The United States Pluto Return

On February 22, 2022, Pluto, the planet of death, transformation and power will return to the exact point it was when the Declaration of Independence was signed back in 1776. This is what is meant by a “return”, which will be exact on this date.

You may of heard of a Saturn return that happens to individuals, every 28 years or so, but none of us live long enough to see a Pluto return in our lifetime, as Pluto takes 248 years to return to the point of our birth. Nations and empires however can last long enough to see this. So what does this mean for the United States? 

It’s important to note that while the exact return is on Feb.22, 2022, the transits of slower moving planets, like Pluto, tend to last over a longer term. So there may not be any dramatic events on this day itself.. Although I would take note of events taking place in the US on or around this date as they could signify trends of long term importance. 

The exact degree of the Pluto return is 27 Capricorn, and with an orb of 3 degrees on either side, the return can be seen to be in effect from 2020 - 2024. This year with the exact return, will probably be the most dramatic and important. Below are some possible themes. 

1. Political Power Struggles 

Pluto is about power and how we wield it, for good or ill. When Rome experienced it’s first Pluto return in 216-223 CE it saw military coups, short lived reigns of emperors, and political instability. The unpopular Severus dynasty was rife with scandals and corruption. They were so unpopular it led to a couple of the emperors assassinations by the military. The second Pluto return of the Roman Empire 461 - 468 signalled the end of an era as threats from outside its borders and a weakening from within led to its downfall. While we may not see this level of violence, the widespread polarization of American politics and mistrust on either side is a continuing theme for the US. The struggle for power on either side can lead to disruptions and imbalance and even separation.. 

2. Religious violence

One way power is exerted is through subconscious beliefs like religious ones. Pluto represents the subconscious and as we know religious beliefs can exert a powerful force on people. One country we can look to for clues with this, is England. The British empire’s second Pluto return 1555 - 1562 saw the rise of Queen Mary (also known a Bloody Mary), who persecuted Protestants leading to the execution of many, thus her fearsome nick name. After her death Queen Elizabeth l rose to power and went after Catholic loyalists like the famous Mary Queen of Scotts. One only has to observe the culture clash between the evangelical minority in the US and the majority secular population, to see this theme repeat itself. 

3. Environmental Issues

Pluto is the god of death, and at the writing of this blog,  the US is approaching one million deaths from Covid. During the first Pluto return for the British empire 1313 - 1315  the was the Great Famine which lead to increased deaths, illness and social upheaval. While Covid is an obvious parallel, the climate crises with the increase of extreme storms, fires and floods echoes this theme of natural disasters causing death and disaster.

4. Technological Breakthrough 

It’s not all doom and gloom. Pluto ends things, but he sweeps out the old to make way for the new. After the second Pluto return for England, a golden era in exploration, art and economics occurred. The Elizabethan era is considered at time when the Britain flourished. The third Pluto return of 1801-1810 saw the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution and the solidification of the United Kingdom. While Pluto returns can be a time of uncertainty, they can also lead to a renaissance. 

5. Social Justice

Pluto is a god of the darkness, the hidden and the marginalized. As such he can stand for those who have been pushed aside and denied access to power. During the Pluto return of 1801 - 1810 of England, the slave trade was abolished, leading to changes in other countries, including the United States, and a growing social awareness through the western world in the 19th century. These struggles are echoed today in the Black Lives Matter movement and other marginalized groups demanding Justice long overdue. 

In short, a Pluto return can sound scary, but it is part of the life cycle of empires. It is how we handle power and what we decide to do with it collectively that is ultimately up to us. Do we use it to squash others, to polarize and to divide? Or do we use this as an opportunity to address the injustices, and make a new start that is better for everyone.