Pluto is known for its capacity to bring about transformation, but for anyone who has experienced a major Pluto transit, the process often feels more like survival than graceful evolution. Pluto is not gentle; it plunges us into the raw, primal depths of our psyche, stripping away the protective layers of our ego and forcing us to confront the darkest aspects of our unconscious mind. In psychological terms, Pluto represents the shadow self—the hidden parts of our psyche that we often fear or deny or do not know. These parts are primal, driven by survival instincts, unresolved trauma, and repressed emotions.
Pluto’s influence is less about smooth transitions and more about surviving the intensity of emotional and psychological confrontation. It tears down our defenses, pushing us into a state of psychological survival where the focus is on enduring the destruction of old patterns and navigating the void of uncertainty that follows. Only after we’ve survived this primal process can true transformation begin.
The Raw and Primal Nature of Pluto’s Energy
Pluto’s transits trigger a deeply primal response within us. These aren’t just surface-level emotions—they are the core survival instincts that arise when we feel like we are losing control, being abandoned, or facing rejection. When Pluto touches critical points in our chart, we are often thrust into situations that feel like emotional life or death. These experiences tap into our fight or flight instincts, pulling us into survival mode where the only goal is to make it through the storm.
For me, Pluto’s transit wasn’t about a clean, spiritual transformation. It was about surviving the emotional intensity that arose when my most basic fears—the fear of being abandoned, rejected, or replaced—were activated. These emotions weren’t just abstract ideas; they were visceral, physical sensations of fear, grief, and rage that I had to endure. Pluto’s energy doesn’t allow for avoidance—it drags everything to the surface, leaving you exposed to the raw truth of your emotional life.
Surviving the Psychological Underworld: The Death of Control
One of the most challenging aspects of Pluto’s energy is that it strips away the illusion of control. The ego—our sense of self, identity, and power—relies on control to maintain order and stability. Pluto’s influence, however, challenges this control, forcing us to confront the reality that we cannot control the external world, nor can we control how others perceive or respond to us. Also, we can not control how we respond to external events because we are already in a survival state, dysregulated and powerless. This loss of control triggers our deepest survival instincts, leading to intense feelings of fear, anger, and helplessness.
During my Pluto transit, a square to my Libra planets (Venus, Saturn, Pluto and the Sun) I realized that much of my emotional pain stemmed from trying to control how others saw me, particularly in relationships. I believed that if I could love enough or do enough, I could ensure that I wouldn’t be abandoned or replaced. But Pluto shattered this illusion. I was forced to confront the reality that no amount of control could guarantee love or safety. The primal survival process was about enduring the pain of not being loved back and still finding a way to stand in my own truth.
Reflection: Where in your life are you holding onto control as a way to avoid pain or vulnerability? How has Pluto’s influence shown you that control is an illusion, and how are you coping with the loss of that illusion?
The Psychological Work: Shadow Confrontation and Emotional Survival
Pluto’s power lies in its ability to force us into the depths of the shadow self—the unconscious parts of us that hold repressed emotions, hidden fears, and unresolved trauma. The process of confronting these shadow elements is not easy. It is a psychological crucible where we are forced to endure the painful reality of our wounds. This is not just an intellectual exercise; it’s an emotional and physical experience of survival.
Pluto brings the shadow to the surface, often through intense experiences of crisis, loss, or betrayal. These experiences activate the primal parts of the brain responsible for survival, leading to emotional reactions that feel overwhelming. In these moments, it’s not about transcending the shadow—it’s about surviving it. The transformation comes later, after we’ve endured the intensity of confronting the shadow’s truth.
For me, this meant facing the reality of betrayal and rejection in my relationships. I had to sit with the pain of realizing that I couldn’t control how others felt about me, no matter how much I gave or loved. This wasn’t a gentle process—it was primal, raw, and devastating. But it was also necessary. I had to survive the emotional chaos that Pluto stirred up in order to emerge stronger and more self-aware.
Practical Tip: When intense emotions arise, allow yourself to experience them fully. Pluto’s process requires that we confront these emotions head-on, rather than pushing them away. Use tools like journaling, breathwork, or therapy to help you navigate the emotional storm.
Rebirth Through Survival: The Alchemy of Pluto’s Transformation
While Pluto’s influence feels destructive, its true purpose is alchemical. After we’ve survived the emotional and psychological breakdown, we are left with the opportunity to rebuild ourselves in a more authentic and integrated way. This process of psychological rebirth is not immediate—it happens gradually, as we begin to accept the truths we’ve uncovered and integrate them into our sense of self.
Pluto’s alchemy is about turning the raw material of the shadow into a source of power. Once we’ve faced our primal fears, we can reclaim the parts of ourselves that we’ve denied or suppressed. For me, the transformation came not from “letting go” but from enduring the raw emotional truth and reclaiming my power in the aftermath. I realized that I didn’t need to control others to feel worthy; my worth came from within, from surviving the emotional chaos and emerging with a clearer sense of who I am, independent of other's perception of me.
Takeaway: Pluto’s gift is not just in the destruction but in the rebirth that follows. Once we’ve survived the primal emotional storm, we can rebuild ourselves from a place of authenticity, power, and integration.
Pluto as the Gatekeeper of Psychological Survival and Transformation
Pluto’s energy is raw, primal, and often overwhelming. It forces us to confront the darkest aspects of our psyche, bringing our shadow selves to the surface and pushing us into survival mode. This process is not about instant transformation or enlightenment—it’s about surviving the emotional and psychological breakdowns that Pluto triggers. Only after we’ve survived can true transformation begin.
The primal nature of Pluto’s energy is what makes it so powerful. By stripping away the layers of control, illusion, and false identity, Pluto forces us to face the raw truth of who we are. In this survival process, we learn to reclaim our power, to accept our shadow, and to rebuild ourselves from a place of deep psychological integration.
The last days of Pluto's journey through Capricorn
As Pluto moves through its final days in Capricorn before entering Aquarius on November 19th, 2024, this period carries a sense of urgency and finality, especially for those feeling Pluto’s influence intensely. Capricorn, as the sign of structures, authority, and responsibility, has been the arena where Pluto’s energy has worked for over a decade, dismantling old systems, ideologies, and personal frameworks. These last days of Pluto in Capricorn represent the culmination of the work it has been doing—both personally and collectively.
Here’s how you can work with this energy during these final weeks:
1. Reflect on What Has Been Dismantled
Since 2008, Pluto in Capricorn has been stripping away the old structures in your life. Now is the time to reflect on what has been dismantled. Have you lost relationships, job roles, or ideals that no longer served you? What systems in your life—whether personal or professional—have been revealed as unsustainable? As Pluto moves into its final degrees of Capricorn, these themes may resurface for one last confrontation.
Practical Tip: Take time to journal or meditate on what has shifted in your life during Pluto’s time in Capricorn. Ask yourself what old structures have fallen and what insights you’ve gained from those breakdowns.
2. Complete the Unfinished Work
Capricorn rules responsibilities and long-term goals, so these last days of Pluto’s transit may bring attention to unfinished business. If there are still power struggles, unresolved issues, or unprocessed emotions connected to themes of control, ambition, or authority, now is the time to face them head-on. Pluto’s energy during these last days may feel intense, almost like a final exam, pushing you to integrate the lessons you’ve learned over the past decade.
Practical Tip: Identify any lingering issues where you’ve been avoiding responsibility or control. Ask yourself if you are holding onto a structure—whether it’s a belief or a relationship—that no longer serves you. Use this time to make peace with the changes Pluto has brought.
3. Embrace the Power of Letting Go
Pluto’s influence is always about transformation through destruction, but as it leaves Capricorn, it’s essential to let go of anything you’ve been holding onto that no longer aligns with who you’ve become. This is a time for releasing outdated expectations, career paths, or even relationships that are rooted in the old structures of Capricorn’s influence.
Practical Tip: Perform a ritual of release. Write down what you need to let go of, particularly things related to authority, power dynamics, or ambitions that no longer resonate. Burn the paper or release it in water as a symbolic gesture of closing this chapter.
4. Recognize the Shift in Power
As Pluto finishes its transit through Capricorn, we are witnessing a collective shift in power structures—politically, economically, and socially. On a personal level, this may manifest as changes in your relationship to authority, control, and ambition. You may find that what once motivated you no longer holds the same power, and Pluto’s final days in Capricorn could be the push you need to realign your goals.
Practical Tip: Re-evaluate your ambitions and goals. Have they shifted? Do they still reflect your authentic desires, or are they tied to outdated structures of success and power? Use this time to set new intentions for the future, focusing on inner integrity rather than external validation.
5. Prepare for the Energy Shift into Aquarius
Once Pluto enters Aquarius, the energy will shift dramatically from Capricorn’s focus on hierarchy and structure to Aquarius’s themes of innovation, community, and collective transformation. This transition asks you to prepare for a more forward-thinking, progressive approach to life. The final days of Pluto in Capricorn are about wrapping up the old before entering a new phase of possibilities.
Practical Tip: Start thinking about how you can contribute to collective change in your community or field. Aquarius will encourage you to think beyond personal goals and focus on how your transformation can impact the greater whole. What innovations or ideas can you bring to your work or relationships?
Conclusion: Surviving Pluto’s Final Lessons in Capricorn
The final days of Pluto in Capricorn are about survival, integration, and closure. This is the moment to confront any last remnants of control, power, or fear that you’ve been avoiding. By embracing Pluto’s raw, primal energy during these final weeks, you can complete the cycle of transformation and prepare for the liberating, collective energy that Aquarius will bring. Stay grounded in the knowledge that Pluto’s process, while intense, is ultimately designed to clear the way for a new version of yourself—one that’s more authentic, powerful, and free from the constraints of outdated structures.
Work With Me to Navigate Pluto’s Energy
Pluto’s transits are challenging but transformative. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the intensity of this period or need guidance on how to navigate Pluto’s final days in Capricorn, I’m here to help. Together, we can work through the emotional upheaval, face the shadow, and find ways to reclaim your power. Book a session with me today, and let’s explore how Pluto’s energy can catalyze your personal transformation.
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