Power Struggles & Intense Self-Growth
Here’s what to do and not do when you have a Pluto Semisquare Sun transit. Below that are some interesting things about this transit.
Avoid During This Transit
- Don’t try to control everything or everyone around you. This transit can make power struggles more intense, so let go of the urge to dominate.
- Try not to ignore your feelings. Stuffing down your emotions now can make things boil over later on.
- Avoid making big, life-changing decisions out of stubbornness or anger. You might feel pressured, but it’s better to wait until you can think clearly.
- Don’t get into unnecessary conflicts or arguments, especially with authority figures or people in charge. Picking battles right now can backfire.
- Steer clear of manipulative people, and don’t use manipulation yourself. Honesty is key, even if it feels hard.
- Don’t hold onto old grudges. This is a time when resentment can get stronger, so try to let go of past hurts.
- If you feel obsessed with something or someone, don’t let it take over your life. Watch out for extreme or compulsive behaviors.
- Try not to resist all change. Some things need to shift, even if it feels scary. Go with the flow as much as you can.
- Avoid burning bridges, both at work and in personal relationships. It’s easy to act rashly now, but regrets might follow later.
- Don’t neglect self-care. This transit can be intense, so make sure you’re taking care of your mental and physical health.
Do During This Transit
- Take a closer look at your old habits and patterns- this is a good time to figure out which ones you want to let go of.
- Set strong boundaries with people who push your buttons or try to control you.
- Reflect on your personal power- think about what makes you feel strong and where you give your power away.
- Try journal writing or meditation to dig into your feelings, especially if you’re noticing some inner tension or frustration.
- Start small projects that help you step out of your comfort zone (don’t push for big changes, but challenge yourself a little).
- If you feel intense emotions rising up, let yourself feel them but try not to act out impulsively. Give yourself space.
- Do some deep cleaning or decluttering in your space- getting rid of things can help you feel lighter.
- Work on forgiveness, for yourself or others. Old grudges might come up, so it’s a good time to clear the air, even if it’s just inside your own mind.
- Focus on self-care routines and stress relief, since this transit can make you feel a bit on edge.
- You’re going through a growth period- even if things feel tough or frustrating, you’re learning a lot about yourself.
What’s Interesting About This Transit
- Hidden sources of power and disruption in goals: In “Astrological Aspects: A Process-Oriented Approach” by Dane Rudhyar (1967), a Pluto semisquare Sun transit suggests a background force quietly undermining or reconstructing your sense of self-direction. There’s often a struggle involving “forces operating beneath the level of conscious will,” pressing you to question what really motivates you. It’s not a full-on crisis, but more a persistent itch that makes you review why you want what you want.
- Compulsions around respect or leadership: According to “Transits: The Cycles of the Stars” by Frances Sakoian and Louis S. Acker (1973), people may experience a subtle but deep frustration about not being appreciated or recognized in their roles. This can come out as a compulsion to prove oneself as an authority, even if you don’t know why. The semisquare brings nagging feelings that your personal power is under threat, even if there’s no obvious reason.
- Family secrets affecting self-esteem: In “Principles of Astrology” by Charles E. O. Carter (1968), this minor hard aspect is said to sometimes dredge up subtle, long-buried family secrets. The idea is that Pluto’s influence on the Sun might surface shame or pride that’s not your own, making you question parts of yourself that are inherited or ancestral.
- Subconscious rebellion against routine: “Cosmic Astrology” by Iverson L. Harris (1956) mentions the Pluto semisquare Sun as a trigger for resisting daily patterns. You might find yourself fidgety, picking fights with authorities, even if you’re normally easygoing- there’s an unconscious push to break free from routines that suddenly feel trapping.
- Shifts in spiritual purpose: Astrologer Marc Edmund Jones, in lecture notes from the 1940s collected in “Astrology: How and Why it Works” (published posthumously, 1958), talked about this minor aspect as signaling a subtle “revision of the ego’s sacred mission.” You might not realize it, but your sense of purpose could be quietly shifting, leading to dissatisfaction with what used to make you proud.
- Mild but persistent health signals: In “Medical Astrology” by Raphael (pseudonym for Robert Cross Smith, revised edition 1956), Pluto semisquare Sun is thought to sometimes coincide with low-level health warnings- like unusual fatigue, recurring headaches, or digestive issues- reflecting internal pressures for change. They’re often ignored, but they point to the need to adjust your lifestyle.
- Obsession with privacy or secrecy: Isabel M. Hickey’s “Astrology: A Cosmic Science” (1970) notes that this transit can trigger a low-key paranoia or an urge to guard your personal life more intensely. You might become suspicious of others’ motives or feel exposed and need to retreat socially for a while.
- Awareness of mortality and aging: From “Encyclopaedia of Psychological Astrology” by Charles Carter (1961), the minor hard aspect from Pluto to the Sun might make you uncomfortably aware of your limits- like noticing changes in your appearance or thinking more about long-term legacy in a way that quietly nags.
Experiencing This Transit
When Pluto forms a semisquare with your natal Sun, it doesn’t hit like a lightning bolt – it’s more of a slow, background rumble. It’s like there’s this low-level pressure, a restless feeling in your core that something needs to change, even if you can’t quite put your finger on what or why. Sometimes, little things suddenly become very important, or small events feel way bigger than they seem on the surface. You might notice yourself reacting strongly to random power struggles or feeling pushed to step up, take control, or question your life’s direction.
Challenges during this transit
- Annoying Obsessions: You might find your mind stuck on weird thoughts- resentments, fears, or ambitions that just won’t let go. It’s like you can’t stop picking at an emotional hangnail.
- Hidden Tensions: People might start acting controlling around you, or you might even find yourself acting a little manipulative to get your way, and then feeling guilty or uncomfortable about it later.
- Crisis of Confidence: Doubt about your worth or your identity might flare up in annoying but subtle ways. You may feel like you’re being tested, or that something about your life just isn’t working anymore.
- Small Power Struggles: At work, with friends, or at home, weird turf wars or petty arguments can pop up. They might seem minor but feel strangely important to you.
Opportunities during this transit
- Soul-Searching Breakthroughs: If you lean in and do a little self-exploration, you’re likely to uncover deep truths about yourself- sometimes stuff you’ve avoided or denied for years.
- Building Subtle Power: You can use that restless energy to quietly reinvent yourself, building a solid kind of self-confidence or moving toward personal power in small but lasting ways.
- Letting Go of Old Baggage: The irritations that come up show exactly where you need to release something that no longer serves you, whether it’s an old behavior, friendship, or self-image.
- Smarter Boundaries: Any friction with others is a chance to stand up for yourself, set limits, or renegotiate your role in a way that’s healthier and more empowering.
- An Unexpected Gift: Sometimes, out of nowhere, you notice a new side to your personality- courage, leadership, or resilience emerging- but only because you got so fed up with uncomfortable feelings.
How the Sign of Transiting Pluto Modifies This Transit Semisquare to Natal Sun
Read the one for the current sign of transiting Pluto.
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Transiting Pluto in Aries:
Challenges bring out your impulsive side. You might feel pushed to break free, take bold risks, or fight harder for what you want- sometimes before you’re fully ready. -
Transiting Pluto in Taurus:
Power struggles may revolve around money, stability, or values. You might feel a stubborn urge to hold onto control or resist change, even when it’s needed. -
Transiting Pluto in Gemini:
Communication turns intense. Arguments, deep conversations, or mental pressure could force you to rethink how you express yourself and what you believe. -
Transiting Pluto in Cancer:
Emotional security and family issues surface. Old wounds or patterns at home could feel extra heavy, prompting you to face feelings you might’ve buried. -
Transiting Pluto in Leo:
Your pride and creativity come under fire. You might deal with struggles around attention, recognition, or accepting your true self in front of others. -
Transiting Pluto in Virgo:
Everyday worries get amplified. There might be stress about work, health, or routines, making you realize where you need to let go of perfectionism or micromanaging. -
Transiting Pluto in Libra:
Relationship dynamics intensify. You could face hidden power games in partnerships, or have to address fairness and compromise more honestly than ever before. -
Transiting Pluto in Scorpio:
Deep transformation is unavoidable. Your desires or fears (especially those you try to hide) push up to the surface, forcing big changes in your outlook or life path. -
Transiting Pluto in Sagittarius:
Beliefs, faith, or life goals get shaken up. You might feel challenged to question what you’re striving for or let go of old philosophies that just aren’t true anymore. -
Transiting Pluto in Capricorn:
Control, responsibility, and ambition take center stage. With authority issues or career struggles, it’s a chance to face where you’ve given away power- or tried too hard to hold it. -
Transiting Pluto in Aquarius:
Group dynamics and your connection to the collective are highlighted. There might be friction around fitting in, standing out, or feeling alienated from the groups you’re part of. -
Transiting Pluto in Pisces:
Boundaries blur and intuition heightens. You could feel overwhelmed by emotions, psychic insights, or confusion- forcing you to trust your inner voice more than what’s visible.