“How could you become new, if you had not first become ashes?”
— Friedrich Nietzsche
Whether it be a square, conjunction or opposition or trine or sextile, Pluto transiting over personal placements will transform their very essence. The square, conjunction, and opposition will do this in a very uncomfortable way, the most devastating felt of these transits will be to the ascendant as anything that touches it also in some fashion touches the descendant.(relationships with other people, relating to others, drawing in Plutonic people that bring about more self awareness, more awareness of power dynamics) Same can be said for any transit over the MC and IC, or any transit to these points as well, but I digress. These transits can last up to two years and can be very isolating, so if you see your friend’s chart and they’re going through it, be patient and be kind, they are probably scrutinizing theirselves more than anyone else. Pluto wants to get rid of wasted feelings, energy, and any falseness on the point or planet it is touching. These transits are long enough that you will inevitably emerge a different person and self awareness and self compassion are necessary to come out a better one, because this is an opportunity to actually strip the unnecessary and become more powerful in your environment and in your self concept. It is important to not fight the change in yourself and environment during this time because this resistance will only make things last longer and more painful. I became much more assertive and in tune with my needs and being during a Pluto trine Sun transit, and when it conjuncted (as well as Saturn in Capricorn) my ascendant experienced a very long period of solitude caused by health issues and depression, but emerged much more equipped to be a friend and partner to those I would encounter. By the end of this transit my entire friend group had changed, people showed their true colors, and I have never been more at ease with how I am perceived because I was able to become authentic in a way I would never have had to without these losses and realities. I had many health issues as it neared my Ascendant from the twelfth house and by the time it came to my first house I had troubleshooted everything, changed my diet and routine, and quit old medications and started new medications. Like the natal placement, when Pluto is in the 12th house conjunct the ascendant, people are repelled by your power, repressed negative energy, and are put off by their own insecurities that it triggers, as it enters or transits into your first house, you become magnetic, comfortable with your flaws and this ease not only soothes others but makes them drawn to you as an emblem of strength and confidence, and I invite you to note the difference in how people treat you as Pluto transits applying, and separating upon the ascendant, how you can go from pariah to the most sought out person in the room.
If you have planets conjunct the rising or descendant like I do, this whole process will be more intense than those without. Ex: my mercury squares the natal ascendant so when Pluto was conjunct my ascendant it was squaring my Mercury, making communication that much more difficult. If your Moon, Sun, Mercury or Venus or Mars are touching your AC/DC Axis be especially wary of these planets and the degrees Pluto will touch them at and in what capacity. The aspect Pluto makes to them during this period will bring you strength (trine/sextile) or bring that much more resistance and pain… and ultimately transformation. (conjunction/square/opposition)
With Pluto simultaneously touching the descendant, you will feel the power dynamics at play in your relationships, or simply just become more conscious of them, who relies on you to remain weak in order to feel comfortable in your presence, who rejects your desire for freedom of expression, and who builds you up. Alternatively, if losing control makes you exhibit more tyrannical black and white stances on things you may have to reexamine what, who, and why you feel entitled. You are the only person who is aware of your experience and this transit and sense of rejection does not make you above having courtesy, empathy, and patience with others. If you are already Plutonian by nature like I am, black and white attitudes on morality and justice can be your bread and butter, but clinging to being right on a sinking ship will not bring you peace in this internal upheaval you are enduring. If you are not self righteous in your feelings and behavior you will naturally set boundaries, learn what you will and won’t tolerate from others, and learn to expect more from others if in the past you were a door mat or someone that was taken advantage of. If you behave in a tyrannical way you will feel the weight of that karmic energy 10 fold and swiftly, Pluto leaves no prisoners.
Pluto trine and sextile the ascendant are similar to the square, opposition and conjunction but you don’t have that unsure-inferiority complex in the beginning, the transit will break down what and who you don’t need but the resistance is less because with the loss comes assured confidence and rebuilding comes simultaneously and naturally to stripping down of these facets of your life.
