P L U T O I N S C O R P I O
The outer planets take years to go through a sign; the aspects between these planets last for years. Neptune stays in a sign for 14 years; Pluto, being variable in its distance from the Sun, takes anywhere from 12 to 30 years to go through a sign. Since it is now on the fast part of its orbit, Pluto will take only 12 years per sign.
This means that the entire way in which you view reality is going to change (Pluto) and the entire spirit of the times will change (Neptune). Whereas Pluto represents the "realistic" view, Neptune represents the illusions or image that people place over this realism. Of course, neither of these planets represent true reality -- both are reflectors of reality.
Pluto was in Libra from 1972 to November, 1983. It dipped back into Libra from Scorpio, the sign it will remain in until 1995, from May 19, 1984 through August 29, 1984. Libra is a sign of conservative, laissez-faire apathy which alternates with hyperactive fear on its negative side. On the positive side, Libra is a sign of harmony, social intercourse, love, and peace. The arts flourish in Libran times.
Saturn is exalted in Libra. This means that old age and conservation are placed upon a pedestal; everyone sees the Saturnine qualities as enviable. The leaders during Libran periods tend to be old men. Since Libra is a sign of leisure and charm these old men have charming smiles and spend much of their time in leisure activities.
The career of Dwight Eisenhower exactly followed Neptune in Libra. Neptune entered Libra in 1942 and left in 1956. In 1942 Eisenhower became supreme commander. His star was kept high all the way through the presidency. He was a Libran, by the way -- a kindly grandfather figure who played lots of golf during the presidency. When Neptune entered Scorpio during the middle of his presidency with Sputnik and the turbulent racial problems of Little Rock people suddenly said, "Why isn't he doing something rather than smiling and playing golf?"
The period from 1942 to 1956 was one of recuperation from World War II; people just stayed in their homes, avoided anything unusual, and let our leaders do what was best for the country. The college students of the time were noted for their apathy and conservatism. Everything was done by committee and consensus. These are all Libran tendencies.
The transition from Libra to Scorpio involves the move from peacefulness to turbulence, from apathy to action. During the Pluto in Libra period we had the collapse of the Nixon administration (Watergate happened just as Pluto was going from Virgo to Libra), a smiling, charming double Libran president called Jimmy Carter, and finally an old, charming President called Ronald Reagan who spends most of his time at his ranch while the country is run by committee.
During Scorpio we can expect to have leaders who are younger, tougher, and more aggressive. On the negative side, Scorpionic periods are more warlike; small wars fought for cold-blooded political reasons are common in Scorpio.
Twice within recent history an outer planet has gone from Libra to Scorpio. In 1956 Neptune made this transition. The apathetic early 50's became much more exciting as Little Rock, Civil Rights, Elvis Presley, and Sputnik took over the news. While Neptune was in Scorpio America went through a period of turbulent social change. People asked of Eisenhower, "why isn't he doing something rather than playing golf?" Neptune was in Scorpio throughout the 60's -- the sea of vibrations, which Neptune rules, was dark, stormy, and psychologically oriented.
Uranus went from Libra to Scorpio at the end of 1974. People's perceptions (Uranus) turned from counter culture (Libra) to rebelling against power (Scorpio). At the same time, it was widely perceived that power (Scorpio) made one free (Uranus). People perceived situations in a cynical light and were constantly wary of being screwed over -- one of the problems with Scorpio. They suddenly wanted strong, young, vibrant leadership.
Star Wars was the epitome of the Uranus in Scorpio vibration. Scorpionic periods have been times of adventure and intense situations. Star Wars brought Uranian joy and oddness to the dark struggle of Scorpio. This was when Uranus awoke the Neptune in Scorpio generation to punk rock, heavy metal, disco, nihilism, etc. Uranus was in Scorpio until 1981 when it entered Sagittarius.
In general, when any planet goes from Libra to Scorpio there is a sudden shift from apathetic drifting under weak, older leaders (who are kept weak so the people in the committees, where consensus is born, can maintain their power), to strong leadership under young leaders, through turbulent, stormy seas. People crave adventure and new territories -- the discovery of these new territories upsets the balance of power. Cynicism and power politics vie with passionate idealism. Social apathy is replaced with cries for social justice and civil rights.
Finally, we can understand what Pluto in Scorpio will mean by looking into what vibration Pluto has and what sort of sign Scorpio is. Pluto is the most intense planet in the zodiac. It rules power, intensity, reality, and transformation. When Pluto transits a person's chart that person goes through "heavy changes" as reality warps, intense people pour into their lives, and power struggles ensue. Pluto rules the superhuman, when you stand outside yourself watching yourself in a detached way. This planet is also the planet of alienation (and aliens for that matter) when forces beyond your control seem to be running your life.
Pluto has a "now or never", "all or nothing", "life or death" dynamic -- action "must" be taken now. Both destiny and fate are ruled by Pluto. To get a feeling for the vibration imagine Mick Jagger, Charles Manson, Charles Bronson, Captain Ahab, Adolf Hitler, and Humphrey Bogart. Now think of the dark intensity of surgeons, detectives, and psychologists. These people all have the cool exterior of people dealing with life and death situations -- they must act subtly, promptly and correctly in the midst of dangerous, emotionally charged situations.
The whole basis of what people consider "real" is Pluto. With Pluto in Libra everybody "must" be peaceful, social, and harmonious, or else. Pluto in Libra is like the scene from Peter Pan when tinkerbell dies -- if we all believe real hard she won't be dead. Unfortunately, social consensus can, and very often is, out of tune with reality. Pluto in Libra thinks that social consensus is reality. These illusions about consensus were especially bad for the Neptune in Libra generation.
An image for Libra is a social butterfly who is the hostess at a lawn party. She is trying to keep people who are antagonistic apart while bringing together people who appear to make a good match. She has a glorious smile on her face, which becomes especially bright and charming when the shit is about to hit the fan. She will try to avoid conflict through sheer charm and grace -- she dislikes it when anyone rocks the boat. She will alternate between periods of tremendous activity and graceful lethargy. The energy crisis started when Pluto entered Libra.
Another image for Libra is that of a sober professional. Saturn is exalted in Libra which means that old people or people with lots of experience are put up on pedestals. Libran periods have been heavily conservative and apathetic. Often the country has been ruled by charming old men with winning smiles who are known for their leisure pursuits. As I mentioned in an earlier issue, the career of Eisenhower exactly followed Neptune in Libra (1942-1956) -- he was a Libran, by the way. During Pluto in Libra Jimmy Carter with his bright smile (double Libra) and Ronald Reagan (charming old man...) have ruled this country. Power (Pluto) is with older, charming conservatives who rule by consensus (Libra).
There is a more feisty side of Libra though. Libra is also the sign of command (for those who know astrology better, Cardinal Air hence marshalled and directed (Cardinal) communication (air)) -- many generals have been Librans. Librans love to argue, to weigh all sides of an argument, to be diplomatic. For this reason Libra rules the law. Negative Libra is fluttery vacillation and fear.
The power of persuasion is Libran -- the major failing of Libra is hypocrisy since Librans will first convince themselves and then try to convince others. Fortunately, Pluto in Scorpio will take care of many of these hypocrises.
This is because Scorpio is very different from Libra. Scorpio is ruled by Pluto, for one thing. This means that Pluto is at home in Scorpio -- it's in it's natural sign. Scorpio is the sign of "realism." Scorpio probes underneath appearances to find the reality, but never lets anyone find out what is underneath their surface. The archetype is a poker game -- you try to find what hand other people have while not revealing your own. Scorpios will often not show any emotion while underneath they are in extreme flux. Many of the images of psychiatrists, surgeons, or detectives that were used for Pluto apply equally well for Scorpio.
Scorpio is the sign of intense interpersonal relationships. Where Libra is the marriage ceremony with its betrothal and flowers, Scorpio is the consummation of the marriage not only sexually but through the real life power struggles and accomodations to the reality of each other that are necessary. All the dark magnetism associated with sexual attractiveness, the intense desires and passions that are not displayed, and male/female power struggles are Scorpionic.
Scorpio is like a waterfall, or a storm. It is the power of water -- Scorpio is the sign of passion. This sign builds emotions up and up in a watery feedback loop until the time when it releases its emotional force in a torrent. These released emotions can range from revenge, like a scorpion, up through the eagle form of Scorpio. The eagle remains realistic and peaceful in all situations, and takes quick, forceful action when necessary. In between these two types is the grey lizard, a case of negative, internal feedback and involuted magnetism.
High Scorpio is tantric. Every desire is penetrated to its root and seen as God. When Pluto enters Scorpio the entire world will become Scorpionic in viewpoint. It is a principle of astrology that the most negative sides of a sign come out when a planet first enters that sign (since no psychic structures have been built to handle the energies, yet). So we can expect power, revenge, cynicism, paranoia, and low-level sex to be dominant themes for awhile. It is highly recommended that you start practising tantrism, peacefulness, and non-dualism -- quickly.
Going from Libra to Scorpio is like swimming along the surface of a pool and then diving down into the depths. Where Libra is the social veneer, Scorpio is the turbulent power plays and subtle battles that take place under that surface. In summation, all of the various levels and forms of Scorpio described above will form our reality for the next 12 years.
In terms of perception, Pluto is revelation which strips down to ultimate reality, Neptune is intuition which slowly grows from a vague feeling, and Uranus is "the flash" which comes upon one in a sudden blaze of perception. Pluto in Libra was concensus reality -- if the general populace was agreed on reality there is no point in shattering their beliefs, even if their concensus reality was a lie which would ultimately harm them. Neptune in Sagittarius was intuition based on vision, on aspiration. Uranian flashes are of far-off places and aspirations.
In terms of world view, Pluto is the basic reality that is accepted without thought -- the paradigm, the weltanshaaung (world view). Everything in tune with this paradigm has "juice", power, while everything out of tune is anemic. Neptune is the spirit of the times, the Zeitgeist. Neptune is the transmission fluid that transmits and smooths the raw power of Pluto in its actual use. Where Pluto shows the reality on which actions are based, Neptune spreads an illusory haze over what is occurring. Neptune is the sea of vibrations within which events occur -- the flavor of the times. Finally, Uranus is where peoples view is focused. With Uranus in Sagittarius, for example, people are focused on the positive side of whatever is happening. The mood of optimism is a combination of Neptune and Uranus both being in Sagittarius.
With Pluto now in Scorpio people's world view will be Scorpionic. Everything will be seen in terms of power, subtlety, psychological motives, etc. Neptune in Capricorn makes people have very practical, solid reasons for being deluded. "It will never work anyway" or "you don't have it together" will be the reason for a variety of actions. Compassion will have a Saturnine quality to it.
The last two times Pluto went from Libra to Scorpio there was a transition from peace between countries (with large-scale rearrangement within countries, however) to small wars fought on flimsy excuses. The year 1491 was one such transition year; 1738 was another. In 1491 the Italian renaissance ended as the treasures of Italy were spread by marauding armies throughout Europe. The period of adventure which was kicked off by Columbus in 1492 you no doubt remember. In fact, Columbus had four journeys from 1492 to 1502, exactly the time Pluto was in Scorpio. The Borgias with their devious politics had their ascendency during the Pluto in Scorpio period. Savanarolla preached brimstone and fire during this time. A syphilis epidemic spread all over Europe due to French soldiers returning from Naples. The English enacted a law against vagabonds and beggars. The first Caesarean was done by a Swiss pig gelder. Jonathan Edwards did a famous sermon: "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God".
1738 marked the transition from peace to war in England. People were heartily sick of the boring peacefulness of the prior 12 years; they wanted action. The policies of peace which were striven after by the heads of England and France were replaced by the war of Jenkin's ear which was part of a series of wars which were fought throughout the stay of Pluto in Scorpio. The British Prime Minister during the time of Libra believed to keep the people happy keep taxes low, to keep taxes low keep the military down, to keep the military down avoid wars. Fredrick of Germany epitomized the types who led during the Scorpionic times following the peaceful Libran period--he was much more belligerent. Jonathan Swift was penning his satires. Bernoulli proposed his theory of hydrodynamics (the forces in liquids--appropriate for Scorpio).
Pluto in Scorpio period is a time of small wars. Already we have had Lebanon, El Salvador, etc. We entered Lebanon as Pluto went forward into Scorpio, we started the pullout as Pluto stopped its motion and headed back towards Libra. These small wars are following the Plutonian current.
In contrast to Libran periods which are "surfacy", Scorpionic periods are times of deep turbulence. Just contrast the Neptune in Libra period of 1942-1956 with the years 1956-1970 when Neptune was in Scorpio -- feel the difference? People won't put up with 1/10th the bullshit in a Scorpionic period that they will during an apathetic Libran period. Scorpio wants results.
We can expect the generation born with Neptune in Scorpio to have their dreams and illusions go through a powerful purging process for the next 12 years. When Neptune entered Libra 12 years ago you could see the Neptune in Virgo generation come into their own and the Neptune in Libra generation go through the wringer. The same will now happen to the Neptune in Libra and Neptune in Scorpio generations, respectively. Now the entire punk dream (definitely a Scorpionic image) will be tested; what is real will survive (the usual Plutonian ground rules...).
At the same time that Pluto is changing signs, so is Neptune. Years ago astrologers were predicting this would be a heavy transition. It has actually been surprisingly mild so far.
For the past 14 years Neptune has been in Sagittarius. The image has been one of "naturalness", trees, the out-of- doors, spiritual retreats in the forests, and so forth. Since Sagittarius is the sign of world-wide travel and Libra has the quality of the dillettante this combination has made for jet-setters whose travels are duly reported in People magazine.
The image of Capricorn and Scorpio, in contrast, is one of the hard-working, lonely climb to the top of the social pyramid with subtle power struggles every step of the way. While Sagittarius is the sign of the idyllic country life, Capricorn is the grind and the urbanity of the city. In Capricorn, progress consists of struggling to the top.
Think of a rock climber. Every move must be done with care and precision. The people you are tied to you must trust with your life. Every rock must be tested no matter how safe it appears. Capricorn follows these rules in dealing with people and situations in the social pyramid -- it is a long fall from the corporate and governmental pyramid's upper reaches.
This Horatio Alger image will be dominant for the next 14 years -- we are in the transition phase now. All of the injustices performed with blithe Libran insensitivity and Sagittarian reasonableness over the last 12 years will no longer be so easily done in the future. From the surface we will plunge into the depths.
Relationships which had a light, airey quality the past 12 years will take on an intense, probing quality -- people will be wielded together through a mutual rocky career path. The relationship of Marie and Pierre Curie comes to mind. These two were inseparable through their careers.
The current of our involvement in other countrys' wars, particularly Lebanon, followed the Pluto in Scorpio current. We got more involved in Lebanon as Pluto entered Scorpio. Our involvement peaked as Pluto was stationary direct. When Pluto turned retrograde we started pulling out of Lebanon. By the time Pluto had left Scorpio we were out of Lebanon. Of course, we also got involved in various wars in South America rather strongly in this period -- these wars seemed to follow the same current.
On a personal level, this Pluto in Scorpio period has been one of turbulence in relationships. Many relationships have been in trouble due to the needs for cool independence of one of the members counterbalanced by a need for deep emotional interaction of the other member. Other strains have been caused by paths splitting -- each partner feels impelled to go in a different direction.
The second method of finding out what Pluto in Scorpio means is to look backwards to prior periods in history. The three most recent periods were from 1244-1256, 1490-1502, and 1736-1749. All three of these periods inaugerated shifts in power to countries that were expanding into new frontiers.
The first period in the mid 1200s signalled the end of the crusades and the start of European expansion. The Moors were almost completely pushed out of Spain. During this period the Inquisition started to use torture instruments. This was the start of Westminster Abbey, La Sainte-Chapelle, Paris, and the Sorbonne. High Gothic started in Germany and lasted until the next time Pluto was in Scorpio.
The second period in the late 1400s was when the Spaniards finalized pushing the Moors out of their country -- a sense of Spanish identity was born. France invaded Italy and spread the Renaissance to the rest of Europe -- Italy's downfall started with this invasion. But most important, Columbus and other explorers discovered the Americas and this frontier shifted the whole balance of power to the Atlantic basin and away from the Mediterranean. Politically, the "new monarchy" was born with a strong, central monarch who kept the nobles from excesses. The corrupt, devious, power-mad Borgias were dominant in this period. Perkin Warbeck, a pretender to the English throne, caused wars between France and England. He caused trouble throughout the Pluto in Scorpio period, but was executed in 1499.
The most recent period, 1736-1749, was a period marked by cynicism and chesspiece wars. Gulliver's Travels, written in 1745, shows the attitude of the times. The peace that Fleury of France and Walpole of England tried to maintain while Pluto was in Libra was upset by chauvanistic wars such as the war of Jenkin's ear with Spain which got enveloped into the war of the Austrian Succession. This war was for power and supremacy between England and France. Although this war formally ended in 1748 the issues weren't really decided until Pluto completed Sagittarius in 1763. These wars could be seen as the point when the British overseas empire overtook the French overseas empire. Again, as in the late 1400's, people talked of "enlightened monarchy". Fredrick of Prussia, who became a cynical militarist during this time, showed one side of Pluto in Scorpio.
Summing up, Pluto in Scorpio has been times of cynicism, deviousness, adventure, new frontiers, and dynamism. Military adventures fought for supremacy and power between major powers on the chessboard of other, weaker states have dominated these prior Pluto in Scorpio periods. People want strong leadership during Scorpionic periods, especially Pluto in Scorpio.
Some further observations on Pluto in Scorpio.
For one thing, AIDS has to be mentioned. Since Scorpio rules sexual activity and Pluto rules life or death matters, it is interesting that a disease which makes sex a life and death matter would come to prominence as an issue with Pluto in Scorpio.
With Pluto in Scorpio, cynicism is "realistic". On the down side, cynicism (like guilt for Neptune) is a way of avoiding necessary, but dangerous, action. Cynics believe, "why do anything, it all doesnt matter since it is too messed up for me to have any effect". In this way, cynicism is a way to abrogate power and leads to alienation.
This is a time of turbulent changes in power. Power comes from magnetism, from a strong grasp of reality, from the ability to transform a situation. Power tends to rest in the young, in the dynamic.
Since the Soviet Union has a Scorpionic quality (its a place of secretiveness, passion, intensity, control, alienation, and sometimes, cynicism) we would expect it to go through major transformations involving its very existence when Pluto transits Scorpio. It has. These transformations were further aided by the Saturn-Neptune conjunct, which rules communism, forming this time also conjunct Uranus a few years ago.
Cases of marital mutilation and child molestation are in the forefront of the news during Pluto in Scorpio (exacerbated by Jupiter in Scorpio).
copyright 1993 - 2007 by Ed Rose