What Does Pluto Want?

Destruction, death, sex, elimination. Transformation, regeneration,, purging, rebirth, catharsis, purification.

Yes, I could proceed with many more words which attempt to capture the essence of Pluto's power, but it would be in vain. Why do I say that? Because Pluto's presence is something that truly must be felt at an instinctive level to actually infuse life into the aforementioned words.I would be willing to bet that almost anyone who has any personal planets contacting Pluto natally or via transit can probably relate to the following Carl Jung quote:

"When an inner situation is not made conscious, it appears outside as fate."

To give you a brief example, I have Pluto transiting in my 1st house. A few years ago, it was conjunct my natal Sun and Ascendant and opposing my natal Moon. To tie a nice little bow on the package, I'll throw in Pluto square Pluto. And to play Astrological Emeril, let's just "kick it up a notch" with a natal t-square between my sun and moon with the strong man flexing his muscles as the handle.With all of this activity brewing, I had to ask : "What does Pluto Want?"

I don't really think that there's a definitive answer to this question. This varies with every individual. We are all given our own unique life homework. However, I truly believe that no matter how we arrive at our destination of transformation, we all must pass through the states of awareness, elimination and rebirth. I am in wholehearted agreement with Astrologer Tracy Marks, when she says the question that we ask ourselves during a Pluto transit should not be "what's going to happen to me?", but rather "how can I best capitalize on the energies that are present concerning the planet(s), sign and house involved in this cycle of growth?"

I am definitely from the "contact school" of Astrology. I don't really go out of my way to differentiate between whether the planets are conjunct, square or opposing one another. The same potentials are present for all aspects. However, one's life circumstances may be quite different for obtaining the desired results. To give a football analogy, a touchdown is a touchdown, but sometimes one team can score in one play on a 70 yard pass, whereas the other team might start at their own one yard line and grind it out 99 yards on 15 plays.

In the state of awareness, Pluto is requiring that we begin to examine ourselves, other people and situations at a heightened level of consciousness. We are no longer satisfied with superficial gloss and the half hearted smiles that we receive from other people on the street. We crave intensity and meaning. There is a gut feeling that life contains much more richness and substance than their current situation reflects. Inner riches and dormant potential is realized here. You may very well start to exercise strength, talents and abilities that have long been forgotten about. Or, find reserves in yourself that you didn't even know existed.

On the flip side, there may be some attributes which you would rather keep buried that are now exposed for public display. The higher purpose, however, is to push you toward dealing with your psychic garbage. You may be "called out", forcing you to declare yourself on one side of the fence or the other. These are situations that force us to confront the deepest and sometimes darkest aspects of ourselves. Best believe that Pluto is like a persistent burglar who will get into the vulnerable areas of your psyche by any means available. The front door is locked? Well, let's go into the back. No back door? Hmmmm... the side could be open? Dead bolt on the side? Look, there's an open window !! You might as well tell him that you've been expecting him and offer some refreshments.

After we've made our initial stop in awareness ,we continue on our journey and arrive at the state of elimination. Here, we're taking all of the psychic garbage that we collected in awareness, and preparing ourselves to toss it. If only it were that simple !! Little did we know that the state of elimination has an ordinance that requires us to rid ourselves that is no longer applicable or beneficial to our evolution. This includes thoughts, behaviors, relationships, possessions and traditions.

There may very well be people whom have been a part of our life for a long time that we have to phase out all together or severely limit our interactions. Prize possessions that we've treasured every since we can remember will have to be parted with. Maybe we were giving out our business card at every turn because we've been so proud to be "Special Projects Manager" for the last ten years. Guess what? What the universe is showing us here is that we've become to attached to these items, titles and relationships as a part of our being. We don't need them any more. In fact, discarding them will put us on a road to a more advanced state of becoming if we allow Pluto to work as a servant and not our master.

When we are truly able to separate what is essential to our identity from what no longer contributes to our growth, we are allowed to enter into the state of rebirth. Even though, it sounds so sweet and blissful, there is sure to be upheaval. Resistance from those who "love" us and are concerned about our well being. What we must realize is that the resistance comes because they must change. Our growth will not allow the "pushback bunch" to participate in our lives in the same role at the same level. Some people will absolutely applaud your strides to become a more enlightened human being, while others may have a bag full of expletives for you. Please remember that Pluto doesn't like cowards. If you're not able to stand up and live an authentic life according to an internal locus of control, you will have to deal with these issues until you look them squarely in the face. Once you look the monster straight in the eye, they become a lot more manageable.

Meditate, contemplate and go deep inside yourself. In turn, this will allow you to be more effective in your empowerment of others. Like surgery, Pluto transits may feel like you're being "sliced and diced":. However, once the wounds have had time to heal, you're smarter, wiser and wide awake. Never to fall asleep at the wheel again.