Pluto in Aquarius – through houses and signs

Pluto, the planet of transformation, ruler of inexorable and seismic changes, a wrecking ball and a reconstructor, is now firmly into Aquarius to stay for two decades.

 On an individual chart it will have an effect depending on the chart house which it moves through and which planets it aspects. Transiting Pluto through a chart house makes the strongest impact at the start of a house transit so for the moment it will be worth paying attention where a house cusp is in early degrees.

  Not for nothing is the phoenix the symbol for Pluto. It arises out of the ashes of the past. First a rendering to dust and then a rebuild.  

Pluto through:

1st – most useful transit of them all since it brings deeper self-knowledge and an understanding of where the individual fits into their environment. Though it won’t come without some pain. It often starts with an urge to over control, which is the anti-Pluto resistance to change. Letting go and opening up to new attitudes and accepting that a total image makeover is overdue will make life run more smoothly.

2nd – personal finances can start with a breakdown phase before building up financial security in the years ahead. Requires a new attitude to handling cash.

3rd – deep thinking and intense where everyday communications are concerned with a tendency to take every encounter and word spoken as deeply significant. Can be dogmatic leading to stalemate in discussions. Need to lighten up at times. Relationships with workmates, neighbours, siblings can get conflicted.

4th – changes at home and the family, sometimes starting with an older relative passing on, or with domestic problems of cracking infrastructure as Pluto gets to undermining what is outworn and needs replaced. Pulling away from childhood past is also part of it. Troubled family relationships may split initially but can come back together from a more mature standpoint later on.

5th – creative, attention-seeking, wanting to be accepted as a person of substance. Can become possessive where loved ones and children are concerned.

6th – need to regenerate the body and fitness, get ailments seen to and improve old damaging lifestyle habits.  Work relationships can become tense since there will be a drive to put changes in place and be in control.

7th – change on close relationships will be inevitable but one or other partner may fight for control, to hang onto the old status quo. Can be a time of break ups though not necessarily. At best can lead to more depth in the connection.

8th – the chart area of transformation, rebirth and joint finances. Can start with the passing of an older relative or friend. Having to dig deeper for answers to fundamental matters, reaching out beyond the rational world for solutions and insights. Can feel like purgatory. Not a time to owe money or be obligated since will feel trapped.

9th – chart area of beliefs, the higher mind and travel. Slow, gradual shearing away of old opinions and attitudes to find a new outlook on life. Tendency to be dogmatic or self-righteous ending up in intense discussions.

10th – change of career and reputation. Pluto can bring a dead- halt and need-to-rethink-direction phase. In certain cases can damage public image and career status with a need to rebuild on the far side. Often begins a longish period of seeking and searching until a meaningful direction is found.

11th – change in future plans and goals as old ambitions and indeed friendships fade away. Intense connections with groups that want to make a difference in society. Team and group activities take foreground. Cooperation not always easy with Pluto setting up tensions and tugs of war for control.

12th – an inward-looking phase of exploring the unconscious and trying to understand why certain actions are self-defeating.

Pluto in Aquarius will also affect the sign in which the Sun as marker of identity sits. It will be most noticeable immediately where the Sun falls in early degrees and on the cusp.

  The greatest effect will be felt by the Fixed signs – Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius.   

   For Taurus, it falls in the Solar 10th house of career and life direction, bringing a long phase of seeking and searching for meaning and purpose at work and in life. The ultimate aim is to find a true vocation. But it may be a question of try, try, try again before you succeed. Along the way there may be power struggles with authority figures.

Leo will be prompted to alter their approach to close relationships. Pluto can throw up tensions as one or both partners resist letting go the old ways and fight for control. It can be scary to open up to deeper connections with intense emotional reactions surfacing. But the end result will be to forge stronger bonds if the problems can be overcome and trust established.

Scorpio will sense the winds of change blowing through their home life, family relationships and altering their attitude to their roots and origins. Pulling away from old emotional foundations can bring a sense of loss but the gift is the prospect of reattaching in future to more mature connections as childish patterns are eliminated. It can also be a time of rebuilding literally at home as the domestic shell shows signs of requiring renovations.

Aquarius could regard this as a transformational phase comparable to caterpillar, chrysalis into butterfly. Though another analogy might be the crustacean – like a lobster or shrimp.  They are armour-coated which protects them but what fends off danger also stops them growing. When they need to evolve to a larger size they go through a vulnerable phase when they cast off the old shell. At that point they hide under a rock for safety. Grown in size, they put on a suitably enlarged overcoat and sally back into the fray. Pluto’s change always requires a step backwards into an exposed or defenceless stage before an empowered move forward.  Aquarius will emerge renewed and regenerated along the way.

  The other Air signs – Gemini and Libra – will benefit from Pluto in Aquarius. 

Gemini has been labouring since 2008 with Pluto moving through its Solar 8th house, which is a financial and emotional drag. Some have used Pluto’s subtle manipulation of power and influence astutely but it hasn’t been easy. Pluto moving ahead through their Solar 9th will find them opinionated and wrestling to a degree with sorting out their beliefs and philosophy of life but they won’t be as tied down.

Libra has been sorting out home, family and domestic matters for the past fifteen years and is now ready to step out into a longish phase of Pluto moving through their Solar 5th house. This will help them make their mark creatively and be an influential presence on the social scene. Less helpfully it can make them more possessive and controlling about children and loved ones. Resisting that temptation and turning their attention to building up their self-confidence and getting their achievements out on display will make more sense.

The fire signs – Aries and Sagittarius – will be less burdened moving ahead with Pluto moving out of materialistic, earthy Capricorn into airy Aquarius.  A mix of Fire and Air can be hot-air-balloon time, exciting but not always realistic or practical. But will appeal to their adventurous spirit.

  Aries will throw their energy into activist movements with Pluto moving through their Solar 11th house, wanting to make a difference. Friendships will become more intense and mixing with influential types out in society will be more frequent.

Sagittarius can now turn their attention away from Pluto in Capricorn’s obsession with money to considering how to reorganize their everyday schedule and routines at work and in the neighbourhood. Altering their way of communication will be key to Pluto in Aquarius. Everyday encounters may take on a significant tone, though too much may be read into small glitches. Becoming opinionated, dogmatic or negative are risks but real insight into the core of situations and problems will be the gift.

Cancer is still moving through a challenging phase of revisioning close relationships. Pluto in Capricorn has been a longish time of adjusting to a different balance in interchanges with one-to-one partners. Pluto moving into the Solar 8th house can bring a sense of restriction either financial or emotional, but in rethinking attitudes to influence, power and control, there can be a surprisingly positive outcome. For sure, best results will come from altering ways of sharing, caring and relating and being firstly more adaptable and secondly accepting of what can’t be changed.

Pisces will adapt to Pluto moving through Aquarius, the sign before theirs, by disappearing into a private space to ponder. For some, they will drift and daydream through a time where they feel marginally hemmed in. For others they will rise to the challenge of understanding what is going on deep within themselves. They will explore their unconscious or their past for clues to how to change the pattern of their lives.

Virgo facing Pluto moving into their 6th house of health and work will be unperturbed at the prospect of exploring better ways of upgrading and regenerating their fitness and physical well-being. Being hypochondriacs at heart, they will relish the thought of researching new diets, exercise plans and supplements to keep them on peak form.  There may be tensions in the work place since their determination they know best about new methods and approaches may not meet with universal agreement.

Capricorn likewise won’t be unduly unnerved by the prospect of Pluto moving into its chart area of personal finances, since money and materialistic matters fall within its comfort zone. Though they may not appreciate Pluto’s tendency to start with a breakdown phase as an old financial base or methods are deconstructed before the reconstruction begins.  Staying in control of cash and security will be key to their peace of mind.

  These are the rule of thumb Solar effects of Pluto in Aquarius – which will equally make sense when applied to the rising (Ascendant) sign. Not to be regarded as tablets of stone since other planetary influences will also be in play. But helpful as an overview.

26 thoughts on “Pluto in Aquarius – through houses and signs”

  1. At the risk of my post being binned again I would like to share a thought. As far as I can see astrology is a very good tool for insight and understanding of the forces at work at any given point in time but not particularly accurate in predicting events. As Marjorie has commented in the past, it does not provide certainty. We have to accept that we are not supposed to know what is coming, we can only get a rough sense of it. Wild speculation only adds to the confusion, IMO. As Pluto enters Aqaurius now, conjunct my natal Chiron on the cusp of my 8th house, I am feeling very out of step. The perceived wound of ‘not really belonging anywhere’ has become very loud.

    • I think astrology is very useful on an individual in terms of understanding the energies coming your way. For example, the Mars/Pluto opposition which continues until April next year is across my 5th/11th house T squaring onto my Moon in Scorpio. So I am actively avoiding any firing up of my emotions currently and instead putting that energy into being creative with my home (Moon) and throwing out stuff I no longer need, recycling and upcycling other things, creating a beautiful roof garden and being more physically active. I tend to deal with anger by punching a cushion, gestalt like in a darkened room while screaming. Mind you, ask me in 5 months time and I may well be a quivering wreck.

    • I agree with SuHu that astrology is a very good tool for insight and understanding of the forces at work at any given point in time, but not particularly accurate in predicting events. I always suggest to people who ask me about its value that it seems to me like weather forecasting, it gives information about upcoming trends but they can best be used as preparatory tools, like taking umbrellas if rain is predicted or going sailing when wind is likely. Horary astrology seems much more precise in prediction, I think. But all astrologers are vulnerable to unconscious personal prejudice, as even very skilled practitioners mostly predicted Kamala Harris would trump Trump… I personally find most value in astrology in its help with understanding myself in developing situations as well as the symbolism it can provide in observing worldly circumstances such as the fascinating changes when the outer planets change signs, for example.

    • I think astrology, that is to say, the writing on the stars, is accurate.Astrologers on the other hand, see through a glass darkly. The thing is, every astrologer’s glass is a darkened by different factors and in different measure: the endless variety of reality which must be explained by a handful of factors, the astrologer’s delineation experience, their biases, the astrology techniques used, their memory.

      Take Bill Meridian’s prediction that Kamala could not win the election. It was made using a 90 degree dial, and Uranian “planets”, which are read, apparently, as sets of “equations” x,y,c = such and such an outcome. Meridian was in a conference with 3 other astrologers, not Uranian, who predicted Kamala would win. Meridian’s section was the shortest segment, truly succinct. You get the feeling he arrived at his conclusion on less than 20 minutes. To be honest, it made me curious about Urania astrology, -about which I now virtually nothing- I think that if for those interested in prediction -me-, it’s worth a second look.

      Now take Anthony Louis, a hyper-rational virgo, who predicted Kamala would win. Today I got his blog mail with his explanation of the things he neglected to take into account, and they are all based on the Sun’s ingresses in Washington DC, and the consideration of the candidates planets going Rx or direct close to the election: apparently as astrologer called Richard Houck, who wrote the curiously titled book The Astrology of Death, had found out that “near the time of the election, a progressed natal planet turning direct suggests a win, whereas a progressed natal planet turning Rx (or not stationing at all) suggests a loss. Harris had her secondary progressed natal Uranus station Rx on 24 Nov 2024, within weeks of the election, suggesting a loss.” So Louis’ explanation is based on completely different techniques than Meridian’s prediction.

      Anyway, the Solar System is eloquent, but there are so many elements in play, it can get difficult for an astrologer to keep it all in mind–

  2. I have seen one of my relatives Pluto moving into Aquarius and squaring her Venus in Taurus, her love life as well as her finances became miserable. Since then she hasn’t been able to keep any relationship, she keeps breaking up with men as well as her friends. Pluto being about transformation is not all that bad, since 2008 in Capricorn it has transformed our financial system for the better, we have seen more innovations in digital payment and the birth of virtual currencies like bitcoin. Career wise we also saw businessmen becoming more powerful, most becoming presidents, the likes of Donald Trump, Cyril Ramaphosa,Uhuru Kenyatta, the recent British prime minister, current Lesotho president and many more. I think from now it is going to benefit tech entrepreneurs, maybe we will sonn see people like Soon Musk running for president, and others. Pluto in Aquarius has also benefited artificial intelligence and technology, over the coming years there is going to be more AI innovations. People like us in astrology and technology are also going to grow enormously.

    • @Tshele, sorry, but how has your relative’s Pluto “moved to Aquarius”? Only way that could have happened is through some sort of progression.

      Also, a reminder that Elon Musk can’t become the US President, because one needs to be born an US citizen for that, and he wasn’t. I doubt this will change either, with Republican party making the claim Barack Obama and more recently Kamala Harris weren’t born citizens their whole identity. Similar laws are in place in most republics, likely because monarchies tended to be international. If you think that Diana Spencer was the first British-born bride to a heir to throne in centuries (Elizabeth Bowles-Lyon married “the spare”), you get the picture.

      Interestingly, the non-citizen theme is actually prominent among “broligarchs” mingling with politics.Tech world tends to be international. That does not prevent them from using more covert, Plutonian power, through.

      • Hi Solaia, it’s just a typing error about my relative. I meant to say since Pluto moved into Aquarius in early 2023, my relative’s love life became a nightmare since it squared her natal Venus. But Elon Musk acts as if he was born in the US, even his best friend Donald Trump doesn’t mention it as he does with other people. He is also an immigrant, from South Africa. Thanks for explaining the US citizenship issue, but with Donald Trump in power and being so fraudulent, anything is possible, I won’t be surprised even if he can try to change the US constitution such that his friends can benefit. It looks like Republicans are scared of him. Anything he says goes.

    • @Tshele, I admit I forgot Pluto already “dipped” to Aquarius.

      But re. Musk and other foreign born tech entrepreneurs, one of Trump’s first forays to politics was paying a private investigator to investigate Obama’s origins. “Nativism” in general is one of his longest standing obsessions, ironically given his mother was of the Scottish origin, and his paternal grandmother was pregnant with his father when coming to America. There was a lot written on how Trump’s sisters in particular were/are very close to their Scottish heritage, visiting their mother’s village multiple times. Donald is said to have spent all of 10 minutes there once. I think this comes from his Moon conjunct South Node: He feels his heritage is holding him back.

      Also, as Marjorie has pointed out, Trump’s relationship with Musk isn’t without challenges overall, and certainly not in the coming months. Musk is of very different age and comes from a different World than Donald Sr. It does, indeed, seem Musk is more “buddies” with Donald Jr., while Donald Sr.’s friends tend to be closer to his age and circles.

  3. Uranus opposes my north node in Leo next year. Although at my age with a Pluto conjunct the Sun on my IC. I doubt whether it will be a shock. I just had a Quick Look at the Labour Party Chart. If I am right Pluto will transit its Saturn/MC midpoint next year and then its Saturn/Sun midpoint the following year. Which from memory will also transit Starmer’s Saturn. Interesting times.

  4. Dumb question: the only things in Aquarius in my chart are my ascendant -17 degrees Chiron in Aquarius in my 1st in the 1st-27 degrees

    Help you guys! —the Ascendant isn’t 1st house is it? I’m confused.

    I’ve sun Taurus in my 3rd -18 degrees.

      • Thank you Marjorie!
        The inner work continues I suppose. Good thing at my age—so far I’ve found myself, from this perspective, appreciating experiences that I had found difficult, and having real gratitude for all the people I’ve interacted with through the years. I’m a bit of a loner & have always found solitude a refuge so it seems to suit me well.

  7. Fun fact, looks like I might be eligible for retirement by the time Pluto hits my 6th (Placidus). While I’m sceptic about ever really retiring, I may become somehow self employed.

  8. Thank you very much, Marjorie, for this wonderfully elucidating post. Vis a vis yours truly, everything falls into place and makes perfect sense. Pluto is now entering Aquarius in my first house. Its transit through my 12th house was very rough–it forced me to dig deep into my past, unearthing and examining myriad troubling mistakes/choices I’d made. I owned up to everything, looking at myself with brutal objectivity. Tremendous inner work and growth! So I guess I’m now in for a complete (outer) transformation. Look forward to the next phase of the new me, as arduous as that might be at times.

    • @Julie Yes, same.
      I had Pluto going through the 12th. I can’t even put it into words. The way Marjorie describes the transit above is well done. Every demon I had had to be faced down, very slowly – since 2008. I just hope I’ve faced enough within myself. We’ll see.
      Much luck to you.

    • Julie & JY—I’ve Pluto in my 12th right now. I’m 65, retired. I’ve found that revisiting the past—with a younger sister who I’m pretty sure went through a Pluto return several years ago—has brought all sorts of new understandings of myself & how we both coped and survived difficult childhoods. For me, I’ve connected with family in a way I never did before. I’ve had several therapists over my life & my sister has been the most helpful in pointing me to information about family dynamics & the concept of the “highly sensitive person”—something I didn’t know existed!

      Anyway—for me, it’s been really good. I feel I understand my past reactions & behavior in a way I never did before—and it makes sense!

        • I wish she had her birth time. Almost ten years ago she moved back to the US from Japan, ended her long marriage, moved to Texas (big cultural change -before Japan she lived in L.A. and Northern California), attempted teaching at a middle school (she’d taught college students in Japan. I taught tweens for a dozen years—it’s really hard.), At the same time she went through menopause AND then her only son went to college -empty nest time-and all this over just a few years. She had a rough time! Got therapy & also, brilliantly, did lots of reading and learning. We weren’t close when we were young-sibling jealousy & chaos (no one guiding us—we were wild). We are very close now—I’m so proud of her too. I’d never known how intelligent and good hearted she is until this era.

  10. What a fantastic post – so much detail.

    For anyone unsure of their houses/charts, may I add that it might be worth thinking about how Uranus in Aqua (1996-2003) and Neptune (1998-2010) affected you. For me, it certainly clears up that Aqua is my 10th house as I was freelance from 1997-2003 (and I recall saying I should have left 18mths earlier) and loved the freedom it gave. I would love to have continued doing that but as soon as Uranus moved on into Pisces the job market changed and I had to go back to ‘permanent’ employment – become one of the team (11th).

    Am hoping with Pluto now entering my 10th that all the ducks I’ve been setting up in a row will come how to roost and I will get some success. Looking back I was always seen as something of a loose cannon at work / slightly offbeat (confirming the Aqua 10th house) and I never cared. I noticed over this past year, since Pluto dipped into Aqua, I’ve begun to become concerned about how people view me and also sometimes feeling that certain people are challenging my authority. Interesting times ahead.

  11. Thank you, Marjorie. I meant to post that previously, all of your posts are so well researched and clear. I am always impressed by your depth of knowledge.

    Pluto helped me recently, in an unusual way, because I never really considered myself “Plutonian”.

    My late mother, she passed away back in 1993, I never knew her birthtime. I would stare at her natal chart
    decades later, when I learned about astrology. I always wondered and tried to guess at her rising sign.

    I kept turning back to my old astrology go to book, written by the late Isabel Hickey. Hickey describes Pluto
    in the fifth house, the description that the native’s children would be extremely unusual people. That meant
    that my mother was a Pisces rising, with a packed 11th house.

    I recently found my mother’s birth certificate on an online Ancestry site. Pluto in her 5th house.

    My chart ruler is my Pisces Moon/Chiron, 8th and 9th house. My 3rd house Pluto opposes that Moon/Chiron
    exact, zero degree orb.

    Pluto crossed my IC and I could write a book what happened then. I would not wish that on nobody.

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