PLUTONIC TRANSFORMATIONS 9
MARCH 2008

[This is the ninth in a multi-part series by noted astrologer Boots Hart on Pluto's transition in January 2008 (until 2023) into the sign of Capricorn. If this outer-planet powerhouse fascinates you, you can also check the Daykeeper archives, especially Maya's and Jessica Murray's work, for more on Pluto transits.—Ed.]

During Pluto’s passage through Sagittarius, the world’s pace accelerated—an idea very much in keeping with Sagittarius’ "push for the horizon" energetic. Now as Pluto moves into Capricorn, things may appear to slow down—Capricorn describes a phase of life which is diligently dogged in its pursuits, but seldom hurried. So no matter what happens during these coming years, don’t think life’s evolutionary forces have ground to a halt—they haven’t. The difference is basically about the nature of the signs: Sagittarius functions in the realm of ideas, theories and concepts, all of which are easy to put out there, toss around and if necessary, change. Capricorn, on the other hand, is about reality. Moreover, it’s about those systems and things life actually depends on: the food chain, societal systems (health care, for instance), national infrastructures, commerce and government. These are things which can’t be changed overnight. Figuring out what’s gone wrong, what might work better and how to get from here to there takes time.

Illustrating this shift from fire to earth has been made wonderfully clear by the current US presidential campaign, so let’s use that as an example. As Pluto moved into Capricorn, the candidates were asked to stop talking about their ideas in favor of laying out real proposals—a clear shift from Sagittarian theory into Capricorn practicality. Within weeks this evolved into questions about experience (i.e., the Capricorn “proof in the pudding”) and how that weighs against (Sagittarian) motivational inspiration. Under Pluto in Capricorn, Sagittarian-style motivation is the artful way to touch the common chord and create mass movement, but knowing the facts and being able to make tough decisions and work hard is what will count in the end.

Just to follow this astrological thought through, the summer-fall presidential campaign will take place with Pluto having retrograded back into Sagittarius, so Americans can expect to hear a torrent of ideas (on war, morality, use of power, honesty, justice, technology) returning to center stage as of mid-late June. As for the actual election, that takes place under Pluto at 29 Sagittarius, a signature of intense emotion—even fanaticism. Yet because the actual inauguration occurs in January 2009 under Pluto in Capricorn, no matter who wins, the next US administration (and all of world history) will divide success from leadership failure by any government’s ability to do what works, attending to what really needs doing rather than what’s easy or popular, all while avoiding abuse of power, all while inspiring people, all while contributing to bettering the world.

This shift is going to affect us each individually too, and no matter your natal chart, no matter what generation you belong to, the lesson is always about how you use your time and how you utilize life’s opportunities. Under Pluto in Capricorn there’s a danger that the cynical “He who’s got the gold makes the rule” version of the Golden Rule may become all too true: wealth and hollow images of power may easily become markers of success when it’s more important that we each aim for our own goals through making a tangible contribution. Pluto in Capricorn will test our perseverance, planning and our ability to think in realistic cause/effect terms, so expect trials and errors, but never think one defeat is the end. Those willing to keep trying will in time gain the necessary traction to get where they need to go.

For Pluto in Cancer natives (born 1914-1938) the challenge is not to give up. Do this and the world may well respond by marginalizing you. In its passage through Capricorn, Pluto presents a hugely important question: are you satisfied with your life? If you are, please continue! This is no time to give up on yourself. But if you’re not, don’t play helpless. By using what you’ve learned along the way, you can improve situations, avoid pitfalls and limit the amount of time being wasted. Trust yourself, be proud of your knowledge, and the world will respond in kind.

Pluto in Leo folks (born 1938–1958) must focus on results. Being born under Pluto in a fire sign, Baby Boomers are prone to letting fear (principally fear of failure) get in their way—often using that as an excuse to indulge whims which either have no real life application or which amount to an excuse not to face the Big World, crippling their lives by clinging to a form of spiritual immaturity which is part of Pluto in Leo’s gift: eternal childhood. This generation is blessed when it creates with a child’s innocence, but cursed by the desire to be taken care of. Now life requires you to do things for real in a real world way: if you don’t, life will get harder and harder until you give in and get working—or until "playing helpless" becomes a really difficult reality.

Pluto in Virgo people (born 1958-1972) may already have a basis of comfort or comfortable lifestyle; under Pluto in Capricorn, avenues of profitable endeavor may well continue or even flourish. The challenge faced by this earthy generation thus becomes: who am I doing this for, and why? The greater the worldly application of whatever you do, the more satisfaction, security and accomplishment you’ll garner. Without that societal contribution, all the money and "‘things" won’t make you happy as this is your time to learn the difference between personal worth and spiritual worth. Push the envelope and the world may even bite you for such blatant materialism!

Born under Pluto in airy Libra, Gen X’ers (1972-1983) are likely to have difficulty with Pluto in Capricorn’s "slow growth" pace until they recognize and harness the idea that their power lies not in the other person but in their ability to attract in equal measure. Pluto in Libra is about investment in self which allows you to be and do more, setting up a direct "give/get" earning equation. With Pluto in Capricorn, the reality of life is only as good as your focus on the fact of who you are, and the moment you divert your attention from that, you stumble. Bottom line: don’t ignore you, as you’re your own greatest resource—you’re really all you ever really have.

Driven by Pluto in Scorpio, those born between 1983 and 1995 face decisions on how to handle "flexibility in thinking." The inborn tendency is often to reject anything (including facts) in favor of that you long for and desire. Under Pluto in Capricorn, this habit of "preconceiving notions" can limit your life by turn everything into possibility, a lifestyle where nothing happens because you’re always waiting for "something" before you really get started. Getting hold of the facts and figuring out or negotiating a way forward based on those facts is your ticket. This takes creating and following a (flexible) plan, but if you’re born under Pluto in Scorpio, you do have incredible patience and perseverance, so put it to work! Embrace life; don’t go around fearing lack.

Innately endowed with the theoretical habits of Pluto in Sagittarius, people born between 1995 and 2008 need to be encouraged, not instructed. This generation can’t be "confronted" with education, lest they reject it; Pluto in Sag people thrive on exploration and discovery. Tenacious and verbal by nature, this generation will hold grudges and be prideful until they realize that their right idea plus someone else’s right idea can invent a whole new and different really cool thing. That’s what gets Pluto in Sagittarius going: possibilities they haven’t yet dreamed off. In time this generation will push for "equality at all levels," but until they reach their majority, they need to be encouraged to reach for goals while recognizing inequities.

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