Toward the end of transiting Pluto in Sagittarius (1995-2008) astrologers began their predictions of Pluto in Capricorn (2008-2024). Pluto is ultimately transformation but can begin as destruction. Transformation, destruction – those are intense words. The most important thing to remember about Pluto is that when it “destroys” or “transforms” you have no choice. You accept it’s time to change or you will be changed. It’s evolution.

As an astrologer it’s always difficult to explain this complex transit as it’s like going through a black hole – you come out the other side a different person.

And how will that happen? All the many ways that humans can be transformed: physical property is destroyed; livelihood disappears; a spouse announces he/she’s is leaving; someone close dies; trust is shattered; a realization that a long, involved effort was in vain.

I had it; I lost it. Who am I now? What do I do next?

Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose . . . [lyric from Me and Bobby McGee]

On the other side of the black hole is freedom. In my country we believe we love, love, love freedom but the empty void of freedom is actually very scary physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Where will I live? How will I earn money? Will anyone ever love me again?

When we’re free we worry about filling the void.

Pluto in Capricorn

Capricorn is the sign of authority, rules, boundaries, responsibility and discipline. Naturally ruled by Saturn it is Father Time. Father is the authority; Time is the boundary. And one day we will die which is scary and when faced with thoughts of death we react in fear.

Fear is the control.

Let’s go back to 2008 when Pluto entered Capricorn. Its first evolutionary path was the material world and ideas of authority and success. Collective memory is short these days – in 2008 there was a global financial collapse due to over-leveraging (aka gambling) with mortgages. Reading about it today, governments were worried of mass protests, restless populations, and uprisings.

Why did that not happen?

The government, the Father, came in to patch things up. Money is one of our world’s greatest illusions and as magicians do with bunnies and pretty ladies, the debt was made to disappear.

A decade later we had a great pandemic, an virulent, life-threatening illness crossing the globe. Governments across the world all performed the same action – lockdown.

If there is one word to describe Pluto in Capricorn it is lockdown. And it was global.

As people were banned from labor, the government, again, stepped in and sent money. The capitalist government that warns us regularly about socialism essentially created a short-term socialist state.

Lockdown Retreat

Ironically through “lockdown” some in developed countries working in corporations had a chance to do a forced retreat and examine their lives. And many concluded there was more than work, as Americans spend more hours at work than many in developed countries, and experience was equally important.

During lockdown many purged accumulated items in the home (we can thank Uranus in Taurus for this). Work, stuff – Capricorn’s realm – was being reassessed.

And time – folks had more time. Father Time stepped aside for a moment.

Pluto in Aquarius

Aquarius, where Pluto now resides, has some similarities to Capricorn. Both signs are structured and stubborn. While Capricorn seeks roles of authority, Aquarius is fundamentally more rebellious and is stubborn only because it seeks a perfect society, a perfect group consciousness.

Capricorn snobbery is based on traditionally established hierarchies and culture. Aquarius snobbery is based on the practical exclusion of individuals who do not meet group consciousness.

Capricorn is culture. Aquarius – and I’d add Cancer – are more “cult” like having challenges with members who think or feel outside of the group consciousness.

The United States was “born” during Pluto in Aquarius and the group consciousness which is ruled both by Cancer (sun) and Aquarius (moon) is about fitting in whether to ideas of nationalism and loyalty or freedom and independence.

Freedom and independence as a cultural trait, a group consciousness – there’s an irony in this. Independence is individual so a group consciousness about individuality is a bit of an oxymoron.

And here were are.

Pluto in Capricorn Strikes Back

Astrologers are like economists trying to predict the future for both safety and enjoyment. And astrologers come in the usual flavors of doomsday prophets or la-la-land idealists.

Over time and with writing the greatest wisdom of astrology has revealed itself to me – balance and cycles. Balance (Libra) is the goal. When we are “doomsday” we push people away through fear. When we are la-la-land we often don’t have a definitive plan for improving a negative situation.

As America relaxed during the pandemic from a life of constant over-work, it appears some Pluto-in-Capricorn sorts didn’t like it. Yes, people can abuse any system. And, more importantly, some of us older folks are simply tired. Pre-pandemic my own feeling was that I was constantly chasing after my life. Regardless of what occurs in the corporate sphere, I will not return to that mode.

But the relaxation from corporate pressure has revealed some unpleasant facts: folks will chuck it away in a heartbeat and leaders lose control.

Pluto in Capricorn has not truly passed. In the US 2024 election the initial candidates were elderly men – we as a collective group are not ready to change guard. And now in 2025 the Capricorn backlash – ultimately about control – is upon us.

Take, for example, 78-year old Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. On February 4, 2025 he signed an Executive Order requiring return to office for state employees. Then on February 14, 2025 his choice for the newly-open Lieutenant Governor was 72-year old Ohio State University (OSU) football coach Jim Tressel.

DeWine, sun in Capricorn, moon in Gemini – is playing Father here in his characteristic both-sides-of-the-fence manner. Mandating return to office makes folks unhappy; making a popular sports figure his partner will create offsetting happiness.

Important note: If you haven’t lived in Columbus, Ohio this sports figure pick may not have meaning for you. Columbus is a sports town – even in the 1962 film The Manchurian Candidate Frank Sinatra’s character mentions it. Picking Tressel – aged and relatively inexperienced – is a shallow and superficial appeasement.

Father Time comes to us all

While it’s a bit unsettling that Pluto in Capricorn won’t see itself out, Father Time comes to us all and a ruling class in the last decades of physical existence means that soon they will change.

The question is – will we change? Or will Pluto force change upon us?