Pluto was discovered in 1930, in the years between the two World Wars, and it has been associated ever since with destruction and transformation, power and the abuse of power, and the hidden forces that shape events from beneath the surface. It is the planet of death and rebirth, in the psychological rather than the literal sense.
Pluto is not part of the traditional seven-planet scheme. Modern astrologers assign it rulership of Scorpio, taking over from Mars. In this encyclopedia, we follow the traditional assignment of Mars to Scorpio as primary ruler, with Pluto noted as co-ruler in modern practice.
In a chart, Pluto describes:
- Transformation — the capacity for deep, fundamental change, and the experiences that force it.
- Power and control — how you handle power, how you seek to control, and how you resist being controlled.
- Hidden depths — the unconscious patterns, the secrets, the things that are not visible on the surface.
- Regeneration — the capacity to rise from the ashes, to rebuild after destruction, to be reborn.
Pluto's placement by sign describes the style of your transformation: a Taurus Pluto transforms through the confrontation with material security, learning to let go of possessions and find value in what cannot be lost; an Aquarius Pluto transforms through the confrontation with individuality, learning to stand alone or to find authentic belonging. Pluto's placement by house describes the area of life where you experience the most intense transformation — and where you are most likely to encounter power struggles.