Of course there's been a lot of flap over Pluto being "demoted" from a full-fledged planet to the minor leagues.  If you want to express your personal opinion on the matter, you can go here to vote one way or the other.  Let me tell you, however, that Pluto doesn't care.  His power is the same, regardless.  In fact, from what I've seen, I think that the planets are one of those areas where size definitely doesn't matter.  Since no one knows for sure why astrology works, it's hard to say, but possibly the smaller planets, minor planets or whatever, have a frequency to which humans are more receptive.  If you know anything about modern physics, you know that sometimes a particle acts like a particle and sometimes it acts like a wave.  Obviously the planets are mighty big particles, but the principle's the same, so maybe smaller planets affect us more because their wavelength is more influential.  The asteroids, which are similar in size to Pluto, certainly have a very strong impact, both on a person's Natal Chart and in transits.  In fact, there are astrological entities out there that aren't even a physical body, just a point in space with some mathematical significance, that also have a strong influence, so go figure.  A good example of this is Dark Moon Lilith; check it out.

Pluto, god of the Underworld, rules Scorpio and was discovered at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona on February 18, 1930 by Clyde Tombaugh based on calculations that oddly enough later turned out to be in error.  Note that around the time of its discovery, when the archetype of the god of the Underworld was unleashed, we saw fascism reach new proportions through such men as Stalin, Mussolini and Hitler.  Prior to that Mars was considered Scorpio's ruler.  Pluto transits are known for their dark influences that sometimes manifest as obsessions related to the House in transit.  Progress is sporadic at best during a transit and any that results is usually heavy and soul-testing.  The end result is often compared to death and regeneration where some personality element related to the house in transit figuratively dies and comes back in a new form.  In other words, it facilitates deep and sometimes painful change, but the purging effect generally is positive in the long run; it's often overlooked that Pluto is associated with healing.  On a more mundane level, Pluto also rules all things hidden, including plumbing.  This includes your home's as well as your own, i.e. your bowels. 

I had a particularly Plutonian experience a while back when my vacuum cleaner broke a belt.  Of course I hadn't looked at the underside for quite a while and as you'd expect it was clogged with all sorts of lovely things, which I proceeded to clean out.  I installed a new belt and voilà, it worked like new.  This is a very simple example of the rooting out of hidden problems and eventual healing that Pluto accomplishes so well.  This particular event occurred when Pluto was opposite Mercury retrograde.  During that particular cycle, plumbing and power issues were common right along with all the communication problems that Mercury RX is famous for.  It was actually a great time to do home maintenance and repairs.  While several things caused problems, their repairs went relatively well with positive results.  After all, everyone needs to clean out their garage or basement every now and then, either figuratively or literally.

Of course it's not as easily resolved or as painless when Pluto is grinding on your chart somewhere.  Pluto transits are particularly unpleasant in certain areas of you chart.  If you know someone who has one problem after another and absolutely nothing seems to go right, there's a good chance that this poor soul is undergoing a Pluto transit of some sort.  Yet, no matter how endless or grueling it may seem, when it's over the person will be able to go forward with his or her life and heal from the experience. 

When Pluto, Mars and/or Saturn aspect each other negatively the result is often not pretty and is sometimes a harbinger of death.  For example, these planets were in cahoots for both space shuttle accidents.  My mother's natal chart had Pluto squaring both the Sun and Moon with Saturn in the 4th house; she lost both her parents to death when she was a child.  My father had Pluto in the 4th House and lost his father when he was a mere toddler to a freak accident.

1st House/Aries:  Pluto in the 1st house by birth or transit will darken the personality and infuse it with passion and intensity.  The person will have a penetrating gaze and will project power in a way that others can sense.  They are likely to be fascinated by mysteries and secrets and want to explore subjects of interest in considerable depth, making them talented researchers.  Obsession is possible as well as a need to dominate others.  Negative aspects can further influence these traits, however, and possibly cause psychological problems that emerge as illnesses.  (There is no one alive with Pluto in Aries on their natal chart.  This is probably a good thing.)

2nd House/Taurus:  Pluto in the 2nd house by birth or transit usually provides a strong business sense.  They will have considerable drive to succeed and could become obsessed with building their own "empire" if further strengthened by Earth sign placements in Capricorn or Taurus.  There may be a tendency to view their loved ones as possessions.  The 2nd house also comprises needs and pleasures, suggesting that Pluto could promote some interesting propensities in this area, perhaps as extreme as sado-masochism. (There is no one alive with Pluto in Taurus, either.  It's also interesting to note that Josef Stalin had this placement.)

3rd House/Gemini:   These individuals will have a nearly insatiable curiosity.  Their mental powers may be strong but sometimes dark and they won't miss a thing.  In certain situations they may put on a classic, Plutonian poker face and look totally bored and oblivious to their surroundings, unless you take a close look at their eyes which will reveal they're taking in every word, which they will use as necessary to the astonishment and possible demise of those around them.  They synthesize data exceptionally well and can instinctively ferret out or derive information that others miss.  They won't be satisfied with inadequate or superficial explanations but will persist in finding the answers they seek.  With this aspect natally, these traits will be lifelong; otherwise, they'll endure for the length of the transit, but remember that Pluto transits can take anywhere from 13-32 years!  If we could turn on this trait at will during our college years we'd really have something. (Pluto was in Gemini from the late 1800s until 1912/13.  This era saw great growth industrially and many sweeping social changes.  Remember this was the timeframe when the Titanic was built and then sank, where it remained hidden in the deep for decades before its discovery.  Individuals with this placement are inquisitive though skeptical, but have a deep appreciation for learning.  On a personal note, my mother was a Virgo who had this placement and when she was in a rest home in her nineties she would have me bring her encyclopedias as reading material!  Many people born during this time period were involved in scientific research and inventions that reflect this depth of knowledge.  For example, Major General Leslie R. Groves who headed up the Manhattan Project which developed the first nuclear bomb, had Pluto in Gemini.  This placement can also predispose these individuals to embrace Plutonian concepts such as fascism; both Adolph Hitler and Benito Mussolini had Pluto in Gemini. )

4th House/Cancer:  Pluto in the 4th House often signifies a difficult childhood and adolescence.  Perhaps their parents were overly controlling or abusive or other frustrations dominated their life.  Often they have a highly developed intuition, perhaps because they needed it to survive emotionally.  As mentioned in the general description of Pluto at the top of the page, this placement sometimes denotes death of a parent at a child's early age.  Considering that the 4th house also comprises memories and endings, this further supports the inclusion of death.  (Pluto was in Cancer from 1912/13 - 1937/38.  WWI was underway at this time, which clearly demonstrated fascism, a Plutonian ideology, which left numerous children fatherless or with other substantial hardships related to their homelife.  On an individual level, these folks generally have strong intuition and deep emotions.  If negatively aspected, they tend to lock up their problems inside and sometimes obsess on them.)

5th House/Leo:  Pluto in the 5th house will enhance the person's creativity and provide considerable determination to pursue their potential.  They can achieve much satisfaction from these efforts, even if the quality of their work itself is not the best in their field (sounds like Napoleon Dynamite to me, folks).  Since this is also the house of love affairs and we're talking about Pluto, as you can imagine they're going to have a very intense and rich love life with many lovers (then again, maybe not....).  There may also be a tendency to take risks or pursue endeavors which are driven strictly by passion or obsession.  (Pluto was in Leo from 1937/8 - 1957.  During this time WWII broke out.  Again power and domination were strong themes.  On the positive side, this was also the advent of today's technology with many who developed computer technologies having Pluto in Leo in the birth charts, though technological breakthroughs are also closely tied to Uranus.  On an individual level, it's very possible for Pluto power to combine with the Leo desire to rule and create a real empire builder in one form or another, perhaps an obsessive one.  It is very likely that many of the dictators and power-hungry individuals in the world today have this placement with one obvious example Osama bin Laden.)  

6th House/Virgo:  Those with this house placement natally or during transit will tend to be rather autocratic regarding doing things exactly right, particularly in the work place and especially if the sign is Virgo as well.  There may also be a tendency to dominate others.  Health problems, particularly of the bowels, are common with this placement as well as the tendency to turn to food for comfort if emotional fulfillment is lacking.  If negatively aspected, there is potential for cruelty to animals as well. They may also be critical in a harsh way or obsess on perfection. (Pluto was in Virgo from 1957 - 1971.  During most of the 60s, Uranus was also in Virgo and the combined energy of these two planets was apparent in the social unrest, protests, war activity of a darker nature than WWI or WWII, and even the advent of the computer age which combined Virgo's obsession with detail, Uranus' innovation and Pluto's thirst for unearthing secrets.  Individuals born during these years often have obsessive tendencies related to the resident house and if there is a conjunction with Uranus, it could motivate a deep desire to facilitate change or innovation of some type with covert means employed if necessary. One interesting connection to note for this time period is the advances made in modern medicine which relate to discovering the hidden elements of disease.)

7th House/Libra:  Relationships will definitely feel the Pluto influence and could tend toward obsession.  It is very likely that this individual will need to be the dominant partner in any emotional relationship and if this occurs by transit while in an existing relationship, it could easily cause considerable problems.  Besides the power trip angle, Pluto's destructive powers can come into force with the individual compulsively digging through the rubble of old relationships and perhaps recreating it for existing ones.  The influence is especially powerful when Pluto transits the 7th house cusp where it is also opposite the Ascendant, and even more so if it grinds away on it for a while due to retrograde motion.  Nonetheless, the Pluto passion and emotional depth can lend exceptional intensity that will have its euphoric moments as well.  (Pluto was in Libra from 1971 - 1983/4.  It goes without saying that on the mundane level during the 70s there was considerable emphasis on sexual activity and freedom.  The "pill" was in its heyday and the abortion controversy was likewise an issue.  There was the Vietnam war, rock concerts with heavy metal music and increased drug use thanks to Pluto and the Libran desire for love and harmony evident in the "flower power" and "make love not war" attitudes of the time.  For individuals born at this time, the sex life is usually stimulated by this placement, particularly if they have a Libra Sun or Moon.  They may also tend toward provoking their partner to prove their affection or lack of it.)

8th House/Scorpio:  This is Pluto's homebase, unleashing his power in unprecedented ways.  A strong, perhaps insatiable, sex drive is possible as well as a fascination with death.  This is also the house of transformations, which could give the native a propensity for intense, perhaps death-defying, experiences.  Shared resources and debt also belong to this house, implying the potential for secretive dealings, with the fact that taxes also reside here providing more interesting implications with regard to entitlement.  As the zodiacal backhoe, Pluto also excels at unearthing hidden facts and facilitating transformations.  (Pluto was in Scorpio from 1983/84 - 1995, which was fortunately one of his shorter sojourns in a specific sign.  When you consider what happened when Pluto entered Scorpio and conjoined natal Neptune for those born from 1956 - 1970 it isn't too hard to figure out why everyone was wearing black and turning punk!  It also is evident in the onset of the AIDS epidemic.  Major technology-related entrepreneurial efforts also came into their own at this time, such as the Internet.  The personal influence of this placement adds intensity and determination, though negative aspects to the Sun or Moon can cause psychological challenges.  There is a lot of emotional and physical energy, particularly if the Sun, Moon or Ascendant is in Scorpio making it critical that these individuals find positive releases for this energy.)

9th House/Sagittarius:  Pluto in the 9th house often provides a compulsive drive to study and challenge oneself mentally, sometimes beyond the person's ability.  They also tend to have a need or even obsession with perfection that they continually try to reach. Needless to say this causes considerable stress and as a result they are likely to eventually become totally disgusted with their "failed" efforts and give up entirely.  Wiping the slate clean and starting over is typically Plutonian, but throwing the baby out with the bathwater is usually counterproductive.  It is also likely that those with this placement will have a great fascination with foreign travel and they're likely to have numerous weird experiences doing so.  (Pluto was in Sagittarius from 1995 until 2008. In the last decade we have seen numerous Plutonian influences, none more obvious that the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.  Here we had a covert attack in the Pluto tradition that was perpetrated primarily for philosophical/religious reasons, whether we agree with them or not!  Furthermore, Sag's primary traits are openness, independence and a love for freedom, which certainly personify the USA.  In addition, the politics of the last several years have been tinged with dark, secret acts versus highly intellectual ideologies.  The personal influence will undoubtedly impart a depth and intensity to the upcoming generation, particularly in view of the world events surrounding them as they grow up.)

10th House/Capricorn:  Individuals with Pluto in the 10th House will have a passionate and perhaps even obsessive involvement in their career or other compelling goal they wish to achieve.  If this is missing from their lives for one reason or another they will be unfulfilled and frustrated.  If located where it conjuncts the Midheaven, there can be a considerable thirst for power which can be pursued ruthlessly if there are negative aspects to personal planets.  These folks need to keep their goals within reach and make sure their tremendous store of energy is directed in constructive ways or they can bring major problems upon themselves and those close to them.  (Pluto entered Capricorn in January 2008. bounced back and forth a few times due to retrograde motions, then came to stay in November 2008 and will stay until March 2023.  One signature effect of this transit on the mundane level is vividly illustrated by the eruption of Eyjafjallajokull in March - April 2010 and the BP Oil Spill around the same time.  Exposure of corporate and government corruption is also apropos with major upheavals likely everywhere.  Capricorn is an Earth Sign which rules structure, thus the Earth herself will be involved as well.)

11th House/Aquarius:  Of course this entire Pluto in Aquarius generation won't all be like that anymore than everyone with Pluto in Gemini became a dictator, though the idea was quite popular at the time.  With Pluto in the 11th an individual is likely to be too concerned or even obsessed with their friends and group interactions or perhaps have the desire for power and control over them.  Considering that goals are also in this house, obsession or willingness to go to extremes for their attainment is also likely.  On the mundane level, this placement will probably expose corruption and/or see dictatorial takeovers of or by various groups.  (March 2023 is a long ways away so I'm not going to worry about it just yet.)

12th House/Pisces:  Pluto and it's propensity for things hidden can have a strong effect on the subconscious.  This could result in exposure of various subconscious matters individually or on the collective level when Pluto reaches this sign, considering that the collective consciousness resides in Pisces.  The 12th house is where spirituality, enlightenment, inspiration and transcendence reside, which implies that these individuals may undergo significant transformations in this part of their life.  Also residing in the 12th are institutions, seclusion, confinement, hidden enemies and self-undoing.  Of course these last two, especially, are going to be challenged by Pluto's inclination to expose such things.  Thus, individuals with a 12th house Pluto are likely to discover such things more readily than others.  (It's going to be so long before Pluto goes into Pisces that it's the least of my worries.)

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