From full moons to Mercury retrogrades, it’s easy to blame frequent astrological events for your ill feelings.
This is due, in part, to the fact that these celestial bodies move at a rapid pace. Pluto, on the other hand, takes anywhere from 12 to 31 years to travel through each sign of the zodiac and spends 248 years doing so. So, while it may be more difficult to pinpoint how its astrological shifts affect you, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t.
Pluto’s purpose is to encourage you to confront your inner shadows, potentially toxic beliefs and patterns, and deep-rooted psychological and emotional wounds in order to emerge healed and empowered. Pluto is also the planet of death, rebirth, and regeneration, so its symbolism is the phoenix rising from the ashes. It will destroy anything that is no longer useful to you in order to promote growth.
Pluto, like Mercury (and all of the planets in our solar system), moves backward through our sky, entering retrograde periods every five to six months. Pluto retrograded in the progressive fixed air sign of Aquarius from May 1 to June 11, 2023, and now Pluto enters the industrious cardinal earth sign Capricorn until October 10.
Continue reading to learn about the meaning of Pluto retrograde and how the planet of transformation will affect us as it moves backward in 2023.
What Do Pluto Retrogrades Mean in Astrology?
To understand what happens when Pluto is retrograde, first understand how it works when it is direct — or moving forward. Pluto is known for drawing attention to the darkness that lurks beneath the surface of everyday life. When it connects or squares with other planets in the sky or in your natal, or birth, chart, it can cause power struggles, toxicity, or control issues, as well as reveal dark secrets in our relationships. When Pluto is direct, its effects are felt much more externally.
To understand what happens when Pluto is retrograde, you must first understand how it functions when it is direct — or moving forward. Pluto is known for bringing to light the darkness lurking beneath the surface of everyday life. When it connects or squares with other planets in the sky or in your natal chart, it can cause power struggles, toxicity, or control issues, as well as reveal dark secrets in our relationships. When Pluto is direct, its effects are felt much more strongly on the outside.
But, as with any astrological event, there’s no guarantee you’ll notice this Pluto retrograde. Even if Pluto is transiting a critical point in your natal chart, keep in mind that Pluto’s slow pace means you’ll notice its effects in terms of patterns or mindsets, rather than something obviously outward like communication, money, or love. Pluto’s nudges — and mission to purge anything toxic — may have put you in a new, empowered frame of mind by the fall.
How the 2023 Pluto Retrograde Will Affect the Cardinal Signs
People with placements in any of the cardinal signs, including Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn, will feel the effects of Pluto’s retrograde in Capricorn from June 11 to October 10. Here’s what you can expect if these four signs appear anywhere on your birth chart, including as your sun, rising, or moon sign.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
Aries, you’ll be reflecting on toxic dynamics with higher-ups while Pluto is retrograde. Instead of blaming your boss for being a control freak or your coworkers for being overly competitive or gossip-mongering, this retrograde will prompt you to consider how you may have been enabling or adding fuel to any fires that have been stoking on your professional path. It’s time to use self-reflection to root out negative patterns and behaviors so you can more easily step into your power.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Pluto’s retrograde period provides an opportunity to consider whether certain behaviors, thought processes, or dynamics are impeding long-term growth in one-on-one relationships, Cancer. It’s possible that you’ve been telling yourself a story about what you want or don’t want, or that you’re exerting too little or too much control. In short, this phase is excellent for better understanding yourself in relation to others, such as a family member, close friend, significant other, or business partner.
Libra (September 23-October 22)
Pluto’s transit of your fourth house of home life has compelled you to examine issues of power, control, and toxicity that may be ingrained in your roots and family dynamics. You’ve been facing and rooting out this darkness gradually, and as Pluto moves backward this year, you may find a lot of comfort and support from self-reflective practices like therapy. This work may teach you that beliefs you’ve held about yourself aren’t true, and it’s time to rewrite your story to give you the main-character energy you deserve.
Capricorn (December 22-January 19)
Until Pluto entered Aquarius in late March 2023, the planet had been in your sign — and thus your first house of self — since 2008, causing you to reconsider your personal brand or simply how you command power and show up in the world. While this powerful planet is in retrograde, you’ll discover new ways to tap into your inner strength, whether it’s by gaining clarity on what’s worth investing your time and energy in or freeing yourself from deceptive toxic bonds that are keeping you from stepping into the spotlight. Remember that the challenges you are facing now are worthwhile because they may lead to long-term self-transformation.
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