Death and rebirth in life are the ebb and flow of the tide… the rise and fall of the sun. This cycle of transformation weaves itself through the fabric of the universe, leaving behind remnants of the old to then birth something new and beautiful. Pluto, the final planet of our solar system, embodies this dance of darkness and light, asking us to shed our old skin as to embrace the uncharted mysteries of the universe. In ancient Greek mythology, Pluto, personified through Hades, was the ruler and god of the underworld, his kingdom a realm of darkness, secrets and tortured shadows. Pluto is the powerful alchemist, imbued with an intense and unyielding energy. He is the great equaliser that strips us of our ego and forces us to confront the deepest parts of our psyche; charged with the energy of the phoenix rising from the ashes, he is a reminder to us that even in the darkest times, there is a chance for revival.

Pluto's influence can be felt through all facets of life, from our interpersonal relationships to global events to aesthetics that define a generation. Pluto's journey through the zodiac is slow and deliberate, taking 248 years to complete its cycle and spending between 15-30 years in each constellation—similar to what anthropologists consider the span of a generation. When Pluto moves through different zodiac signs, it has the power to change, twist, and corrupt the themes that define that sign and its ruling planet. Astrologers remain cautious of Pluto transits, as they have the potential to lead to traumatic events, significant changes and of course, deaths and rebirths.

Pluto in Aries: the Missionary Generation (1823–1852)

The fiery cardinal energy of Aries, the first sign of the zodiac, is ruled by Mars and personified through Ares, the Greek warrior god of bloodshed. This was a time of great transformation, characterised by bravery and boldness; as new industries emerged, with sociopolitical revolutions that swept across Europe and America. This period however also harboured darker themes of conflict and violence, as nations and empires fought for power and influence. The Aries era birthed the gun-firing Wild West and the rise of the tenacious and rugged cowboy; ones who fueled the brutal expansion of colonialism through an undiscovered America, resulting in the forced relocation and genocide of Native American tribes. Meanwhile, the issue of Transatlantic slavery was reaching its peak, leading to tensions that would ultimately culminate in the American Civil War. This era also gave rise to staple gun manufacturers like Smith & Wesson, whose signature handles were made from a ram's horn, echoing the symbolism of the Aries. Ultimately, Pluto in Aries brought the barbarity and lawlessness that defined the independent spirit of its Western frontier.

Pluto in Taurus: the Lost Generation (1852–1882)

Under the watchful gaze of Venus—personified through Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty divine—this uncompromising fixed earth sign holds tight to the tangible world, embracing the finer things in life with a keen eye for value. She revels in the pleasures of the senses, taking comfort in her possessions and the permanence they bring. The chains of legal slavery were broken, however the shackles of sharecropping and wage slavery persisted in the grip of a growing industrial economy. For many, life was a desperate struggle for survival, as poverty and debt loomed large on the horizon. In the midst of this era, the Second Industrial Revolution wrought great wealth, pooling together into the hands of ruthless monopolists and corrupt ‘robber barons’, whose influence grew to unprecedented heights. Corporations and their leaders reaped brilliant riches, consolidating their hold on the economy, as the New York Stock Exchange opened its doors on Wall Street, becoming the global core of finance. This thriving market was widely known as being "bullish", and so the iconic statue of the charging bull was installed in New York's financial district, an allusion to the Taurus as a symbol of power and prosperity in this age of wealth.

Pluto in Gemini: the Greatest Generation (1882–1914)

Under the contemplative rule of Mercury, personified through the messenger god Hermes, this mutable air sign dances with the winds of communication and language, embodying the very essence of ambiguity and duality. Yet with the influence of Pluto in Gemini, these traits are distorted and their meanings corrupted, transforming them into something fresh. Those born under this sign stood out as intellectual iconoclasts, challenging the very foundations of knowledge and thought that defined humanity. The telephone took centre stage, while the radio and phonograph burst onto the scene, bringing music into people's homes like never before. A new age of mass media was born, with nationally syndicated magazines and standardised information and entertainment. Advertising was revolutionised, and the boundaries of time and space were blurred by the invention of the telephone, ushering in a new era of global communication. Meanwhile, Einstein’s groundbreaking theories of relativity and quantum physics emerged, overturning classical mechanics and shaking our understanding of time-space, energy, and matter. In the hands of Pluto in Gemini, these paradoxes and opposing forces became a complex dialogue, deepening our understanding of the world and paving the way for greater communication and connection.

Pluto in Cancer: the Silent Generation (1914–1937)

Under the moon's nurturing rule—personified through Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, the protector of the wilderness and guardian of young girls—this cardinal water sign is steeped in the values of community, tribe, and domesticity; embracing the roles of parenthood and nourishment. Yet with Pluto in Cancer, these ideals are distorted in unexpected ways. Those born under this sign stood out as wholesome and dedicated to the well-being of their communities and family structures. In the era of Cancer Pluto, love of country was twisted into jingoistic nationalism, spawning the dark spectre of fascism in the aftermath of World War I. Meanwhile, Pluto's influence reformed the roles of mothers and women from white picket housewives to the recognition of their suffrage across the globe. This same period saw the advent of industrialised, canned, jellified, and processed foods, which would later give way to food shortages and rations during America’s Great Depression. The impact was profound, altering the very relationship between people and their sustenance, as markets and farms became entwined with government policies, and everyday food preparation was forever changed within the realms of domesticity.

Pluto in Leo: the Baby Boomers (1937–1956)

Under the Sun’s rule, the jewel of our solar system—personified through Apollo, the god and master of music, poetry and prophetic visions—we see the fixed and unrelenting fire of Hollywood icons basking in its glow. Pluto’s presence in Leo brought forth an energy that both empowered and distorted its vitality, soaking its people with a proud and regal radiance, whilst also inflating the corruption of egos in politics and public life. We saw the spectrum of Leo’s spirit on influential leaders, from the malignancy of Hitler to the benevolence of Roosevelt, whose legacies remain forever etched in history. Along with this came the opulence of Hollywood's gilded age with the likes of beloved queens like Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn, saturating the silver screen with idealistic and sublime love stories of music and fierce drama. The world was forever changed by the vivid and electrifying explosions of nuclear bombs, marking the end of World War II. Pluto's presence in Leo was a tantalising, boisterous burst of light, igniting a flame that blazed fiercely within the Baby Boomer generation. Its power was immense, obliterating all that stood in its way and leaving only the strongest and most resolute in its wake.

Pluto in Virgo: the Late Boomers (1956–1971)

The earthy mutable Virgo—personified through Demeter, the healer goddess of the crop—finds herself on the other side of Mercury's rulership. Unlike the unpredictable and airy nature of the Gemini, Virgo is less preoccupied with abstract ideas, and instead finds fulfilment in humility, technicality and a strong work ethic. It is through the pride of service that the Virgo shines. Those born within this time frame possess a rare and admirable trait—a deep sense of prudence and conscientiousness. As a collective, they have the potential to pave the way for a much-needed renewal of Earth's ecology and the responsibility of its precious resources. The 1960s were a time of great exploration and experimentation, a time when the world was searching for new ways of being. Here we see the emergence of the hippie movement, with its ideals of peace, love, and freedom, as well as psychedelic drugs being embraced as a means of expanding consciousness. Ultimately, in the capable hands of the Virgo Pluto children, a brighter and more sustainable future may yet still be within our grasp.

Pluto in Libra: gen X (1971–1985)

This cardinal air sign is guided by the Venusian energy of beauty, diplomacy, harmony and balance. While Taurus is the physical world of Aphrodite, Libra belongs to her mental and aesthetic realms. Those born within this span of time possess a perspective on the world that is coloured by a deep sense of imbalance. They have seen the world at its most chaotic, and through Pluto are touched by a powerful spirit of transformation, one that allows them to redefine what balance truly means. A significant challenge was the divorce revolution of the 1970s, sparked by the legalisation of no-fault divorces, paving the way for a new era of personal freedom and empowerment. Pluto’s journey through Libra birthed a generation of hyperfeminine peace-seeking ‘bimbos’, ones who ushered a maximalist barbie aesthetic of pink, glitter and gloss—a shift from the earthy modesty of the Virgo generation. The late 70s and early 80s also saw the rise of the Feminist Sex Wars, as anti-porn feminists clashed with sex-positive feminists over issues of pornography and BDSM. Ultimately, Libra Pluto forever transformed the way we interact with ideals around beauty, sexuality and the tightrope of balanced relationships.

Pluto in Scorpio: Millennials (1985–1995)

Pluto is the embodiment of death and rules over Scorpio—the fixed water sign of the zodiac concerned with destruction and ultimate transformation. Despite the sensitive and intuitive nature of water signs, it is symbolised by the scorpion. Unlike the Cancer crab and Pisces fish who know water through the ocean, the Scorpio scorpion knows water through thirst and intense desire. Pluto spends a fleeting 10 years in the sign of Scorpio, birthing the widely misunderstood Millennial generation. They are the children of the 90s, raised in a world of rapid upheaval, where old ways of thinking were being challenged for new ideas to take root. With the rise of horror cult classics and resurgence of punk rock as seen with acts like Nine Inch Nails and Marilyn Manson, this was an era aesthetically defined by leather, the emo side bang and the grunge movement. Scorpio within its essence holds the power of blades, cuts, and scars, where we see the reclamation of tattoos and extreme piercings as a way of expressing individuality. We also saw the emergence of industrial and techno music, a dark and rage-filled anti-musical genre that was recognised for its emphasis on transgressive and violent noises. In this era, we gazed into the void and saw the end of the universe gazing right back at us.

Pluto in Sagittarius: gen Z (1995 – 2009)

Under the wise rule of Jupiter—personified through Zeus, the ruler of the gods and Mount Olympus—we see this mutable fire sign bring knowledge, wealth and the ever-growing expansion of one’s mind, spirituality and universal horizons. Those born under Pluto in Sagittarius possess an overzealous and thoughtful energy, seen as a collective of pioneers and prophets. During this period, we saw a fundamental transformation and global digitisation of centres of knowledge with encyclopedias, libraries, and newspapers, all through the conception of the World Wide Web. Books and printed media soon gave way to Kindles, and the swiftness of communication became easily accessible through laptops and mobile technology. Those born during this time period are the first true digital natives, as their childhoods coincided with the iPhone revolution and the rise of social media. Their off-the-cuff humour and ever-shortening attention span birthed a quick-witted dispersion of knowledge through apps like Instagram and Tiktok, along with a rejection of outdated traditions that continued to perpetuate harmful stereotypes as well as religious and philosophical polarisation—expressed through viral Reels. Home, once a fixed notion, has become a nomadic concept, no longer bound by four walls. The gift of knowledge is a sword of great power, and in the hands of gen Z, it may become a force of creation rather than a weapon of destruction.

Pluto in Capricorn: gen Alpha (2009–2023)

Under the authoritative rule of Saturn—personified through Chronos, the god of time, responsibility, contraction and wealth—we see the cardinal earthiness of its rule through the relentless ambition that permeated the air of this era. In the age of Pluto in Capricorn, entrenched powers were shaken to their core, with the 2008 economic crash setting the tone for this transit. This era brought about a seismic shift in the world of capitalism, as demonstrated by the rise of billion-dollar empires spearheaded by the Kardashian-Jenners. Social media moguls capitalised on the power of their personal brands, using their multi-million social media followings to launch lucrative businesses and cement their status as cultural icons—an interesting evolution from the initial Sagittarian nature of these platforms for connection and communication, to a now driving force that consumes the global Capricorn economy. The aesthetics of this period were typified by an obsession with designer labels and excessive displays of wealth, as seen with hype-beast culture or Kylie’s signature stack of Cartier love bracelets. Under Capricorn’s reign, the mighty hold the most precious of treasures, yet also bear the greatest risk of losing it all.

Pluto in Aquarius: gen Beta (2023–2044)

Under the stoic rule of Uranus—personified through Ouranus, the god of the sky, heavens and the cosmos—we see a cold, detached and rational energy of this fixed air sign associated with skepticism and abstraction. Unlike its sister sign Leo who thrives centre-stage, Aquarius is the technocentric and innovative collectivist who works behind the scenes and gives power to the people over the individual. Despite being at the cusp of this era, we can already draw ideas of what the next 20 years may look like from its themes. After only entering Aquarius in March of 2023, the rapid rise of AI reflects the transformative power of Pluto, reshaping our relationship with technology like never before—this suggests a heavy focus on science and the age of another technological boom. A spiritual awakening is on the horizon as the New Age movement spreads like wildfire, with Gen Beta pursuing the art of healing, with many of them destined for careers in medicine and science. They may also push the boundaries of psychedelic medicine research, seeking to heal in new and innovative ways, ultimately urging society to entirely rethink the way we live.

Pluto in Pisces: gen Gamma (2043–2067)

Under the mystical rule of Neptune—personified through Poseidon, the god of the sea and its uncharted depths—we feel the beacon of spiritualism, inspiration, and the subconscious; however, with Pluto in Pisces, these characteristics are heightened, making the individuals from this time period stand out as inspired spiritual beings, dreamers and artists. The last Pluto in Pisces transit saw the of dawn of the Romantic era between in 1797-1823, fresh off the back of the Aquarian Enlightenment, this era embraced the Piscean liberty of boundless expression, deep emotion, and a magical communion with nature, mystery and the supernatural. This was when despite losing his hearing, Beethoven crafted his most celebrated symphonies with the power of the imaginative spirit. Knowing this, we can deduce that the next Pisces era will be a time of great spiritual reawakening, where people are deeply entwined with the universe, playing with the metaphysical whilst prioritising mental and spiritual healing. Meanwhile psychedelic medicine becomes mainstream, war fades away and the veil between earth and the interdimensional cosmos is lifted, connecting us to beings of higher densities and vibrational fields. Ultimately, Pluto in Pisces will force us to confront the darkest parts of our shadows in order to shed generational trauma and centuries of karmic debt, teaching us that in order to truly live, we must first be willing to die.