless – yet they have no material worth. If Pluto strips away your reliance on money or the reliability of your income – and that is possible with this transit – you will only have your inner resources to get you through. And you will discover that they are far more valuable than you realised. You’re a conservative soul, but entering unfamiliar territory may prove to be a key moment in your personal evolution. We adapt or die – and adaptation is surely the best way to go.
Pluto in Aquarius: Aquarius & Aquarius Rising
it’s a big deal for you when Pluto enters your sign, as you will feel the immediate impact more than most. This is going to be personal. Everything you thought you knew about yourself will be put under the microscope. And the big news is this: your identity will change. You may be shown – in no uncertain terms – that your old self is outdated. And you may be shocked at how other people perceive the face you have shown to the world. Aloof, distant, inflexible; does that sound like you? Sometimes life makes us stubborn and resistant to change. That will be a problem if you let change – and a personal revolution – pass you by.
Your issue may be defensiveness; you may feel lost or vulnerable. You may have lost touch with who you are. You may have built a fortress around yourself – and now here comes Pluto with some hi-tech weapons, determined to reduce your walls to rubble. Whatever happens, you are going to have to pick yourself up. Stand up for yourself; reframe your personal narrative and place yourself at the centre of it. You’re a rational, independent human being. This is not about you standing alone, but it is about you showing the world your authentic self – and you’re going to have to work out who that is.
Pluto in Aquarius: Pisces & Pisces Rising
Defining your sense of self and being in touch with who you are is tough for Pisces. You are easily distracted, malleable and hard to define – and you rather like being that way. Being free-spirited has its advantages – you don’t feel bound by the cares and concerns that stifle the spirits of so many people you know. You live according to your dreams. And your dreams are about to receive the attention of Pluto in Aquarius. Things that have been floating around your subconscious are going to be brought to the surface – and the contents of that undersea locker may surprise you.
Pluto and Aquarius deal in revelation and a day of reckoning may be headed your way. Issues with addiction, secrets, magical thinking, denial and confusion may surface. Even if you are not the person who has one of those conditions, you may have to deal with a crisis situation because someone you care about suddenly needs help, or is hospitalised. If this shocks you, you may have to ask yourself if you have been complicit in enabling their behaviours. Delusion is not sustainable long term. Leave fantasy behind and reform your idealism so it becomes rooted in reality. Develop empathy rather than fostering dependence.
Further Reading
Pluto in Aquarius: What Happens Next?
Pluto: What Fresh Hell Is This?
Sara Shipman | Real Life Astrology: Planets Signs and Houses
Sara Shipman | Real Life Astrology: The Planets In Signs
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