Pluto through the Signs:
From Boomers to Millennials to Gen Z
The earliest astrologers worked with 7 celestial bodies – simply, the ones they could see with the naked eye. These were the Sun and Moon (the luminaries), then Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. These planets and luminaries became the foundation stones of traditional astrology and created a solid basis for interpreting personality, events and even our fate. Following the invention of the telescope, the solar system was opened even further for our ancestors to explore. And three new planets were discovered! With this astronomical discovery came a whole new level of astrological understanding of the skies. These outer planets had much slower orbits than their neighbours, so it was quickly discovered they didn’t change zodiac signs as often as the 7 traditional planets. Because of this, they became known as the Generational Planets in modern astrology due to the obvious influence they had on society and collectives. It was the first time we had planets that defined something far greater than the individual; they could define a whole generation. When I discovered these types of transits held so much information about time periods in history as well as the generations I grew up in, so much fell into place and made astrology become even more believable and fascinating. Reading books such as “Cosmos and Psyche” by Richard Tarnas cemented this even further. His book was 30 years in the making – decades of research – and shows the link between the outer planets and the trends and events happening in the world.
Enter Pluto. The furthest from the Sun and the slowest moving planet, it can stay in any one Zodiac Sign for anywhere between 11 – 32 years! This extended time frame means that the people born under its transit all share a unique generational purpose and theme. Pluto excavates issues and brings them right to the surface for society to fix. It is mostly concerned with the taboo, the underworld and issues that most would prefer to sweep under the carpet. So the effects of the Pluto Generations are really two-fold: 1) The imprint the Pluto Signs have on those born under it, and 2) The world events happening and long term effects they have on society as a whole.
The Generations
One of the most fascinating things about astrology is the link it appears to have with everyday life. As a society we have come to nickname the different generations in order to tell them apart, assigning them various shared characteristics and ever changing societal values. And when we compare those generations to the astrological transits of Pluto, a really clear correlation starts to emerge… Lets explore! (Note that the start and end dates of the transits are approximate due to the retrograde motion of the planet and the various ingresses that can occur back and forth.)
Pluto in Cancer (1913 – 1939)
Encompassing “The Silent Generation”, this transit marked a cohort of people who were born into a turbulent time in modern history: The First World War, The Great Depression, and the rise of Nazi Germany. Those who lived through Pluto in Cancer were deeply entrenched in their sense of family values and bonds with their homeland, which we see in the extremes of world events and reaction to those events that took place, as people staunchly defended their sense of security against real or perceived outside threats. Women’s suffrage also took off around the world and transformed the role women had in society and therefore how families functioned (Cancer is ruled by the Moon which represents mothers, femininity & women, as well as the domestic sphere). The way we produced and consumed food also evolved, with periods of rationing and the rise of processed and mass-produced foods (the Moon also rules over our eating habits). Those born during these years were to carry on embodying this energy of loyalty, self protection, and family, and became the representatives of possibly the last generation so concerned with their love for “king and country”, that they would find themselves fighting for it all over again during WW2.
Pluto in Leo (1938 – 1958)
The Boomers, as they are commonly known, were quite literally the “have it all” generation. This generation was born straight into the chaos of World War Two and its aftermath. Pluto in Leo, ruled by the Sun, immediately handed total power and control to menacing dictators all over the world, most notably Hitler. On the flip side, Roosevelt (US president during WW2) shone as an example of a typically strong leader whose skills were required during turbulent times. The role of the individual, be it politically or in the celebrity sphere, became all-important during this era, and many began to stand out for their personalities and egos (Leo is ruled by the Sun, which represents ego, and who we are at our core). The expansion of Television and the rise of the film star ensued under this transit, as well as the creation of comic book heroes. Suddenly people could dream of being special – of achieving royalty like status without being Kings & Queens. Those who lived through these times were experiencing a new era of booming birth rates, pride in their growing families, and the sense of victory after battles fought. Despite the obvious courage and individuality (Leo) instilled in this Pluto generation, they have come under fire in modern times for hoarding their newfound power, job security and economic growth. Subsequent generations have understandably felt short changed as they have struggled to find the same level of prosperity. The Leo generation helped build much of the world today as we know it, and should be proud of what they achieved – but perhaps a little acknowledgment for those who came after, and were left with far less, would be a reasonable compromise.
Pluto in Virgo (1956 – 1972)
This generation (the first cohort to be given the title of ‘Gen X’) were born under a mercurial Pluto. Virgo is ruled by Mercury, so Pluto here brought themes such as practicality, perfection and service to the surface. This generation is interesting because for a decade or so, it actually coincided with a Pluto-Uranus conjunction from 1962–1969. The presence of Uranus sparked an era of rebellion – the Civil Rights Movement, protests against the Vietnam War, and environmental protests, to name a few. Mirroring this was the culture, fashion and music of the era, with festivals like Woodstock and artists such as The Beatles and Bob Dylan, alongside the emergence of the “hippie” culture, peaking during 1967’s “Summer of Love”. But remaining true to their shared mercurial nature, this generation was always keen to question and analyse the world around them, striving to transform what they saw as flaws into a “perfect” system – via revolution or otherwise. Other developments during this time were very mercurial and practical, such as the invention of the ATM, pocket calculator, the first email and the supercomputer (Mercury rules over information & communication technology). Health themes (Virgo) also evolved, with the introduction of Medicare, CT scans, more vaccines, and some of the first successful organ transplants. An interesting observation of this era is the explosion of all things small. Virgo rules over “small things” and there were lots of inventions or trends that correlate nicely with this archetype, most notably the mini skirt, the Mini Car and the birth control pill. Those who were born during this revolutionary time were quietly absorbing all these Virgo traits and embodying them as they grew up and had families of their own. They displayed practical values, order, modesty, and service to others. With this newfound need to make change happen came a more critical and discerning eye – they could see what needed improvement and believed they knew how to make it better. This quality could be put to tremendous use in problem-solving and providing real solutions, but in some cases, it came across as nitpicking or overly critical – especially compared to the generations before them, who had embodied a more laid-back or even resistant approach to change.
Pluto in Libra (1971 – 1984)
The second half of the Gen X generation came from the Pluto in Libra cohort. Ruled by Venus, Libra energy is typically associated with harmony, relationships, beauty and peace, energies that also extend to law and order (the scales of justice are the symbol for Libra) – and this theme certainly took hold during the 1970s and early 80s. People born during this era may carry a deep need to challenge injustices as they see them arise, fight for fairness and equality, and pursue healthy, balanced relationships in every aspect of their lives. During the Pluto in Libra transit, the world reflected these themes too, as Pluto uncovered long standing issues of balance that had been festering for a while. While Uranus was co-present between 1971–1976, a revolution was occurring between married couples. For the first time, no fault divorces were legalised in parts of the U.S. Across the West, rates of seperation and divorce went up, as cohabitation without marriage became more popular and marriages were made easier to end both legally and for the women who had previously been bound to such arrangements. Gender roles were continuing to be challenged as abortion was legalised across the U.S. following in the footsteps of the U.K, and the modern day gay rights movement began. In 1975 in the U.K., women were granted the right to purchase property without the signature of a man as part of the new Sex Discrimination Act. Interestingly, the U.K. also elected it’s first female prime minister in 1979. The peaceful protest songs of John Lennon, “imagine” and “give peace a chance”, were indicative of a general longing for peace around the world with their anti-war message. Overall, those who were born into this transit would have learned early on that fairness was something to strive for. Many would have embodied the bridge-building energy crucial to future relationships, both personal and political. They tend to value collaboration and mutual respect with others, and despite being prone to people pleasing at times, they were striking the balance between making pivotal change where needed and maintaining harmony.
Pluto in Scorpio (1983 – 1995)
Scorpio is co-ruled by Pluto, and when in its home sign, this planet is quite comfortable bringing out the very depths of Scorpio. Nicknamed the “Millennials”, those born into this generation were deeply influenced by Scorpio’s need to dive beneath the surface, confront head on what society hides away, and bring acceptance to the taboos of their time. What’s interesting is that, growing up, this was the last generation to have memories of childhoods before mobile phones, social media, and computer gaming at their fingertips. They were still playing in the street with their friends before the danger of strangers became a real fear and the pull of technology coaxed them indoors. But during this transit, danger itself was a strong theme. Scorpio is co-ruled by Mars, the God of war, and this lent itself to an increase in all things aggressive and war-like. Mass shootings, particularly in schools in the U.S., became a common occurrence and the rise of the ‘serial killer’ seemed to happen in real time. Popular culture mirrored these darker themes of danger and horror, with many classic cult horror films being released, and even family friendly productions like ‘Ghostbusters’ and Tim Burton’s gothic fairy tales delving into the underworld. Musicians such as Marilyn Manson and Nine Inch Nails became popular around this time, known for their more shocking sounds and artistry. The “emo kids” reigned in this era, with their jet black hair, piercings and snake and skull accessories (snakes being a prominent symbol of Scorpio). In fact, piercings and tattoos (Mars rules cuts and wounds) became far more mainstream in this generation, even in previously taboo settings such as the workplace. World events such as the AIDS epidemic further warned society of the dangers of unprotected sex (Scorpio rules the reproductive organs), forcing a collective rethink around both intimacy and mortality. In general, sex and intimacy were also being redefined. Taboo topics like sexual orientation, consent and pleasure sparked new conversations in society. Madonna, a female artist who embodied this unapologetic energy of the time, released her controversial book called “Sex” in 1992. It contained provocative photos that shocked many fans and critics, and older generations who were more concerned with modesty than this new wave of sexual confidence and freedom – especially from women. The Pluto in Scorpio generation absorbed all these shifts deeply, growing into adults unafraid to explore the hidden or darker sides of human connection. So it’s no wonder that the Pluto in Scorpio generation grew into adults who prize emotional intensity, a need for raw truth (even if it is unpleasant), and transformative values that break traditions and redefine how we see and deal with all aspects of society, the underworld included. Pluto’s job is to excavate and bring to the surface what’s hidden, so, unlike the prior Libra generation who struggled with the balance of peace and darkness, Pluto in its own rulership managed to do just that – as long as they don’t get buried in the depths themselves.
Pluto in Sagittarius (1996 – 2008)
Pluto’s ingress into Sagittarius marked the beginning of the Gen Z generation. A defining characteristic of those born during these years was their ability – and need – to wage moral crusades. Ruled by Jupiter, Sagittarius is concerned with belief systems, truth and the pursuit of meaning and higher wisdom. They have grown in politically aware adults, and at their best, keen to champion diversity of cultures (Sagittarius) and acceptance of all faiths (Jupiter). But at their worst this can also lean into self-righteousness where those same beliefs become the only “right” way – at the exclusion of balance. It’s important for this generation to understand the full depth and breadth of human nature. So it’s no wonder that during these years, society saw an increase in faith based agendas, with the aftermath of the September 11 attacks on U.S. soil being one of the most extreme examples of this. This pivotal moment changed how the world viewed religions and personal freedoms forever. Exaggeration (Sagittarius) of terrorism (Pluto) became a new generational norm in the early 2000’s and beyond. Churches also came under more scrutiny for past scandals but also persecution during this time, and other parts of society were being called upon to evolve and do better e.g. U.K gambling and betting laws were introduced (Jupiter rules excess). In fact, attitudes towards risk taking in general were being challenged. Schools tightened their health and safety policies such as new playground safety, and children everywhere were the first generation to live through the dangers of online strangers and chat rooms. In fact, the expansion of the internet created a global community, the likes of which had never seen before, and gave people endless opportunities. Knowledge centres (Sagittarius), previously in print, such as encyclopaedias and library books, were now digitalised and could be accessed by anyone with a computer, which was increasingly common in developed nations. Start up websites expanded into global giants (Google, Amazon, etc) and this rapid growth of the internet was incredible in many ways, but also gave platforms to people who could abuse them and take their fundamentalist or extreme views to larger audiences much more quickly. The hunger for truth and freedom carried by these Pluto natives is admirable, and can inspire all of us to challenge outdated beliefs and push for transparency at all costs. However, it is important that an idealistic need for freedom doesn’t come at the cost of actual freedoms. Ultimately, the Pluto in Sagittarius generation reminds us of both the pitfalls and opportunities of differing perspectives.
Pluto in Capricorn (2008 – 2024)
Saturn-ruled Capricorn is concerned with structures, long standing institutions and law and order. So Pluto here marked the beginning of a period that saw huge changes to society after years of the status quo. Pluto’s ingress in 2008 instantly marked a global financial crash that rattled the world – not just the banks – right as the U.S. elected its first Black President (a democrat), where Americans decided to put their faith in a new, hopeful path, symbolic of challenging outdated systems and prejudices. Politics in general took on a whole new level of division during this transit, following the 2016 presidential election and the emergence of Donald Trump. In Europe, the U.K. left the European Union as part of “Brexit”, further strengthening the theme of breaking away from tradition, while their domestic politics suffered years of scandals and distrust, even violence against members of parliament. In fact, Governments around the world have been battling against Pluto’s quest to unearth corruption among the most powerful in our societies. The British Royal Family, one of the worlds longest-standing institutions, have had their fair share of challenges involving Plutonian themes, from Prince Harry’s departure from royal duties to the death of Queen Elizabeth II (Capricorn rules age and legacy), and Prince Andrew’s associations with Jeffrey Epstein. Those born under this transit are instilled with the values of success and hard work, but well aware of the unsustainable nature of some traditions and corrupt authorities. It’s still to be seen how this generation will embody these values and enact them, but they’re likely to continue coming of age questioning the more outdated ways of the world.
Pluto in Aquarius (2024 – 2044)
And here we are! Pluto ingressed into Aquarius after Pluto in Capricorn’s final nod to the status quo: the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020. The global lockdowns and government responses to the virus changed the way a lot of the world was run. Society began to value collective efforts amidst the government enforced lockdowns and restrictions, and many were forced to rethink their businesses, finances and way of life in this post pandemic world. Pluto in Aquarius is ushering us into a new world where technology, AI, and global community are at the forefront of innovation. These advances will likely be quick and technological – with Uranus in Gemini for the first part of this transit – redefining how we live as well as how we connect. It’s yet to be seen how this will exactly play out over the next two decades, but as we’ve seen with every previous transit, Pluto will excavate and unearth the issues in society that we can no longer ignore. Personally, I feel that deep-rooted reliance on social media and the internet will be a focus of the coming years. Perhaps scandals, data breaches or internet related challenges will force us to rethink our place online or reliance on AI for our jobs. Humanity is a key theme of Aquarius and I truly hope that the best of humanity and cohesion, along with integrity and respect for everyone, can pull us through these times, rather than purely succumbing to extremes we’ve seen in the past.
Final words…
Of course, Pluto’s role is rarely the peacemaker. We can never solely rely on its long journeys to help us create a utopian world. After all, it is the planet that forces us to evolve whether or not we’re ready. And how it does this is through exposure to the ills of society, forms of destruction, and eventual rebirth once lessons have been learned. No matter what sign it’s in, the power of Pluto cannot be underestimated in guiding generation after generation to confront what has been hidden from sight, and how society needs to deal with the underworld of the world we live in. As a Scorpio stellium native, from the Pluto in Scorpio generation, with Pluto conjunct personal planets of my own, I fully understand and respect Pluto’s place in our astrological sphere. Yes there are certainly more gentle, optimistic planets and transits that shape our world and maybe that’s another blog for another day, but the world always needs balance – and knowledge of it’s shadow – in order to appreciate life in its entirety.
What generation are you from? And what generations have you lived through? Let me know in the comments! And thank you so much for reading this far! If you’re interested in more astrological insights, check out my IG: @saturnandstoneastro and my 1:1 readings that decode all the planets in your chart and what they mean for your life!
https://calendly.com/saturnandstoneastro
Speak soon,
Suzy x
Saturn & Stone Astrology