Intense Power Struggles
Here’s what to do and not do when you have a Pluto Sesquisquare Mars transit. Below that are some interesting things about this transit.
Avoid During This Transit
- Don’t start big arguments or pick fights- you’ll feel extra intense, and things could blow up fast.
- Avoid pushing your agenda on others- power struggles and control issues are common right now.
- Try not to make impulsive decisions, especially if you’re angry or frustrated.
- Don’t ignore feelings of jealousy or resentment- they could come out in unhealthy ways if you suppress them.
- Steer clear of risky physical activities or recklessness; your energy and drive might feel “off.”
- Don’t bottle up your anger, but don’t explode on people, either- find healthy ways to vent.
- Stay away from manipulative people or situations that make you feel trapped.
- It’s not the best time to force major changes- let things unfold naturally instead of pushing too hard.
- Avoid holding grudges or seeking revenge- it won’t get you what you want and could backfire.
- Don’t ignore your health- stress and tension can build up, so take care of your body and mind.
Do During This Transit
- Work out your frustrations. Find healthy ways to blow off steam, like exercise, sports, or creative projects. This helps avoid blowing up at the wrong time.
- Focus on self-control. Notice when you’re about to react impulsively, and take a step back before acting. It’s easier to get triggered during this transit.
- Start a big project that needs focus and grit. Pluto’s intensity can fuel you to push through tough stuff you might normally avoid.
- Dig deep for personal motivation. This is a good time to figure out what drives you, especially if you’ve been feeling stuck or unmotivated.
- Face your fears. If you’ve been avoiding a challenge, now’s the time to confront it and come out stronger.
- Work on letting go of resentment. Pluto can dig up old anger. Acknowledge it, then try to release what’s been holding you back.
- Be strategic. Channel your Mars energy into planning instead of just reacting – think about next moves instead of rushing in.
- Rework your goals. It’s a good period to look at where you’re putting your energy and redirect it if you need to.
- Practice patience. Frustrations can run high, so remind yourself to take things slow, even if you’re itching to make things happen fast.
- Work alone if you need space. Mars-Pluto energy can make teamwork tricky. Give yourself solo tasks if you’re getting irritated easily.
What’s Interesting About This Transit
- Unseen Power Struggles in Friendships: According to Astrological Aspects: A Process-Oriented Approach by Dane Rudhyar (1966), Pluto in hard aspect to Mars can cause old, unspoken struggles for dominance to come up between friends or associates, especially when they aren’t aware of it. These tensions often play out in subtle, almost invisible ways.
- Sudden Compulsions to Change Career Direction: In The Astrological Mandala by Dane Rudhyar (1973), it’s noted that this transit may bring on a “strange urge” to break free from repetitive routines at work. People may feel almost possessed to quit or radically overhaul their job, even without understanding why.
- Deep Physical Detox: In Esoteric Astrology by Alice A. Bailey (1951), Pluto’s sesquisquare to Mars is said to trigger cellular purging in the body. Weird symptoms or crisis-like health matters can emerge, not from typical illness, but as the body’s attempt to rid itself of old psychic residues.
- Obsession With Machinery or Weapons: Charles E.O. Carter, in his classic Astrological Aspects (1967), discusses obscure Mars aspects and describes a passing but intense fascination with machines, firearms, or even tools of surgery- a desire to dismantle, study, or reconstruct them.
- Repressed Anger Expressed Through Art: In The Astrologer’s Handbook by Sakoian & Acker (1973), Pluto aspecting Mars is said to channel suppressed aggression into painting, writing, or music that is unexpectedly raw or even shocking.
- Crisis Over Group Loyalties: In Astrology and the Modern Psyche by Steven Arroyo (1975), Pluto’s difficult aspect to Mars might make a person feel suddenly alienated from their usual group or club. Old feuds or resentments may surface seemingly out of nowhere, demanding resolution or departure.
- Accidental Destruction of Possessions: Ivy M. Goldstein-Jacobson’s The Guide to Horoscope Interpretation (1966) mentions that odd Mars-Pluto aspects can line up with sudden accidental breakages- almost like items are “sacrificed” to clear out stagnant personal energy.
- Unusual Vivid Dreams of Violence or Power: In Astrology, Karma & Transformation by Stephen Arroyo (1978), Pluto and Mars together can signal a period when strange, powerful dreams crest, sometimes with recurring violence, confrontations, or heroic struggles. These dreams often serve as outlets for waking-life frustrations.
- Appetite for Psychological Thrillers: In Planets in Aspect by Robert Pelletier (1974), there’s a brief note that people are drawn to disturbing movies, books, or even real-life mysteries during this kind of Pluto-Mars contact. What’s normally rejected as “too much” suddenly feels compelling.
Experiencing This Transit
Pluto sesquisquare natal Mars is no sleepy cosmic event! This is a tense transit, kind of like having an itch you can’t scratch, or feeling pressure to do something without fully knowing why. You might sense energy bubbling under the surface, and it shows up as a need to prove yourself, push boundaries, or even get into pointless arguments. Pluto wants deep transformation, and Mars is all about action and impulse, but this aspect has rough edges, so it often shows up as frustration or weird challenges instead of smooth power boosts.
Challenges during this transit
- Increased Aggression or Impatience: You might find yourself losing your temper more easily, even over small stuff like slow drivers or tech glitches. Sometimes, you’ll feel like your tolerance just vanished overnight.
- Obsession or Compulsiveness: Pluto pokes at Mars by making you fixate on something- a person, a problem, or a project- way more than usual. It’s easy to get tunnel vision and lose perspective.
- Rivalries and Power Struggles: Confrontations can pop up, sometimes with people you didn’t even know were competing with you. Office drama, old arguments resurfacing, or someone trying to push you around are all typical themes.
- Physical Burnout or Accidents: Mars rules your body and energy, and Pluto adds intensity. If you ignore your limits during this transit, you might overdo it at the gym, mess up your sleep, or get minor injuries because you’re not paying attention.
- Feeling Pushed by “Invisible Forces”: You might have moments when you just can’t figure out why you feel so on edge, like something outside of you is stirring up your mood.
Opportunities during this transit
- Transforming Your Drive: If there’s something you’ve wanted to change about yourself- how you deal with anger, how you stand up for yourself- Pluto-Mars energy can help you break old patterns for good. It won’t be easy, but the results are strong.
- Pushing Through Big Blocks: Stuck on a project or a bad habit? This transit can help you find the guts to face what you’ve been avoiding. It’s your chance to tackle the tough stuff, like finally having that hard talk or quitting something that’s hurting you.
- Finding Your Hidden Strength: It’s a “trial by fire” kind of vibe. Maybe you feel like you’re being tested- if you hang in there, you’ll come out knowing how strong you really are.
- Channeling Passion into Something Big: That intense Mars-Pluto energy’s great for taking on big goals, especially stuff that takes determination, like writing a book, starting a business, or training for a marathon (just watch for burnout).
- Discovering What Truly Drives You: You could have wild insights into what gets your motor running- not just daily motivation, but deeper urges or passions that guide your whole life.
How the Sign of Transiting Pluto Modifies This Transit Sesquisquare to Natal Mars
Read the one for the current sign of transiting Pluto.
- Transiting Pluto in Aries: Power struggles explode fast- impulses run high, so arguments or conflicts can feel extra heated and quick to flare up.
- Transiting Pluto in Taurus: Stubbornness becomes a battle- letting go of control issues about money, possessions, or comfort is hard, making tension feel slow but intense.
- Transiting Pluto in Gemini: Words turn into weapons- disagreements happen through debates, gossip, or changing minds, and it’s tempting to use info to gain the upper hand.
- Transiting Pluto in Cancer: Emotional triggers are everywhere- family dramas, loyalty tests, and feeling protective can make you react more personally or even defensively.
- Transiting Pluto in Leo: Egos clash- competition for attention or recognition ramps up, and pride can turn simple problems into dramatic battles.
- Transiting Pluto in Virgo: Obsession with details- tiny frustrations at work or with daily routines can escalate, and it’s easy to become critical or perfectionistic in conflicts.
- Transiting Pluto in Libra: Relationship power games- tension flares up around fairness, commitment, or who’s really in charge in partnerships or group settings.
- Transiting Pluto in Scorpio: Intensity overload- jealousy, secrets, or old hurts resurface, making power struggles feel extra deep or emotional.
- Transiting Pluto in Sagittarius: Clashes over beliefs- arguments come from strong opinions, knowledge, or travel plans, and there’s a push to control the narrative or direction.
- Transiting Pluto in Capricorn: Authority issues- conflicts with bosses, parents, or anyone with power are common, and you may feel pressure to fight for control or status.
- Transiting Pluto in Aquarius: Struggles about freedom and change- group plans, friendships, or causes might get dramatic, especially if someone tries to dominate the crowd.
- Transiting Pluto in Pisces: Confusion or sacrifice in fights- boundaries blur, passive-aggressive undercurrents appear, or you might try to escape from direct conflict instead of facing it.