Intense mental pressure or obsessive thinking
Here’s what to do and not do when you have a Pluto Sesquisquare Mercury transit. Below that are some interesting things about this transit.
Avoid During This Transit
- Don’t get into heated arguments or power struggles- things can get intense really fast.
- Avoid obsessing over negative thoughts or letting your mind spiral into paranoia.
- Try not to manipulate others with your words or use secrets against people.
- Don’t sign important paperwork or make major decisions without reading everything extra carefully- details might get overlooked.
- Skip gossip or spreading rumors, since little things could explode into bigger drama.
- Don’t rush into sharing your opinions, especially if you’re feeling really emotional.
- Avoid holding grudges or rehashing old arguments- you might get stuck on things that aren’t helpful.
- Don’t dig too deep into other people’s business; respect privacy and boundaries.
- Try not to bottle things up- find healthy ways to talk if you need to vent.
- Don’t ignore stress; make time for relaxation and trust your gut if you need space.
Do During This Transit
- Dive deep into your thoughts. It’s a great time for self-reflection and figuring out what you really think and believe.
- Research something intense or mysterious. Pluto loves getting to the bottom of things, so don’t be afraid to investigate stuff that fascinates you.
- Have honest conversations. Don’t shy away from talking about the tough subjects with people you trust.
- Work on breaking an old mental habit. If you’ve got a pattern of thinking that’s been holding you back, this is a powerful time to start changing it.
- Write in a journal. Let your thoughts out. Journaling during this transit can help you process deep emotions and hidden ideas.
- Practice mindfulness or meditation. It’ll help you manage intense or obsessive thoughts that might come up now.
- Edit or revisit old writing or projects. You might uncover something you missed or see things from a new angle.
- Protect your mental space. Be mindful of what you let influence you, especially anything negative or manipulative.
- Learn about psychology or the occult. It’s a good time to study things that help you understand the mind or deeper mysteries.
- Notice power struggles in communication. If you feel like someone’s trying to control or manipulate conversations, take note and set boundaries where you need to.
What’s interesting about this transit?
- Some old astrology texts called this the “Mind’s Shadow Walk,” hinting that your thoughts can tap into subconscious fears or past memories that suddenly bubble up.
- In early 20th century sources, this aspect was thought to bring “the tongue of the serpent”- meaning gossip, secrets, and words that can be surprisingly cutting.
- Certain Renaissance astrologers noted that when Mercury and Pluto touch by minor aspect, it was a time when one could “hear whispers of the underworld.” This didn’t mean ghosts, but rather hidden insights or intuitive flashes from places you don’t normally access.
- Some 19th century interpretations suggested this aspect could give a person “the pen of reckoning,” making you able to write or speak with impactful- sometimes harsh- truths, whether you mean to or not.
- Rarely, it was claimed to influence your dreams, showing you symbols that help you untangle old mysteries from your childhood or even dreams that connect to ancestral stories or secrets.
- Occultist writers sometimes saw this as a good period for scrying, using mirrors, or automatic writing, believing that your mind is more open to what’s hidden.
Experiencing This Transit
When Pluto is sesquisquare (that’s a 135° aspect) to your natal Mercury, things can get weird in your mind and with your words. It’s a pressure-cooker aspect where deep stuff you might have forgotten, ignored, or hidden from yourself starts to show up- usually somewhere between your thoughts, conversations, and daily routines.
Mercury is all about how you think, what you say, and how you process information. Pluto is the planet of transformation, intensity, secrets, and power. The sesquisquare isn’t an easygoing angle- it’s kind of itchy, frustrating, and unbalancing, like you have to scratch an itch in your brain but can’t quite reach it.
During this transit, you might find yourself obsessed with a particular idea, needing to get to the bottom of something, or having thoughts that just won’t leave you alone. It’s like your mind keeps turning over the same rock, looking for what’s hidden underneath.
Challenges during this transit
- Paranoia or Overthinking: You can get caught up in loops of worry, anxiety, or suspicion, even if there’s no real reason for it. Maybe you read too much into what someone says or second-guess your own words.
- Power Struggles (with words): Arguments can turn intense fast. You might notice people twisting your words, or maybe you do the same without meaning to. Sometimes, you might want to just win the argument, even if it’s over something small.
- Obsession with Details: It’s easy to fixate on finding a mistake (in yourself or others), or you might be unable to let an unanswered question go, no matter how trivial it actually is.
- Compulsive Talking or Writing: Old books mention “compulsive utterance.” Basically, you might blurt stuff out that’s unusually blunt or secretive, or suddenly feel the urge to spill a secret or rant, even if it causes drama later.
- Communication Breakdowns: Misunderstandings and mixed signals. Sometimes it feels like people are speaking another language, or you just can’t get your point across clearly.
Opportunities during this transit
- Psychological Breakthroughs: Digging up old thoughts means you can finally understand them or let them go. Maybe you figure out why a certain pattern keeps repeating or finally connect the dots in therapy, journaling, or just thinking.
- Powerful Insights: You can get flashes of truth- like sudden, almost psychic hunches about what’s really happening in tricky situations. Sometimes you just “see” the real motives behind someone’s words.
- Research and Detective Work: You’re better at sifting through details, researching, or solving puzzles. If you need to write a report, investigate something, or get to the bottom of an issue, this is your time.
- Speaking Truth to Power: It’s easier to call things out, set boundaries, or stand up to someone intimidating. Your words carry more weight, so you can cut through lies- just try not to come on too strong.
- Creative Expression: Those intense thoughts and feelings can be powerful fuel for poetry, songs, stories, or art- especially if you channel the uncomfortable stuff instead of bottling it up.
How the Sign of Transiting Pluto Modifies This Transit Sesquisquare to Natal Mercury
Read the one for the current sign of transiting Pluto.
- Transiting Pluto in Aries: Arguments or obsessions tend to be extra heated or impulsive, making you more likely to speak before you think or feel super competitive when challenged.
- Transiting Pluto in Taurus: Stubborn streaks get stronger; you might fixate on practical or material issues, finding it tough to change your mind about anything once you’ve decided.
- Transiting Pluto in Gemini: Mental intensity cranks up- expect racing thoughts, debates, and maybe being a little too forceful or provocative in how you communicate your ideas.
- Transiting Pluto in Cancer: Conversations are more emotional; you could get hung up on the past, or family topics might trigger power struggles or deep self-reflection.
- Transiting Pluto in Leo: Communication dramas get dramatic- ego clashes, strong opinions, and a need to express yourself in bold, passionate ways show up big time.
- Transiting Pluto in Virgo: Obsessing over details or getting super critical in your thinking is more likely, with thoughts turning toward what needs “fixing” in situations or people.
- Transiting Pluto in Libra: Conflicts revolve around fairness, relationships, or compromises- watch out for overanalyzing every little thing someone says in one-on-one interactions.
- Transiting Pluto in Scorpio: Everything gets deeper and more intense; secrets, hidden motives, or mysteries could come to the surface, pushing you to dig way beneath the surface in how you think and talk.
- Transiting Pluto in Sagittarius: Ideological or philosophical debates flare up, with an urge to convince others you’re right- or being drawn into arguments about beliefs or big-picture ideas.
- Transiting Pluto in Capricorn: Power struggles at work or with authority figures are common, and your mind is focused on goals, rules, or the “right” way to achieve success.
- Transiting Pluto in Aquarius: There’s extra friction around how you express unconventional ideas; you might butt heads with groups, friends, or the collective over strong opinions or radical thinking.
- Transiting Pluto in Pisces: Confusion, misunderstandings, or “psychic static” are in the air- things said or thought might be clouded by emotion, intuition, or even escapism.