What does the term ‘Age of Aquarius’ mean?
The term ‘Age of Aquarius’ signifies the period when Pluto is transiting through the zodiac sign of Aquarius. Due to Pluto’s considerable distance from the Sun, it takes around 248 years for it to complete a full orbit around the Sun, spending about 15-20 years in each zodiac sign. We can say that during these periods a whole generation of people can grow up. Pluto’s journey into new signs is known to bring change on a social and personal level as well. Pluto has been in Capricorn since 2008, and after 15 years it is moving into Aquarius on March 23, 2023, and it will stay here for around 20 years.
The astrological significance of Pluto
Pluto is a powerful and transformative energy in astrology that can represent both the dark and light aspects of the human experience. It challenges us to confront our deepest fears and desires, and to embrace change and growth as essential parts of life. Some of its themes include:
The cycles of death and rebirth. This can be interpreted both literally and metaphorically. It represents the cycle of endings and beginnings, destruction and creation.
The power of transformation. Pluto’s energy is about profound change and transformation, often involving the breaking down of old structures and the emergence of new ones.
Power and control issues. Pluto is also associated with power, control, and intensity. It represents our ability to assert ourselves, as well as the ways in which we may seek to control or manipulate others, but it can also mean how we step into our power. We can observe this on a social level as well, in our politics, economy, and social issues.
Obsession and compulsion. Pluto’s energy can sometimes manifest as intense and obsessive feelings or behaviors. It can represent our deepest desires and fears, as well as our shadow side.
And last but not least: regeneration. While Pluto can be associated with destruction, it is also linked to regeneration and renewal, like a Phoenix rising from its ashes. It represents the potential for growth and transformation that can emerge from difficult experiences.
The astrological significance of Aquarius
Aquarius is characterized by its air element and fixed modality, with Saturn and Uranus serving as its ruling planets. Its strong association with innovation and intellect makes it a highly cerebral sign, constantly seeking freedom on multiple levels – intellectually, artistically, and socially. Aquarius possesses the superpower of identifying entrenched patterns, dismantling them, and replacing them with new ones through foresight and innovation.
Pluto in Aquarius = the Age of Aquarius
Pluto’s last transit through Aquarius occurred from 1778 to 1798. During this time, the world witnessed significant historical events, including the signing of the Declaration of Independence of the United States, the French Revolution, and the emergence of notable geniuses such as Mozart and the Mongolfier brothers, who are credited with their early attempts at flight.
So what themes might we see arise this time around?
Power and corruption
A key theme associated with Pluto is power and corruption on a social level. This has been solidified over the last 15 years under the influence of Capricorn’s energy, particularly in the realms of politics, laws, and the economy. Pluto’s transit through Aquarius is expected to bring these issues to the surface and make it evident to the public how these powers and leaders have been exploiting them. As a result, there could be a gradual decentralization of power, with the potential for redistribution in a different way. Unfortunately, it is possible that achieving this shift may require uprisings and even war.
Social and human rights
Aquarius’ energy is expected to evoke a yearning for collective unity and independence in people, bringing to light the significance of human rights and the need for liberation from power restraints and control over the next two decades.
Technological development and its social effects
Among the Aquarian themes, technology and the internet are significant, and Pluto is expected to bring transformative energies to these areas as well. Artificial Intelligence is likely to make significant progress, integrating into our daily lives, while bringing both benefits and challenges. The reorganization of social media platforms might happen as well. This will be caused by a shift in our values, prioritizing authenticity and honesty over superficial celebrity and influencer culture. In social and economic realms, digitalization and technology will continue to evolve and expand, leading to developments such as technocracy, digital IDs, digital currencies, and digital finances.
And finally… personal transformation
Pluto’s transit into Aquarius will also affect us on a personal level, as the transformative power of Pluto in our natal chart will move into a new house, in other words, a new area of life. Pluto works with extreme energies, so we will experience powerful changes in these areas of life over time.
However, right now we are only getting a taste of what is coming, since Pluto will go into its retrograde movement and steps back into Capricorn on June 11th and it will stay there for the remainder of 2023. So the period between March 23rd and June 11th gives a taste of what is coming in the next 20 years.
So here’s what the influence of the ‘Age of Aquarius’ means for you on a personal level, based on your Rising Sign.
Aries rising:
In these 3 months, you will have a transformative experience in your social circle. The questions you may be asking yourself are: Where and who do I really belong to? Does this group of friends really serve me? Am I actually serving anyone with my presence here? There might be a reorganization of people around you. It becomes much more important to you to surround yourself with authentic and healthy relationships.
Taurus rising:
In these 3 months, you will have a transformative experience in your career. You might feel increasingly uncomfortable in your current position, where you have been compromising and conforming. You feel like that doesn’t do it for you anymore. It’s time to step into your authentic path when it comes to your career. You need to listen to your calling and be authentic to who you really are.
Gemini rising:
In these 3 months, you will have a transformation in your perspective of how you see the world and life itself. You will come across opportunities to experience and learn through other people, education, or traveling. You will need this transformation of perspective going forward because this will change your attitude and how you do things. Be open to new things, listen to what others have to tell you, and be willing to get your mind changed.
Cancer rising:
In these 3 months, you will have a deep inner transformation. You will feel it’s time to deal with what has been holding you back on an emotional and psychological level. You might have to reflect on your closest, most intimate relationships. What are they teaching you about yourself? Are they supporting you or holding you back? Themes of intimacy, inheritance, taxes, and debt may come up for you to deal with.
Leo rising:
In these 3 months, you will have a transformative experience in your closest relationship and partnership. Through these relationships, you will realize something profound about yourself. Something, maybe a shadow side of yourself that you will have to work on healing and integrating in order to be able to have authentic and healthy attachments to others. There’s potential for major changes or endings in significant relationships, which can be challenging but ultimately transformative.
Virgo rising:
In these 3 months, you will have a gradual transformation in the areas of health, routine, and work environment. It’s possible that these areas of your life have been a bit all over the place and confusing so far. You might feel the need to confront and transform patterns of workaholism, perfectionism, or self-criticism that may be holding you back from true fulfillment. There might be an extra need for self-care practices and discipline when it comes to taking care of your health.
Libra rising:
In these 3 months, you will experience transformations in the area of creativity, self-expression, romance, and children. You might find new ways to seek creative expression, like changes in artistic interest and direction or a deepening of your creative process. You might also feel the need to confront and transform patterns of self-doubt that may be holding you back from your true self-expression. You can also find a change of interest in your pleasure, play, and leisure activities. There can be transformative experiences related to your child/children, if you have any.
Scorpio rising:
In these 3 months, you will experience transformation in your home environment and your attachments to your family and roots. You might be self-reflective about what happened in the past and what’s worth taking with you into your future. It might be a time to realize that maybe your strong emotional attachments to your family are holding you back instead of serving your evolution.
Sagittarius rising:
In these 3 months, you will experience transformations in the area of communication, learning, and concrete thinking. There might be new ideas that pique your interest and you might want to learn more about them. You might find that your thinking process intensifies and you can be prone to over-thinking and anxiety. It might be important to learn about how to manage this. Your relationship with social media and verbal self-expression might go through a transformation as well.
Capricorn rising:
In these 3 months, you will experience transformations in the area of material resources, values, and self-worth. There can be changes in your material resources, meaning you might receive or lose money or might need to find a new, more authentic way for yourself to earn your money. It’s possible that you have to work on realizing your self-worth to finally create the financial stability you desire.
Aquarius rising:
In these 3 months, you will experience transformations in the area of self-identity, self-expression, and personal power. You might feel the need to embark on the journey of self-discovery and get to know yourself and your psyche at a deeper level. You might have been challenged with insecurities and self-doubt, and Pluto here invites you to finally find self-empowerment.
Pisces rising:
In these 3 months, you might experience an inner transformation or spiritual growth. This transit can be a time of deep introspection and self-discovery, as hidden patterns and subconscious beliefs are brought to the surface. This can also bring about a sense of isolation or feeling cut off from others. This may be a necessary step in the process of spiritual growth and self-discovery, as you learn to rely on your own inner resources rather than seeking validation from others.
So, there you have it. I hope you resonated with what you read in your horoscope and remember that this is a long and gradual process and it won’t overwhelm you all of a sudden. These transformations will take place in the span of around 20 years, so you will have the time and resources to process the changes you experience.
