We’re in the last 45 minutes of Pluto in Capricorn. It’s been in Cap since 2008, and it will move into Aquarius at about 3:30 pm Eastern this afternoon. Over the last year and a half Pluto has been dipping in and out of Aquarius, so it’s definitely been on my radar and I’ve mentioned it before now.
But the last couple months I’ve been so focused on some of the other current astrology that today kind of snuck up on me — which makes a weird kind of sense, since the god Pluto famously had a “helm” or helmet of invisibility. It’s one of the reasons Pluto in astrology is associated with hidden or secret things.
Those things can be extra powerful precisely because we can’t see them. And one of the ways we see the metaphor of Pluto manifesting in world events is through processes that lay bare how power has accumulated behind the scenes or beneath the surface. We see Pluto reflected in global-scale changes and cultural shifts that unfold over a generation or so.
Anyway, yesterday I glanced at some of my astrology materials and said, “Oh shit — that’s tomorrow!” The chart for Pluto’s final ingress into Aquarius does not show it making any major aspects to major planets. So I checked the amazing Serennu.com database, which is programmed by the brilliant Tracey Delaney, and immediately burst out laughing at what I saw:
Waiting for Pluto in the very first degree of Aquarius are the asteroids Heracles and Child.
My immediate thought was, “Oh my god, what a perfect picture of a powerful Man-Baby belonging to an exclusive group (the rich and famous) out to smash up what had seemed solid, orderly, and practically set in stone — not only the structure and function of the U.S. government, but perhaps even the very idea of the rule of law.
While Capricorn relates to solid structures like government, business, foundations, and traditions, Aquarius has its own theme of solidification and crystallization. Originally, both Capricorn and Aquarius were given Saturn as their planetary ruler. Then when Uranus was discovered, astrologers gave it rulership over Aquarius.
Most astrologers I know consider both planets key in understanding Aquarius. It represents not only the disruption of previous structures, but also the formation of new ones — a constant process of shattering what had been crystallized, and then a new form crystallizing in its place for a while.
The dual rulership of Aquarius highlights the need for limits to accompany destruction, for responsibility to accompany freedom. As astrologer Isabel Hickey notes, freedom without responsibility is simply license, not liberation. It’s the balance of erupting Life Force and containing Form that allows energy to be useful here on Earth.
In any case, to get back to those two asteroids currently in the first degree of Aquarius: You likely recall Heracles from Greek myth. He was the hero known for his incredible strength and passions — but also his vengefulness and, while under a spell, a tragically violent madness. (In the Roman myths he’s known as Hercules.)
The asteroid Child has proven to be pretty literal in its astrological themes, often relating to experiences in childhood or attitudes toward and events involving children, as astrologer Martha Lang-Wescott notes, or an actual child. But she also notes that Child can represent childish reactions, ranging from innocence to immaturity.
I think it’s safe to say we’re witnessing some very childish reactions by Trump, and others, and I don’t expect that to change, unfortunately.
But nothing in astrology has only one meaning or theme, or only one way of manifesting. So I went looking for a little extra context for the asteroids Heracles and Child.
And I noticed that astrologer Zane Stein brings in a discussion of Abraham Maslow’s “hierarchy of needs” in his consideration of Heracles. If you’re not familiar with this hierarchy, I highly recommend looking up.
I’ll just summarize it by saying that Maslow posits that unless we get our most basic survival needs met, we cannot give any focus to meeting the next category of needs — and so on up a pyramid of categories, until we get to the level of self-actualization, or the ability to focus on a so-called “calling” in life.
Stein relates the asteroid Heracles to the drive to fulfill these needs at each level (which he further relates to the planets that are in contact with the orbit of the Heracles) — and to the fact that we often get these needs met by overcoming obstacles — much like the mythological character’s famous tests and labors.
Stein further writes that, “Heracles also ties into the way we react negatively when needs have not been met: thrashing about, striking out, calling upon our Mars to attack.”
I think this bit is crucially important.
I know a lot of us, especially any of us who identify with groups that have traditionally lacked as much voice, visibility, agency, or rights as majority groups or “ruling classes,” have been feeling a lot of fear and dread about what the next four years may bring. There is genuine concern about being able to meet basic needs, being safe, being able to love and create and live openly.
Aquarius can represent exclusive or exclusionary groups in its lower expression. At its best, it can represent a more humanitarian sense of collective connection.
Collectively, we absolutely need to look at how we can get our needs met WITHOUT lashing out at each other and causing more harm. We need to stay watchful for the lie that there’s only limited slices of pie that we’re all fighting for, no matter how chaotic things get, so we can put some energy toward the good of everyone.
You know, the concept of chaos can represent the sort of primordial stew from which creativity and evolution can occur. But chaos also tends to be very destabilizing. Then negative forces or expressions of chaos try to disrupt the mutually beneficial social contracts of the collective, and that includes the resources and pathways for healing and enfranchisement that we’ve been building collectively.
It’s up to each of us to stay aware of the mental, emotional, psychic, and spiritual poisons that can seep in and lead to destructiveness — whether of self or of others. (Which, from a spiritual perspective, is the same thing.)
Pluto entering Aquarius and meeting Heracles and Child is a strong reminder to all of us to take responsibility for our own behavior, misdeeds, and lashing out — even when we see others not doing so. It’s the flip side of taking responsibility for our own healing. And in both cases, it’s easier with the compassionate support of others.
So let’s dig deep to access real courage — another Heracles theme. Including the courage to be as compassionate and vulnerable and genuine as children.
If you’re not sure what that looks like, or if you’ve forgotten how powerful it can be, please watch the Mr. Rogers documentary Won’t You Be My Neighbor? for a refresher. I’m completely serious. My partner and I watched part of it on election night, and it really hit home.
With that, I want to note that unless you have planets or certain other chart features in very early Aquarius (or in line with those degrees of the zodiac), you likely won’t be noticing Pluto’s change into Aquarius in a direct way in your personal life. But we’ll all be able to see and feel how it’s operating through world events, many of which will have direct effect and implications for our daily lives.
If you’d like to get a feel for how Pluto in Aquarius will be functioning in your birth chart and in your life — along with the other significant patterns and cycles that mark your path to the present moment and into the near future, please be in touch for an astrology consultation. Or if you’re in need of some grounding and centering, or to clear some space within yourself so there’s less in your way, let’s talk about doing some soul work.
I wish you well, and I thank you for watching.
Much love,
Amanda
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