Planetary Fishing: Pluto

© 2013 by Joyce Mason
All Rights Reserved

This is our last planetary fishing trip. See May Planetary Fishing Expedition for background. This is a self-paced learning experience. You can copy and paste the posts into a document and take this learning trip about the planets in your chart at any time. It’s never too late to catch new insights in your net!

OK, I’ll admit … I understand why you might not be thrilled to go to a planet named after a guy  whose other name is Hades. (Could Go to Pluto become the new astrological curse?) But I also guarantee: Before we’re through with this final planet on our journey to astrological self-understanding, you’ll learn some things about the old boy that are worth wanting, even loving.

Pluto was the god of the underworld in classic mythology. I suppose that makes him the devil on one hand. He’s the devil you don’t want to know but, alas, are  forced to confront at certain junctures in life. So let’s just get out his ickier qualities so we can get past them onto this fish of another color’s more amazing side. Pluto is connected with sex, destruction, revenge, death and taxes, obsession and power—power for better or for worse.

Now let’s talk about power for the better. Pluto is the King of Fundamental Transformation. Without him, the alchemical miracles that truly change people to their core would not exist. The world would be an uglier place. Pluto helps us eliminate from ourselves whatever is toxic or destructive. It gives us sexual ecstasy, as well as other forms of energy release. It proffers psychic powers and is the seat of our will. Pluto is the source of our personal power, including harnessing the power of our subconscious. It’s a planet of collective destiny, and while it may rule spies and criminals, it also rules midwives and is the bringer of new beginnings, rebirth and regeneration.

Unfortunately, we often have to walk through hell to get to the upside of Pluto, but as the wonderful title of a book by Douglas Bloch states, When Going Through Hell … Don’t Stop! [1]

Pluto Fishing Instructions

1.   Pluto is something small that packs a lot of wallop. Write about things in your own life that have seemed small at first but were actually very powerful forces in your life.

2.     Now harness the small but powerful resource of your computer. Search for god Pluto or Pluto mythology.

a.   What do you find both distasteful and likable about Pluto’s story?

b.   What do you think about his abduction of Persephone, if you read about it? 

3.   About your Pluto and its sign:

a.   Pluto stays in the same sign for at least a generation. You will know a lot of people “your vintage” who share your orientation to Pluto. What makes Pluto in your sign unique in terms of your generation’s contribution to the world? Think of both pluses and minuses. Lastly, how does your generation differ from the one who’s Pluto is in the sign before and after yours? This can be very revealing.

b.   What’s the element of your Pluto? (Earth, Air, Fire or Water) Does that element help you navigate the underworld where Pluto reigns? Or not?

c.    What’s the relationship of Pluto to your other planets? Mostly compatible or challenging?

d.   How many planets make a major aspect to Pluto? [2]

e.   How many of the planets are in close aspect, within 3 degrees or less?

f.    Do these aspects make it easier or more challenging to make your way through the hellish parts of Pluto and get to his alchemical gold? What gold have you discovered in some of your most Plutonian encounters? (Example: I learned from a betrayal how important it is to be upfront about my feelings and to risk sharing them, as this painful experience stemmed from my boyfriend’s uncertainty about my love and the status of our relationship.) Where was Pluto in your chart at the time? (Conjunct Sun for me. Ouch. Gold came later.)

 4.   Who in your life was powerful and a force to be reckoned with? Think of what you’ve learned from this individual about the use and abuse of power—and if he or she is one of those people who has harnessed power for good, what you learned about the ultimate power—the power of love.

Extra Experience: This final experience is designed to be one that lingers and one that can be spread over time. It’s great that Pluto is the last major planet in our solar system, because it’s an awesome energy on which to end this series. Pluto holds the vibrations of end/beginnings, a wonderful term I read years ago in an article in Yoga Journal. For every death, there is a resurrection and rebirth. As we meet Pluto’s ultimate requirement—letting go—in this case of our learning experience together, I hope this will both help you say goodbye to our time together and hello to continuing renewal and insights.

Comb the qualities of Pluto you have uncovered, both difficult and life affirming. Choose at least 2-3 from each column. For instance, my challenging column would contain the qualities obsession, compulsion and the most negative expressions of “the dark side.” My plus column would contain rebirth, positive personal power, and my ability to regenerate.

Once you’ve found your qualities, search Amazon or your local library website for books or movies that have themes along these lines. Over the next few months, read or watch and after you’ve digested several, come back and look at these Pluto exercises again. What’s different? Is Pluto more integrated or have more questions and feelings been aroused?

Series Wrap-Up.  For our own end/beginning, I want to say how much I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this fishing expedition with you. I’ve been delighted with your reception of the experience and with your comments on individual planets. If you want to Comment on Pluto and any of the preceding planets and have your Comments count for the free e-book drawing, please do so by May 31.  I will be doing the drawing on June 1.

Lastly, I’d love to hear your comments on the series in general. This will help me know whether to move onto a similar series with the signs. If you prefer to give feedback one-on-one, don’t hesitate to email me: joyce [at] joycemason.com.

Thank you for your companionship on this odyssey of Astro-regeneration!

~~~

Photo Credits: Pluto and His Cerberus/Three-Headed Dog, Public Domain. Unknown artist, 16^th Century.

Notes

[1] This book on the author’s personal journey through depression has been a godsend to a loved one of mine while he was experiencing the same kind of hell. If you or someone you love is dealing with this issue, Douglas Bloch’s book is worth your consideration.

[2] This is often easiest to find and view in summary in a matrix on the chart wheel page or in one of the “reports” offered, if you have astrology software.

Every person who comments on any of the fishing posts in this series by May 31 will be entered into a drawing for a free copy of Joyce's Chart Interpretation 101 e-book. The winner will be drawn and announced on or about June 1.