Astrologer Patrick Arundell takes us on a detailed exploration of Pluto’s 5-month retrograde journey in Aquarius, beginning May 4th and lasting until October 14th, 2025. Though Pluto will only move just over 2 degrees during this time, the retrograde offers deep internal evolution and a profound energetic review — not just for individuals but collectively.
Pluto in Aquarius: A Brief History
This is Pluto’s third visit to Aquarius in its slow trek through the zodiac:
- First entry: March 2023 (11 weeks)
- Second entry: January 21, 2024 – September 2, 2024
- Third entry: November 19, 2024 – continuing full-time until 2043
Pluto’s permanent move into Pisces will eventually begin in 2044.
What is Pluto Retrograde?
Pluto represents transformation, evolution, and power. In forward motion, its energy externalizes — social reform, collective shifts, and institutional transformation. During retrograde, this energy turns inward. We are asked to review our deepest truths, confront hidden fears, and relinquish what no longer serves our higher path.
The Retrograde Begins: Event Charts
Patrick uses two event charts to illustrate this cycle:
- Solar Chart (0° Aries starting point): Highlights Pluto in the 11th house, aligning positively with Venus and Neptune but squaring Mars — suggesting tension between idealism and assertive action.
- Natal Event Chart (based on GMT): Shows a Libra Ascendant, further reinforcing themes of balance, justice, and relational awareness.
Aries – Pluto Retrograde and the Power of Social Reinvention (May–October 2025)
As Pluto begins its retrograde journey in Aquarius, it activates your 11th house — the sector of long-term goals, friendships, networks, and your sense of purpose beyond material success. This is a time to reflect deeply on what — and who — truly supports your future.
Time to Reassess Your Connections
The 11th house also governs the higher values that shape your role within your community. With Pluto reversing through this area, you’re being asked to evaluate the people and plans you’ve built your future around. Some of your friendships or group affiliations may feel outdated or emotionally draining. This retrograde isn’t about cutting people off dramatically — but it is a chance to take back control of your time and energy.
If certain connections no longer spark joy or inspire you, it may be time to clear out the “old guard” and open yourself up to new, more dynamic relationships. Over the next five months, expect shifts in your social circle. Fresh, exciting people could come into your life — especially those aligned with your evolving vision.
Saturn’s Influence: Emotional Underwork
From now through early August, Saturn’s presence in Pisces continues to stir sensitive and delicate emotional issues, especially from the subconscious or past. This influence can feel heavy, but it serves a deeper purpose: clearing space emotionally for the new social structures you’re being asked to build.
Mark May 25th: Saturn Enters Aries
A major cosmic milestone arrives on May 25th, when Saturn enters Aries. If your Sun, Moon, or Ascendant lies at the very beginning of Aries, you’ll feel this shift most strongly. With Venus and Neptune also active at this point, there’s an emotional and spiritual flavor to this transition. You may feel pulled to redefine your role in your social world — not just who you’re connected to, but why.
Revise the Vision
If your long-term goals are no longer working — or simply feel uninspired — this retrograde invites a major course correction. Use this five-month period to:
- Reassess your social life and community involvement
- Release outdated friendships or alliances
- Attract relationships that resonate with your future self
- Rework goals so they better reflect your evolving identity
Taurus – Pluto Retrograde and the Reinvention of Career Identity (May–October 2025)
As Pluto begins its retrograde phase in Aquarius, it activates your 10th house — the realm of career, public image, authority figures, and long-term ambitions. This cosmic shift invites deep transformation in how you approach your professional life and how the world perceives you.
Time to Rethink Career Structures
The 10th house is your connection to the wider world — how others recognize your achievements. If you’re working in a rigid, corporate environment where your individuality feels suppressed, this retrograde may stir a powerful urge to break free. You could feel called to step into something more autonomous or creatively fulfilling.
Conversely, if you thrive in structured settings and value stability, you might find yourself being drawn deeper into traditional roles, possibly gaining more visibility or responsibility.
Watch for Power Struggles at Work
A potential point of friction during this period involves authority figures — especially bosses or line managers who operate with a “my way or the highway” attitude. If you’re pressured to go above and beyond (unpaid overtime, unrealistic demands, etc.), you may find yourself at a crossroads: should you comply to stay safe or challenge the system to reclaim your power?
This tension could intensify after May 25th, when Saturn enters your 12th house — the hidden realm of inner reflection and emotional processing. This transit urges you to go inward, face your fears, and break unconscious patterns that may be holding back your growth.
Venus, Neptune, and the Work Romance Plot Twist
As the retrograde begins, Venus and Neptune are also moving through your 12th house, highlighting themes of secret feelings, fantasies, and private longings. If there’s someone at work who has quietly captured your heart, this period might intensify your fascination. However, Pluto’s obsessive undertone urges caution — you’ll need to decide whether this dynamic is empowering or potentially destabilizing.
Is It Time for a Professional Reset?
This five-month retrograde could be a turning point if:
- Your career feels stagnant or out of sync with who you’re becoming
- You’re stuck in a job where you’re undervalued or emotionally unfulfilled
- You’re running a business that’s struggling and needs reinvention
Behind the scenes, research, planning, and quiet strategy could give you the leverage you need. Pluto favors transformation through depth and truth — not quick fixes. Take this time to assess what you really want your legacy to be.
Gemini – A Mental and Spiritual Awakening During Pluto Retrograde (May–October 2025)
Pluto’s retrograde through Aquarius activates your 9th house — the zone of higher education, long-distance travel, philosophy, truth-seeking, and belief systems. For Geminis, this five-month journey could spark a profound re-evaluation of what you believe and how you view the world.
Rethinking Beliefs and Expanding Horizons
If you’re born early in the Gemini cycle, this transit may hit especially close to home. You may begin to question long-held ideologies or inherited beliefs, opening the door to fresh, more aligned perspectives. The retrograde isn’t just about release — it’s about deeper understanding, especially as Pluto encourages you to uncover buried truths.
This could lead you to pursue new knowledge — whether through formal education, online courses, personal research, or immersive cultural experiences. For those who missed the chance to embrace higher learning earlier in life, Pluto’s influence may inspire a second academic wind.
Uranus Adds a Lightning Bolt of Discovery
From July 7th, Uranus briefly enters the first degree of Gemini for four months, intensifying the themes of sudden insights, innovation, and freedom. This marks a powerful moment of awakening. You might find yourself:
- Traveling to unexpected places
- Meeting people with wildly different worldviews
- Having spontaneous conversations that revolutionize your thinking
Expect the unexpected — and be ready to evolve quickly.
Facing Hidden Truths
Both Aquarius and the 9th house are associated with truth and integrity. During this retrograde, you might unearth uncomfortable revelations about:
- Legal or contractual entanglements that no longer serve you
- Toxic connections disguised as helpful alliances
- Long-held attitudes that now feel limiting
Pluto doesn’t destroy for the sake of chaos — it digs up what’s hidden so you can rebuild on more authentic ground.
A Global Perspective Shift
Your views on international affairs, global systems, or spirituality could also shift dramatically during this time. Pluto’s subtle but unrelenting pressure invites you to shed outdated mental frameworks and embrace a bigger, bolder worldview.
This is not just about gathering knowledge — it’s about becoming wiser. Pluto wants evolution, and for you, that comes through the expansion of the mind.
Cancer – Pluto Retrograde in the 8th House (May–October 2025)
For Cancer, Pluto’s retrograde journey through your 8th house brings an intense focus on the areas of deepest investment—whether financial, emotional, intimate, or even spiritual. This house governs transformation, hidden resources, shared finances, and the processes of emotional evolution that often happen out of public view.
However, Pluto in Aquarius, a more visible and socially oriented sign, brings some of that hidden energy to light. If you’ve been involved in financial arrangements, investments, or shared resources that have any underlying weaknesses, this period may expose those vulnerabilities. Similarly, if there’s a source of income or financial scheme that isn’t entirely above board, this retrograde could nudge you toward rethinking your approach.
But it’s not just about money. The 8th house also represents powerful emotional and psychological transitions. This retrograde can mark a turning point—an opportunity to shed outdated behaviors, emotional patterns, or relationship dynamics and step into a new phase of being. It may not be immediate, as Pluto won’t fully move into your 9th house until 2044, but the groundwork for that broader evolution begins now.
For Cancers already inclined toward personal development, this five-month period could be profoundly enriching. You may find yourself diving into deeper emotional or spiritual work, healing past wounds, or redefining your boundaries. If you’re less familiar with this kind of inner exploration, Pluto may bring situations that push you in that direction—sometimes uncomfortably but ultimately for your growth.
Lastly, if you’re in a relationship where the connection feels off or out of alignment with your true self, Pluto’s probing nature may reveal hidden truths. This isn’t necessarily about endings—it could be a call to evolve the way you relate or invest emotionally.
Leo – Pluto Retrograde in the 7th House (May–October 2025)
For Leo, Pluto’s retrograde in your 7th house casts a spotlight on your relationships—but this isn’t just about romance or marriage. The 7th house also governs partnerships of all kinds, including business alliances, close friendships, and even opponents. Traditionally, it’s also the domain of “open enemies,” meaning those who may openly oppose your goals or challenge your authority.
This retrograde could bring a powerful shift in relationship dynamics. Someone may emerge over the next five months who directly opposes what you want or believe in. This tension could peak around July 25th, when the Sun in Leo forms an exact opposition to Pluto, potentially triggering a confrontation or moment of reckoning.
Adding to this intensity, Mars is in your sign as the retrograde begins, boosting your confidence and assertiveness. Since April 18th, Mars has emboldened your actions, encouraging you to charge forward. However, that momentum might now meet resistance, especially from someone who doesn’t share your vision or values.
This transit is not just about conflicts; it’s also a chance to reexamine the power dynamics in your close ties. Whether it’s a romantic partner, a close friend, or a family member, Pluto can expose imbalances and unspoken issues. Are you taking too much control—or not enough? Are boundaries being respected?
As a fixed sign, Leo often prefers stability and predictability. But Pluto’s influence here demands evolution. If you’re clinging to old relational patterns or staying in connections out of loyalty rather than mutual growth, this retrograde may show you where those habits no longer serve you.
Ultimately, if you’re willing to be introspective and adapt, this can be a transformative time in how you relate to others. By reassessing your emotional boundaries and responses, you’re laying the groundwork for healthier, more empowered relationships going forward.
Virgo – Pluto Retrograde in the 6th House (May–October 2025)
For Virgo, Pluto’s retrograde journey through your 6th house is especially compelling—and potentially life-changing. This house governs daily routines, work habits, health, service, and discipline—areas where Virgo naturally excels. With Pluto now reviewing this part of your life, the universe is asking: are you thriving in your systems, or are you trapped by them?
Virgos are known for their precision, organization, and conscientiousness. You take pride in structure and attention to detail, and your desire to be of service to others is genuine. But Pluto’s influence here digs deeper. Over the next five months, especially leading up to July 25th, when the Sun in Leo opposes Pluto, you might come face to face with routines or work patterns that no longer serve your soul.
Perhaps you’ve been sticking to a job or lifestyle that feels safe but stale—something that provides order but stifles passion. Pluto retrograde wants you to ask yourself whether your daily rituals are still aligned with your growth and purpose, or whether they’re just comforting habits masking stagnation.
Mars, currently transiting your 12th house, adds another layer of complexity. This can stir up subconscious frustrations or hidden motivations. If you’ve been suppressing dissatisfaction, especially related to work, health, or your sense of usefulness, this transit can bring those feelings to the surface. It may even affect your emotional or physical well-being if ignored.
The 6th house is also about virtue and self-improvement, and Pluto retrograde challenges you to redefine what that means. Being virtuous doesn’t mean being stuck. If your definition of “doing the right thing” is keeping you in a job or routine that crushes your joy, it may be time to release the familiar and move toward something more fulfilling—even if that means taking a risk.
Ultimately, this transit invites a profound transformation in how you structure your life. Embrace change, even if it’s uncomfortable. This is your opportunity to rebuild your daily world around passion, purpose, and personal truth—not just duty.
Libra – Pluto Retrograde in the 5th House (May–October 2025)
Libra, this Pluto retrograde could mark the beginning of a powerful emotional and creative revival for you. With Pluto moving backwards through your 5th house—the realm of romance, creativity, self-expression, and joy—you’re being invited to dig deep into what truly brings you pleasure, confidence, and fulfillment.
The retrograde begins with a stunning alignment: your ruling planet Venus is conjunct Neptune, offering a dreamy and imaginative influence. Though Venus is technically in detriment while in Aries, it’s positioned in your 7th house of relationships, suggesting that your charm, social skills, and magnetism are heightened—and may be key in opening new doors.
Pluto retrograde in the 5th house is asking:
- Are you honoring your creative voice?
- Have you allowed play, passion, or love to take a backseat?
- Are you afraid to risk vulnerability in favor of control?
This is a time to reclaim the inner artist or romantic you may have suppressed. You could find yourself revisiting an old artistic passion, reassessing a romantic connection, or exploring new ways to express joy and spontaneity.
Further supporting your evolution is Uranus shifting into your 9th house during the summer months, which encourages adventure, learning, and new philosophies. It’s a push to shake up stale perspectives and embrace bold new experiences.
There is a caution, however. Saturn enters your 6th house on May 25, and if you’re a Libra born in the very early degrees of the sign, it may challenge you to bring discipline to your commitments, particularly in close partnerships. Still, this can be constructive—especially if you’re ready to invest seriously in a relationship, creative project, or collaborative pursuit.
If you’ve been weighed down in recent years—perhaps due to Pluto’s long journey through your 4th house (which may have dismantled emotional security), or Saturn’s presence in your 6th (impacting your physical vitality and daily routines)—this retrograde is a cosmic permission slip to rediscover joy.
Don’t hesitate to have fun, meet new people, or take a few creative risks. Whether it’s romantic, artistic, or simply about enjoying life again, this five-month period offers the chance to rebuild your confidence from the inside out.
Scorpio – Pluto Retrograde in the 4th and 10th Houses (May–October 2025)
Scorpio, Pluto—your modern ruler—enters its annual five-month retrograde this May, and it’s making waves by opposing Mars, your traditional ruler. These two planets have been in a tense back-and-forth for a while now, and you may have felt caught between the desire to evolve (Pluto) and the urge to assert control (Mars).
This time, the retrograde hits especially close to home—literally and figuratively. Pluto’s focus is in your 4th house of home, family, and emotional foundations, while Mars is stirring things up in your 10th house of career, ambition, and public life. This cosmic push-pull could bring hidden fears and emotional vulnerabilities to the surface, especially those that are holding you back from professional progress.
You may find yourself questioning whether your current home situation—or the emotional baggage you carry from it—is supporting or stifling your ambitions. This is a powerful moment to look inward and ask: What’s really stopping me from moving forward? Is it fear of change, resistance to vulnerability, or unresolved tension at home?
Pluto’s energy is transformative. Think of it like a symbolic demolition and renovation. This retrograde is an ideal time to rebuild something in your life—particularly in your living space or your emotional world. If your home needs a physical refresh, this could be a great time for a renovation. But make sure your motives are clear. Mars’ influence can complicate things with pride or defensiveness, making it hard to admit when something needs to change.
This retrograde is not just about redoing your kitchen or changing careers. It’s about allowing the softer, more sensitive side of yourself to guide you—something that may feel foreign or even uncomfortable for you. But resisting that vulnerability could keep you stuck in old patterns.
In short, Pluto retrograde invites you to rebuild from the inside out. Let go of control where needed, face what’s been buried, and trust that embracing emotional truth—no matter how uncomfortable—can unlock the power and potential you’ve been holding back.
Sagittarius – Pluto Retrograde in the 3rd House (May–October 2025)
Sagittarius, your words carry weight—and during Pluto’s retrograde through your 3rd house, you’re being called to reflect on how you use them. The 3rd house rules communication, thought patterns, siblings, neighbors, daily interactions, and even how you move through your immediate environment. With Pluto retracing its steps here, these areas are ripe for transformation.
Over the past couple of years, Saturn’s influence may have dimmed your usual fire, asking you to become more serious or disciplined—sometimes at the cost of spontaneity. But as this retrograde begins, there’s a promising silver lining: Venus and Neptune are forming a supportive angle to Pluto. This brings emotional depth, creativity, and spiritual insight into the mix, offering hope and healing if you’re willing to do the inner work.
Still, you’ll need to be cautious. Mars is in opposition to Pluto, which could tempt you into heated debates or ideological clashes. Pluto in the 3rd house can make you intensely focused—or even obsessive—about your beliefs or ideas. This energy can be powerful, but if directed outward, it could lead to conflict rather than growth.
Instead, turn that intensity inward. Use this period to examine your thinking habits. Are your beliefs helping you grow, or are they keeping you stuck in rigid patterns? Are you truly listening and learning, or just trying to be right?
This is a chance to make your inner world more agile and responsive. Embrace flexibility in how you learn, how you communicate, and how you process information. Whether through journaling, mindful dialogue, or even new forms of education, let your natural Sagittarian thirst for knowledge lead you toward deeper self-awareness.
Ultimately, Pluto retrograde in your 3rd house asks you to shift from external preaching to internal refinement. Transform the way you think and speak—not to convince others, but to empower yourself.
Capricorn – Pluto Retrograde in the 2nd House (May–October 2025)
Capricorn, Pluto’s retrograde through your 2nd house puts the spotlight on your values—material and otherwise. This house governs money, possessions, self-worth, and how you use your resources. Over the next five months, Pluto invites you to take a hard look at what you truly value—and more importantly, why.
Is your sense of security tied up in money, specific habits, or creature comforts like food or shopping? Are these things helping you feel grounded, or are they distractions from deeper emotional needs? Pluto doesn’t judge, but it does dig deep. This retrograde could challenge your current attachments, particularly if they’re no longer aligned with your long-term growth.
Interestingly, some of this transformation may be connected to your living situation. Around May 25th, Saturn—your ruling planet—moves into Aries and forms a supportive angle to Pluto. This suggests that changes you make at home, whether practical (repairs, renovations) or emotional (creating a more supportive environment), can have a direct impact on your financial life or sense of stability.
Venus also plays a helpful role at the start of this retrograde, linking harmoniously with Pluto. This could point to positive developments in family finances, shared values with loved ones, or an opportunity to redecorate or beautify your home in ways that reflect your true tastes—not just what’s practical.
However, don’t be surprised if this period also brings revelations about where your values clash with those around you. Pluto asks tough questions: Are you holding onto things or beliefs out of habit, fear, or pride? Are you valuing the right things for the right reasons?
You don’t have to have all the answers immediately, but this is your chance to reassess. Let go of what no longer serves you and redefine what security and self-worth really mean. When you do, you’ll emerge from this retrograde with a clearer sense of what matters most—and how to build your life around it.
Aquarius – Pluto Retrograde in the 3rd House (May–October 2025)
Aquarius, Pluto is now retrograding through your 3rd house—the realm of communication, community ties, siblings, learning, and how you express yourself. For those of you born early in the sign (especially within the first degree), this transit is deeply personal. Pluto sitting so close to your Sun marks a period of profound self-transformation—one that demands authenticity, resilience, and a willingness to evolve.
If you’ve felt a shift in how you connect to your local environment, speak your truth, or even relate to siblings or neighbors, you’re not imagining things. Pluto has likely stirred up power dynamics in these areas. Maybe you’ve faced resistance when asserting your voice, or perhaps others have tried to dominate conversations or downplay your perspective. Either way, this retrograde invites you to reclaim your narrative without forcing it.
Pluto in the 3rd house also influences mental patterns and information flow. You may find yourself compelled to express ideas more intensely—or be drawn into conflicts when others misinterpret your intentions. Rather than getting pulled into power struggles, this retrograde asks you to turn inward: How can your communication evolve to better reflect who you are becoming?
The good news? This is shaping up to be one of the most supportive Pluto retrogrades in recent memory. Venus and Neptune lend creativity and compassion, while Saturn (your traditional ruler) and Uranus (your modern ruler) form harmonious alignments with Pluto throughout the season. These planetary alliances provide both grounding and innovation—ideal for redefining how you engage with the world around you.
On a practical level, you may feel the urge to revamp your workspace, relaunch a personal project, or rebuild something foundational (like a website, for example). But on a deeper level, it’s your voice, mindset, and presence in the world that are being reshaped.
Ultimately, this retrograde is about shedding communication habits or relationships that no longer support your growth. If something or someone is silencing your identity or trying to box you in, it’s time to push back—strategically, not explosively. Let Pluto help you build a more empowered way of thinking and speaking—one that aligns with your future, not your past.
Pisces – Pluto Retrograde in the 12th House (May–October 2025)
Pisces, Pluto’s retrograde in your 12th house is one of the most intense and inwardly focused transits of all. This house governs the subconscious, hidden fears, unresolved trauma, secrets, spirituality, and the parts of ourselves we often keep tucked away. Over the next five months, Pluto will ask you to look deeply at what lies beneath the surface—and it may not always be easy.
With Saturn nearing the end of its current journey through your sign (briefly stepping into Aries from May 25th until returning on September 1st), you’re in a powerful transition phase. Saturn has already been asking you to take responsibility for yourself, and now Pluto adds another layer—inviting you to confront what you’ve been avoiding.
This retrograde could bring up unresolved emotional patterns, anxieties, or buried memories. You might recall times when others held power over you or asked you to stay quiet to protect their freedom. If past emotional wounds or lingering guilt resurface, know that this is part of a necessary healing process—not a punishment, but a purge.
It’s also a time to examine your coping mechanisms. Are there forms of escapism that help you numb emotional discomfort? Whether it’s something seemingly healthy, like an extreme fitness regimen, or more subtle habits like obsessively sticking to routines or avoiding indulgence—Pluto asks: Are you in control, or is the behavior controlling you?
There’s no shame in seeking a little escape—everyone needs moments of relief. But if these patterns are locking you into fear or self-denial, they could be holding you back from opportunities for growth. Pluto wants to free you, not trap you—but only if you’re willing to face what’s hidden.
This is a powerful window for deep psychological work. Whether through therapy, life coaching, dream analysis, or spiritual exploration, the next five months could help you uncover and release old baggage that’s limiting your potential. Don’t underestimate how transformative this process can be.
Ultimately, this retrograde offers a rare and precious chance to dissolve invisible chains. Let it guide you inward—not to dwell in darkness, but to bring light to the hidden corners of your soul. The more honest you are with yourself now, the more empowered and unburdened you’ll feel when Pluto finally moves forward.