Pluto, the ruler of destruction and renewal, is one of the most powerful and intense archetypes in astrology. This transformational planet tends to move at a slow pace. After nearly 15 years in Capricorn, Pluto made its first debut into revolutionary Aquarius on March 23, though it’s scheduled to retrograde back into the sign of the sea goat on June 11. This planetary backspin will offer an opportunity to close chapters before the universe thrusts us into the future, bringing forth a sense of empowerment for any members of the zodiac who take accountability for the ways that they need to change.

Looking toward the past will play an important role in understanding how the future can be improved upon, and you may want to reflect on any dramas or issues that arose this year between January 7 and March 22. If you start to notice a pattern that’s contributing to stress, tension, or discomfort, now would be a good time to finally address those issues so that you may overcome them. Try not to run away from the conflicts or challenges that come with embracing positive shifts, especially when a rare grand cross manifests overhead July 20, leading to an understanding that moving in a new direction often has destructive side effects.

Don’t be discouraged if you feel stuck in the dates leading up to and after July 28, when Pluto enters a harsh T-square with the Nodes of Fate. This cosmic climate will act as one of the most challenging moments of this astrological era, and you may find yourself struggling with authority figures and what is considered normal. Stand firm in your own beliefs and dispositions, acknowledging that the universe often tests us as a way to strengthen resolve. Just try not to pressure others into seeing things as you do, remembering that you can only control your own thoughts and actions.

pluto dwarf planet
Pluto represents destruction and renewal.
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Though twists, turns, and upheavals will follow in Pluto’s wake, a moment of hope and illumination will bless us all when the Capricorn Sun cozies up to Pluto on January 20, 2024, just before the planet of death and rebirth enters Aquarius once more. While you may have been asked to make sacrifices throughout the past seven months, this cosmic union will allow you to see that these difficult decisions will be worth it in the end. If you’ve been second-guessing your movements throughout this journey, it will be easier to trust in the path that leads forward and understand that you’re exactly where you need to be.

Because Pluto is the farthest-reaching planet in our solar system, its effects are felt most strongly when aspecting other planets. However, these celestial connections will impact each member of the zodiac differently, allowing unique stories to play out. Find your sign to learn which dates will be most pronounced for you as Pluto retraces its steps through Capricorn, and how you can make the most of these vibes.

Aries

Your time management skills will be placed under a cosmic microscope as Pluto backslides into Capricorn on June 11, insisting that you bring more structure to your life. You’ll begin to take your goals and priorities more seriously, which could cause you to become disenchanted with activities, patterns, or relationships that don’t contribute to your bottom line. Avoid the temptation to accept every social invitation that lands in your lap, especially when Mars forms an unbalanced connection with Pluto on July 9. It’ll be more important than ever that you set boundaries with yourself and others, and you should also be mindful to curb flighty behaviors as the stars ask you to move toward a more buttoned-up existence.

Watch out for intense challenges on July 23 when Pluto squares off with the Nodes of Fate. This cosmic climate could deliver an ego bruise or two, especially where your professional and romantic life is concerned. Try not to let your pride take over on this day, understanding that accountability is easier to respect than denial. Try not to make any unnecessary waves around this time, and be sure to approach each challenge from a grounded place, even if you need to take a breather to find your center before moving forward.

You’ll start to feel as though you’ve hit a new stride on August 24 thanks to a sweet exchange between Mars and Pluto. The changes you’ve strived to implement in your daily life will feel more organic, making it easier to manage your schedule, which will have a positive impact on your professional life. Career restructuring will be a major theme for you throughout this retrograde, though you might not see major payoffs until Mars and Pluto connect once more on November 21, which could lead to new professional partnerships and opportunities. Commitment will also come into play under this celestial exchange, bringing an interesting twist to your love life.

Taurus

Keep your eyes peeled for omens, signs, and synchronicities when Pluto backslides into Capricorn on June 11, and Mercury steps in to bring forth enlightenment in mysterious ways. The stars will seek to guide you on this day, offering a glimpse into how the next few months will play out. Luck and logic will work together while illuminating potential paths forward, though you’ll need to believe in yourself and trust your wits to make the most of these vibes. A spiritual awakening of sorts will guide you through this retrograde, making it important that you cater to your soul while navigating the remainder of 2023.

Plan on getting some extra rest July 22 when Venus enters its retrograde motion while forming an unbalanced aspect to Pluto. Rather than trying to initiate change, use this energy to lie low from home while checking in with your emotions, pinpointing any sources of grief that can be removed from your life. Ending relationships with negative people and breaking free from unproductive thought patterns will be the key to successfully moving through this energy, helping you make the most of this planetary backspin. You may also find that your space needs some sprucing up, marking the perfect time to purge your closets and cabinets.

The most empowering day for you during this retrograde will occur November 6, when Venus and Pluto share a supportive alliance in our skies. Use this cosmic climate to break free from self-doubt, allowing your ego to fly high as you embrace a new belief in self. Good vibes will flow once more when Venus and Pluto connect on December 28, asking you to devote your attention to love in all of its forms. The universe will ask you to reclaim a sense of hope for a brighter tomorrow, making it important that you release pessimistic tendencies in order to make room for excitement, grace, and optimism.

Gemini

Pay close attention to your internal dialogue as Mercury, your planetary ruler, blows a kiss to Pluto as it reenters Capricorn on June 11. This celestial exchange will bring clarity to your psyche, helping you better understand your soul’s responsibility to evolve, and what behaviors or patterns need altering. Transformation will come from within right now, and you’ll want to be more cautious of whom you confide in and trust throughout the next several months. Your sign will be required to let go more than any member of the zodiac, making it important that you embrace change even when your instinct is to dig your heels in.

July 10 marks the most challenging moment of this retrograde for your sign as the Aries Moon, Mercury, and Pluto form a harsh T-square overhead. Choose your battles wisely, taking care to acknowledge any stubborn behaviors that aren’t serving you. If you’ve been fighting change, the universe will remind you that it ultimately has the last say, but try not to feel defeated if you lose control of your situation. Financial issues could also emerge, especially if you’ve been spending unwisely in order to keep up with social appearances. Rather than falling deeper into a state of monetary uncertainty, face your situation without feeling guilty so you can implement a reasonable plan to reclaim stability and prosper.

Friendships may be tested as the Libra Sun and Mercury square off with Pluto on October 20, and you could find yourself making difficult decisions around whether to keep certain people in your life. Competitive edges will also feel sharper than usual, but try not to let intimidation techniques from others get in your head. Remember to say nice things to yourself as well, leaving no space for internal or external negativity. You’ll have a more complete idea of how you wish to transform yourself and your life when the Capricorn Sun and Pluto cozy up on January 20, 2024, bringing forth one last chance to fully release that which does not serve you.

Cancer

Your relationship with love will come into focus as Pluto retraces its steps through Capricorn, dearest crab, activating the sector of your chart that governs matters of the heart. Sacrifices or excuses that you’ve made historically in order to support certain partnerships may no longer seem worth it as the stars ask you to cultivate a healthy sense of self in your most intimate dynamics. Now is the time to release passive behaviors that left you feeling isolated or unseen in your relationships, though you’ll also need to find accountability for how these actions may have been a disservice to not only you but to any counterparts who were left in the dark as well.

Prepare yourself for extreme challenges when the Sun, the Nodes of Fate, and Pluto form a rare grand cross in our skies on July 21, forcing you to confront certain issues. You may feel as though the balance has been upset in multiple aspects of your life, causing you to feel torn between your home, romantic, and professional lives. Rather than trying to please everyone, use this energy as an excuse to back away from stress in order to focus on yourself, if only for a few hours. Try not to exhaust yourself holding together situations that have been crumbling for quite some time, as the universe could be making one final push to rid you of such grief.

January 2024 will put a tidy bow on your situation, starting with the Capricorn New Moon on January 11, offering a chance for fresh starts in matters of the heart. If you’re currently on the hunt for love, use this energy to adjust what you’re attracted to, taking time to reflect on and appreciate the importance of stability, drive, and emotional maturity in a partner. You’ll feel more enlightened about what you truly want when the Capricorn Sun and Pluto join forces on January 20, helping you finally break free from any unhealthy patterns or dynamics you’ve been struggling with.

Leo

The stars will ask you to get serious about your health throughout the remainder of 2023, dearest Leo, as Pluto backslides into Capricorn and the sector of your chart that governs wellness. It’ll be particularly important that you acknowledge your organic behaviors and patterns on July 10 and July 21 as Mercury and the Cancer Sun have a standoff with the planet of transformation. These vibes will urge you to finally break free from unhealthy lifestyle choices, lest they take a more serious toll on your body and mind down the line. Don’t ignore the signals your body sends during this time, taking care to acknowledge sources of fatigue or physical discomfort that can be remedied by altering certain habits.

Your resolve to live well could falter around August 21, when the Leo Sun forms an unbalanced connection to Pluto. With your birthday season coming to a close, now is a good time to recommit to doing right by your body, especially if you had a little too much fun or indulged more freely in honor of your solar return. Luckily, you should feel more on track when the Virgo Sun blows a kiss to Pluto on September 20, and the changes you’ve made to live healthily will feel more stable, though you’ll need to remain steadfast in your quest to gain more exuberance and energy.

You’ll start to see major results when the Capricorn Sun cozies up to Pluto on January 20, 2024, marking the perfect occasion to celebrate the actions you’ve taken to support your physical self. If there are any major health goals you want to hit during this retrograde, circle this date on your calendar as a deadline to hit such milestones, giving yourself plenty of grace while you move through the next several months. Try not to feel disappointed in yourself when minor setbacks occur, and don’t feed into negative thought patterns that might discourage your progress.

Virgo

You may want to give yourself a little pep talk as Pluto backslides into the sign of the sea goat on June 11, which will have you rethinking your identity and personal interests throughout the next several months. Meanwhile, Mercury steps in to offer spiritual support on this very same day, and answers will be found more easily if you awaken the mystic within. Remember not to second-guess your intuition as this energy unfolds, especially when Mercury and Pluto face off July 10, and avoid indulging in fears or self-doubt that may cause you to shy away from pursuing your desires.

A stagnant energy is poised to take hold July 28 when Pluto enters a harsh T-square with the Nodes of Fate. The pursuit of personal, financial, and relationship growth may cause you to feel unsteady on your feet, but try not to fret over the discomfort or upheaval that comes with change. Honor that life gets messy from time to time, understanding that self-preservation may require you to move away from people or situations that continuously cause grief. You may also feel as though others are resistant to the changes you’ve been seeking. However, you should strive to move forward with a steady resolve.

As fall creeps in, you’ll begin to see major shifts, thanks to a sweet alliance between the Virgo Sun and Pluto on September 20. Lean into your most valued friendships while investing heavily in the hobbies, activities, and situations that bring much joy. Where you place your energy on this day will come back full circle when the Sun crosses over Pluto on January 20, 2024, coinciding with Pluto’s reentry into Aquarius. Be sure to look over your shoulder on this day, acknowledging all that you had to let go of in order to get where you are. Appreciate the personal and emotional sacrifices you’ve endured, and be sure to find pride in your journey.

Libra

As Pluto retraces its steps through Capricorn and your solar fourth house, the stars will bring forth an intense transformation that’s sure to impact your heart, familial ties, and domestic affairs. Your intuition will call you toward a more emotionally sustainable future, pushing you to embrace the people you consider true family — blood ties or not. Issues with extended family or childhood friends could come into play when Venus enters an unbalanced aspect with Pluto on October 6, asking you to create distance from people you’re not willing to say goodbye to but need better boundaries with.

Resolve to put yourself first when Mercury and the Sun square off with Pluto on October 20, even if others rely on you for support. Though you won’t be in a position to shirk the responsibilities that come with caring for those who cannot take care of themselves, you should certainly hunt for opportunities to embrace solitude and self-care. The demands of other people will begin to feel heavier than usual as the stars ask you to rethink dynamics that leave you giving more than you receive. Though nurturing comes easily for you, abandoning your needs to cater to others won’t serve you in the long term. Luckily, you’ll have a chance to fully break free from these cycles when Venus aligns with Pluto on November 6, as long as you are honest with yourself and others about what changes need to occur.

Brace yourself for emotional upheaval when Venus squares off with Pluto on December 3, and take mental notes if others treat you unkindly. Tensions will be frayed on this day, though you’ll want to be mindful of what you consider to be confrontational versus abusive. Remember to advocate for yourself, but don’t play in to petty dramas that seem uncalled for. If there’s someone in your life with a penchant for toxic theatrics, now may be a good time to remove yourself from such dynamics once and for all. You’ll have a clearer understanding of where your truest support system lies when Venus and Pluto connect on December 29, bringing a happy end to the year as you make more space for genuine camaraderie.

Scorpio

Your mind will crave both growth and stable foundations as Pluto retraces its steps through Capricorn, dearest Scorpio, activating the sector of your chart that governs learning, thought process, and communication. Now is the perfect time to reconnect with basic studies, especially when it comes to hobbies, interests, or skills that you’ve neglected. Unfortunately, an unbalanced connection between Mars and Pluto on July 9 could make it difficult to find structure amongst these pursuits, and you’ll need to be strict with yourself if you truly wish to evolve that beautiful brain.

Consider investing in a class or joining a special interest group when Mars blows a kiss to Pluto on August 24, as doing so will expand your thoughts while amplifying your voice. You’ll also be in a unique position to sell others on your dreams, marking the perfect time to schedule a presentation or debut your latest creative work. You should also be mindful of whom you spend your time with, shifting your friendship circle to include people who are driven to better themselves and their circumstances. How your relationships impact your path will seem clearer than ever, which could prompt you to step away from social scenes that don’t inspire you.

Touch base with your internal narrator when Mars squares off with Pluto on October 8, choosing to silence any voice in your head that conjures fear and anxiety or challenges your self-worth. November will be a month of great fortune as Mercury, the Sun, and then Mars all share sweet alliances with Pluto, though you’ll need to be bold in order to make the most of these vibes. If ever there were a moment for taking action toward the future, it would be during this time. Just don’t be afraid to make a few sacrifices along the way, understanding that you can only carry so much.

Sagittarius

Gratitude will act as the ship that carries you through transformational cosmic tides, dear Sagittarius, as Pluto retraces its steps through Capricorn and the sector of your chart that governs the material world. Though you may feel pressured to achieve a certain level of financial success, dark clouds could skew your vision if you lose touch with what’s really important. While the pursuit of prosperity will be a major theme for you, it would be a mistake to take your current blessings for granted, lest you slight the universe in the process.

As this energy unfolds, the stars will ask that you take a realistic view of your monetary standing and any debt that comes with it. These vibes pair well with scaling back on spending in order to pay off bills, even if this process isn’t a glamorous one. However, try not to become overly fixated with the numbers in your account, and consider activating your charitable side when the Leo Sun connects with Pluto on September 20, especially when it comes to people who aren’t as well off as you. Even small acts of kindness will count as displays of generosity to the universe, making it important that you lead with a benevolent heart.

While cutting ties with debt and planting seeds for a better tomorrow should rank high on your list of priorities, it will be difficult to follow through on these dreams without a healthy dose of planning. Get serious with financial and professional goals when Mercury blows a kiss to Pluto on October 3, helping you break free from patterns that involve procrastination, overspending, or cause you to fall short of your potential. If there are any major purchases on the horizon, try to schedule such transactions when the Capricorn Sun cozies up with Pluto on January 20, 2024, inviting you to reap the rewards of your hard work.

Capricorn

Themes around rebuilding and rebranding will come into focus as Pluto retraces its steps through your sign, dear sea goat, providing you with an opportunity to course-correct if your path has recently felt a bit messy. Projects or goals that you picked up earlier this year may become more trouble than they’re worth when Pluto enters a harsh T-square with the Nodes of Fate on July 28, making it important that you grant yourself permission to let go of certain goals in order to prioritize dreams that seem more promising.

Seek new adventures and expand your horizons when Mars blows a kiss to Pluto on August 24, asking you to fully embrace the human experience. Philosophical shifts will occur below the surface when you break free from tradition, changing the way you present yourself publicly. Use this energy to put your morals into practice, leading by example when it comes to your most sacred convictions. A desire for authenticity on a soul level will allow you to shed certain pretenses you no longer align with, without the burden of worrying what others might think.

While you’ll be busy with the task of cultivating a new you, try not to get caught up in details when the Libra Sun and Mercury square off with Pluto on October 20. Though we all take steps to curate a certain image, consider peeling back layers to connect with yourself at a core level on this day. Give yourself plenty of space to sort through your thoughts and feelings, and put up boundaries if you’re in need of solitude. You’ll feel more sure of how you’re evolving when the Capricorn Sun and Pluto cozy up on January 20, 2024, providing you with a chance for fresh starts as your birthday season comes to a close.

Aquarius

Pay close attention to what brings you a sense of heaviness, dear Aquarius, as Pluto retraces its steps through the sector of your chart that governs darkness. This planetary placement will ask you to rewire certain elements of your psyche, which may require you to break free from people, behaviors, or thought patterns that add weight to your heart. Because these vibes could push you to journey through murky waters, be sure to reach out for support when the Aries Moon, Mercury, and Pluto form a harsh T-square on July 10, and find a friend or therapist you can safely confide your feelings in.

You may feel challenged by the universe as October unfolds and Pluto enters a series of harsh aspects in our skies, but leaning into your spirituality can make it easier to cope. Give yourself plenty of space for introspection, as enlightenment will come more fluidly when you go deep within. Though your world may feel crowded with responsibilities, troubles, and a desire to reach great heights, it will be difficult to find your way through if you never allow your mind to quiet itself. Vow to prioritize solitude as these vibes continue to unfold, as doing so will remind you of your strength and independence.

Try not to give your inner critic a voice when the Libra Sun and Mercury square off with Pluto on October 20, and use this energy to cut ties with self-deprecating thought patterns. Fortunately, joy and optimism will feel like more natural states when the Capricorn Sun cozies up to Pluto on January 20, 2024, bringing closure to any internal dialogues you’ve been wrestling with throughout the last seven months. True release will come through if you embrace it, though you may become more emotional as weights are dropped, so be sure to give yourself plenty of grace and space to unpack your feelings.

Pisces

A desire to leave your mark on this world will feel pronounced as Pluto retraces its steps through Capricorn, dearest Pisces, though your motives may be more altruistic than they once were. You will likely find yourself more invested in political issues and making a difference. Trouble could emerge if you don’t check in with your emotional health before pondering the problems plaguing our world, especially when the Aries Moon, Mercury, and Pluto enter a harsh T-square on July 10. However, these vibes will provide you with an opportunity to find power in the dollar, making it important that you say goodbye to any products or companies that don’t align with your values.

An expansive energy will surround you throughout the month of November as Pluto enters a series of positive aspects while activating the sector of your chart that governs growth, luck, and spirituality. This cosmic climate will provide you with a chance to feel optimistic about the future when you focus on positive change and opportunity, saying goodbye to thought patterns that fixate on challenges or roadblocks. Try to be generous with your resources and energy during this time, understanding that you must contribute toward any shifts you wish to see on a societal level.

Your mission to become a more conscientious citizen of the world will have positive impacts on your popularity as the Sun and Pluto align on January 20, 2024, bringing major bonus points to your do-gooder efforts. Though your main task during Pluto’s journey through the sign of the sea goat should be to evolve as one person amongst many people, your efforts won’t go without notice. Take pride in your newfound attitude, using this energy as an opportunity to lead by example, as your positive disposition and belief that we can all be better will have a profound impact on the people who look up to you.


Renée Watt is a Pacific Northwest-based professional psychic, astrologer, and witch. Her mystical insights have been featured in Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and InStyle. She hosts the weekly podcast The Glitter Cast, which features celebrity ghost stories and interviews with leading professionals in her field.

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