Let's talk about Pluto in Aquarius

Reframing and rethinking the new era we just entered

Thanksgiving is a wonderful American holiday that celebrates gratitude and unity, bringing people together despite our differences. The holiday also has a complex and challenging — even bloody — history.

I begin with this sentiment because, in a similar way, we should strive to embrace the optimistic potential of Pluto in Aquarius while educating ourselves on the history of this planet and sign.

Pluto moves so slowly, that the last time it was in Aquarius was 1777 to 1798. A lot has changed since then. Right?

This week’s column aims to share some perspectives on Pluto’s recent entrance into Aquarius that I’m not seeing elsewhere. (And if you want to read the 10,000 word version I’ve spent weeks whittling down, send me a message.)

First, we need to understand that Pluto is a challenging planet

• It’s not the “Age of Aquarius” or an instant period of enlightenment

• Pluto represents evolutionary forces in mundane astrology, not just generational shifts

• Pluto’s process is not always easy but it can result in long-term, positive changes

Second, we should remember that Aquarius has a spectrum of themes

• Aquarius themes include humanitarianism, innovation, and youth

• But let’s also be aware of the challenging aspects Pluto might unearth: populism instead of consensus; technology over human connection

Third, let’s look at the history of Pluto moving through Aquarius

• The last time (1777-1798) Pluto went through Aquarius, the world saw an explosion of democratic ideals

• The American and French Revolutions also contained highly undemocratic contradictions: slavery in the U.S. and Napoleon’s imperial rise

• Just like that era of history, we might see a new elite — tech billionaires? — take over the establishment in western countries

Fourth, Pluto’s close alignment with Uranus from 2025-2028 will highlight technology

• Believe it or not, the vast tech changes we’ve lived through may just be a preview

• By July 2025, we’ll get a preview of full-blown techno-futurism

• Uranus’ close connection to Pluto’s upcoming movement through Aquarius makes the next 20 years distinct from historical examples

With that summary in mind, let’s dive in.

A Great Contrast

From our perspective on Earth, Pluto has appeared to move back-and-forth between Capricorn and Aquarius since March 2023. But as of Nov. 19, Pluto is in Aquarius “for good” — or at least until 2044.

In many ways, Capricorn and Aquarius could not be more different. On the global level, Capricorn is leadership through experience and stratified societal structures. Aquarius is innovation regardless of experience. And Aquarius represents more egalitarian or “flat” self-governance systems — like democracy.

Capricorn often separates others (think March 2020 lockdowns). Aquarius yearns to connect people (think Black Lives Matter protests in June 2020).

Interestingly, both signs are connected to Saturn in mundane astrology, the planet of structure and boundaries. However, while Capricorn uses structure to maintain, Aquarius uses it to innovate.

Pluto’s Power

From now on, the themes of Pluto in Capricorn will grow ever distant. But that doesn’t mean our outdated, hierarchical governments will vanish overnight. Instead, we may be at the beginning of dismantling what no longer works to make way for the egalitarian spirit of Aquarius.

That’s because, as Pluto moves through the Zodiac, we see events or circumstances that strip society of what isn’t working — in order to birth something new. (For this reason Pluto is often connected to the mythical phoenix bird.)

Here’s the key to Pluto: it’s all about evolutionary changes in human society. A helpful way to remember this theme is to note that Pluto was discovered in the 1930s, around the time nuclear energy was developed — a major evolutionary leap for humanity.

What does this mean for Pluto moving through Aquarius?

The exact “flavor” of evolutionary events that correlate to Pluto’s movement depends on the sign it’s moving through.

For Aquarius, the primary themes are technology, innovation, humanitarianism, democratic governance — and even aliens (usually immigrant populations, but who the hell knows in 2025).

We could expect to see populist movements that replace more hierarchical systems of government in the coming years. We could see rapidly changing technology that challenges all aspects of society. We could literally evolve by integrating AI.

But aren’t we seeing these changes already? Yes, and no. First, remember we’ve had a taste of Pluto in Aquarius since March 2023. But now that Pluto is done reviewing Capricorn, I expect the speed of these changes to accelerate. And the technological changes to feel more permanent.

I pointed out a few weeks ago that Tesla’s robotic presentation in October was impressive but only a preview. (Tesla made it seem the robots were autonomous but in reality they were remote controlled). Now that Pluto will remain in Aquarius consistently for 20 years, we should expect to see technological changes “stick” — or lose steam quickly.

A Time of Revolution

To better understand our new era, we need to study the last time Pluto moved through Aquarius.

From 1777 to 1798, the world saw an explosion of democratic ideals, from the birth of the United States to the French Republic.

The American Revolution started after Thomas Jefferson wrote “all men are created equal” in the Declaration of Independence — one of the most powerful statements of self-governance since the Magna Carta.

Thomas Jefferson was also a slave owner who believed that only property-owning men should vote — entirely excluding non-Caucasian men and all women from participating in democracy.

The profound contradictions in America’s founding ideals are mirrored in the French Revolution, albeit in a different context.

For instance, the French championed democracy with cries of “Liberté, égalité, fraternité!” But while the French Revolution brought some rights to the general public, one could argue that the bourgeoisie benefitted most — a new elite who supplanted the monarchy.

A New Ruling Class

Yes, I am omitting a huge amount of nuance about the French Revolution and even Thomas Jefferson. (The format of this weekly column doesn’t permit a deeper dive, for worse — or better.)

But it’s fair to highlight that Pluto’s last movement through Aquarius saw an explosion of democratic ideals, the removal of an old elite (monarchies), and the arrival of a “new elite” in both France and the U.S.

With that in mind, I keep wondering if we’re already seeing a new ruling class arise in the U.S. — and in other western countries as well.

Tech Billionaires and Politics

America has always been a plutocracy. That’s a term for a nation controlled by a few wealthy individuals or families.

Yes, we aspire to be a democracy or at least a republic (e.g., the Electoral College is not direct democracy).

But since Citizens United (the 2010 Supreme Court case that opened the door for corporate spending in political campaigns), we’ve moved further away from democracy. Instead, we’ve seen a rapid increase of money in politics.

Ideological Divide

Like other Americans, I imagine, I sometimes struggle to distinguish among our elite. I used to think it was a geographic divide — some billionaires mingle at Burning Man, others dine at Martha’s Vineyard — but I no longer think it’s that simple.

Instead, I think the difference between America’s elite is ideological. For example, some tech companies welcome tariffs to protect them from foreign competition. But not all. On the East Coast, Wall Street shuddered last week on news of Trump’s tariffs. But many financial firms welcome deregulation.

What about ideas like universal basic income? Space travel? Health care? Is it possible that a new “ruling class” is emerging with vastly different opinions than the conventional wisdom in D.C.?

That may be oversimplified — and we’re early in this new era. But with Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, and other tech billionaires critical to Trump’s victory, I think we’re already seeing a massive change in behind-the scenes control.

Courtesy Pixabay

Technological Evolution

Speaking of technology, Pluto’s prior movement through Aquarius correlated to the start of the Industrial Revolution: the fastest technological change in recorded human history.

Before then, during Pluto’s movement through Aquarius from 1532-1553, printed materials became widely available in Europe due to the Gutenberg Press. This change resulted in increased literacy and innovation. And Pluto’s transit from 1286-1307 saw the invention of eyeglasses and mechanical clocks.

These examples are only a few and may seem inconsequential to current technology. But they emphasize innovation and technology as a key component of Pluto moving through Aquarius.

Uranus in Gemini

What’s unique about Pluto’s current movement through Aquarius is that Uranus will be in close contact for the first eight years.

Uranus is associated with innovation, change, and technology, which is why it is the modern ruler of Aquarius in astrology. So when thinking about Pluto’s movement through Aquarius, we need to consider Uranus anyway.

Starting next July, Uranus will move through Gemini and begin to disrupt communications and transportation, among other Gemini themes. Since Gemini is an air sign like Aquarius, Uranus and Pluto will be closely connected for 8 years.

The New Era is Unique

Uranus and Pluto will make five direct contacts between 2026 and 2028, and, as a result, Pluto’s correlation to technological change will be amplified compared to historical examples.

For example, Uranus was already halfway through Gemini when Pluto entered Aquarius in 1777. As a result, the two planets never made exact contact. But even without direct contact, humans experienced the significant Industrial Revolution.

On the other hand, Uranus was not in Gemini when Pluto moved through Aquarius between 1532-1553 or from 1286-1307. As a result, the technological changes during those periods may seem minimal compared to what’s coming in the next 20 years.

Aliens Among Us

On a final note, Aquarius can be connected to aliens — usually meaning foreign populations in mundane astrology — because of the sign’s outsider, nonconformist nature. In the 21st century, however, this Aquarius theme may include extraterrestrial life.

Last time Pluto moved through Aquarius, the U.S. signed the “Alien and Sedition Acts” of 1798 after immigration concerns challenged the young country. Pluto’s previous transit through Aquarius (1532–1553) coincided with significant European colonization, particularly in South America, marked by Spain's conquest and destruction of the Incan Empire.

With that history in mind, it’s fascinating that the U.S. government released new information on hundreds of UFO sightings almost the day Pluto moved into Aquarius!

2025 and Onward

In 2025, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and even Neptune change signs — a tremendously rare occurrence. But I still think that Pluto’s entrance into Aquarius last month will remain the most important big-picture context.

And no matter how challenging times may be, I remain optimistic. My sincere hope is that we rise to the occasion and enter 2044 with stronger, more egalitarian connections — key themes of Aquarius.

I like to remind people that Pluto can create collective fears of the unknown — but it’s exactly that: unknown. We can choose to fear AI, self-driving cars, and the populist movements, or we can see these changes as groundwork for a more humanitarian future.

We can hold two challenging things at the same time. To go back to my analogy at the start of this piece, we can focus on gratitude each Thanksgiving holiday while holding space for the way in which history continues to impact us. That balance is my goal for what dreams may come. I welcome you to share it with me.

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Until next week, I’ll catch you in the stars.