P L U T O I N C A P R I C O R N

Pluto will be in Capricorn from January 26, 2008 to June 14, 2008 and then from November 27, 2008 to March 23, 2023 and then from June 11, 2023 to January 21, 2024 and finally from September 1, 2024 to November 19, 2024. This is the usual 16-year period for Pluto in Capricorn.

Problems in philosophy, religion, and politics are isolated, pondered, and oftentimes resolved within the first two years of Pluto in Capricorn. The "answer" that is arrived at makes a profound change in the power structures of the time. The decades following Pluto entering Capricorn with its "answer" or "codification" are times of adjustment to the new realities. It is as if Pluto in Sagittarius is a time of opening that is followed by a period of independence and ground breaking in Capricorn as people realize the limitations they are forced to live within and the authorities crack down. Alternatively, a new structure is codified and is accepted as the practical basis for future endeavors.

Instances of the changes foreshadowed by Pluto in Sagittarius coming about within the first few years of Pluto in Capricorn are: Luther posted his theses in 1517, the stamp act uproar in 1765 in the American colonies leading to the loss of the colonies (the publishing of Rousseau's "Social Contract", Thomas Aquinas "Summa Theologica", Moses de Lon and the Zohar, and Marco Polo in 1271 to 1275. Byzantine power started its decline in 1025.

“Independence” is a key Capricorn word. When Pluto enters Capricorn, major, irrevocable breaks in major institutions often occur. If a new institution doesn’t come into being (new countries, new religious schisms), then there are often partitions within the existing structures. Examples of this were in 42 (Christianity broke off from Judaism), 287 (Roman empire split into 4 segments), 1024 (England, Norway, and Denmark break off from a unified kingdom under Canute), 1270 (splitting of the Papacy), 1516 (Protestant splitting with Catholic), and 1762 (the U.S. splitting from Britain).

Sometimes, empires increase their size by conquest – an example is the Turks in 1516. Ceremonies and procedures are often reformed and codified during Pluto in Capricorn.

The last eight Pluto in Capricorn periods were:
1762 to 1777
1516 to 1532
1270 to 1287
1024 to 1041
778 to 795
532 to 550
287 to 305
42 to 60

Throughout much of the 42 to 60 period, Claudius reigned (for further info, see "I, Claudius"). Claudius brought some stability to the Roman empire during the period from 42 to 54. Unfortunately, in 54 he was poisoned by his wife, Agrippina, so her son, Nero, could ascend the throne – Nero had his mom killed in 59. In 43, Rome invaded Britain and London was founded.

St Paul started his preaching in 45. Christianity broke off from Judaism at this time.

Ming-Ti introduces Buddhism to China in 58.

The 287 to 305 period was almost exactly the reign of the Emperor Diocletian, who reigned from 284 to 305. During his reign the empire split into two segments ruled by four Caesars, with Diocletian as the head Caesar. Carcausis became the emperor of the west (and so proclaimed himself in 287). However, the empire came back together somewhat in 306. The empire had gotten too big to be ruled by one person from Rome.

The 532 to 550 period was the time of King Arthur who died around 537. Justinian (527-565) codified Roman law and spread Byzantine administration to Northern Africa. During this time Saint Sophia Basillica in Constantinople was built, also Church of S. Vitale in Ravenna. Although Arthur kept a part of England free of the Saxons, it only lasted until 550 when a new wave conquered all the remaining resistance.

During the 778 to 795 period Charlemagne defeated by Basques. Japanese culture codifies tea ceremony – oldest known prints are from this period. Empress Irene becomes the ruler of the Byzantine Empire – she restores image worship. She is imprisoned in 791 for cruelty by her son, Charlemagne. The building of the mosque of Cordoba begins (takes over 200 years to complete).

Offa, the English king, increased the size of British rule, but this was also the time of the first Norse invaders. Norse invaders would be a problem for the next 200 years.

In 1024 to 1041 Conrad II, the first in the line of Franconian German kings, has his reign. Reign is from 1024 through 1039. Pluto crossing into Capricorn is associated with the beginning of the decline of Byzantine power. In 1035 Canute dies and his kingdom is divided among three sons (England, Norway, and Denmark).

In the 1270 to 1287 period When Pluto entered Capricorn in 1270 Marco Polo went to China, Thomas Aquinas wrote "Summa Theologica", and Moses de Leon, who wrote the Zohar, was born. This is the typical pattern, the changes brought about by Pluto in Sagittarius leads to some striking religious or political event as soon as Pluto enters Capricorn. Obviously, the Zohar and Summa Theologica were in preparation while Pluto was in Sagittarius but were published when Pluto first entered Capricorn. From 1268 to 1271 there was a vacancy in the Papacy (another turbulence towards the end of Pluto in Sagittarius righted somewhat by Pluto entering Capricorn – by 1276 there were four popes). In 1273 Rumi, who founded the whirling dervishes, died.

In France, Louis IX was succeeded by Phillip III while in England, Henry III was succeeded by Edward I (who had actually had power for years). Edward I was immensely practical as well as passionate. His main claim to fame was his battle with the Scots, although he also reformed the courts and the relationship with the church. As befits a ruler in Capricornian times, he was Spartan.

From 1516 to 1532 was the middle of the Renaissance. When Pluto entered Capricorn, Martin Luther posted his 95 theses in 1517, initiating the Protestant Reformation. Again, a major religious/political event initiated when Pluto enters Capricorn but having its roots in Pluto in Sagittarius (when Luther observed the venality and corruption of the Roman Catholic Church of that time). Prior to this, in 1515 it was declared that books must have the permission of the Papacy to be published.

During the period from 1529 to 1536, by a series of acts, the Church of England was born, separate from Rome, pushed forward by Henry the Eight’s need to divorce and remarry to acquire an heir. Capricorn is the sign of independence, and Pluto is irrevocable acts – Pluto in Capricorn is a time of new independent powers which make irrevocable separations from older institutions. In this case, it was the split of Protestants and the Church of England from Roman Catholicism.

During 1515 to 1519 the Turks doubled the size of their empire by conquering Persia, Mesopotamia, Syria, and Eqypt.

In the most recent period, from 1762 to 1777, was the period when the United States achieved its independence from Britain. It was in 1763, with the treaty of Paris, that tensions started between England and the colonies resulting in the Declaration of Independence in 1774. Britain, and King George III, tried to obtain taxes from the Americans for defense and took over control of the courts. The American revolution was a conservative one, Americans were trying to preserve their rights.

During this time was the first partition of Poland, Watt’s steam engine, and Adam Smith’s book, “Wealth of Nations”.