Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Jan
The dwarf planet of research and delving deep goes in introspective mode on April 6. As Pluto in Capricorn turns its focus inward, he questions our structure, the very foundation that we operate from, the beliefs we hold so dear, the disciplines we practice, the principles we abide by, and that which we have always known to be our truth.
In a previous post on Pluto, I briefly explained the importance and meaning of Pluto in Capricorn:
As he transits signs, he moves through our natal and solar houses affecting our lives slowly, subtly but with glaring, remarkable life-altering results. Pluto currently moves through Capricorn, where he is ambitious, practical, and determined. Capricorn represents social status, public life, reputation, hierarchies, and established government. Globally, Pluto's transit in Capricorn until 2023 may bring changes in government systems, restructuring of proven but antiquated methods, issues with security, and the like. Expect these issues to be extended to our personal lives -- how we feel about security and what makes us secure; a look at what we do, hold on to, practice, believe in that no longer reflects our current life, our present self, our present drives; establishing or reevaluating of our goals/aspirations and taking steps toward achieving them.
While Pluto is retrograde in Capricorn, he will revisit the period from now through to December 2009. Perhaps, issues or events that may have first been introduced as early as the period on or around February to May 2009 may also get another look. How have things progressed since then? What's different? What's the same? Where's the hang up?
Pluto retrogrades from April 6 at 10:34 p.m. EST until September 14 at 12:37 a.m. EST. The retrograde occurs at 5 degrees back to 2 degrees of Capricorn. Early born cardinal Sun signs or Risings and those with natal planets/house angles between 2 and 5 degrees of cardinal signs may feel the effects of this retrograde stronger than others. For those with natal Pluto in the early degrees of Libra (born approximately October 1971 to April 1972; August 1972 to November 1973; March to September 1974), you're going through your Pluto square Pluto years. These are trying years where external forces demand that you face up to your own shadow and become in contact with the buried parts of the self. So, you're not going crazy. Hang in there and work with the changes that needs to happen. Resisting just makes the transition more painful. Be mindful that resistance can come in the form of unconscious drives.
For me, Pluto has been strongly opposed my Sun & square my Uranus since February; putting extra pressure to my natal 10th house Cancer-Sun that is in a tight square my Uranus (in Libra & in natal 1st). As if that's not enough, Saturn has also been square my Sun while conjunct my Uranus. Oh, I feel it, alright. "Luckily" for me, my birth chart is natively strong with Pluto and Saturn energies so, it's a "familiar" energy of delving deep, accepting harsh truths, cutting off unnecessaries and restructuring deeply rooted foundation. What's different from what I'm "familiar" with is that pressures of the square/opposition are significantly more forceful, relentless and the changes required are rooted at the core. No fixing surface cracks here, especially since this Pluto-Saturn alignments to my chart are triggering my natal t-square that has my Sun as the focal point! For the non-astro folks, a square is the most challenging relationship between two planets. Think of the planets involved being at war. Each forcing upon the other the strength of their will. Action is required with a square, although agreeing to disagree is sometimes the best way to handle the forcefulness of a square. An opposition is also challenging but can be solved by balance, compromise and meeting each other half-way. A t-square has at least double the square energy in addition to the challenges of the opposition between at least two planets. Square=conflict/war. Opposition=requires balance. T-square=ouch. Squares, oppositions, t-squares -- it's all about growth/personal development and sometimes growing pains inevitably comes hand in hand with maturity.
How will this retrograde affect you life? Unsure if you have natal planets/house planets on or around 2-5 degrees of Capricorn? Cast your own birth chart for use as reference -- birth date, time, and place required.
Are you going through your Pluto square Pluto years? Gain insight through an astrology reading? Request for a quote here. Interested in how Pluto's transit in Capricorn might influence you? Schedule a 24-Month Pluto Transit or 3-Chart reading. You might also consider giving a loved one the gift of insight.
Have a question? Ask me here. Or maybe cruise on over to the AstroCreeps and TarotFreaks Forum* to start a discussion.
Related articles:
- Saturn Square Pluto ~ November 15, 2009
- Saturn-rx Square Pluto ~ January 31, 2010
- Cardinal Climax with Eclipses, Crosses & T-square Involving Pluto
- Saturn Square Pluto-rx ~ August 21, 2010
- Pluto Direct ~ September 14, 2010
*Click here to learn more about the AstroCreeps and TarotFreaks Forum.
"The Faces of Pluto" taken by the Hubble. Credit and copyright to NASA.
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Mercury leaves the fiery brilliance of Aries for the calm sensibilities of Taurus on April 2 at 9:06 a.m. EDT, where his stay is extended until June 10. 
It's been a short three weeks since Venus entered Aries. Now she's ready to move on and leave the spontaneity of Aries for the stability of Taurus. Venus governs Taurus and now comes home. Venus represents love (how we love & how we want to be loved), relationships (how we relate to others & the self), worth (material and self), our values and personal tastes.
Just as the month comes to a close, the Moon's cycle also ends with a Full Moon in Libra on March 29 at 10:25 p.m. EST. In Libra, the Full Moon illuminates upon our relationships (with one another as well as with ourselves), our value system (what we value in life and why), and our worth (materially and spiritually speaking). 
Ahhhhh, the Sun is all too happy to bask in the glory of all that is Aries. The Sun leaves Pisces and enters Aries on March 20 at 1:32 p.m. EST, where he'll remain until April 20. The Sun represents our potential, ego, vitality and conscious will. In 
Is it that time again already?! That Mercury sure is fast. On March 17 at 12:12 p.m. EST, he leaves the mellow sign of Pisces for the impulsive sign of Aries. He remains in Aries until April 2. Mercury governs thinking, communication, and writing. In 
There may be nothing else in life more exasperating or downright disheartening than a heap of financial woes. Most of us, at one time or another, have fallen into economic hard times perhaps due to job loss, divorce or the added cost of caring for an elderly parent, etc. The current economic downturn affects us all, albeit in varying degrees and intensity. As of the writing of this article, the global economic outlook for 2010 is positive, although growth is expected to be slow and slight. In the U.S., planned salary raises is at a 25-year low, barely covering inflation, and the average length of time unemployed people have been jobless is 30.5 weeks. Many are concerned about the stability of their jobs. How can astrology and, specifically, Saturn's transit be of use in surviving hard times?
About the author:
It's time for another New Moon. New Moons signify rebirth, beginnings, a clean slate, the start of a new cycle. This new moon highlights Pisces qualities (imagination, compassion, enlightenment, sacrifice) and 12th house themes (secrets, subconscious, addictions, institutions). In Pisces, the Moon is intuitive, spiritual, insightful, hopeful and attuned to the energies beyond the physical and mental realms.
Finally! Mars stations on March 10 and prepares to move forward again. *breathing a sigh of relief* When the planet of action and assertiveness is retrograde, he goes on introspective mode. For us, that could mean aggressions unexpressed or internalized, physically slowing down, needing extra rest, more indecisiveness than usual, and/or obstacles popping up even when the path was previously wide open. Two steps forward, one step back? 
Ahh, Venus gets to have a bit of fun in March! The planet of love is flirty, brazen, confident and a wee bit selfish in Aries. Venus represents love, how we relate to others, how we want others to relate to us, our self-worth, what we value in life, what we like/dislike, our material possessions and finances.
