Pluto
The outer planets are often ignored by siderealists, and so, in this issue, I want to explore a planet that is often overlooked when assessing a chart.
Pluto is considered a planet of deep transformation. His influence in a chart indicates the area in which the greatest level of transformation needs to take place. In part, this is due to the fact that he also represents the area of our life where we feel the greatest need to be in control. And the things we most have a need to control represent the areas where we feel least in control. It indicates where our biggest fears, attachments, and karmic ruts are found.
Pluto's Influence on Other Planets:
Pluto and Sun - this is probably the best combination, since Pluto is considered exalted in Leo, which is ruled by the Sun. Pluto transforms from deep within, and there is nothing deeper than one's soul, which is represented by the Sun. If you consider that Pluto shows to others things deep within you, then it is clear why this combination makes a person appear intense, spiritual, and deep. This combination is also said to produce people that have a natural healing energy. The best position for Pluto is with the Sun or in Leo.
Case in point, Oprah Winfrey who is admired by many for her spiritual depth and has been responsible for introducing many to various spiritual and transformative ideas.
Pluto and the Moon - when Pluto influences the Moon, it makes the person appear very emotional. Such a person might be described as "wearing their heart on their sleeve". This is more so if the Moon is weak within the chart. If the Moon is strong, then the person will be perceived as one to rely on for emotional strength.
Case in point, Barbara Walters has Pluto trine Moon. As we all know, she has a unique way of gaining the confidence of celebrities so they feel free to reveal things about themselves that other journalists are unable to get out of them.
Pluto and Mars - on the positive side, this gives a lot of internal discipline and organizational skills. But, it's negative side is a "win at any cost" attitude, which often exhibits excessive control issues and the desire to destroy. It is usually the control issues that destroy the initial positive work.
Case in point, Ted Bundy's Pluto is in exact aspect of Mars.
Pluto and Mercury - a person with such a combination is likely to be very forceful with their communications. Their words will naturally affect others very deeply.
Case in point, Bill Clinton has this configuration.
Oddly enough, in spite of George W. Bush being severely criticized for poor language usage, he has this combination and thus enjoys a strong resonance with so many. Think back to his speech at ground zero when he promised "I can hear you. The rest of the world hears you and the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon." His response in post 9/11 resonated with many very powerfully and helped give him a high approval rating for a very long time. Whether you like Bill Clinton or George Bush, you must acknowledge one thing they had in common: people either hate or love them. There are few middle-grounders. Their words are responsible for both deep reactions.
Pluto and Jupiter - this uproots traditional beliefs and ideas, which can cause a person to act contrary to societal norms. Pluto digs deep down into a person's value system, causes him to re-evaluate it. It can therefore create a criminal mind or, at the very least, a person who goes against the grain and is unhappy with the direction of society.
Case in point, Ralph Nader has Pluto exactly square Jupiter. He is highly known for bucking the establishment.
Pluto and Venus - this is considered a highly sexual influence. The person will be driven by strong passions, emotions, and the search for worldly pleasures. This causes a person to exude sensuality.
Case in point: Rachel Welch has this combination, as does Elvis Presley.
Pluto and Saturn - while this gives persistence to whatever one does, it can also cause a person to hang on doggedly to what one believes and feels is essential for their security. This makes for very slow, if not stagnated, growth. This person does not allow himself to be open to new ideas, while at the same time there is a discontentment with the way he is and the way others are. It brings a recognition of what is wrong, or perceived as wrong, while refusing to change to make things better.
Case in point, Robert Downey, Jr. has this combination. I can think of no one who exhibits so clearly a guy who knows there are things he must change, but finds it so hard to do so.
Another example is Al Gore. He's been told over and over that he needs to stop speaking to people as though everyone else is five years old and he is a kindergarten teacher, but, for some reason, he has been unable to break that, even after hiring Naomi Wolf to help him with his image.
While these insights may not be unique, they are nevertheless essential, in my view, to more fully understanding a chart's dynamics. Therefore, I have included them here.
- Ron Grimes
Pluto is considered a planet of deep transformation. His influence in a chart indicates the area in which the greatest level of transformation needs to take place. In part, this is due to the fact that he also represents the area of our life where we feel the greatest need to be in control. And the things we most have a need to control represent the areas where we feel least in control. It indicates where our biggest fears, attachments, and karmic ruts are found.
Pluto's Influence on Other Planets:
Pluto and Sun - this is probably the best combination, since Pluto is considered exalted in Leo, which is ruled by the Sun. Pluto transforms from deep within, and there is nothing deeper than one's soul, which is represented by the Sun. If you consider that Pluto shows to others things deep within you, then it is clear why this combination makes a person appear intense, spiritual, and deep. This combination is also said to produce people that have a natural healing energy. The best position for Pluto is with the Sun or in Leo.
Case in point, Oprah Winfrey who is admired by many for her spiritual depth and has been responsible for introducing many to various spiritual and transformative ideas.
Pluto and the Moon - when Pluto influences the Moon, it makes the person appear very emotional. Such a person might be described as "wearing their heart on their sleeve". This is more so if the Moon is weak within the chart. If the Moon is strong, then the person will be perceived as one to rely on for emotional strength.
Case in point, Barbara Walters has Pluto trine Moon. As we all know, she has a unique way of gaining the confidence of celebrities so they feel free to reveal things about themselves that other journalists are unable to get out of them.
Pluto and Mars - on the positive side, this gives a lot of internal discipline and organizational skills. But, it's negative side is a "win at any cost" attitude, which often exhibits excessive control issues and the desire to destroy. It is usually the control issues that destroy the initial positive work.
Case in point, Ted Bundy's Pluto is in exact aspect of Mars.
Pluto and Mercury - a person with such a combination is likely to be very forceful with their communications. Their words will naturally affect others very deeply.
Case in point, Bill Clinton has this configuration.
Oddly enough, in spite of George W. Bush being severely criticized for poor language usage, he has this combination and thus enjoys a strong resonance with so many. Think back to his speech at ground zero when he promised "I can hear you. The rest of the world hears you and the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon." His response in post 9/11 resonated with many very powerfully and helped give him a high approval rating for a very long time. Whether you like Bill Clinton or George Bush, you must acknowledge one thing they had in common: people either hate or love them. There are few middle-grounders. Their words are responsible for both deep reactions.
Pluto and Jupiter - this uproots traditional beliefs and ideas, which can cause a person to act contrary to societal norms. Pluto digs deep down into a person's value system, causes him to re-evaluate it. It can therefore create a criminal mind or, at the very least, a person who goes against the grain and is unhappy with the direction of society.
Case in point, Ralph Nader has Pluto exactly square Jupiter. He is highly known for bucking the establishment.
Pluto and Venus - this is considered a highly sexual influence. The person will be driven by strong passions, emotions, and the search for worldly pleasures. This causes a person to exude sensuality.
Case in point: Rachel Welch has this combination, as does Elvis Presley.
Pluto and Saturn - while this gives persistence to whatever one does, it can also cause a person to hang on doggedly to what one believes and feels is essential for their security. This makes for very slow, if not stagnated, growth. This person does not allow himself to be open to new ideas, while at the same time there is a discontentment with the way he is and the way others are. It brings a recognition of what is wrong, or perceived as wrong, while refusing to change to make things better.
Case in point, Robert Downey, Jr. has this combination. I can think of no one who exhibits so clearly a guy who knows there are things he must change, but finds it so hard to do so.
Another example is Al Gore. He's been told over and over that he needs to stop speaking to people as though everyone else is five years old and he is a kindergarten teacher, but, for some reason, he has been unable to break that, even after hiring Naomi Wolf to help him with his image.
While these insights may not be unique, they are nevertheless essential, in my view, to more fully understanding a chart's dynamics. Therefore, I have included them here.
- Ron Grimes