Hi, I just wanted to say that I hear all this dark stuff about Pluto but, lucky for me, when it crossed my Ascendant around spring 2001, I was graduating from a challenging 2 year program in massage therapy. I felt really powerful to succeed and complete this achievement. So, what is the deeper meaning of Pluto? My birthday is July 9, 1974. (LGO)
The dark Pluto stuff is commonly experienced by many people yet your experience is the other, light side of Pluto. In either case, dark or light, the experiences and situations we face if we have an emphasized Pluto in our natal chart and a significant Pluto transit, will be our meeting with/confrontation with power. The evolutionary astrologers describe Pluto as “the evolutionary intent or necessity of the soul” in this incarnation. We humans naturally think the seemingly positive empowerment versus the tragic losses is either good or bad. I am not sure our souls make the same distinction in how we grow into greater awareness, deep surrender and acceptance of our life purpose. In both sets of circumstances the experiences, emotions, what we learn from them, and how they shape our beliefs is the arena of our evolution.
Of course, we will and should feel excited and proud when we achieve something worthy. Equally, we will and should feel sadness, loss, confusion and pain when difficult and tragic events occur. Yet, when we can also expand our awareness to observe and seek to mine either type of Pluto experience for its meaning, its message, where it is leading us and how we can grow from it, we are then beginning to understand Pluto’s role in our evolution. Admittedly, this is really hard when we are in pain, suffer terrible losses, and life seems to be grossly unfair. Pluto’s teachings are whatever will most force change, growth, awareness and movement toward our life purpose.
You were born with Pluto in Libra square your natal Mercury/Saturn conjunction, which is challenging; however, when transiting Pluto crossed your Ascendant, I believe you were attuned to its message and likely had been making choices that made your empowering success possible. As a Cancer you are sensitive and intuitive by nature. Your Sagittarius Ascendant, North Node and Neptune in Sagittarius in the 12th house (Pisces natural house) ruling your natal Moon/Jupiter conjunction in Pisces; and your natal Pluto in the 9th house, the natural realm of Sagittarius – reveal a sensitivity to Pluto’s guidance. You deserve great credit for developing and integrating that sensitivity well. However, the individual whose question is below is, I suspect, no less worthy but her lessons are quite different from yours emphasizing our individuality and our individual paths. There are many excellent books on the meaning of Pluto that are well worth studying; including psychological and mythological avenues to greater understanding.
My birth date is August 29, 1968. I have a stellium in Virgo in the 2nd house along with Cancer rising, Moon in Scorpio in the 3rd house. My main aspect pattern is a YOD with my Saturn the apex in Aries in the 9th house. My Saturn in Aries quincunxes my Virgo stellium which contains my Sun, Jupiter, Mercury, Pluto and Uranus. Whilst I have never felt life to be easy or “evident” (as far as how to do it), as the now single mum of a 2 year old girl from whose father I separated in the 8th week of pregnancy due to “family violence” issues, I really feel I’ve had the most challenging past 3 years.
I had no support from the father during the pregnancy, a serious pregnancy complication (despite being healthy and conscious about diet, supplements, yoga, etc.) and to top that I have ongoing issues with the father related to the shared care of my daughter ever since she was born. Despite all my efforts to be fair and reasonable, he came back into the picture when she was born trying to take control and ultimately taking me to court. Numerous court hearings later, I have been dealt court orders that are far from the “just solution” that I or my solicitor expected or hoped for. I feel I have been living a nightmare and now feel trapped and controlled by my ex who holds me under continuous threat of being taken to court should I slip up in the most insignificant ways. I love my daughter so much and want her to know her father but am concerned about his lack of child focus and selfish/controlling demands.
I am struggling financially, despite trying to supplement my pension with some yoga teaching and astrology work. I moved to be near family after my daughter was born to a small town which is a few hours from where I had been living with the father before the split. I feel lonely and a bit friendless here. I have had no interest in men throughout this time but I find it hard to accept a life as a single mother and feel sad for my daughter as a single mum who is quite alternative not quite fitting in. I’ve always been a bit on the outer but I just don’t know what I’m supposed to be, not that I have much choice now with these court orders I have to abide by. I keep thinking I want to write a book about all the unjust stuff I’ve seen in family court but I’m torn since my spiritual beliefs lead me to question focusing on those issues outside of me. The past hurts. There are not many people I feel I can talk to you and my budget is so tight that sometimes I don’t know where to get some other input into my situations and challenges. Any advice or insight would be sooooo welcome. Thank you. (KA)
Ouch, what a painful journey you have traveled these last years. Yes, you do have a massive stellium of planets in Virgo, intensifying and focusing your life experiences and purpose. That stellium includes both Uranus and Pluto in conjunction with your natal Mercury and Venus. In addition to those intense indicators, your Moon and Neptune are both in Scorpio (adding more Pluto intensity) with both squaring your natal Mars. Tough!
Some of the good news is that you were able to birth a healthy, much loved daughter at the age of 44 which is not possible for many, many women. Yet, as transiting Saturn moved into Libra, the archetype of love, marriage and partnership, you become involved with, abused by, pregnant with and separated from your partner experiencing the dark side of your natal Venus/Uranus/Pluto conjunction. Likely, your progressed Moon was opposing your natal Neptune in the 5th house of children at that time (the blessing of your pregnancy but also the loss and sadness of the circumstances); your progressed Venus was squaring your natal Mars (the ensuing violence and conflict); your progressed Mars was at the midpoint of your Sun/Jupiter conjunction. Transiting Saturn and Uranus were opposing one another in the sky as they both set off your natal Pluto/Mercury/Venus. Together, these progressions and transits describe the relationship, costs, hardships, and painful outcome with which you are and will be dealing with for some time to come. If you add up the timing and the natal stellium which involves your Venus, the planet of love and relationship, you see the unfolding destiny you are living.
Thankfully, and much to your credit you are a positive, healthy, spiritually oriented person who can, will and has to find her own, individual path through this briar patch. Being born into the mid 60’s Uranus/Pluto conjunction, which for you involves your personal planets, you are here to live an individual life following your own guidance, differences, intuition and finding trust in how the work you are here to do is and will unfold through each and every circumstance of your life. Not an easy life but a profound, important and meaningful one. Your daughter’s soul knew exactly what she was coming into and has the mum she needs and chose. Your 5th house Neptune reveals the spiritual closeness you have and always will have with your daughter as well as the sacrifices you will make for her. Your 2nd house Virgo stellium is at its core about your inherent nature, values and worth. Develop that and trust it, then you will find your Virgo “right work” as transiting Neptune begins its opposition to your many Virgo planets.
Remember that Saturn rules your 7th house of marriage and is in the 9th house of 2nd marriages which will lead you to a later partnership that will be strong and long. Not yet, but know it is ahead of you. Also, look more deeply into Neptune who will be your companion for the next decade when you will find your work, your successes, your true purpose and your financial path to self sufficiency. I agree that this is not the time to write about your court experiences until you have more distance and understanding which will heal you and guide you to knowing if that is your true work. Studying the Course in Miracles is a wise and supportive decision for you.