Pluto
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Astronomy
Pluto is the most distant planet from the Sun in our solar system. It was discovered by Clyde William Tonbaugh on the 18th February at the Flagstaff observatory in Arizona. Percival Lowell had predicted the existence of a further planet beyond Neptune after extensive research several years earlier. Astronomers made the discovery public several weeks later on the 13th March. Pluto is fairly small with an equatorial diameter of 2320 km and its average distance from the Sun in 5960 million km. Pluto has an eccentric orbit of 248 years which is also highly inclined relative to the ecliptic - and therefore to the orbits of the other planets. Pluto's eccentric orbit sometimes takes it inside the orbit of Neptune. Its average [[diurnal movement]] is 14 seconds of arc, with a maximum of 2.3 minutes of arc.
Mythology
Hades (Latin Pluto) was the ruler of the underworld, the kingdom of the dead. After he and his brothers had overthrown their father Cronos (Saturn) they divided the universe among themselves. Zeus (Jupiter) became ruler of the heavens and Poseidon (Neptune) ruler of the seas. Hades' kingdom was especially feared. The Greeks believed that people lived on as shadows of their former existence and that they continued to unconsciously carry out tasks that they had previously done on Earth. Hermes accompanied the dead across the river Styx which marked the edge of the conscious world. The other side was guarded by Cerberus, the hound of hell which prevented anyone who had entered the underworld from leaving it. Apart from Mercury, only a select few were ever allowed to leave the underworld after descending into it, including Heracles, Odysseus and Psyche - the world of Hades was a kingdom of no return.
Because the figure of Pluto was more feared than revered, he is a relatively rare figure in the myths of ancient Greece. The most well-known of these concerns his wife Persephone, daughter of Demeter, the goddess of fertility. Hades had made a secret pact with Zeus that Persephone should be his wife. She was to pick a narcissus, the plant dedicated to Hades. Although her mother had strenuously warned her from doing so, Zeus seduced her to an especially beautiful field of narcissi. Almost in the same moment that she had picked one, the earth opened up and she was taken by Hades. When her mother learned of this she was so struck by grief that she caused all plants on Earth to wither. Zeus, fearing that there would soon be no more humans left to bring him sacrifices, pleaded with his brother to return Persephone. Before Hades released her he gave her a pomegranate, the symbol for marriage. Persephone took a bite from the apple and was forever betrothed to Hades. In the end, she spent two thirds of the year on Earth and one third with her husband in the underworld; this symbolises the idea that wholeness is a marriage of both the conscious and the unconscious.
Pluto's terrifying reputation was later somewhat softened by his association with Pluton, the god of hidden riches.
Physical body
Pluto is associated with the sexual organs because they enable humans to experience the so-called "little death" - a French term which refers to the sexual orgasm. Other body parts associated with Pluto are the large intestines and the rectum where waste left over from digested food is further broken down and excreted.
Interpretation
Pluto, Uranus and Neptune are the so-called [[spiritual planets]] which point to a realm beyond the limits of the material world symbolised by Saturn. Pluto in particular touches on a realm of being that most people find deeply disturbing. The time of its discovery (1930) was also a time marked by the rise of National Socialism and the discovery of nuclear fission (1938). For this reason, Pluto is also associated with mass movements and processes of transformation that lead to deep changes on a collective level.
But only being aware of Pluto's threatening side would be doing the planet an injustice, because it stands not only for crises but for the process of long suppressed or forbidden things coming to light which is a prerequisite for healing and becoming whole. Pluto is the symbol for transformation in the sense of a far reaching metamorphosis which can release powerful and archaic energies in a way most people would never have thought possible. Whether these energies are used to serve society or to further self-interests is another question.
Pluto themes are power and powerlessness, dependence that can lead to emotional entanglement, sexuality and all kinds of taboo subjects. In the best sense Pluto stands for total devotion to the present and therefore highest intensity, for getting to the core of the matter and enormous powers of healing. Pluto also points to collective necessities to which individuals must yield.
Its long orbital period means that Pluto is in the same sign of the zodiac for a whole generation (due to its highly elliptical orbit this can vary from 12 to 32 years). For this reason, Pluto's house position is more important than its position by sign in an individual's horoscope. The house position indicates the area of life in which an individual will undergo deep transformational processes, but also where they have access to great inner riches. It also shows where they will be confronted with the themes of power and dependency.
When Pluto is in aspect with another planet or axis it intensifies and deepens the horoscope factor involved, involving it in processes of death and rebirth which can lead to total transformation.
When Pluto transits another planet or axis it totally transforms the themes associated with the transited horoscope factor. This process is often very painful because it requires relinquishing something which has outlived its usefulness and becomes obsolete. In the end, this can be a healing process that leads to a greater degree of wholeness.
Pluto is the ruler of Scorpio and in detriment in Taurus. It is exalted in Leo and in fall in Aquarius.
