January 19th ~ 26th
“The Beginning is Near” ~ Banksy
Through our scientific and technological genius we've made of this world a neighborhood. And now through our moral and ethical commitment we must make of it a brotherhood. We must all learn to live together as brothers ~ or we will all perish together as fools.~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
On January 20th, the Sun makes an exact conjunction to Pluto in the last degree and minute of the sign of Capricorn, only minutes before the Sun enters Aquarius, and hours before Pluto then steps over the threshold as well. By the Sun escorting Pluto over the threshold in this way, it is shining a light on both the end of the Pluto in Capricorn era, as well as giving us a glimpse into the Pluto in Aquarius era to come. And we are all being carried along for the ride.
For the past few years, Pluto has been bridging the divide between Capricorn and Aquarius. Because Pluto resides at the very distant outer fringes of our solar system its movements are glacial, and its effects transformative, both on society as a whole, as well as in our own individual lives. And when it changes signs, which it does infrequently, we can feel the sea change, as well as experience the growing pains that comes with it.
The last time Pluto was in Aquarius was from 1777 thru 1798. We were in the throes of the American Revolution, soon followed by the French revolution, which was then followed by its reign of terror. Pluto is dramatic in its effects, and revolutionary. Not only politically but economically and socially. The very motto derived from the French Revolution succinctly defines the Aquarian ideals of Liberty, Equality and Brotherhood.
We are entering another Pluto in Aquarius era, and there simply is no avoiding it. And as Pluto leaves the last vestiges of the Capricorn era, there will be those who will resist the transition. It could seem to some as if their whole lives, everything that they built up, everything that they believed in is being subject to change and even destruction. There will be those who out of desperation will try to hold on, refusing to step down and make way for the new paradigm. But they must.
Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better. ~ King Whitney Jr.
For a good part of the year ahead, Saturn will semi-square Pluto symbolizing this resistance. But we have no choice. Society as a whole will continue to evolve despite themselves. And the stark reality of an evolving society can no longer be resisted in the end. It simply must be.
Pluto in Aquarius has this capacity to transform, and even revolutionize the world in remarkable ways. And it has the capacity to do so in our own individual lives as well. Unless you use a Whole Sign House system, Pluto will probably not change your actual quadrant house when it changes signs this week. It will continue to function in that department of life, but through a different lens and value system. Through an Aquarius lens.
Some of the themes that the Pluto in Aquarius era will be concerned with:
Groups: And our relationship to the Group or Groups. Pluto tends to deal in extremes, from the ideals of Universal Brotherhood, Equality and Freedom; down to the narrowest concepts of tribalism, authoritarianism and even fascism. One thing we will be grappling with is the concept of ‘the Other’. This can lead to targeting or scapegoating whole groups of people, in order to have one group reign supreme over others. However, ultimately the Aquarian ideal is one of a universal and inclusive, not segregated, Brotherhood.
Power to the People: Aquarius is a sign that is inclined to focus on what is best for the greater good, not just one isolated group or individual. Under Pluto in Capricorn there can be a tendency to want to isolate and limit power, concentrating control at the top, with the wealthy and the powerful. In Aquarius, the power comes from below, from the people, smashing caste systems, financial inequality, monopolies and authoritarian regimes.
The Mob mentality: When the power of the people devolves into an ‘us against them’ mentality, the ideals of Aquarius become twisted and lost to the behests of a Mob mentality. People tend to do things within the excitement of a group or movement, that whey would never think of doing on their own. Often controlled by collective fear, people act from a primal urge to wreak chaos and havoc, rather than to create and build newer and better systems.
The Greater Good: It is understood within the Aquarian paradigm that when we collaborate, rather than compete against one another, we can make the most use of all of our talent, ingenuity and skill within the community, and use it to our greater advantage.
Technological Advances: The last time Pluto was in Aquarius, the Industrial Revolution was spawned reorganizing and redefining the concentration of wealth in society as a result. With Pluto in Aquarius for the next 20 years we are likely to see technological advances beyond our wildest imaginings. The sorts of advances that can literally change our lives.
Freedom, Brotherhood and Equality: In its most ideal expression, the sign of Aquarius has a very large tent, where all people are welcome to live with equal representation, acceptance, and personal freedom. However, these can only be accomplished through systemic and endemic change. A slow, evolutionary progression that can literally change society for the better. It may not be perfect, but maybe, just maybe, we can achieve a better version of ourselves.
For how Pluto’s ingress into Aquarius might affect your sign, click below: