Pluto Turns Retrograde - Transformation Time!‏

Pluto, the planet of transformation, takes a whopping 248 years to complete a single cycle of rotation around the Sun. On average, it spends 21 years in each sign and 5 months of each year in retrograde.

Pluto turns retrograde in Capricorn on April 6 at 7:34 pm PDT (2:34 am April 7 UT), signaling in a time of destruction and rebuilding along with rejuvenation and regeneration. It is a time for fresh starts and dead ends. The things that are most important to us and we hang on to the tightest, may suddenly be taken away from us. In addition, we may be forced to reevaluate the things we cherish most.

A Pluto retrograde period makes us focus on, eliminate and release the old, outworn, outdated and obsolete in our lives. We will be urged to let go of old attitudes, communication and thinking patterns that no longer serve our purpose. We may feel the need to re-evaluate our needs for security and asked to eliminate rigid emotions that no longer serve us. This is an excellent time to undergo an internal form of house cleaning, and look into ourselves to determine exactly what we do and do not need.

Pluto retrograde imparts an intense power for investigation, so we should use this time to assess what reoccurring patterns in our lives make us feel out of control, where and why do we continually give our power away, and under what circumstances do we react so defensively that we elicit attacks from others. Pluto retrograde marks a time wherein we should seek to gain greater control over our lives.

Another important astrological event happening on April 7 is retrograde Saturn, moving back into Virgo for a final time in its retrograde motion. Saturn is the planet of self-discipline and duty and Virgo rules work and health, so now is the time to get serious about everything practical. Evaluate work processes and streamline for efficiency. Saturn is firm about putting down limits so at times it will feel like all work and no play. Learning to be good to yourself is also part of Saturn's lesson, so now is the time to learn not to overdo things. If you're realistic now, then by mid July when Saturn moves on into fair minded Libra, you will be healthier, better organized and ready for Saturn's direct influence.

Pluto Turns Direct: Accelerate Your Progress

Pluto, the planet of transformation, has been retrograde since April 4 of this year, and turns direct in Capricorn on September 11.

Pluto is a tiny, distant body, invisible to the naked eye. Yet, Pluto is incredibly powerful, a force for total transformation, regeneration and rebirth. Pluto asks us to go beyond what we know, redeem ourselves in the process and come out stronger as a result. Pluto represents how we direct our lives.

It takes Pluto a whopping 248 years to complete a single cycle of rotation around the Sun. On average, it spends 21 years in each sign and 5 months of each year in retrograde.

During a Pluto retrograde period, we will feel pressured to eliminate and release the old, outworn, outdated and obsolete in our lives. We will be urged to let go of attitudes, thinking or communication patterns, security drives, and rigid emotions that no longer serve us. This is an excellent time to undergo an internal form of house cleaning, and look into ourselves to determine exactly what we do and do not need.

Now, after being retrograde for five months, Pluto turns direct on the 11th. This will accelerate progress in all your financial dealings including mortgages and loans, business endeavors and health-related activities. It's time to put your personal power to work in a positive way, too.

Enlist the energies of your progressed chart to understand where to focus your energies for maximum return. The continual movement of the planets through your life affects the events that shape your future. A progressed chart locates the signs, the aspects and the house positions for each of the planets for any given year and tells you how long they will remain in those positions. These changes show you when to act on the potential revealed by your natal chart and when to embrace growth in your life. Awareness of your progressed chart helps you to make informed decisions about every aspect of your life. -astrology.com

Explore your dark side:
Pluto is the ultimate healer because it exposes the dark places that keep you from being all you can be. The really nasty stuff, like hatred, jealousy, dominance, revenge and subterfuge are manifestations of the negative side of Pluto. These behaviors are a quest for power by people who feel powerless. Even if you aren't struggling with such debilitating emotions, you probably have other quirks that keep you feeling less than powerful. Such issues may be family patterns that no longer serve you, low self-esteem that holds you back, problematic relationship patterns, inner blocks to manifesting prosperity, or the belief that life's a struggle and will always be a struggle no matter how hard you work. Whatever you're dealing with, retrograde Pluto will likely bring out some of your inner demons so you can eliminate them, which is a necessary step toward empowerment.

The best way to handle Pluto energy is to take a clear-headed assessment of your life, accept your imperfections and make a commitment to yourself to change what isn't working. If you've been putting off seeing a doctor, it's time to make that appointment and take care of your health. If you've been suppressing some anger with your spouse, it's time to have a heart-to-heart talk to resolve the problem. If you're stuck in a dead-end job (or have just gotten laid off), it's time to reassess your talents and values and focus on manifesting a job that aligns with your true destiny.