Pluto Astrology: The Ultimate Planet Guide

Larger than life: Omnipotent, alchemical Pluto may have been dubbed a dwarf planet by astronomers, but in astrology, its force is among the most intense of all the heavenly bodies in the solar system! 

Named after the Roman god of the underworld, Pluto holds the key to our personal chamber of secrets. Everything from money, sex, power and shame fall under his hefty domain.

What does Pluto signify in astrology?

If life is feeling like a personal hell, look to Pluto for help. But don’t expect him to do the heavy lifting for you! Pluto reveals our vices, addictions and our own undoing. But like the Phoenix rising from the ashes, he can show us how to transform that lead into gold. This will always involve a symbolic death—don’t forget, we’re dealing with the ruler of Hades here. Something must be released in order for something new be born. But Pluto knows that nothing ever really dies; it’s simply transmutes into another form.

Pluto’s placement in your natal chart will show the thing you have to keep on sacrificing in order to do your most important soul growth! It can also show where you have amazingly regenerative powers, taking a licking as you keep on ticking.

To find out your Pluto sign, run a free chart here: www.astrostyle.com/birthchart

As the ruler of sex and money, Pluto’s position in the chart will show the way we bond with people and how we share resources.

How does Pluto affect astrology?

Because of its chaotic and unpredictable orbit, Pluto will hover in a single sign for between 12-20 years. As a result, it is one of the planets that shapes generational trends. Some examples:

  • The Baby Boomers were born with Pluto in me-first Leo (1937-58), while the activists and “hippies” had Pluto in ethical, eco-conscious Virgo (1958-71).
  • People born with Pluto in marriage-minded Libra (1971-1984) are the kids of the divorce era, watching the dissolution of their parents’ relationships and reinventing the rules of family as a result.
  • The Pluto in Scorpio generation (1984-1995) dealt with heavy topics from a young age like gun violence, AIDS, and a rise in teen pregnancies; yet, this generation created an open dialogue about sexual identity and gender that is making laws more inclusive to this day.
  • And the born-wise souls of Pluto in Sagittarius (1995-2008) are teaching the rest of us a thing or two about inclusiveness. It remains to be seen how the Pluto in Capricorn generation (2008-24) will change the world, born during Pluto’s influence on themes of leadership, hierarchy and the impact of industry on the climate.

What does Pluto rule in astrology?

Pluto is outright possessive too, both with relationships and money! According to Greek mythology, he kidnapped young Persephone from her mother Demeter, forcing her to live in the underworld. The two struck a deal with Pluto releasing the girl to her mother for half the year (spring and summer) then holding Persephone captive again during fall and winter. This planet will definitely show our own nefarious sides. Where will we go to any length to get (or keep) what we want? Like the story of Pluto and Persephone, we often learn that things go cold—or outright die—when we hang on too tightly.

Pluto rules which zodiac sign?

As the ruler of sex and money, Pluto’s position in the chart will show the way we bond with people and how we share resources. This planet rules the sign of Scorpio, after all—the famed, yet sometimes feared sex symbol of the zodiac. Anyone who’s fallen under a Scorpio’s spell can attest to the allure of this enchanting energy! And while Pluto can amplify our charms it can also make us manipulative if we aren’t careful. Jealousy and a desire to dominate can show up in people who have a tricky Pluto placement in their charts. Since this planet governs wealth—specifically the money we “hoard in the mattress,” so to speak—our investment style can be revealed by Pluto’s chart position.  

Like the other outer planets, Pluto will spend five months of each year retrograde. During these times, we will often feel a relief from the planet’s intensity. We can work with the lessons of direct-flowing Pluto and incorporate them into our lives. They’ll probably feel a bit like “Extreme Makeover: Self Edition”, but when we emerge for the big reveal, strong and rejuvenated, we’ll thank the god of the underworld for making us so damn irresistible and magnetic.

What does it mean to have Pluto in your birth chart?

Passion! Intrigue! Seductive allure! Call it a dwarf planet if you must, but astrologically, icy Pluto packs a hella strong punch. Pluto reveals where you will be charming, magnetic and (glug) manipulative in order to get your way. Pluto is cosmic kryptonite. Despite the shimmering allure of its power, it can make you go unconscious and lose your strength. 

The zodiac sign and house of your natal Pluto point to your most intense AND profound lessons in life. The learning process may involve repeated losses, hard knocks and harsh consequences. Since Pluto governs the hidden realms—including your own “shadow side”—it can be hard to even see the “mistakes” you’re making. 

You may project these qualities onto others, blaming and pointing the finger until you finally surrender to the fact that while you may not have caused the situation, it’s up to you to heal from it. At some point you may have to put more boundaries into this part of your world to keep relationships intact—or to avoid plunging into self-destructive habits or getting caught up in addictions.

How Pluto in your birth chart guides you

But there’s a reason Pluto is the planet of evolution and transformation! Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, you will soar once you finally take this planet’s medicine. Something must “die in order for the new to be reborn—Pluto’s measures can be extreme. Personal work on the Pluto-ruled area of life may never be complete. But even if an easy path presented itself, you probably wouldn’t take it. Hey, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right?

Whatever zodiac sign and house Pluto was orbiting through at your time of birth determines your “natal Pluto” or “Pluto sign.” More specifically, this will guide you in the following ways:

  • Secrets: What you hide, possibly out of shame or distrust
  • The Unconscious (or Shadow): What you can’t see about yourself and may project onto others
  • Transformation: Your approach to extreme change and personal growth
  • Bonding: How you share and connect with others
  • Investments: What you’ll pour your resources into in order to build wealth
  • Confinement: Where do you feel trapped or imprisoned; stuck without hope?
  • Death and loss: What areas of life you may frequently lose things in and how you grieve 
  • Destruction: Where you may be destructive and your own worst enemy
  • Obsession: What you’ll fixate on 
  • Evolution: How you’ll grow and evolve spiritually throughout life’s (toughest) lessons

Pluto’s orbit

Pluto is the furthest planet from the Sun and thus has a huge orbit to make. Pluto takes 284 years to circle el Sol, spending an average of 12-20 years in each one of the zodiac signs. Since Pluto governs death and rebirth, it’s move into a new sign is often accompanied by a devastating or world-changing event that forces humanity to pivot and reinvent an area of life.

When Pluto moved into Capricorn, the sign that rules the economy, in November of 2008, the U.S had a mortgage crisis and financial meltdown that led to the government bailing out major companies and financial institutions. As Pluto evolved through this sign, the sharing and gig economies have opened up new pathways to income while the Blockchain is giving banks a run for their paper money with the emergence of cryptocurrency. 

What’s my Pluto sign? 

Use our cosmic calculator to discover what zodiac sign and house Pluto was in when you were born. To accurately determine the house, you will need to know your birth time. Birth chart

What if the zodiac sign and house are different?

This is common! Read both the sign and house description below. Do these interpretations pull you in two different directions? That’s not unusual. We human beings have range. Astrology is an interpretive dance, a tool which provides a fascinating layer of self-discovery. Do some “astro mixology.” Reflect on how you can work with both energies to enhance your life.

Find your Pluto sign

Calculate Yours!


Pluto astrology facts

Planetary Stats: Pluto

  • Changes Zodiac Signs: Every 12-20 years
  • Zodiac Sign It Rules: Scorpio

What does Pluto govern?

  • Power (and power struggles)
  • Sex
  • Death and the afterlife
  • Transformation, reinvention, regeneration
  • Wealth
  • Unconsciousness

What zodiac sign is ruled by Pluto?

Scorpio


What are the special positions of Pluto?

Retrograde

Pluto turns retrograde for five months of every year, so it’s not unusual to be born with this planet in reverse. You may have to work harder to muscle through its lessons, but once you nail this planet’s energy, your additional effort may actually lead to a rock-solid mastery of working with Pluto in your life. 

Domicile: Scorpio 

The planet’s home base, an easy flow if placed here in the chart 

Detriment: Taurus 

Opposite sign of home base, may need to work harder to integrate the planet’s energy if placed here in the chart 

Exalted: Aries or Pisces

The planet’s most powerful position; indicates ease and added fortune with using the planet’s energy if placed here in the chart 

Fall: Libra or Virgo 

Opposite sign to the exalted position, can indicate struggles with utilizing the planet’s energy if placed here in the chart 

What does Pluto represent in the houses?

The meaning of the placement of Pluto in a birth chart, for each of the 12 houses

Pluto in Aries or the 1st House 

Mysterious and magnetic, Pluto’s position in your 1st house of identity gives you a lot of power to play with. It’s up to you to choose what image you want to project to the world: Will you disappear or captivate the crowds?

When you feel like going undercover, you’re as slick as an international spy, literally “disappearing” into the background while you observe the scene and gather clues. But you’re equally adept at commanding the room, drawing all eyes your way with your potent presence. Intuitively, you know what to hide and what to reveal, leaving people wondering and wanting more.

Read more about Pluto in Aries

Pluto in Taurus or the 2nd House 

Make it rain! With wealth-agent Pluto in this financially savvy position, you’re a money magnet. You intuitively understand how to turn any situation into a profitable opportunity. Since Pluto rules the invisible realm, you may have a knack for making something out of “nothing.” What you create on a shoestring budget or with limited resources is mind-blowing! Gut instincts may lead you to monetizable opportunities long before others have a clue. Acting quickly on your hunches could make you an industry trailblazer and the “first to market.”  

Read more about Pluto in Taurus

Pluto in Gemini or the 3rd House 

Hello, you silver-tongued devil, you. With seductive Pluto in this communicative sign or house, you woo with your words. Few can say no to your killer charms! This Pluto placement makes you a masterful flirt, and you may have a roving eye to match. Settling down can be challenging, since you’re always hunting for the next best thing. Once you decide to commit, however, you can be a loyal friend and mate.

The key is to connect to people and opportunities that bring lots of variety, growth and stimulation. Stagnation is death to you! To sustain a long-term relationship, you may need an outside hobby that involves collecting or “treasure hunting” to keep that curious part of your mind occupied.  

Read more about Pluto in Gemini

Pluto in Cancer or the 4th House 

Privacy, please! With undercover Pluto in this placement, you may prefer to fly under the radar. If you’re not a full-on introvert, you are certainly introspective, requiring periods of alone time to clear your head and engage in deep reflection. Your sense of security can be delicate with Pluto here—and you have heightened emotional sensitivity.

Since this is the planet that rules the unconscious, childhood traumas and wounds could stick in your psyche, creating a false sense of danger in the world. Working with a therapist to “re-parent” yourself can help you to feel safe. Over time, you can distinguish when you’re projecting your own “shadow” emotions onto other people (like anger, sadness, or fear) instead of courageously owning up to what you actually feel.  

Read more about Pluto in Cancer

Pluto in Leo or the 5th House 

When power-player Pluto nestles into regal Leo or the 5th house, you exude eminence. People look to you as a fearless leader, even if you’ve never steered the ship in your life. Your confidence and style make you magnetic. Whether it’s “just optics” or well-honed capabilities, you have a celebrity quality.  When you DO take charge—or wind up in the limelight—watch your ego. Pluto in this royal court can make you thirsty for dominance or a little too controlling for your own good. 

Read more about Pluto in Leo

Pluto in Virgo or the 6th House 

Is perfection possible? You’ll certainly try your hardest to find out! With the obsessive planet in this detail-driven position, nothing escapes your exacting eye. At best, this can make you a true master who will work tirelessly to hone your craft. At worse, you may be perpetually dissatisfied, never feeling like you can do, have or be enough. Unconscious forces are definitely at play, perhaps the result of a critical parent who pushed you to be your “best” or another factor from your childhood that led you to cover up a sense of shame. Your spiritual evolution may involve learning the art of surrender. Sometimes, you simply need to let go and accept that done is better than perfect. 

Read more about Pluto in Virgo

Pluto in Libra or the 7th House 

How deep is your love? Hang on a sec while we go grab our scuba gear. With plumb-the-depths Pluto in this partnership-powered position, it probably ranges somewhere between “wholeheartedly devoted” and “totally obsessed.” Relationships are your raison d’etre. Once you’ve deemed someone worthy of pursuit, you will give them all of your focus! Whether for business, pleasure or a creative collaboration, you thrive as half of a power couple. Even if one of you plays a background role while the other takes center stage, having your “other half” involved gives you an abiding sense of security.  

Read more about Pluto in Libra

Pluto in Scorpio or the 8th House 

Pluto is right at home in its native sign of Scorpio and the underground vault that is the 8th house! You’ve probably been labeled “intense,” “sexy” or “mysterious” more times than you can count…and you can’t deny that the clear-heeled shoe fits. This deep-diving placement makes it hard for you to do anything by half-measure.

Relationships, while all-encompassing, can be feast or famine for you. At times you can barely fend off the crush of wannabe suitors. You have good reason to be proud of your powers of seduction! Then, you may go months with nary an interesting prospect on your radar. These “dry spells” are often the times when you do your most important creative work and spiritual development since the lure of erotic distraction isn’t pulling you outside of yourself.  

Read more about Pluto in Scorpio

Pluto in Sagittarius or the 9th House 

What happens when secretive Pluto takes root in the zodiac sign (or house) known for being an open book? Sometimes it gives you powerful range, at other moments, you’ll feel deeply conflicted. How much to share and how much to hide? That is the question…and you’ll ponder it like Plato and Aristotle, thanks to this philosophical placement. Fate has appointed you one of life’s great seekers.

Paradoxically, the search for higher truths can plunge you deep into the shadows. You traffic in polarities, knowing that there can be no darkness without light, no love without heartbreak, no joy without despair. As such, you have an innate distrust for anything that seems “too easy” or superficial. You’d rather learn things experientially (and the hard way!), traveling the world and exploring a subject from every possible angle.  

Read more about Pluto in Sagittarius

Pluto in Capricorn or the 10th House 

In this achievement-obsessed position, Pluto makes you a natural boss and goal-getter. When you set your eye on a benchmark, you’ll hustle tirelessly to accomplish it, even if that means disappearing from life for a while to burn the midnight oil and get the job done. When you emerge, the results are spellbinding.

People regularly remark at your amazing ability to pull things off. If you are drawn to a traditional industry, you’ll rise to an executive position, climbing the ladder tenaciously until you reach the top. But you’re equally strategic, understanding that “it’s all about who you know.” Charming the power players will quickly earn you an invite into their elite circles—and a shortcut to the C Suite. And there’s no denying that you love being there! 

Read more about Pluto in Capricorn

Pluto in Aquarius or the 11th House 

Private, esoteric Pluto isn’t exactly at ease in this communal, logical placement. But once you learn to balance the disparate energies, you’re a force of nature. Like a sexy spy and a sci-fi creature rolled into one, you can make yourself completely inconspicuous OR stop people dead in their tracks with your unicorn style. Powerfully expressed, this Pluto placement makes you a fearless disruptor and an agent of change! 

Read more about Pluto in Aquarius

Pluto in Pisces or the 12th House 

No crystal ball required! With psychic Pluto in this esoteric position, you’re naturally tuned in to the enigmas of our vast universe. From algorithms to mysticisms, understanding complex codes is one of your gifts. You were born with a high-speed connection to the invisible realm, and this can unfold in fascinating ways. If you’re in tune with Pluto’s psychic powers, you could be a powerful channeler, medium or animal communicator. You may also be drawn to other forms of fantasy generation, working with film, VR and AI, music production, dance and or anything that comes to life through a coding language.

Read more about Pluto in Pisces

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The AstroTwins

Identical twin sisters Ophira and Tali Edut, known as The AstroTwins, are the founders of Astrostyle.com and the authors of multiple bestselling astrology books. Their horoscopes reach millions here and through their resident astrologer column at ELLE Magazine.