Pluto Retrograde in Capricorn: April 27-Oct 6 | Shadow Alchemy

Pluto begins its 6-month retrograde period on April 27th. From now until October 6th, we get to work on and with the innermost realms of self.

Despite its astronomical rank as a dwarf planet, Pluto’s astrological influence is anything but small. Representing the cycles of death and rebirth, Pluto retrograde can bring about profound and intense changes in the psyche. This often happens through a drudging up of stagnant emotions in the hopes that they might be refined and transmuted. This process for many can be cathartic, offering a chance to purge and reclaim self, while being rather traumatic for others.

To be clear, Pluto retrograde is nothing to fear, but it can bring you in touch with parts of yourself you’d rather keep in the back of your closet.

This station takes place on the heels of last night’s Full Moon at 7’ Scorpio. As if initializing the start of our plutonic descent, the Moon’s opposition to both Uranus and the Sun may have started the purge process early or given a preview of what’s to come. Ego-based eccentricities or inexplicable outbursts might’ve revealed where conscious effort to improve will need to be made.

What seems to be most helpful is the Moon’s trine to Neptune in Pisces. Understanding the why behind our triggers seems easier with these two forming a lens with which to view all of this through. It also takes some of the edge off of the T-Square that’s been applying between Uranus/Venus, Saturn and the Moon. Despite this aspect pattern feeling dead-set at poking into some old emotional wounds, the Moon is quick to move out of aspect just after Pluto’s retrograde station.

Planets swimming across Cancer as the weather warms (Mars, Mercury, Venus and the Sun) will all have something to say regarding Pluto’s makeover. An already aggravated Mars could stir up trouble from late May to early June as he comes into opposition. There’s a sense of not being able to do enough with this aspect. A feeling that brings to mind societal frustrations regarding domestic pandemic-related security. Venus follows suit just weeks after, finding herself at odds with Pluto and making for an interesting start of Summer (and during Mercury’s Retrograde in Gemini, at that). Whatever social and even relationship-oriented tension present is best handled another day, or maybe months from now if possible. The Sun following up to form its opposition only furthers the feeling of contention.

Pluto already gets a bad rap for being secretive, but this seems to get blown out of proportion by it's opposition with Mercury. Still recovering from the throws of its retrograde, Mercury’s beginning to pick up speed. This aspect could function like a petri dish for disagreements and subversion. Forcing conformity now is ill-advised unless you’re deliberately looking for a fight.

There’s a feint yet odd light at the end of the tunnel as Pluto moves back into orb of a sextile with Neptune. Though it arrives late, it is welcomed and may neatly tie up remaining loose ends. What makes this light odd is that it not only signifies the end of our journey, but illuminates a path to new power. However, what you pull from it may only be as great as what you put in. Do the work within the journey and you might tap into aspects of self that are greater than expected.