Pluto Retrograde in Capricorn April 29-October 8, 2022
Retrogrades refer to transits where a planet looks like it’s moving backwards in the sky relative to us. Retrogrades are times to reassess, reflect, rework, reimagine.
Pluto is an outer planet (along with Uranus and Neptune), and its impact tends to be less personal and more about the world. It brings “revolution.” For instance, Pluto’s last transit–was the massive conjunction with Saturn to start 2020 just before the great upheaval of Covid. That’s Pluto. It changes our personal lives almost by default because it changes life in general, as we know it.
Pluto is known as the Planet of the Underworld and its job is to uncover deeply buried emotions, hidden secrets, and trauma that has not been addressed. Pluto retrogrades deal with the unearthing of the past making it clear we need to deal with whatever we have pushed far down.
Pluto in retrograde creates destruction that prepares us for renewal. The power of this planet allows us to free ourselves from unnecessary ties, which can be people, beliefs or addictions to evolve towards other healthier paths. During this retrograde phase, we are encouraged to look into our deepest emotions and to ask ourselves questions. If there is something in our lives that we don't like, we will be urged to confront it and make decisions. This is an important time of personal mastery over self- destructive habits, which leads to spiritual growth.
Pluto is the first major planet, within the past two months, to enter retrograde, after having no major planets in retrograde. This energy will begin to resurface old wounds and emotions that have been dormant for months. Our feelings will be hot and cold, as well as deep. Watch for mood swings!
Pluto retrograde is a subtle energy, but gets us to reflect on how we are choosing to give away or hold on to our power and control. If people have controlled or manipulated you then now is the time to let them go. If you have been too controlling of others or situations then it is time to let go.
Under this Pluto retrograde, we are invited to look back over the period from October 2021 to now and how we have been called to step into a new power in our lives. If we have not stepped up enough, we may find ourselves forced to make that leap. Pluto also rules over the cycles of death and rebirth, so use this energy to reflect on how you have grown and all the little deaths and rebirths that have unfolded in your life since this time.
You could also find yourself wanting to connect to the earth or nature in a deeper way–gardening, composting, planting or replanting, uprooting, putting roots down.