Revisit: Pluto in Capricorn

Several years ago Pluto began it's march through Capricorn and what a series of events unfolded! Take a look at this blog from Sept. 2009 with it's focus on the upcoming Plutonian changes and then review your own life. What has happened? Have you encountered forces seemingly beyond your control? Pluto is now retrograding at 6 degrees of Capricorn and bringing up issues for each of us to consider- are we holding on too tightly to control? Time to let go.....

Pluto in Capricorn: Gold in the Shadow

On Sept. 11th Pluto will once again station at 0 degrees Capricorn and turn direct, focusing its penetrating eye on the fundamental structures of our lives including the financial system and anything which needs "adjustment". In March of 2008 Pluto first entered Capricorn after a long stay in Sagittarius (its orbit is 248 years so it is in each sign for a long while) as we saw the first glimpse of its intention with the fall of Bear Stearns and the beginning of the global economic meltdown. During the summer of 2008 Pluto was again retrograde and we had a brief respite from the transformational process, some time to "regroup" before its next efforts which began Sept. 10th of 2008 as it moved directly into Capricorn and well, we all know what happened in the following months! It was during this time that the beginning of Pluto's intentions became apparent: to rebalance power that was out of control and in favor of the small majority at the top, those who had used power inappropriately through greed and manipulation. The shadowy underbelly of our monetary systems began to be revealed which included corruption, deceit, and behind the scenes wrangling which cost millions of dollars for those who had trusted the very basis of our banking system. Pluto had begun its journey through Capricorn by showing us what needed changing.

Fast forward to Sept. 2009: In the next week Pluto will again move direct in Capricorn, this time at 0 degrees with the Sabian Symbol "An Indian Chief Claims Power from the Assembled Tribe" or "the power and responsibility implied in any claim for leadership".

This symbol speaks to the need for decisive leadership which will guide the community to ensure its physical survival, depending on group cooperation to achieve the greater goals for the common man. It is easy to see how this symbol is playing out with President Obama'sfocus on reforming health care and his stepping up to the plate in order to provide health care for millions who are unable to afford it. Here Pluto is demonstrating that power has been held by the Pharmaceutical companies and cooperations who have locked up our health care system with rising costs which literally have disregarded the needs of the many and supported the bank accounts of the few. We have first row seats as Pluto works his magic on this aspect of our system which is drastically in need of reform.

On a more personal level, Plutonian transits most usually affect us in deep ways, most of them unsettling to say the least as they plumb the depths of our fears, in this case related to survival and abandonment. Over the past year many of us have pared down, gone "back to basics" and reevaluated what was of true importance to us. Pluto will never take away that which truly belongs to you, but it will challenge you to let go of that which is not yours, or which is outworn and outdated. A look at where transiting Pluto is in your astrological chart (0 Capricorn) will indicate where Pluto is working on your own psyche as well as where it isnatally (your birth chart), the two of which can provide some valuable insight as to where your own transformational Plutonian process is taking place.

Take heart for even as Pluto destroys it always transforms and rebirth occurs. Due to its slow planetary movement, the process is a bit grinding, giving us all plenty of time to surrender to the process of change. It may not be comfortable, but there is always "gold" in the shadow and this is the reward of the transformational process.

When the Grape Meets the Press: Letting Go of Non Essentials

"We must become the change we wish to see in the world."   -Ghandi
 
Every so often we enter a time in our lives that might be described as cathartic, intense, transformational, a crisis, many of which seem to come out of the blue. External events can serve as the catalyst for the beginning of much needed change


The key is to become aware of what must surrendered, what is no longer essential, so that the next stage of personal growth can occur. Here is when the grape meets the press as the juice is extracted slowly so that all that remains is the pulp or core of the grape. We might look at this process and think poor grape! But in fact, it it necessary to experience death of the old so that the new will be reborn. Shamanic cultures see this process as an initiatory experience when we are literally reduced to our bones.


Imagine that you have filled your life with many wonderful accomplishments, positive relationships, and abundance on many levels. You have reached a state of fullness in all areas after a period of expansion and growth. Often such a period can occur in the mid to late thirties after career and family has been created after the transition that occurred during the twenties and marked the entry into official adulthood after the first Saturn return at age 29. For all, this is a time when a major Pluto transit appears on the horizon and heralds a time of change. It is necessary to prune the tree in order for new growth to occur. Or, in contrast, maybe life hasn't been working out all that well and a shake-up is needed. The Pluto square to natal Pluto is the first of the four mid-life transits that happen from age 36-45, but depending on the birth chart, a Plutonian catharsis can happen any time transiting Pluto comes in contact with a natal planet therefore the following excerpt applies to any Pluto transit. Think death and rebirth and you will have entered the realm of Pluto.

Pluto square Pluto

A Time for Transformation and Letting Go 

“The old adage for a Pluto transit is that it never asks you to let go of what truly belongs to you, but will take anything else necessary for evolution. Issues having to do with power and control are central here as the intense probe of Pluto begins to uncover what it is that needs releasing. Some keywords for this transit include penetrating, transforming, and scathing as this transit often is the initiator in the monadal (or midlife) process. 

Remember Hades, God of the Underworld in Greek mythology, with Pluto, his Roman counterpart. In the myth of Persephone, she was dragged into the underworld by Pluto who took her to be his bride, destroying all of her innocence in the process. When we come face-to-face with a Plutonian transit, whether in square to its natal position or interacting with another planet in the birth chart, a certain degree of naivety needs to be released as the veils are lifted. The personal and collective shadow emerges as areas which are usually avoided for fear of what may be found. Patterns within relationships are particular areas of scrutiny here as are deep, dark personal and family secrets, which the individual has kept at bay. Surrendering to the process in whatever form it takes is the key here.

Each Pluto transit has three phases: shock, paralysis, and rebirth. The intensity of the initial shock cannot be understated as Pluto jolts the area of life needing review. The house and sign being impacted will indicate where the shock occurs, followed by a sense of powerlessness and confusion over how to respond or what action to

take... The third and final phase of rebirth does not usually occur until the end of the transit when the new form has been created.”  

from Spiritual Turning Points A Metaphysical Perspective of the Seven Life 

Transitions

Question: What Am I Letting Go of Today?

Notes from the Underworld

Scorpio. Pluto. Descent. Shadow. Purging. Letting go. Powerlessness. Power. All of these words describe the essence of what happens when Pluto comes knocking at your door.

I am not unaccustomed to Plutonian events and have had more than a few during my almost 56 years. They come as unexpected rumblings in the night, shocks that hit at the least convenient times, always leaving us stunned and then paralyzed, unable to move. No longer is there predictability and instead we find ourselves in survival mode as Pluto uncovers a nest of emotional "issues" that need revisiting, often through what looks to the outside world as obsessive penetration, rooting and digging into areas that we usually prefer to keep behind closed doors.

Pluto brings upheaval, and also heralds rebirth. After the release of whatever does not belong to you comes the regenerative aspect of this planet, giving the opportunity for the birth of a new form.

Right now Pluto is transiting through the early degrees of Capricorn so it's a good time to take a look at what if any planets you might have from 3-7 degrees of Capricorn, Aries, Cancer, and Libra for these signs are being aspected by conjunction, square, or opposition by Pluto during 2010 and 2011. Here you will see what area of life Pluto is seeking to transform and when you do, let go.

Pluto in Capricorn: Gold in the Shadow

On Sept. 11th Pluto will once again station at 0 degrees Capricorn and turn direct, focusing its penetrating eye on the fundamental structures of our lives including the financial system and anything which needs "adjustment". In March of 2008 Pluto first entered Capricorn after a long stay in Sagittarius (its orbit is 248 years so it is in each sign for a long while) as we saw the first glimpse of its intention with the fall of Bear Stearns and the beginning of the global economic meltdown. During the summer of 2008 Pluto was again retrograde and we had a brief respite from the transformational process, some time to "regroup" before its next efforts which began Sept. 10th of 2008 as it moved directly into Capricorn and well, we all know what happened in the following months! It was during this time that the beginning of Pluto's intentions became apparent: to rebalance power that was out of control and in favor of the small majority at the top, those who had used power inappropriately through greed and manipulation. The shadowy underbelly of our monetary systems began to be revealed which included corruption, deceit, and behind the scenes wrangling which cost millions of dollars for those who had trusted the very basis of our banking system. Pluto had begun its journey through Capricorn by showing us what needed changing.

Fast forward to Sept. 2009: In the next week Pluto will again move direct in Capricorn, this time at 0 degrees with the Sabian Symbol "An Indian Chief Claims Power from the Assembled Tribe" or "the power and responsibility implied in any claim for leadership".

This symbol speaks to the need for decisive leadership which will guide the community to ensure its physical survival, depending on group cooperation to achieve the greater goals for the common man. It is easy to see how this symbol is playing out with President Obama's focus on reforming health care and his stepping up to the plate in order to provide health care for millions who are unable to afford it. Here Pluto is demonstrating that power has been held by the Pharmaceutical companies and cooperations who have locked up our health care system with rising costs which literally have disregarded the needs of the many and supported the bank accounts of the few. We have first row seats as Pluto works his magic on this aspect of our system which is drastically in need of reform.

On a more personal level, Plutonian transits most usually affect us in deep ways, most of them unsettling to say the least as they plumb the depths of our fears, in this case related to survival and abandonment. Over the past year many of us have pared down, gone "back to basics" and reevaluated what was of true importance to us. Pluto will never take away that which truly belongs to you, but it will challenge you to let go of that which is not yours, or which is outworn and outdated. A look at where transiting Pluto is in your astrological chart (0 Capricorn) will indicate where Pluto is working on your own psyche as well as where it is natally (your birth chart), the two of which can provide some valuable insight as to where your own transformational Plutonian process is taking place.

Take heart for even as Pluto destroys it always transforms and rebirth occurs. Due to its slow planetary movement, the process is a bit grinding, giving us all plenty of time to surrender to the process of change. It may not be comfortable, but there is always "gold" in the shadow and this is the reward of the transformational process.