The Pluto-in-Aquarius Transit Is Back to Usher in Some Big Changes

Okay, well, obviously there’s a lot going on right now! The unprecedented hits keep on comin’, but don’t despair. Although it may feel like we’re spiraling out of control (frightening), the steady and reliable planetary motion reminds us that it’s all part of a greater plan. In fact, perhaps, even the most chaotic and unhinged events are … written in the stars?

On November 19, Pluto — the planet of life, death, rebirth, renewal, and all things transformation — shifts back into Aquarius, where it will remain until the year 2043. With this ingress, we’re starting a brand-new cycle centered around community, progress, and innovation. Want to learn more about this massive astrological milestone? Sure you do! Read on for more.

Wait, didn’t the Pluto-in-Aquarius transit happen already?

Good catch! Yes, Pluto went into Aquarius in 2023 (from March 23 through June 11) before heading back into Capricorn. This year, Pluto was in Aquarius from January 20 through September 1. Pluto then went retrograde back into Capricorn again.

The last earth sign of the zodiac, Capricorn is associated with tangible, physical manifestations of success and money. For the past 16 years, Pluto’s transit in the ambitious sea goat has illuminated recessions, inflation, big money, corporate monopolies, and widening economic divides. As the middle-class contracted, late-stage capitalism expanded its strange and alluring grip, and the American Dream has surely gone Gotham. With the past election, it’s safe to say that we’ve certainly reached the boiling point: The aptly named plutocrats have won and now, something’s got to give.

Okay, tell me more about Pluto in astrology.

Solar-system aficionados may know that, according to astronomy, Pluto is no longer considered a planet. But, from an astrological perspective, Pluto hasn’t lost its status; in fact, Pluto is considered one of the most powerful, monumental, and fierce celestial bodies in the cosmos. Pluto, named after the mythic Greek ruler of the underworld, governs the unseen, the buried, and the veiled. Symbolizing all that lies beneath the surface, Pluto is where secret plots, ulterior motives, and deeply rooted power structures reside. Pluto embodies the enormous pressure that builds beneath the ground, waiting to burst forth and reshape everything in its wake. It’s the celestial agent of transformation, pushing us to confront hard truths and challenging us to understand what’s really going on.

Unlike the celestial bodies closer to our planet (Mercury, Venus, and Mars, as well as the sun and moon, which are considered “luminaries” in astrology) that impact our personality, preferences, and day-to-day experiences, the outer planets (those on the far side of the asteroid belt) inform large-scale, big-picture, collective experiences: the Zeitgeist, the government, the epochs. The further out the planet, the wider its sphere of influence — so, when it comes to Pluto, its movement quite literally defines the foundation of our reality. Pluto is big business. Pluto is economic structures. Pluto is world empires. And Pluto is also how we burn it all down to start anew.

So what does the Pluto-in-Aquarius transit mean?

After almost two decades of Pluto in Capricorn’s “top-down” influence, Pluto in Aquarius yields a completely different energy. Aquarius (the last air sign of the zodiac) is connected to ideas, connection, and our shared experiences. As the zodiac’s final air sign, Aquarius is all about “the people” — collective power, shared resources, and visions. Ruled by Uranus, Aquarius’s energy is restless, rebellious, and always pushing forward into uncharted territory. Aquarius reminds us that accessing the “collective good” isn’t just aspirational — it’s attainable, should we choose to center this type of progress-driven, egalitarian mind-set. The Aquarian way values innovation over tradition and insists on building communities that work for everyone, not just the one percent.

Because Pluto has such a long orbit (248 years, which also happens to be exactly as old as the United States of America, just saying), we haven’t experienced Pluto’s complete journey through Aquarius since the 1700s. But from now through 2043, the focus shifts toward dismantling outdated hierarchies, making way for a society that thrives on inclusivity, collaboration, and forward-thinking solutions. It’s a powerful push toward a future in which collective dreams take precedence over individual gains, challenging us to rewrite the rules and rally together for a better, brighter tomorrow.

Pluto into Aquarius signals a massive humanitarian revolution — activism like we haven’t seen before in our lifetime — so we can expect an era defined by massive cultural change. Pluto in Aquarius has the potential to generate new government structures, groundbreaking technology and medicine, and social innovation that changes the course of history. But will this lead to an egalitarian utopia or an AI takeover? Only time will tell, but hey, what have we got to lose?

How will I be impacted by Pluto in Aquarius?

Honestly, everyone will. Pluto in Aquarius marks a collective turning point, which means everyone — regardless of what signs are most prominent in your birth chart — will be impacted. Pluto’s transits are deep, slow burns that unfold over many years. Likewise, when Pluto enters Aquarius, it will spark change that touches every aspect of life, from personal identity to society at large.

While those with strong Aquarius placements in their chart may be most impacted, it’s important to remember that Aquarius is about the people — all people. So while each sign will experience Pluto’s transit uniquely, the effects will ripple across communities, countries, even continents. Think of it as an invitation for all of us to engage with this era of transformation. Whether it’s our values, our technology, our governing structures, or the way we connect, Pluto in Aquarius insists on a revolution, and we’re all part of the movement.

From new breakthroughs in technology to evolving views on power and leadership, everyone will feel the pressure to evolve and adapt. No stone is left unturned when Pluto enters Aquarius, so prepare for your own metamorphosis. When it comes to Pluto in Aquarius, the revolution will certainly be televised.