Astrology enthusiasts and open-minded individuals alike have speculated a great deal about what Pluto’s entry into Aquarius might bring. For one thing is certain: it will usher in profound changes.
Pluto just peeked into Aquarius from March 23 to June 11, 2023, stays for another 9 months from January 21 to September 1, 2024, and then settles in for an extended stay from November 19, 2024 to March 9, 2043. It will finally make a farewell visit from September 1, 2043 to January 19, 2044. So this is quite a long period of about 20 years, and at this stage it is hard to be too specific, because the processes are too complex and long-range. However, some trends can be deduced from the nature of the planet and the sign, and from the events of the first brief visit from March 23 to June 11, 2023.
Although the trans-Saturnian planets have no essential dignities, some astrologers believe that Pluto is in its fall in Aquarius. While I don’t necessarily agree, I find it quite reasonable that the planet associated with the most ancient instincts would have difficulty adapting to the intellectual, overly technical world of Aquarius. Of course, the dwarf planet associated with profound change, transformation, and power dynamics, and the sign known for its progressive ideals, humanitarianism, and deep-seated desire for social justice, can produce some highly constructive stuff.
Many believe that we will see even more spectacular technological advances, especially in genetic engineering. Increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligences capable of thinking for themselves are no longer the distant realm of science fiction. There are encouraging attempts to slow down and reverse the aging process, and resurrecting the inhabitants of Jurassic Park is becoming a possibility within reach.
Space exploration is another area where this pairing has the potential for unprecedented breakthroughs: we may see the development of more efficient and sustainable space travel technologies that allow us to reach distant corners of the solar system and beyond. Breakthroughs in space mining technology, opening up new sources of resources for humanity, the discovery of new planets, moons, and even alien life forms may also be in the cards.
With the cooperation of socially sensitive and egalitarian Aquarius and transformative Pluto, large-scale social change can be a given; we are already experiencing a heightened awareness of social justice issues and a greater emphasis on equality and inclusiveness, as well as a growing demand for individual freedom and expression. By dismantling the old structures, a more harmonious and sustainable future can be built. However, the stubbornness of Aquarius and the impulsiveness of Pluto can in some cases lead to attempts to remove structures that are still necessary or not ready to go. In such cases, although this transit is overall a positive period for change and innovation, social disruption and unrest can occur.
Although Pluto spent only two and a half months in Aquarius in 2023, the period between March 23 and June 11 (and the few months before and after) was a time of stunning scientific and technological news. AI went viral between the end of 2022 and the spring of 2023. New artificial intelligence models can translate languages with unprecedented accuracy, create realistic images and movies, speed up workflows at unprecedented rates, and this is just the beginning. In February 2023, an international team under the umbrella of biotechnology and genetic engineering start-up Colossal Bioscience set out to bring back to life a species of bird that became extinct in the 17th century, the Dodo. The project has made encouraging progress. Also in February 2023, scientists developed a new malaria vaccine that is highly effective in preventing the disease. The most impressive synchronicity occurred on March 23, the same day Pluto entered Aquarius: NASA’s Perseverance rover successfully landed on Mars. In April 2023, there was a breakthrough in gene-editing technology that could revolutionize the treatment of genetic diseases. In May 2023, IBM Watson Health developed a new AI-powered cancer detection tool.
These trends are already very promising and could gain even more momentum over the next nine months. In 2024, the most spectacular breakthroughs will occur in June, when the trine between Jupiter in Gemini and Pluto in Aquarius is completed at the beginning of the month. Transformation and innovation can thus be combined with a fair amount of luck. And the evolutionary potential of the next twenty years may exceed the imagination of even the most daring science fiction writer. Of course, it is worth remembering that the rapid advances in technology and science brought about by Pluto’s transit can have unforeseen consequences, and not all of them could be positive. However, with a balance of openness to change, mindfulness, and conscious effort, the potentially disruptive effects will remain manageable.
These are just a few introductory musings because, as I mentioned above, in the case of such a lengthy transit, the analogies can be more or less identified, but the exact way in which they will manifest remains to be seen. At your personal level, the way this transit materializes will depend not only on the potentials of your horoscope but also on your level of consciousness. A chart reading is definitely worthwhile, but observing the synchronous events of the coming months, including dreams and intuitions, can also give you valuable clues.
