Pluto in astrology

What does Pluto represent?

Pluto is the last planet we look at in astrology. It's very deep, very collective, and very unconscious.

If you look at Pluto you will notice that he possesses a few notable characteristics. He has an inclined orbit, which is very different from the other planets. He also has a highly eccentric elliptical orbit. He's in the farthest reaches of the solar system and made of rock and ice (unlike his neighboring gas giants). He has more of the characteristics of a comet than a planet. He is likely a comet from the outer reaches of the solar system that got caught into orbit around the Sun.

This is important because he does not have a polarity, like the other planets. He is more of a messenger. A comet who has come to add something new to an existing way of life. Asteroids and comets come to change things. To transform our consciousness.

Pluto Characteristics

Pluto is about transforming the deepest parts of the Self into new levels of being. To work with Pluto we have to be willing to let go of the most engrained and deep-rooted patterns. We have to be willing to let go of attachments. Most important, we have to be willing to let go of security blankets and fears.

Pluto shows us where we have this deep instinctual self-preservation mechanism. It's the deepest part of ourselves that gives us the awareness of that attachment. He shows us what needs to be let go of for change, liberation, and freedom.

Pluto shows us what we can shed for freedom, liberation, and true spiritual power. Notice how you feel when you're not attached to something, what happens? You don't care. Releasing attachment gives freedom, and this liberation can be powerful with Pluto.

One of the keys is to not get too caught up in our outcomes and ego desires. Pluto is like an ego killer, where if we get too fixated on a particular outcome then the transformation process can become very challenging. So the more non-attached we are and open to change the easier it is to work with Pluto.

Birth Chart Example

Let's look at an example. Let's say someone has Pluto in the third house. The third house is about communication, socializing, and learning. These individuals can be attached, wanting things to be a certain way with these things, and thus have a fear around them. The key for them is to be aware of the fear that is keeping them attached to these things. Then be willing to face these fears and accept the "death" of whatever they're wanting with this area of their lives. The more willing they are to let go of the self-preservation patterns they've built around these things the smoother their transformation will be.

The sign characteristics show how the person transforms in that Plutonic way. For example, Pluto in Sagittarius transforms through being open-minded and adventurous. Their approach to transformation is through expanding their mental and literal horizons. They transform through expanding their perspectives.

Keep in mind that the sign placement is more collective because everyone born around that same period is going to have the same Pluto sign. Pluto is a very slow-moving planet. The signs are more of the way that the "generation" will transform themselves and society. The house, however, is very unique and much more personal.

Summary

Pluto is the deep, unconscious part of ourselves that pulls us towards transformation. To help us become aware of where we are lying to ourselves for safety and security. He shows us to let go of old and outworn self-perseveration patterns and move to freer and more empowered states of being. He shows us what needs to be transformed so that we can move to higher and lighter levels of consciousness.