Pluto is one of the most complex and mysterious planets in astrology. As the planet of power, destruction, and transformation, Pluto reveals what needs to die and be reborn in order for growth to occur. When Pluto is activated in your natal chart or by transit, expect deep-seated change on psychological, emotional, and spiritual levels.
The Meaning of Pluto in Astrology
In astrology, Pluto is associated with death, rebirth, power struggles, obsession, compulsion, extremism, and the dark underbelly of society. Pluto was discovered in 1930, coinciding with events like The Great Depression, the rise of fascism, and the invention of nuclear weapons.
Pluto is the ruling planet of intense Scorpio and governs the 8th house of sex, death, transformation, and taboo. Pluto tears things down in order to rebuild, like its mythological namesake who kidnapped Persephone to make her his underworld queen. When Pluto transits an area of your chart, expect complete upheaval of anything not authentic.
Pluto in the Houses
The house where Pluto resides in your natal chart reveals where you experience major transformation during your lifetime. It’s where you confront deeply buried desires, patterns, and issues.
Pluto in the 1st House
With Pluto in the 1st house, you experience transformation of self and identity. This placement gives an intense gaze and a mysterious, magnetic aura. You are a survivor who is unafraid to explore their deepest motivations.
Pluto in the 2nd House
In the 2nd house, Pluto transforms your sense of self-worth, values, and financial security. Compulsive spending habits may surface. Power struggles around money and possessions are common.
Pluto in the 3rd House
Communication and early environment are radically changed by Pluto in the 3rd house. Painful childhood experiences may emerge. You have penetrating mental insight but should beware manipulative thinking.
Pluto in the 4th House
Family and roots are reshaped when Pluto resides in the 4th house. Change often emerges via deaths, inheritance, family secrets coming to light, or moving house frequently in childhood.
Pluto in the 5th House
With this placement, you experience deep transformations via romance, children, creativity, and self-expression. Passionate romantic intensities arise. Your creative expression evolves through periods of crisis.
Pluto in the 6th House
In the 6th house, Pluto regenerates your health routines, work life, and service to others. You have healing gifts but can also succumb to obsessive tendencies around food, exercise, pets or work.
Pluto in the 7th House
With Pluto in the 7th house, relationships are always profoundly transformative. You engage in power struggles but have the chance to evolve beyond manipulative relating. Major transformations can occur through marriage.
Pluto in the 8th House
Pluto feels right at home in the 8th house of sex, death, regeneration, and merged resources. You have tremendous psychological insight but also experience turbulent, obsessive intimacy issues before reaching enlightenment.
Pluto in the 9th House
The 9th house covers higher learning, travel, beliefs. Pluto here puts your worldview through the wringer via exposure to religions, cults, fanaticism, or enlightening but disturbing truths learned while traveling far abroad.
Pluto in the 10th House
Pluto in the 10th house brings intense career changes, rise to power followed by fall from grace, or total transformation of your public life goals. Change emerges via major authority figures.
Pluto in the 11th House
Friendships and groups experience upheaval when Pluto lands in this house. You are drawn to radical circles but should beware being manipulated. Ultimately, you transform via spiritual friendships.
Pluto in the 12th House
This placement immerses you completely in Pluto’s spiritual domain. The 12th house rules seclusion, dreams, and the unconscious mind. You possess psychic gifts and healing abilities but must guard against escapist tendencies.
Pluto Transits
When Pluto transits a house or makes major aspects to planets in your natal chart, expect deep transformation in those areas of your life. Pluto takes approximately 20 years to transit each sign, so its effects are drawn out. Here are the most intense Pluto transits:
- Pluto Conjunct Sun – Complete regeneration of identity and life path
- Pluto Square Moon – Emotional upheaval forces inner growth
- Pluto Opposite Ascendant – Public identity is radically transformed
- Pluto Square Mars – Drive and sexuality are transformed through crisis
- Pluto Trine Jupiter – Intense focus leads to extreme growth of knowledge and philosophy
- Pluto Conjunct Saturn – Long-standing structures in life dissolve, powerful new structures emerge from the ashes
If aspected constructively, Pluto can bring empowerment. But it usually puts us through the wringer first, compelling us to dig deep and move beyond harmful behaviors, procedures, or limiting worldviews. The Phoenix rising from the ashes is the perfect symbol for Pluto’s transformative effect. We first “die” and then are reborn, freed of accumulated dross.
Embracing Pluto’s Transformational Powers
Though often painful, Pluto’s destruction paves the way for regeneration. By embracing its transformative energies, we can evolve into our highest selves. Here are constructive ways to align with Pluto:
- Seek therapy to understand subconscious motivations
- Use obsessive tendencies for spiritual development or creative output
- Confront manipulation and power struggles in relationships; set empowering boundaries
- Allow outworn aspects of self, relationships, or career to die away to make space for growth
- Engage in taboo spiritual practices like Kundalini yoga to channel intense energies constructively
- Spend time alone to harness Pluto’s gifts as the planet of solitude
The next time Pluto comes calling, surrender to its formidable powers of transformation. Be willing to traverse Pluto’s underworld domain so you ultimately emerge renewed on the other side.
