Pluto

Pluto was found in 1930 and counted as the ninth planet until 2006, when the International Astronomical Union reclassified it as a dwarf planet. Astrology still uses it, and names it for the Roman god of the underworld.

What it stands for

• power
• transformation
• depth
• control

In the birth chart

In the birth chart Pluto shows where a person meets power, control and deep change. Because its orbit is so slow and uneven it spends between about 12 and 30 years in a sign, so like Uranus and Neptune it describes a generation more than an individual.

The name and the myth

Pluto, the Roman Dis, ruled the underworld; the Greek counterpart is Hades. The associations with the hidden, with death and with rebirth come from him.

How astrology reads it

Astrology gave Pluto rulership of Scorpio and links it with power, intensity, obsession and transformation. Traditional descriptions of a strong Pluto mention leadership, persuasiveness and perfectionism, and the shadow side of temper, control and an intimidating manner.

Signs: Scorpio.

In tarot

In the Golden Dawn scheme, Pluto goes with Judgement.

Planets other than the Sun and Moon seem to move backwards at times. How retrograde planets are read.

Tarot, astrology and numerology are traditions of symbolism. This page says what the tradition associates with its subject. It does not predict anything and it is not advice.