PLUTONIC TRANSFORMATIONS, MAY 2008

[This is the eleventh 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.]

Everyone wants to feel accepted and approved of. Astrologically, this is expressed as the eleventh phase of the zodiacal process, one often known as ‘hopes and dreams’—hope being the expression of wanting that acceptance or feeling of success. The energetic here is about fitting into the grand scheme of things while standing out for our achievements and receiving our due…that ‘due’ part which is why the eleventh phase also refers to income.

Excelling here depends on improvement, originality and innovation—all processes which cue images of ‘overnight success’ but which in reality require perseverance, application and applied self discipline to develop the focused expertise which leads to that ‘overnight’ success. Without the willingness to undertake the learning process and how to apply one’s knowledge to real world situations (and parameters), this eleventh phase energy becomes disruptive, manifesting as either the urge to quit (anger, anarchy, escapism, irrational choices or failure) or rejection, alienation, failure, breakdowns of relationships or poverty.

Remembering that Pluto alwaysrepresents a virtually obsessive drive to create, deny, gain from, delude, purify, control, maneuver, manipulate, evolve, eliminate, birth, fix, dominate or empower…AND because Pluto is moving from over a decade of manifesting through grand ideas, fervent conviction and dramatic imaging into a time when all will become about realistic values, pragmatic choices and real demonstrations of ability—the link becomes finding ways to improve things (or life, or yourself, or what you do) so that all becomes more functional. The ability to efficiently produce better or more enduring, effective results is the key. Innovation, updating, improving upon the known is (in other words) central—but how and where you apply this dynamic is purely up to you. Which is good news, actually: since it’s really up to you, all you really have to do is put yourself to work getting real about your life. And yes, everyone in it. 

Given that this is Capricorn however, and given that Capricorn always speaks in ‘long-term’ time scales, it’s important to know that endurance counts—in you and what you do. There is also an implication in here that it is likely that in order to achieve moving forward, something (some one, some habitual way of being) you have held onto, been married to, invested in or believe in— for perhaps a long time—may well have to be let go of in the process. Quality is important under Capricorn and all things which may have sounded, looked or felt good up before now but which have actually been lacking in substance are likely to fail—and you should let them go. 

Metaphysically, that power to endure and allow things to leave your life without lasting negative effect is all about how you deal with the confrontation with what the truth really is. For instance, Pluto in Cancer people (1914-1938) need to develop perspective on ‘necessity.’ Retention, whether of feelings or things or relationships or situations is a symptom here with attitude being the causal drive. The more factual your approach, the better off you’ll be; acceptance that what is, is—without worrying about yesterday or tomorrow or why something has come to be is vital.    

The idea itself is what Baby Boomers (1938–1958) need to focus on—not how they feel about it. This is a time of having to make choices based on long-term necessity. Time is of the essence with the Pluto in Leo tribe, but to let this preoccupy you, dictate choices or cause you to rush is detrimental. Yet neither is Pluto in Capricorn a time to fritter about. Focusing on what you can do is the point: let go of what isn’t yours to control and don’t blame others (or the world, or your upbringing) for what you haven’t done. Sorry, but you’re too old to espouse such an immature point of view.   

Among the Pluto in Virgo generation (1958-1972) the question becomes how to moderate and/or correct choices made in the past. As Pluto enters Capricorn, this generation is approaching a ‘mid life crisis’ zone which is less about a life crisis than about separating idyllic fantasies born of youth from adult reality. These next years are about achieving, but up until now you have measured success by external standards—now standards become internal, which is why they are entirely unique to each person. Being willing to break with images, tradition or popular/populist attitudes (or being popular) may seem like a question of semantics, but it’s really much more. This is about being willing to be who you are: the object now is not about ‘fitting in,’ but standing out. That’s where the future of your self respect—and true personal satisfaction—lies.  

Put simply, Gen X (1972-1983) has to get past a sense of fear. Fear of what? About how long success takes to reach. About making a wrong choice. About having to start at the bottom and work towards being atop the famous heap. This is about giving yourself permission to be mortal, replete with all the wonders and bugaboos of being human. Worrying about imperfections create other imperfections in your life—the fear of how things (or you) look and having to take on some really, really long-term project before there’s any hope of reward or applause is what in holds you up and knocks you back, making the journey that much harder and longer. Only by accepting your foibles can you work through them—or yes, even turn them into strengths as you embrace and come to embody your personal and truly unique creative power. 

As for the Pluto in Scorpio generation (1983-1995), your task is to literally work on what works going forward. Your last decade has peeled away veneers, creating a virtually naked psychic life as part of an interconnected, often devoid or emotionally incestuous network. Now life requires elevating your functional productive standards…and mannerisms, at least when in social/public situations. Only by embodying the best can you be or get acknowledged as best…which is why society gets a vote—their best counts as much as yours. As annoying as this sounds, once you recognize that satisfaction requires interaction (it doesn’t happen in isolation) you’ll get that with increased satisfaction comes expanded interaction. Grappling with obsessions, fears and excess is a primal necessity. Once known, they can be owned, and once owned, they can become assets.   

Born between 1995 and 2008, Pluto in Sagittarius folks move into an interactive phase where releasing ego allows them not to fear life. If and where you succeed, you learn and make gains. Yet you’re likely to become exceedingly self conscious in these next years—and worse yet, almost resistant to positive support which asks that you relax and ‘let it go.’ What amounts to well intended nurturing on the part of others will feel either manipulative, possessive or a sign that you should give up, give in and be whatever anyone wants—but that’s a dead end. Instead,  design a future based on fact: get the human timeline in your head (what age people do what at, societally or culturally). That’ll allow you to set yourself a schedule and follow it. Since you’re still young, expect input—and yes, you’ll often hate it. But instead of getting rude or angry, ask for time to think ideas over. This will work so long as you continue the discussion within a  reasonable amount of time—and it’s that quantity (of time) which is going to matter: you don’t get to set timetables all by yourself because you don’t live the world all by yourself.

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