USA Pluto Return - The Astrology of Transformation and Rebuilding of a Nation

“A truth can exist for decades and in a moment vanish. Just ask Pluto.”― R.J. Intindola

The United States of America has a very profound Planetary Return of the planet Pluto in 2022. Located at the edge of our solar system, Pluto is known as Lord of the Underworld; often described as God of Death and Rebirth, and Rules the 8th sign of the Horoscope, Scorpio. This has never happened in our lifetimes and it now seems to be an appropriate time to discuss the characteristics of Pluto and prepare as much as possible for the future as it relates to the USA.

(The symbol for Pluto is P shown in the above Chart in Red in Section 2 in Capricorn VS)

After a full cycle of 246 years the first Pluto return to his position from the days of the foundation of the USA in July 1776 and will occur two times during the year 2022 on February 22 and on December 30.

In July 1776, the Moon and Pluto were conjunct at 25–27° Capricorn. (Exact date 2 July 1776 at 3.55 pm, the Moon and Pluto were 27 degrees, 35 minutes conjunct). With a 248-year orbit around the Sun. Pluto is now returning to these same degrees this is known as the USA’s “Pluto return.” It implies that the principles of Pluto will be in full force in terms of its behavior and attitude.

The whole world was affected by the transits of Pluto and Saturn in Capricorn on 12 January 2020, it was an event discussed by astrologers for at least 10 years prior to the event — will we ever forget those months following the conjunction when the Pandemic crippled our economies and brought misery to millions of people?

Saturn has moved on and Pluto is now approaching the Anaretic Degree of Capricorn (sometimes also called the Karmic Degree), this is most often referred to as the 29th degree.

Astrologers believe Pluto will be transformational in the area of finances, the huge stimulus programme undertaken to deal with the effects of the pandemic are likely to be identified with the four D’s in finances:

Debt, deficits, defaults and downgrades

In addition, when Pluto is forming aspect to other transiting planets, it appears more than likely that significant tax reform will be started; no surprises there. Its the financial impact of the Pluto return that I would like to discuss in this article.

The driving principle behind Pluto is that of reform, or the “urge to purge” to change that which is considered, or has become, harmful and destructive.

As a result of this purging, great projects will be attempted in order to rebuild, repair, and improve especially such things as existing infrastructure. Politicians in the UK are using the Mantra “building back better”. To do that, some existing structures (both physical and ideological) must be torn down and destroyed in order to commence a proper “rebirth.”

There is always the danger that in the process of transformation greater harm and damage can be done, living as I do in a historic cottage it has been a blessing that poverty has protected the beauty of this old thatched house. Rather than leaving the current situation in tact, as it seeks to improve by destroying and rebuilding (“the cure is worse than the ailment.”)

To give some history and background on the Pluto return affecting other once great empires:

England 11 May 973 JC AD chart — Pluto 27 Leo. Pluto Returned in 1956; The Suez Crisis in 1956 was the consummate humiliation for Great Britain, signalling its fall from world super-power with the empire crumbling fast in the years before and after.

Spain 19 January 1479 JC — Pluto 1 Libra. The Spanish Empire was one of the largest empires in history. From the late 15th century to the early 19th, Spain controlled vast overseas territories. One of the superpowers of the 16th and 17th centuries, it was known as “the empire on which the sun never sets” and reached its maximum extent in the 18th century. It moved through its first Pluto Return around 1724; and began a slow decline at a Pluto half Return in the 19th Century. The most recent Pluto Return around 1972 saw the dictator Franco gradually relinquishing power, nominating a monarch as successor and handing over the Prime Ministership by 1973.

France 19 August 843 JC — Pluto 29 Pisces. The most recent Pluto Return in 1821 saw the death of Napoleon on the exact aspect and the government of France moved into instability thereafter, though the Second French Colonial Empire built up post-1830 became one of the largest empires in history.

Russia 28 March 1462 JC — Pluto 22 Leo. Previous Return 1708/9. The most recent Pluto Return was exact when Stalin died in early 1953.

The above gives a flavour and insight into the transformation experienced in the past returns of Pluto, this most secretive planet has earned its reputation of ‘the plowed field’ remaining after a pluto transit.

With Pluto, there is always an underlying motivation or agenda that may or may not be in true to those areas requiring reform. In the end, Pluto cares very little about the “virtues” it champions, (its a case of the end justifies the means) although it is often concerned with justice and ending abuses that harm other people.

The challenge of Pluto is to accumulate support for the reforms so badly needed without harming those affected by the changes; avoiding the need for revenge after it gains the support of the nation and its people to carry out those changes.

I have noticed, that before any radical action takes place, Pluto tends to ‘retreat to think about it and mull it over’ and the consequences or the action are often not put into force until after the transit has passed.

With Pluto, you just don’t see it coming. My friend, who is a Scorpio, made me aware of this truth, its like Pluto creates a false sense of security before unleashing its power when least expected.

If we are discussing major tax reforms to pay for the huge accumulation of the nation’s debt (both Pluto-related concepts) as the US enters its Pluto return, the consequences of such actions may not be known until a couple of years after the aspect of the Pluto return has passed. Well after the populace has been lulled into a false sense of security.

There is much debate as to whether the motivation for tax increases is really to reduce the nation’s debt, or to exact revenge and shift responsibility onto opponents believed to be harmful to society. Big business and the unfair distribution of wealth seem to be the likely contenders here.

It is true that the gap between the “haves” and “have-nots” in society is grossly imbalanced and the cause for much of the polarization that will hopefully drive these reforms and create a more equal society.

More important to the investment community is the forecast of what the result will be on the nation’s financial system from these “reforms.” The rhetoric is that it will lead to greater employment and income balance between workers and job creators (business owners and management), which is admirable if true.

There is another dynamic of Pluto that affects the individual: it is the possibility of “bankruptcy” or very difficult financial circumstances. In an individual’s chart, it is most acute when the transit of Uranus, Neptune, or Pluto make a “hard” aspect (square, or opposition) to one’s natal Venus, Jupiter, or ruler of the second house.

This doesn’t imply that the individual in question will go through bankruptcy, it can just indicate a period when personal spending outweighs personal income. Its a time when expenses can run away and greatly exceed the income, if not careful. Its important to be“careful” during these times — to be aware of spending patterns and the consequences of overspending.

It doesn’t mean the USA will go through bankruptcy, but it is a danger if the ratio between spending (expenses) and revenues (income) are not carefully monitored to keep the current debt explosion in check.

This story has also been published on Medium.com