Pluto Retrograde ♇ 2023

artist: Vanja Vukelić

Pluto Retrograde in Aquarius: May 1 – June 11

Pluto Retrograde in Capricorn: June 11 – Oct 10

Planets in retrograde are not actually spinning backwards – it is an optical illusion as seen from Earth. Backwards motion appears to happen when Earth passes slower moving planets in the outer solar system. In astrology, this illusion manifests as a “backwards” functioning of the planetary roles. Click here to learn more about retrograde.

Pluto turns retrograde 5 months out of the year. Pluto represents irreversible shift. When we make life-altering decisions, the energy of Pluto is present. Through Pluto, the psyche is dismantled and reborn. Pluto transforms fear into power & divine trust. When retrograde, Pluto renders subtle yet profound change. This next journey comes from deep within the soul. All things fated. Pluto Retrograde brings us closer, year after year, to who we must become.

Pluto Retrograde is the ultimate evolutionary. This transit purges the psychic underworld, extracting fear and grief embedded in the unconscious. By the end of this cycle, you will have a new level of understanding regarding your deepest, most challenging work. The destination has already been set in motion; what is more important – but less obvious – is how we react along the way. Do not expect anything outwardly dramatic to happen. Think of it as a slow burn.

Pluto recently entered fixed air sign Aquarius on Mar 23. Prior to that, Pluto spun through Capricorn from 2008 onward. This means that every Pluto Retrograde since 2008 has fallen in Capricorn until now. We will experience Pluto Retrograde in Aquarius for just 5 weeks before this planet returns to Capricorn for a semi-final retrograde lap.

We won’t really get to know Pluto in Aquarius – or the meaning of the retrograde – for a few more years. But let’s talk about these upcoming 5 weeks and process the last few weeks as well, with Pluto surging forward into uncharted Aquarian territory.

Pluto is going to be in Aquarius until 2044, bitchez. Could this, might this be! – the long-awaited Age of Aquarius? Pluto has not been in Aquarius since 1777-1797, when it ignited the rage of the masses.

Pluto Retrograde in Aquarius marks the not-so-quiet beginning of the revolution. Think back to the late 1700s. Violence and malcontent rocked society. The people spoke, revolted, reclaimed their power, and forged a new path forward. We can expect and hope for more of the same now.

One thing that has always been true about Aquarius and always will be is that we never know what to expect. And just when we’ve figured it out, Aquarius comes and pulls the rug out from under us again. The nature of this archetype is to surprise, shock, and upend all expectations.

The structures we create now will looking nothing like they did before. Aquarius demands complete and utter transformation. New perspectives; new rules, or perhaps no rules; new ideas; new beliefs; new ways of speaking-being-living. The power rests with the people now.

I’m glad that we’re going to get more Pluto Retrograde in Capricorn, however, because our work is not really done here. We’re not quite ready for the Aquarian revolution we desperately need; to say the least, a token more of earthen wisdom would be very welcome on this next journey into the wild Aquarian world of ice and wind ^____^

Pluto (Retrograde) in Capricorn has been trying to wake people up to the profound injustice of the systems in which we live, the same toxic systems we unconsciously perpetuate and re-create on a daily basis. Internalized capitalism is a great example. So here comes Pluto again, eager to expose the ruthless hypocrisy and violence destroying society.

Capricorn is a sea-goat with a cosmic connection to water and femininity. Over these last 15 years, humanity has exerted a colossal effort to bring balance between the elements, between yin and yang, between feminine and masculine, between light and shadow. In short, Pluto in Capricorn has conducted an unforgiving examination of our failing global institutions and the intense suffering people have experienced within them. Ultimately the purpose of Pluto Retrograde in Capricorn is to reorganize society so that we may once again live in harmony with the natural cycles of our planet and the greater Universe. Power to the people.

May 17: Pluto square Jupiter in Taurus (one day after Jupiter enters this sign). This is a good time to focus on what already exists and what we already have, versus pushing forward for more, better, bigger, etc. Pluto will clamp down tightly on Jupiter’s expansive nature and create natural tension. Pluto stands firmly in the way of Jupiter’s unbridled enthusiasm, ensuring that no dream or illusion goes unchecked. Pluto adds a level of seriousness to the questioning, spiritual nature of Jupiter. He will not make it easy for us to attain clarity. Doubt and skepticism creep in, as does a feverish, non-constructive restlessness. The key with any hard angle to Jupiter is managing expectations. As long as we don’t believe ourselves capable of accomplishing extraordinary feats, we should be fine.

I was born with Pluto retrograde in Scorpio. To find your Pluto sign and whether this planet was direct or retrograde when you were born, click here.