Virginia Bell Astrologer
Keep in mind: On April 2, 2008 Pluto turns retrograde (at 01 degrees of Capricorn). It slips back into Sagittarius on June 13th. On September 8th it turns direct (at 28 degrees of Sagittarius). On November 26th it re-enters Capricorn where it will remain until 2023. That means from mid-June through late November Pluto will be in the last degrees of Sadge. Get ready for summer school! We all need to go back and take a few more classes in Pluto in Sadge before we can graduate. Look at the house where you have Sagittarius. What do you need to finish there? What haven’t you dealt with?
Pluto - Up Close and Personal
In mythology Pluto was the god of the dead and the underworld. But his job description didn’t end there. He was also the god of hidden treasures and hidden talents. Pluto brings to the surface the buried gold within each and every one of us. But all-or-nothing Pluto demands we do the hard work first;
no free lunch – especially in the underworld! That means having the courage to face those parts of ourselves that are wounded and outworn and being willing to make the necessary changes. Not an easy or quick process; perhaps that’s why Pluto moves so slowly. He wants to give us enough time to get
it right. Pluto will be in Capricorn for 15 years! Plenty of time to get your PHD in whatever house (area in your chart) he is residing, or perhaps I should say renovating! Since Capricorns are coming into their own power let’s begin with them and the solar 1st house and move back through the signs and houses.
Pluto is always a catalyst for change. Whatever house Pluto is transiting (traveling through) is the area where the transformation will take place.
Capricorn and Capricorn Rising
“I used to be different; now I’m the same.” – EST slogan
Pluto in your 1st house: your core identity, your life’s purpose, even your personality and physical body become a catalyst for change. Pluto
entered Capricorn (and your solar first house) on January 25th and more than any other sign you will experience the full force of this powerful
planet. Since 1995 Pluto has been hidden away in your secret 12th house where your subconscious was running the show. Now, all those
changes that have been bubbling under the surface will be more obvious to the outside world. Pluto crossing the ascendant signifies a time of
rebirth so get ready for transformation in just about every area of your life. It may begin with your looks; often when Pluto enters the 1st house
your appearance changes dramatically. You will have many opportunities to purge old habits and outworn patterns of behavior. Don’t hold back; letting go is a prerequisite for growth.
“Pluto transiting the ascendant and 1st house brings to light our hidden depths, what has been “underground” in us, and breaks up previous complexes or rigid patterns of behavior. This is a time to discovery, cleansing, and renewal, a fertile period for any form of self-exploration or self-development.” – Howard Sasportas, The Gods of Change
Your whole way of looking at life may alter; extreme Pluto can reverse your life direction in ways you never thought possible. Status seeking Capricorn is associated with power and you may experience a new level of personal power. Make it conscious; align yourself with a cause or goal
you believe in and use it for good rather than to satisfy your personal ambition.
There will be challenge; there may even be endings (that comes with the territory) but the new you that emerges will be more aligned with who you really are. Talk to the Sadges; listen to their war stories. They have come through it and although they may be weary and battle worn there is wisdom in their words and something fierce and authentic in their eyes. Anyone who has gone through a Pluto transit deserves respect.
Remember you have friends in high places; no-nonsense Saturn, the ruler of your sign, is in fellow earth sign Virgo (until October 29, 2009)
and offers support and strength on your journey. Benevolent Jupiter in Capricorn (through January 5, 2009) is your guardian angel this year.
Like an advance party the “king of gods” moves ahead of Pluto spreading grace and good will on your behalf.
Helpful Books: Eat, Pray, Love, by Liz Gilbert; Broken Open, by Elizabeth Lesser; Unlimited Power, by Anthony Robbins; The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen Covey.
Aquarius and Aquarius Rising/The 12th House
“And when will you begin that long journey into yourself?” - Rumi
In the 12th house your subconscious becomes a catalyst for change. Pluto has been busy in your 11th house; breaking ties, killing off toxic relationships and bringing new contacts into your life. Now Pluto shines his powerful light into the deepest, most secret part of your chart – your subconscious. The hidden 12th house is the natural home of Pisces and Neptune and is associated with those things you cannot see with the
naked eye; spirituality, inspiration, imagination, and escapism. Expect to become totally fascinated by what makes you tick. You may find yourself drawn to Jungian psychology, dream work, shamanism, or counseling. Your dreams may become rich and varied and it’s a good idea to keep a journal. If you don’t have a spiritual practice this is the perfect time to explore one.
Deep fears may surface during this time as Pluto in the 12th house brings into consciousness those parts of yourself which are hidden, weak, or undeveloped, so that they can be faced and integrated. You will attract circumstances and events that force you to look deep inside and reclaim those missing parts of yourself. The 12th house is associated with those places and institutions that facilitate processes of contemplation such as hospitals, prisons, schools, libraries, and monasteries. You might find yourself working in them or involved in transforming them.
You can’t take a sabbatical for 15 years but it is essential to make time to turn off the outside world and tune into your inner self. Slow down;
keep a dream journal; go into therapy; learn to meditate; experience a vision quest; have lots of bathrobe days.
Helpful Books: Memories, Dreams, Reflections by Carl Jung; Traveling Mercies, by Anne Lamott; The Dark Side of the Light Chasers, by Debbie Ford; Women Who Run with the Wolves, by Clarissa Pinkola Estes; Wherever You Go There You Are, by Jon Kabat-Zinn.
Pisces and Pisces Rising
“Friend, our closeness is this: Anywhere you put your foot, feel me in the firmness under you.”-Rumi
Pluto in your 11th house: Friends, groups, associations, and long-term goals become a catalyst for change. For the last decade you’ve been focusing on your career. You’ve probably changed jobs several times, raising the stakes at each opportunity. Now your priorities shift. You may discover that what you thought you always wanted is no longer important and find yourself drawn a new dream or goal you never considered before. You may come to value friends more as well as have issues with certain people. Some relationships may end while new ones come into your life. Powerful friendships and associations are begun during this time and many of the people you meet will introduce you to new ideas and concepts that altar your whole way of life. You might join a spiritual community, become involved in organizations such AA, group therapy, or consciousness workshops. You might even find yourself leading seminars or giving lectures.
“For some this transit may coincide with a breakthrough – what Marilyn Ferguson calls “an entry point experience” – in which we realize our interconnectedness or unity with the rest of creation. This could prompt us to join groups that serve the evolution of society and the planet in general,
or prompt the well-being of those whom we feel are being unfairly treated.” - The Gods of Change by Howard Sasportas
Helpful Books: Finding Your Own True North and Steering By Starlight: Finding Your Right Life, No Matter What! Both by Martha Beck; Wishcraft by Barbara Sher, Fabulous Friendship Festival, by SARK; Trio: A Portrait of an Intimate Friendship, by Aram Saroyan.
Aries and Aries Rising
“Dignity, the only true dignity, is just this, to rediscover oneself in hard work.”
–Federico Fellini
Pluto in your 10th house: Your career becomes the catalyst for change. With Pluto in your 9th house of philosophy and higher learning you’ve been trying to figure out what life is all about. Now it’s time to put that learning to use as your career becomes your focus. You may find yourself dissatisfied with your current job or the nature of your career itself may be called into question. The 10th house is not merely your day-to-day work; it is about your calling, your mission. Pluto is here to help you realize your true vocation. It doesn’t necessarily have to be for money; you may find a cause that inspires you or begin writing that novel or screenplay you’ve been dreaming about. Or you may decide to pursue a career of a Plutonic nature such as medicine, research, psychology, or politics. Pluto often stirs up issues around power and authority figures. You
could find yourself with more power in the workplace than you ever dreamt possible. If you’re not happy with your work Pluto will find a way to
get you out so if you have a burning desire to change careers now’s the time to go for it. The 10th house is also associated with your mother
or father. A parent may go through a crisis and you are called back into the family.
Or you could finally transform your relationship with that parent.
Helpful Books: Callings, Finding and Following an Authentic Life by Gregg Levoy; Wishcraft by Barbara Shear; Finding Your Own True North and Steering by Starlight: Find Your Right Life, No Matter What! Both by Martha Beck.
Taurus and Taurus Rising
“Whatever doesn’t bring you alive is too small for you.” - David Whyte
Pluto in the 9th House: Travel, higher education, religion, and philosophy become a catalyst for change. For the last 13 years Pluto has been
in your 8th house; you’ve explored deep issues and faced big fears. Now you’re ready to take a sabbatical, learn Portuguese, and read books about the meaning of life. You need a big idea, a fresh vision; something to wake you up and bring you alive.
Pluto in the philosophical 9th house can mean the death of your existing belief system. What previously provided you with a sense of meaning and purpose may no longer feel suitable. You may find yourself exploring other philosophies or religions. Travel can transform your life during
this period; not a two week group tour of Europe but building homes in New Orleans, volunteering in Africa, or studying abroad. What a
wonderful time to go on
a pilgrimage to the Holy Land or visit an ashram in India. You might even decide to open a business in another country or go into partnership
with someone from another culture. If you’ve always felt the need for more education than this is the perfect time to return to school. Writing
and publishing are associated with the 9th house; your writing could have a profound effect on the field or discipline you are involved in. Or the process
of writing can transform you. You can inspire others with what inspires you.
Helpful Books: Eat, Pray, Love, by Liz Gilbert; Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott; Long Quiet Highway by Natalie Goldberg; The Alchemist,
by Paul Coelho.
Gemini and Gemini Rising
“The answer doesn’t lie in learning how to protect ourselves from life –
it lies in learning how to become strong enough to let a bit more of it in.” –Merle Shain
Pluto in the 8th House: Intimacy, shared resources, and your unconscious become a catalyst for change. You’ve been majoring in relationships for the last 13 years as Pluto has transited your 7th house of partners. You may have had some life changing relationships, both personal and professional. Now, you’re going to get your PHD in the subject. The 8th house, the natural home of Scorpio and Pluto, is about intimacy; deep, honest, penetrating, gut wrenching intimacy. Let’s talk about fellow Gemini Angelina Jolie. While Pluto was in her 7th house she traded in her
wild ways and bad-boy Billy Bob Thornton for Brad Pitt and motherhood. Now, with Pluto in her solar 8th we read (in the tabloids) that she’s
finally agreed to marry Brad. The 8th house is about shared finances, shared family, shared everything. Like Angelina you may be ready to
take a relationship to a deeper level. If you have fears about intimacy then they will surface and it is a good time to explore and heal those issues.
The 2nd house is about money earned while the 8th is about money we share as well as inherited wealth and windfalls. There can be a change
in your partner’s financial affairs. You might become involved with someone wealthy or someone close to you may come into millions or go bust. Either way, your life will be profoundly changed by their fortunes. Pluto was the god of the dead and during this time you may have to deal with the death of someone close. Or you may become interested in the subject of death and dying. The 8th house invites you to explore your own “shadow” or dark side. You will naturally be drawn towards depth psychology and it is an excellent time to go into therapy. You may also become interested in metaphysics, psychic phenomena, astrology, or alchemy.
Helpful Books: The Dark Side of the Light Chasers, by Debbie Ford; Meeting the Shadow, edited by Connie Zweig and Jeremiah Abrams;
A Return to Love, by Marianne Williamson, Women Who Run with the Wolves, by Clarissa Pinkola Estes.
Cancer and Cancer Rising
“Love brings up anything unlike itself for the purpose of healing.” –The Loving Relationships Training
Pluto in the 7th house: Close relationships become a catalyst for change. You have been obsessed with health and work. You’ve tried every diet and cleanse know to man and infomercial; you’ve probably dealt with some health challenges and made major changes in your life style. Your work may have been chaotic as you fine tuned your career. Now Pluto offers a different set of challenges as it moves into your love life. You can’t do it alone anymore; nor should you. Have you been longing and looking for The One? Well, get ready; Pluto often brings an intense relationship into your life; one that has the power to transform you. It can be someone who has Pluto or Scorpio strong in their chart. And it’s not always romantic; Pluto also brings business partners, soul friends and important relationships.
If you’re already involved Pluto can bring up the buried tensions and problems in the relationship – not to destroy but to heal. Remember, Pluto doesn’t put the problems there; he merely shines his light on it. It can mean the end of a relationship or the end of an old way of relating. Pluto demands you do the deep work and put the hard truth on the table so going into counseling is a way to collaborate with Pluto. Your partner may be going through their own Pluto transit. People act as an agent of change for you but you may find yourself in that position to assist others through a crisis.
Helpful Books: A Return to Love, by Marianne Williamson; Conscious Loving, by Gay & Kathlyn Hendricks; The Mermaid Chair,
by Sue Monk Kidd.
Leo and Leo Rising
“The body is a sacred garment. It’s your first and last garment;
it is what you enter life in and what you depart with, and should be treated with honor.” – Martha Graham
Pluto in your 6th House: Work and health are a catalyst for change. Pluto in the 5th house has been playing havoc with your romantic and creative life. Maybe you even got pregnant or adopted a child. Now that you’ve sorted out some big decisions you’re ready to get down to business. The 6th house is associated with Virgo (the 6th sign) and has to do with health, work, and the rituals and routines of day-to-day living.
It is also the house of mentors, as well as and small animals.
Pluto here can bring to the surface any imbalances in your system. It can also help transform your health and your relationship with your body. I have seen many people with Pluto in the 6th make dramatic changes in their lives by cleaning up their diet, having acupuncture, colonics, body-work and becoming involved in yoga or other forms of exercise. A health challenge (even a small one) can force you to change your work or even become a health practitioner. People like Joseph Pilates, Moshe Feldenkrais and F.M Alexander all began their ground breaking body-work techniques as a result of a health challenge. The 6th house asks that we bring the different parts of ourselves (body, mind and spirit) into alignment. There may be a need to make adjustments in your work, daily routines and health in order to do that.
A pet can have a powerful effect; maybe you will adopt one or volunteer at an animal shelter. One friend began a dog walking business during this transit. Pluto can bring a powerful mentor or teacher. Or you may become a mentor in your field. Don’t be surprised if you are drawn to bringing sacred rituals into your daily life; creating an altar, doing new and full moon meditations, or having a prayer group at home can be deeply satisfying.
Helpful Books: Why People Don’t Heal and How They Can, by Caroline Myss; You Can Heal Your Life, by Louise L. Hay; Marley and Me, by John Grogan; Sister Karol’s Book of Spells and Blessings, by Karol Jackowski; Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom,
by Christiane Northrup..
Virgo and Virgo Rising
“Inside you there’s an artist you don’t know…Say yes quickly, if you know,
if you’ve known it from the beginning of the universe.” -Rumi
Pluto in the 5th House: Creativity, self expression, love affairs, and children are a catalyst for change. For the last 13 years Pluto has been in your domestic 4th house. You have moved, renovated, or changed homes, trying to find where you belong and to create a solid base. Now it’s time to give your gift to the world. The 5th house has to do with that part of us that longs to give concrete expression to our thoughts, feelings and imagination. A hobby or interest may take over your life. If you’re already involved with a creative outlet, you may change from one medium to another. Bottom line; you don’t necessarily have to audition for American Idol or star on Broadway; but you do need to take your creativity seriously. “Sing out Louise!" - Gypsy
If you’ve been longing for a child then this is an ideal time to get pregnant. Be careful if you don’t. You may explore adoption or become a god parent. A child may go through a crisis or challenge. They may leave for college or move back home. The 5th house relates to sex and romance and Pluto here can bring that part of your life alive. You can get involved with someone who can change you profoundly. It’s likely to be intense and can awaken a deep passion. Pluto can coincide with the first awakening of your sexual passion or reawaken it after a period of quiescence. Get-real Saturn currently in Virgo invites you to get serious about your talent, decide whether or not you want children or have a great love affair; who knows, maybe you’ll even write about it later. Helpful Books: The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron; Writing Down the Bones, by Natalie Goldberg; Bird by Bird, by Anne Lamott; A Creative Companion and Make Your Creative Dreams Real, both by SARK.
Libra and Libra Rising
“When you learn to love and let yourself be loved, you come home to the hearth of your own spirit. You are warmed and sheltered.
You are completely at one in the house of your own longing and belonging.” John O’Donohue
Pluto has been stationed in your 3rd house of the mind and you’ve been in the “gifted class” for the past 13 years, asking questions and searching for answers. Now Pluto moves into your home zone changing the way you live on the deepest level. The 4th house is our physical home but it is also where we come from, our personal myth; it’s who we are at our very core. When Pluto transits through the 4th house you are on a quest to find your place in the world. It often coincides with a move; you can purchase a home for the first time, sell your home or embark on extensive repairs or renovation. But it goes deeper. Where do you really want to live and with whom? These are big questions that require lots of down-time and deep meditation. You need to slow down and listen to the voice within. You are not simply looking for a place to live; you are searching for a home for your soul. In her beautiful book, Moving On, Sarah Ban Breathnach writes; “The House of Belonging is an ancient Celtic metaphor for the body as the earthly home for our souls as well as for the deep peace and safety, joy, and contentment found in intimate connection with people, places and houses.”
It is a time to explore your childhood and get to the bottom of any long-standing problems. Nothing breaks a pattern but consciousness and in this house Pluto brings to the surface any issues leftover from childhood. There can be new arrivals in your home such a birth of a child or a parent moving in. In some cases there are departures such as child going off to college. The 4th house also describes the ancestral inheritance and there can be a desire to explore your heritage.
Helpful Books: Moving On: Creating the House of Belonging with Simple Abundance, by Sarah Ban Breathnach; Anam Cara, a Book of Celtic Wisdom, by John O’Donohue; Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui, by Karen Kingston; A Home for the Soul, by Anthony Lawlor.
Scorpio and Scorpio Rising
“I am still learning.” Michelangelo
Pluto in your 3rd house: Communication, language, information, siblings, and your immediate environment become the catalyst for change.
Pluto is your ruling planet; the CEO of your chart and usually looks out for you. Since 1995 Pluto has been teaching you about money, values,
and self esteem. Now Pluto will have a profound effect on your mind and your environment. In the 3rd house Pluto deepens and sharpens your mind; you become like a shaman or a CSI detective able to delve into complex subjects. It is an excellent time to embark on a demanding study; things you learn during this time you will probably never forget. You are willing to become more honest in your communication. As Liz Gilbert says in her book, Eat Pray, Love; “Tell the truth, tell the truth, tell the truth.” If you are a writer, teacher, or speaker you can find your true voice and speak with authority; your words can have a powerful effect on others. You may discover and develop any latent writing ability. Pluto invites you
to look at areas in your life that may have frightened you. You are ready to see more clearly and take in information you haven’t been able to handle up to now.
The 3rd house is also the house of siblings; relations with brothers and sisters can change dramatically. You may have difficulties with them or you may heal and old wound; either way you can be drawn back into their lives. The 3rd house rules short journeys (as opposed to the 9th which is long journeys) and your immediate neighborhood. A short trip could expose you to something compelling; you discover a community or person for which you feel a magnetic bond. Or you might come across a magazine in a local café with an article that inspires you. The 3rd house is ruled by clever Mercury the planet and god of synchronicity; a casual exchange, a film, or piece of information has the power to expand your mind and change your life. Be curious, stay open, and remain teachable. Helpful Books: The Secret, by Rhonda Byrne; The Law of Attraction by Esther
and Jerry Hicks; Fifth Business, by Robertson Davies; The Magus, by John Fowles.
Sagittarius and Sagittarius Rising
“Money doesn’t change people; it unmasks them.”
Pluto in the 2nd House: Money, values, and self esteem become the catalyst for change. Sadges have been through the fire these last 13 years. You have been reduced to ash but have risen and reinvented yourself, not just once but several times. You could go write a book about your transformation and go on Oprah to talk about it. Many of you will! Now that Pluto takes up residence in your 2nd house the new you is ready to start making money at something that really matters. The 2nd house is the traditional house of money and possessions but it is more than that; it is about your most valuable asset; your self esteem. You could become fabulously wealthy or lose a bundle. How you make money can change. It’s really about your sense of self worth and finding work that expresses that. You will also begin to understand and appreciate all that you have been through these past 13 years while Pluto was in your sign.
When Pluto went through my 2nd house in the late Eighties I owned a restaurant and was doing well financially. Then I opened a second restaurant, lost a lot of money and ending up closing both locations. In fact, when Pluto was at 00 degrees of Sagittarius I decided to close
my original restaurant in Greenwich Village which I had owned for 20 years. Yet it was during that time I that discovered astrology and began
to study it passionately which ultimately lead me to a new career and a whole new life. I also know many people who were broke when Pluto entered their 2nd house and by the time it left were doing extremely well financially.
With Pluto through the 2nd house your values can change. If you have been driven to make money you may discover that other things hold more value. On the other hand, if you have never valued money or security you may find yourself concerned with them for the first time. The 2nd house is the natural home of Taurus and Venus so under this transit you may decide to buy property.
Helpful Books: Money Drunk, by Julia Cameron; Women and Money and The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom, both by Suze Orman; The Law of Attraction, by Gerry and Esther Hicks; The Power of Intention, by Wayne Dyer.
Pluto in Capricorn
By Virginia Bell
Click here to review Virginia's in depth January article on Pluto
In January I wrote about Pluto (the planet, the mythology, and the history).
To review that January article, click here. Now let’s take a look at what that
means for you personally. Read your Rising Sign (if you know it) as well as
your Sun-Sign. Both are valid; both have a story to tell.
