The Summer of Our Discontent: Turning Point - Pluto Stationary Direct 9-11

By Shelley Jordan

On the mythically poignant date of September 11, Pluto goes stationary direct at 0° Capricorn. This planetary event could be an important symbolic signpost for the future direction of our nation, which was born during Pluto’s last occupation of Capricorn in the 18th century. For the next 14 years, Pluto will be reminding us of the benefits to be gained from the Capricornian virtues of conservation, self control and maturity. Think about the homilies of the archetypal Capricorn Benjamin Franklin. “A penny saved is a penny earned”. “Kill no more pigeons than you can eat”. Franklin’s practical wisdom emphasized thrift, hard work, and opposition to authoritarianism. Perhaps today his most helpful proverb might be “energy and persistence conquer all things”.

When Pluto goes direct it releases the transformative and cleansing powers that have been accumulating and gathering momentum during its 5 month retrograde. Pluto’s first direction change following its entry into a new sign can be seen as an astrological marker for the upcoming era. In this case, the ethos will be defined by Capricornian issues through 2024. This is occurring at this moment, as Pluto reverses its apparent retrograde motion and begins to slowly plow ahead through serious, sobering Capricorn.

Capricorn represents structure and authority – government, laws, leaders, and the sense of duty and responsibility that comes with maturity. Ruled by Saturn, the planet of achievement and self discipline, Capricorn is also the realm of corporations and business. With a poultice-like action, Pluto brings to the surface anything that festers and poisons the system, be it social or personal. Pluto symbolizes the process of cleansing and purification. This detoxification process often involves an alchemical confrontation with the unconscious Shadow, which then reveals itself and becomes deconstructed, cleansed and integrated into the illuminated whole.

The corporate and governmental implications of Pluto in Capricorn are obvious in the current crisis over health care reform. In the more personal realm, Pluto’s position may resonate with the pressing need to conserve and limit our lifestyle, which tends to be based on consumption and excess. Finding ways of limiting spending, getting by with less and conserving what we have are now issues that are being foisted upon us in true Plutonian fashion. These astrological conditions are ideal for discovering solutions to today’s climate and financial crises, avoidable predicaments that were brought on by unbridled excess. Conservation, limiting portions, expenditures and controlling intemperance will yield positive results. “When the well is dry, they know the worth of water” (Ben Franklin).

Post Script: A recent article in Time Magazine spoke of "The responsibility revolution", an early indicator of the winds of change from Pluto's new direction in Capricorn.
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1921444,00.html?xid=newsletter-daily