Further assess what may be expected as Pluto completes its journey through Sagittarius and prepares to enter into Capricorn. With Salient interpretations for each generation as well as mundane implications.

PART THREE: TRANSFORMING OPPORTUNITY INTO ADVANTAGE

Simultaneously with Pluto being ‘demoted’ from planet to a dwarf planet, came the realization that ‘Pluto’ is really a binary object: Pluto’s ‘moon’ (Charon) co-exists with Pluto, with both objects orbiting a center of gravity lying between them. A perfect metaphysical reflection of the symbolism suggesting neither controls , nor is dominant over the other is how Pluto (i.e., Pluto-Charon) operates in our lives. How ? Well, look at it this way - we are not in total control of life. . . right?! We would like to be; but are we . . . ? No .

We are in fact all subject to the workings of the World even when we do our best to avoid said fate. Oddly, throwing in the towel on trying does not seem to work either. If we stop trying to construct our life in some meaningful fashion, life simply takes over, dictating a list of (usually limited) options.

In other words, whether we like it or not, we have to participate in life: we can not control it, but we none the less still have to participate in it, lest our options be taken away. As life presents us with situations, our ‘job’ is to recognize issues and opportunities, apply our abilities and resources and convert problems into solutions. Through this process, we make personal gains both worldly and personally – we achieve Plutonic growth!

During Pluto’s transit of Capricorn (2008-2023) those who accept life’s challenges will eventually become empowered by all they do, learn and experience. And because Capricorn is an Earth sign, the efforts made and gains ultimately achieved will both be tangible. On one level, such gains may be in the areas of wealth or position or marriage or possession while another may concern something even more precious: your becoming more real within your own mind.

Ultimately therefore, Pluto in Capricorn is about making an investment in Self – the purest form of Self which exists, that from which comes our highest achievements. The extent to which you participate in life will determine the evolvement and extent of enrichment. To the point that you give up or fail to try. Circumstances and limits will dictate your life and you will feel poor in the truest sense of the word, as there is hardly anything less comfortable than feeling worthless inside.

For those under born under Pluto in Cancer (1914-1938) this period challenges one’s thinking - literally and figuratively. Those who remain active mentally and who participate in their world can achieve amazing things. Those who give up will inevitably decline, losing their sense of power over life and through that, actual power over life. History catches up with those who have been irresponsible along the way, rewarding them with curiously karmic and reflective challenges. Is it too late to change things? It is never too late, but sometimes it can be very hard.

Baby Boomers born under Pluto in Leo (1938–1958) face a series of challenges which require them to stretch their abilities and deal with leftover emotional baggage. Those who avoid doing their work or who obsess over perfection and ‘what should be right’ (both being excuses to not excel) will face excessive limitations. Those who take on the task of using all they are, know and believe in to make or improve something, or give of themselves to the World will find rewards at the end of the Plutonic rainbow.

Members of the Pluto in Virgo ‘Yuppie’ generation (1958-1972) face a two-fold challenge in personal evolution. First, should you do things because they are ‘expected,’ ‘traditional’ or something you happen to be ‘good’ at? Or should you strive to create a life which is viably applicable to the whole of your essence as an individuated human? Second, are you willing to undertake those difficult tasks which are now more apparent than ever, despite the cost to the status quo? Those who attempt to compromise, harness the World purely for monetary gain or in order to satisfy the expectations of others will find their human capital diminishing at a rate which becomes increasingly difficult to compensate for. Those who are brave, insightful, willing to share their abilities and undertake the ‘hard road’ because it is the right thing to do(not because it is popular) will gain much, freeing themselves to enjoy life in the process.

Gen X’ers (Pluto in Libra: 1972-1983) face fundamental questions which force them to separate perceived (imagined) value from reality of worth. This task begins with recognizing that life has many false fronts and that the only truth which exists is the truth of Self. Those who accept this will build a life based on honest knowing and responsible growing which will (in time) produce a solid personal foundation. Those who avoid core issues will become ever more dependent on bad choices which disappoint. Without question, this is a difficult period for Gen X, but within this generation great human beings are being forged. Such people will face walking through a personal crucible to reach goals, but it is that tempering which gives Gen X the strength to succeed, hold to their point and through contribution, achieve satisfaction.

People born under Pluto in Scorpio (1983-1995) are faced with decisions on how to learn about life and what about life it is they want to learn. Here, the challenge is to sample but not scatter one’s efforts, and to ultimately make choices which while focal are not so exclusionary that you are not open to information floating by. Pluto in Scorpio people are going to spend a lifetime learning how to deal with ‘quality versus quantity’ (quality wins) and ‘personal desire versus purposeful altruism.’ Those who learn that they win precisely when everyone wins will end up happy and satisfied, but Pluto in Scorpio people have to work for their ultimate glory long term.

Still formulating ideas on how to be a human being, Pluto in Sagittarius (1995-2008) kids are at a place where conceptualization of ‘individual’ versus ‘team’ is all important. For this generation in particular, understanding the value of uniqueness within the framework of ‘the team’ and how participation in a team enhances and rewards individuality is paramount. Being different is not only inevitable, it’s great – and the best teams are composed not of people who think the same thing, but fully developed individuals who each bring unique talents to the task. Life is not about being ‘right’ – it’s about learning what works, and why different things work for different people for different reasons.

It’s all very Plutonic!

Whether in one’s natal chart, in transit, or as a symbol in a sign, Pluto is always, at some level, about the power of choice. Choices we make well, empower us. Poor choices bring us to grief.

Astrologically associated with the water sign Scorpio, most people think of Pluto (correctly) as the experience of obsession and passion. What divides success from failure, gain from loss here depends then on two ideas:

The first asks how knowingly we choose when selecting our obsessions and/or passions. Plutonic energy does not suffer fools, nor does it humor self abandonment. Few of us have the Master’s internal awareness to accept a responsibility in which possession of total power is equal to total submission to that power we come to possess. Conversely, very few have the Mystic’s ability to be indestructible through conscious vulnerability. Those who violate these Plutonic rules inevitably encounter unpleasantries of an emotional, financial, business, personal and/or interactive kind.

Plutonic energy calls us to be aware of our potential, and how close we are living to the truth of that potential is shown through the quality of our relationships and challenges we choose - or omit in choosing. Plutonic dynamics support and reward those who live at their highest level. It achieves this through the law of reciprocity ; setting those who fail to reach the standard back by exactly the amount they fail in measuring their potential effort.

During Pluto’s passage of Sagittarius, this potentiality and personal display of mastery has been expressed through our accepting responsibility for building a life through selective, qualified investment and/or the abdication of the responsibility to make such choices. Some of us have obsessed over the desire to use ourselves fully. Others have spent their time obsessing over what others have, have accomplished…or merely the issue of making choices and sticking with them.

Now as Pluto moves into Capricorn, staying informed and making choices becomes each person’s ongoing obligation. No longer will we have the option of leaving things for ‘others’ to worry about. In a broader sense the ‘global village’ has now come to be; issues of health, finance, resources, morality, danger, success – it is all everyone’s business and there is no hiding. We are no longer isolated, and that carries through to our individual lives. With Pluto in Capricorn (2008 – 2023) there is no hiding from life, from the facts, from life’s realities – except for those who are okay with hiding by getting buried in problems of their own making, that is.

This transit requires courage, conviction and a willingness to give up notions of failure and that something ‘out there’ is hindering your ability to achieve. If you are hindered, it is because you have chosen to be hindered. The good news is you can get un-hindered any time you want to. You make a different choice.

For those under born under Pluto in Cancer (1914-1938) fear versus faith and knowledge that your challenge involves whether you will continue to participate and grow is all important.

For Baby Boomers (Pluto in Leo: 1938–1958) the quandary involves the gap between what you have already accomplished and that which you need yet to do in order to become secure with a sense of personal satisfaction about your life.

Pluto in Virgo ‘Yuppies’ (1958-1972) are up against a growing comprehension of consequence. What they do with their lives depends on society and world events – which in turn depends on what they are willing to do about that society and the World. What is worth doing? How can one help make sure the world will survive to be passed on to one’s children? How to make this world a place you would even want your children to survive in?

This being a ‘must do’ period, actively applying knowledge in learning to capitalize on talents is the Pluto in Libra (1972-1983) Gen X’er job. Successful Gen X’ers will focus not on what someone else is or thinks, but who the Gen X’er is and what they ‘know’ inside. Using that on the broadest scale produces the positive feedback Gen X knows it needs to build on going forward.

Pluto in Scorpio (1983-1995) people are making choices on what to invest resources (time, loyalty, energy, effort, emotion, money) in. Success here depends on choosing that thing (and/or partners) which is/are of the very highest quality and which will require the very best of you.

Kids born under Pluto in Sagittarius (1995-2008) are choosing what to emulate. Yet because they are children, those who parent, teach or guard these children get to make choices as to what the child sees and hears and thus has to choose to copy from. In the best situations, everyone involved with a child will have good standards and communicate these standards with others on the child’s ‘team’ so that these kids receive a realistic picture of life, replete with both possibilities and flaws.