by Robert Wilkinson
Today we re-examine how Saturn conjuncts the Pluto of everyone on Earth between 2006 and 2014, no small event! The past several years have profoundly impacted those born between 1956 and 1970, and right now everyone born in the 1970s are under heavy pressure involving both Karma and Dharma for the rest of 2010 into 2011.
What is Saturn conjunct Pluto, and what could it mean? Briefly, when Saturn conjuncts Pluto it restructures our Divine Power of Eternal Transformation, and is an important long term life transition, showing both the end and the beginning of a life-altering spiritual journey of self purification. While it can crystallize our worst fears and lower qualities, it can also help us confront our Divine Power and become our Highest Self.
Because all adults on Earth now have Pluto in Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, and Scorpio, we all have been through this, or are going through this, or will go through this in the next few years as a result of Saturn's transit of these signs. Yes, Saturn has, is, or will impact every generation on Earth in the near past and near future.
Pluto, "Lord of the Underworld," shows us our relationship to life and death processes. It indicates those "forces beyond our control" where we confront our Divine Power, or our willingness to play the victim to authoritarian energy. It shows us our power to reverse decay, as well as eliminate corrosive elements that rots what it touches from within.
As Saturn transits through its conjunction with the Pluto of various generations, an increasing number of people will have to structure or restructure their relationship to the "underworld" of existence, and be challenged by extreme energies to purify themselves to the very core of their being.
This is an evolutionary challenge unlike any known in hundreds of years! That's because over a relatively short period of time, everyone on Earth will be restructuring their lives in radical ways. Between what began with Saturn in Cancer in the Summer of 2003 and what's happening through Saturn in Scorpio (late 2014 with a reprise Summer 2015), soon all beings on our planet will know Saturn's influence on the deepest part of their beings. We can only hope that these transits will bring needed maturity and a sense of responsibility where these have been lacking before now.
When Pluto was in Apehelion, or farthest distance and therefore slowest speed in its orbital path around the Sun, it took almost a century to transit Aries, Taurus, and Gemini. This period lasting from 1822 through 1914.
Everyone on Earth born then had Pluto in one of these three signs, and so for about 7 years out of every 29, everyone on Earth was influenced by Saturn on their Pluto. 19th century beings experienced Saturn on their Pluto as many as three times in their lives.
It's now a different situation, since Pluto's speed quickened for most of the 20th century, thus spanning more signs (Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, and Scorpio.) Now it takes Saturn about 14 years out of every 29 to touch everyone on Earth, offering a wider and therefore richer experience since it traverses a larger spread of zodiac energies.
The Pluto in Cancer generation, those born between September 1912 and June 1939, saw Saturn conjunct their Pluto most recently in the Summer of 1973 through the Summer of 1976, and then between the Summer of 2003 through Summer 2005. These periods were times of major restructuring for the War Generation.
Pluto in Leo people, those born between August 1938 and June 1958, saw Saturn move across their Pluto between Autumn 1975 and Summer 1978, and again between Summer 2005 and Summer 2007. Those with Pluto in Leo who live to an advanced age will experience it again beginning August 2034 when Saturn again enters Leo.
Since September 2007, Saturn has again touched the Pluto in Virgo generation, those born between October 1956 and July 1972. It will continue through July 2010, and will occur again between October 2036 and November 2039. Thus the choices, decisions, purpose and wisdom this generation is distilling out of their experience of mid-2007 through mid-2010 sets important patterns into motion that will directly affect what this generation will go through 28 years from now. We'll take a look at the Pluto in Libra and Scorpio generations in the next article.
Saturn conjunct Pluto is said to be a difficult aspect, but that's only true if a being has not examined and learned how to deal with inner "shadow" material. Saturn and Pluto together symbolize whatever darker energies are in all of us, individually and collectively. Saturn shows us whether we do or do not enslave others, or have the tendency to be enslaved by a thing, person, or idea. It symbolizes fear, bondage, limitation, and sclerosis.
Pluto is the "Lord of the Underworld," symbolizing forces of Ultimate Transformation beyond individual control. Whether corrosive degenerative energy, or the Limitless Pillar of Infinite Fire associated with Lord Shiva, it is easy to see how Pluto could represent major shadow material. It is the spiral Fire that transforms all things by their passage through the Underworld into new pioneering vistas stripped of old shells down to the core matrix seed form.
We are told that Saturn brings a sense of "lack" as well as structure to whatever it touches, demonstrating as a "binding force." Saturn narrows and crystallizes while Pluto concentrates through its essential nature as Divine Economy of Energy.
Saturn gives form and focus, while Pluto purifies. Saturn structures or restructures whatever it touches, and when it comes to visit Pluto, expect that your life will be restructured and purified from top to bottom. It can crystallize our deepest fears of annihilation, as well as bring Spiritual Maturity and Authority.
Saturn conjunct Pluto brings a definite conclusion to the seed patterns that cannot grow in your future, while incorporating structures in the life that will yield favorable transformational growth over the years that follow this transit. This combination brings radical long term pressures and changes, often with explosive force beyond individual control, overwhelming obsolete preexisting rules and crystallized structures.
The next article will continue to explore different effects of Saturn conjunct Pluto for each generation on Earth, and what we've all gone through, or are going through, or will go through during the next several years.
(This article incorporates information originally published in Jan 2007. The original article had some very interesting comments, so if you're interested, please go into the archives and check it out.)© Copyright 2010 Robert Wilkinson
dear robert..all true..i feel it in my bones.
Posted by: danielle winter | February 25, 2010 at 08:17 PM
Hi Robert,
Would you have any comments about transiting Saturn conjuncting natal Sun-Pluto-N.Node all conjunct each other in Libra in the 12th (and squaring a 9th house Moon-Mars-Jupiter conjunction in Cancer)?
Thanks for always accenting the possibilities. The collective experience you highlight is very powerful to consider.
Posted by: shakti | February 25, 2010 at 09:06 PM
Hello Robert,
I've been experiencing a lack of "control" in specific areas of my life and have been told to hold onto some patience and self control and by 2nd week of March things will start to become clear and begin to move forward. This ordeal began late Nov/beginning of Dec and has somewhat progressed. However has slowed down since about mid January that seems to have potential of moving forward, but has me in a "whirlwind" of thoughts and questions, etc. Am I correct in following the advice of my guru in that things have the potential to pick up in March and that I just need to be patient and the answers will come soon enough.
DOB March 5th 1979 at 628pmEST
Love your site and your words of wisdom. Wake up every morning to read your articles first thing with my morning chai.
Thank you,
Seema
Posted by: Seema | February 25, 2010 at 10:15 PM
Saturn was exactly on my natal Venus/Pluto in Sept. 2007 when my mother died unexpectedly. (Not to scare anyone else here!) It was a release for her because although she was still fairly high functioning with Alzheimer's, she was slipping mentally and struggling emotionally. Although I grieved, it was also a release for me from her sometimes very difficult energy all my life.
Posted by: Leslee | February 26, 2010 at 05:52 AM
Great article, congratulations!
My natal Pluto is @Asc, I'm going trough complete transformation of my life and myself... And it's hard but for good!
Posted by: Lejla | February 26, 2010 at 05:52 AM
Being one of the Pluto in Virgo generation,(conjunct Uranus) I am just finishing up the great purification. At the outset, it was very difficult as I watched everything fall apart, as if a tornado had parked itself over my life. Coming out of it, however, has been pretty miraculous. The best advice I have is to surrender, let go of the grasp you have on anything in your life, and trust. My spiritual work is truly what has gotten me through. And in the end, I have ended up with everything that I need, and more; I am more confident, have learned to love and trust myself and the universe, and yes indeed, all is in perfect order. I could not have asked for a greater gift. Praise to the Lords Saturn and Pluto!
Posted by: Yeshe | February 26, 2010 at 06:41 AM
@ Yeshe,
You have beautifully spoken how I too have felt of my personal experience with Saturn/Natal Pluto and while I now am making my way through the Sat/Pluto transit on my angles and Moon/Uranus I reflect today on your words and sentiments and say "Cheers to Saturn and Pluto" and know all shall be well.
Thank you for bringing lightness into my morning!
Posted by: kachina | February 26, 2010 at 07:18 AM
I went through a huge "shadow material" challenge with Pluto square my Sun a year or two ago. Saturn conj Pluto hasn't been nearly as heavy as that energy was. Maybe I just got alot of it over with during the other transit!
Posted by: Christine | February 26, 2010 at 10:09 AM
Hi Robert, as usual you have written this article so well. Its wonderful that when things go beyond our understanding, we just have to visit your great site and get all the answers. I Pray that you are being suitably rewarded for this service to us.
Love and Namaskarams
Posted by: Aditya | February 26, 2010 at 10:14 AM
Hi Robert -- Transiting Saturn joined my natal Pluto (in the 12th) and squared my natal retrograde Mars (in the 9th) several years ago. At the same time, I was experiencing my Chiron return (Chiron in the 6th opposite Uranus in the 12th), so it was a very challenging time, to say the least. I'd have to say that I felt stripped away to the core -- so many different areas of my life were affected at the same time -- the effects were profound and I'm still assimilating. The blessing of the transits was that I no longer take anything for granted -- I'm grateful for every day. It also made me very aware of what the invisible "others" go through (just imagine anyone associated with the 12th house). I was always a relatively kind person, but now I'm much more mindful and compassionate, aware of how very much each worldly interaction matters (even the ones we take little notice of).
Seema mentioned losing her mother -- I also lost my mother to complications from Alzheimer's, although in my case, she passed just after the transit when Chiron trined my Sun/Venus/North Node. Like Seema, I was relieved when her (and my) earthly suffering finally ended.
Thanks for sharing your insights.
Posted by: LB | February 26, 2010 at 04:29 PM
Hi Robert,
Greetings.
I've been experiencing severe frustration and a lack of "control" in my career as it is not shaping to my own expectations as several factors are beyond my control.I know I have to execrcise patience but the luck factor is missing and feel that I am not getting my dues. Am I correct in following the advice that there are iminent changes for the better in the first four months of this year. My dob is 27.12.1962/4.45 pm/bangalore.
Thanks in advance Robert
Posted by: Sonny Rao | February 28, 2010 at 07:02 AM
Hi Danielle - Yes, I figured that everyone should reconsider Saturn's global effect. Bones are Saturn....
Hi shakti - I wrote a couple of articles about Saturn conjunct a planet a while ago, so please check out the archives. It's definitely the end and beginning of a form of your Light/Life. The waxing square is a point of "critical emergence." Don't take things so hard, conserve your vitality, and say goodbye to old ways of doing your Being. Be positive Aries and Capricorn.
Hi Seema - A lack of control in outer things compels a need to control the inner response. What you were told probably deals with Mars doing direct. Plus the fact that Jupiter, aka "guru" in Sanskrit, will begin to transit your Sun. You will also have a new Solar Return, setting a new set of pulses in your chart. You have seen a vision and/or quest the past year; now is the time to act on fulfilling that vision. Losses will create the space to regenerate power in a balanced way.
Hi Leslee - My sincere condolences on the loss of your mother. Saturn on Pluto will crystallize losses, and also forms of your Divine Power. There are many losses that turn out to be empowering gains when seen from a Spiritual angle. I am happy she got release from a profound struggle.
Hi Lejla - With Pluto rising in my chart, welcome to the Land of Shiva! Definitely good, and utterly purifying. But since that's what we're here to do....
Hi Yeshe - I figured many would love the focus on their Pluto, especially since your generation is in major activity right now due to several astrological factors. With Pluto rising, yes, it is miraculous when it's not extreme!! It does strip away superficialities and reveal our true Spiritual essence.
Hi kachina - Your "angles" are no doubt being radically transformed!
Hi Christine - Yes, our shadow material WILL be transformed, and as we move through it, we become pure gold. To the degree we do not resist, and embrace "the Great Work," it is fairly easy, clear, and natural.
Hi Aditya - Rewarded? I'm ALIVE! (By now everyone knows what that means!) And I have no doubt that Spirit has many more tasks for me to do. Love that picture...
Hi LB - Great time for dealing with anger and other wastes of energies. You did heal into a form of your higher Self. Pluto is the core; Saturn forces us to claim our Divine Power in mature forms. Very good and necessary lesson when we learn not to take anything or anyone for granted. Especially the fact that we and our loved ones don't have to suffer one second longer than karma dictates.
Hi Sonny Rao - Please reference numerous articles on our absolute need to maintain humor and a gentle self control in the face of all externals. Expectations are illusions; "luck" is something we make, within the boundaries of Dharma. I have an article or two on how to transmute "bad luck" into "good karma." Please reference the archives.
There will be important things coming up within 16 weeks but the most important thing is for you to go deeper and find new forms of compassionate understanding, since this year forms the seed of all that is to come the next 9 years. You are ending a long wave cycle of manifestation; soon you will abandon all that does not work. This is a long term purification and regeneration phase for you, so let go of all that does not serve your purest and highest good. You have the power to be a power in your world, so plan with an eye to fulfilling a major part of your purpose by 2016-2019. Namaskarams.
Posted by: Robert | March 04, 2010 at 07:07 PM
Thanks Robert..the articles were true and insightful..Appreciate your wisdom and guidance.
Namaskara
Sonny Rao
Posted by: Sonny | March 22, 2010 at 11:16 AM