If you were born with Saturn in Aquarius, your first Saturn return finished in March 2023. That’s when Saturn ingressed Pisces. 

You thought you were out of the blue. Now, however, you’ll experience another revolutionary transit: Pluto in Aquarius will conjunct your natal Saturn. 

In this text, I want to cover some of the meanings of Pluto and Saturn in conjunction. 

Richard Tarnas’ book Cosmos and Psyche: Intimations of a New World View is one of the sources I have used. Tarnas’ words helped me understand the discovery of Pluto and the archetypes connected with this planet. Besides, Tarnas explains the historical events that occurred when these two planets were in conjunction. 

In his book Planets in Transit: Life Cycles for Living, Robert Hand details what could happen when Pluto by transit conjuncts your natal Saturn. This is another source I have used for this text. 

Finally, I offer you some tips to navigate this time in your life. If you were born with Saturn in Aquarius, you should DEFINITELY keep reading.

This is the table of contents: 

1. The Discovery of Pluto 
2. Archetypes and Deities Connected to Pluto 
3. Pluto’s Meanings
4. Saturn’s Meanings
5. Saturn and Pluto in Conjunction by Transit
   1. Historical Periods When Pluto and Saturn Were in Conjunction
6. Pluto in Conjunction With Saturn in the Birth Chart
7. Pluto by Transit Conjunct the Natal Saturn 
   1. 8 Tips for People Who Have Saturn in Aquarius 
8. How Long Does Pluto by Transit Conjunct the Natal Saturn Last? 

 Ready? Let’s go. 

The Discovery of Pluto 

Pluto was discovered in 1930 by Clyde Tombaugh. 

The discovery was possible thanks to Percival Lowell. This American astronomer mentioned the existence of a further planet. He did so based on discrepancies in the orbit of Neptune and strange phenomena in the orbit of Uranus. 

In the decades surrounding Pluto’s discovery, and in the 20th century in general, these are some of the significant events that Tarnas mentions: 

• Splitting of the atom and the unleashing of nuclear power
• Technological empowerment of modern industries and military forces
• Rise of fascism and other mass movements
• Cultural influence of evolutionary theory and psychoanalysis 
• Increased sexual and erotic expression in society and the arts
• Intensified activity and public awareness of the criminal underworld
• Driven mass violence and catastrophic historical developments, such as the world wars, the holocaust, and the threat of nuclear annihilation and ecological devastation 

These events correlate synchronistically with the meanings attributed to the planet Pluto in astrology. 

Tarnas argues that the discoveries of Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto coincide with the emergence of three archetypes into the collective human experience. These archetypes are not new. However, they are expressed in a new form in the events that occurred near the discovery of said planets. 

Uranus represents the characteristic events of the 18th century, and Neptune those of the 19th century. Pluto, you guessed it, symbolizes the 20th century. 

The discovery of each planet revealed qualities and impulses characteristic of that moment in history. Furthermore, those characteristics can be observed if the planets are prominent in birth charts and also by transit. 

Archetypes and Deities Connected to Pluto 

Pluto is the god of the underworld in Roman mythology. The name fits the planet like a glove.  

Its symbolic characteristics also resemble those of the Greek god Hades and the figure of Dionysus. For the Greeks, Hades and Dionysus were closely associated. The myth of Persephone and Hades is very representative of Pluto’s qualities. 

The archetype connected with the planet Pluto also includes many significant deities outside the ones already mentioned. 

Pluto is linked with myths of descent and transformation and deities of destruction, regeneration, death, and rebirth. 

Some of these deities are: 

• Shiva
• Kali
• Shakti 
• Pan
• Medusa
• Lilith
• Innana
• Isis
• Osiris
• Pele
• Quetzalcoatl

Pluto’s Meanings

1. Power
2. Depth
3. Intensity
4. Transformation
5. Research
6. Alchemy
7. Mystery
8. Taboo
9. Darkness
10. Shadow
11. Self-examination
12. Compulsion
13. Empowerment
14. Instinct
15. Libido
16. Aggression
17. Trauma
18. Destruction
19. Regeneration
20. Catharsis
21. Elimination 
22. Evolution
23. Intensification
24. Upheaval
25. Breakdown
26. Decay
27. Fertilization
28. Purge
29. Purification 
30. Discharge

Pluto intensifies whatever it touches, sometimes to catastrophic extremes. This is why it is connected with volcanoes, volcanic eruptions, and the power within the Earth.   

This planet also deals with the biological processes of birth, sex, and death. It’s connected with bodily fluids and the cycle of death and rebirth.  

Related: Pluto in Astrology and the Shadow in Jung

Some plutonic experiences include the violent discharge of pent-up energies, purifying fires, purges, life-and-death situations, and power struggles. The more titanic, potent, and massive these events are, the more present Pluto is. 

Pluto represents the underworld and underground in all senses, such as geological, instinctual, social, sexual, urban, criminal, and mythological.  

The terrifying reality that lurks beneath the surface of things like the ego or societal conventions belongs to Pluto’s realm. When that reality is unleashed with destructive and transformative force, Pluto is behind those actions. 

Pluto compels, burns, consumes, transmutes, kills, and resurrects. 

According to Tarnas, these are some academic or philosophical archetypes associated with the planet Pluto: 

• Freud’s concept of the primordial id
• Darwin’s understanding of an ever-evolving nature and the biological struggle for existence
• Nietzsche’s Dionysian principle and the will to power
• Schopenhauer’s universal will

All the archetypes associated with Pluto embody the powerful forces that emerge from nature’s chthonic depths. 

Saturn’s Meanings

The meanings connected with planet Saturn are very different from those of Pluto. 

Some of Saturn’s keywords are resistance, patience, structure, limits, boundaries, and limitations. 

If you want to review Saturn’s meanings, check out this text: Saturn’s Themes and Their Activation During The Saturn Return

Saturn and Pluto in Conjunction by Transit

The chapter in Tarnas’ book about Saturn and Pluto in conjunction by transit is called “Cycles of Crisis and Contraction.” Very optimistic, said no one ever. 

These conjunctions generally display the following archetypal characteristics:

• Crisis and contraction: When Saturn and Pluto are in conjunction, there are significant challenges and restrictions in various realms. This often leads to intense pressure and strain.
• Empowerment of conservative forces: These periods see the rise or consolidation of conservative, authoritarian, or repressive regimes and movements.
• Emergence of collective trauma: Events during these alignments frequently involve widespread suffering, traumatic experiences, and circumstances with enduring historical impact.
• Intensification of control and discipline: When these two planets meet, there’s a heightened focus on discipline, control, and strict boundaries. This happens both in societal structures and personal behavior.
• Amplification of survival instincts: Extreme situations bring societies face-to-face with themes of survival, mortality, and the hard truths of existence.
• Moral and ethical judgments: There’s an increased emphasis on morality, judgment, and punishment. This leads to punitive measures, social judgments, and moral strictness.
• Power struggles and domination: Struggles for dominance and a zero-sum mentality where one group’s gain means another’s loss are predominant. 
• Transformation through hardship: Profound changes occur, often through hardship and dismantling old structures. The transformations lead to a new but often rigidly structured order.
• Psychological depth and shadow confrontation: Societies confront darker aspects of the psyche, power, and the shadow of human nature.
• Epochal closure: Significant phases or eras end with a sense of irreversible change and the destruction of outdated forms.

These characteristics reveal that Saturn-Pluto alignments offer times of intense restructuring. When these two planets meet, society undergoes transformative pressures that redefine its trajectory.

Historical Periods When Pluto and Saturn Were in Conjunction

• 1348-51: The peak of the Black Death in Europe, a time of mass mortality and cultural transformation​.
• 1913-16: The buildup and eruption of World War I.
• 1946-48: The start of the Cold War, symbolized by increasing totalitarianism and Orwell’s writing of 1984 during this alignment​.
• 1981-84: The beginning of the AIDS epidemic, intensifying conservative movements. There was a shift toward monogamy and sexual abstinence in response to the epidemic. This conjunction also saw heightened global political tensions, conservative empowerment, and repressive measures by several governments. ​

Pluto in Conjunction With Saturn in the Birth Chart

The archetypal meanings of Pluto and Saturn in conjunction by transit can be translated to a birth chart. 

According to Tarnas, the same themes could be manifested in an individual life but less intensely. 

Usually, someone who has a Pluto-Saturn conjunction in the birth chart will display tensions associated with these two planets. 

The tensions could be between change and resistance to it, future and past, unpredictability and order, freedom and oppression, disruption and stability, or innovation and tradition. 

These are some other possible manifestations for someone who has a Saturn-Pluto conjunction in the birth chart: 

• Resilience and inner strength: Individuals with this alignment often have a profound capacity for endurance and resilience. They can withstand intense challenges and hardships.
• Intense focus and discipline: People with a Pluto-Saturn conjunction are strongly inclined toward discipline, determination, and a laser-like focus. This attitude enables them to achieve long-term goals despite obstacles.
• Psychological depth and insight: There is usually a deep, penetrating insight into life’s psychological or hidden aspects. Natives have the desire to understand and confront their shadow.
• Transformation through hardship: Personal growth often occurs through difficult, transformative experiences. These experiences force them to shed old forms and emerge more empowered.
• Serious and grounded outlook: These individuals often exhibit a sober and realistic approach to life. They possess a natural tendency to take responsibility and approach matters with gravity.
• Fear of vulnerability and need for control: A tendency to guard against vulnerability and strive for control can lead to struggles with trust and a need to assert power. 
• Encountering power struggles: Their lives may include authority challenges, or conflicts where they must confront issues of dominance or submission.
• Intense will and persistence: People with Pluto conjunct Saturn have a powerful will and the determination to persevere. They can do so despite prolonged difficulties, developing great endurance and fortitude.
• Awareness of mortality and existential themes: There is a heightened awareness of mortality, existential concerns, and the impermanence of life. This awareness brings a depth of meaning but also a grim worldview.
• Compulsive drive for mastery and success: Natives have a piercing drive to master a skill, field, or personal challenge. They are committed to self-discipline and personal growth.

Tarnas mentions that this conjunction in a birth chart suggests a life marked by trials that strengthen the individual’s character. The journey leads them toward transformative self-mastery and empowerment.

Pluto by Transit Conjunct the Natal Saturn 

The meanings of Pluto and Saturn in conjunction by transit can also be present in a birth chart. 

But that’s not all. 

The same archetypes can be manifested in personal transits. When Pluto by transit conjuncts your natal Saturn, you’ll experience some of the meanings I have covered in this text. Of course, the themes will be manifested locally within your life. 

In his book Planets in Transit: Life Cycles for Living, Robert Hand explains what could happen during this transit. If you have Saturn in Aquarius, you should keep reading. 

Hand states that this transit can denote a rather stressful period. While Pluto is the force of inevitable transformation, Saturn is the resistance to such transformation. You can expect significant changes experienced only after considerable difficulty in several areas. 

These are some possible manifestations of Pluto by transit in conjunction to your natal Saturn: 

• Intensified struggle: Pluto’s conjunction with natal Saturn signals a period where you’ll encounter significant challenges. You’ll have to make prolonged efforts and persevere in difficult circumstances.
• Clash between resistance and transformation: During this transit, Saturn’s qualities of structure and stability meet Pluto’s forceful drive for change. This creates a clash between holding on to the past and allowing transformation to occur. This period encourages letting go rather than resisting because resistance leads to more difficulties​.
• Psychological breakthroughs: This transit often forces you to confront your deep-seated patterns and protective mechanisms. Pluto’s energy aims to dismantle these defenses, leading to potential psychological liberation​.
• Structural regeneration: The Pluto-Saturn conjunction represents a “rebirth” of foundational aspects of life. This may lead to disorientation because familiar structures break down to be rebuilt more resiliently​.
• Lessons in scarcity and self-reliance: During this transit, you may face loss or scarcity in areas you value deeply. A central theme is learning to live with less and adapt to new circumstances.

Pluto by transit in conjunction to the natal Saturn is challenging, and it offers profound and transformative growth opportunities. 

However, the opportunities can only be achieved by surrendering old structures and embracing new ones.

8 Tips for People Who Have Saturn in Aquarius 

If you have Saturn in Aquarius, here are some ideas for you to navigate the period of Pluto by transit in conjunction with your natal Saturn: 

1. Find empowerment in limitation

Whether internal or external, limitations are not blocks but catalysts for empowerment. Work within your boundaries, and recognize how constraints can help you discover hidden strength and determination. List things you can eliminate from your life because they have served their purpose. Then, start getting rid of them one by one. 

2. Cultivate patience for slow transformation

Instead of seeking rapid change, allow for gradual, deep transformations. Let go of the urge to rush through the discomfort. Slow and steady progress will lead to more lasting changes in your life’s structure. If you struggle to embrace the slow life, start meditating. 

3. Face your fears and your shadow

This period often forces you to confront your deepest fears and unresolved trauma. Rather than avoiding these uncomfortable feelings, acknowledge and work through them. This process can lead to powerful psychological breakthroughs. Check Carl Jung’s work about the shadow, and do some free journaling. Completing some exercises of The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity could also benefit you. 

4. Let go of old structures

Release outdated habits, beliefs, and structures that no longer serve your growth. Surrendering to change will create space for transformation. Instead, resistance to change will only extend your suffering. Trusting that letting go of what’s no longer necessary will make room for a new reality is paramount. The book Letting Go: The Pathway To Surrender could be a useful tool to do it. 

5. Build resilience through adversity

Pluto-Saturn transits test your ability to handle adversity. Instead of viewing challenges as obstacles, see them as opportunities to build resilience and develop inner strength. These difficult experiences ultimately strengthen your foundation. Yoga or strength training will help you gain the body resilience needed to deal with other types of challenges. 

6. Prepare for structural rebirth

Expect a breakdown of familiar structures in your life, including relationships, careers, or personal beliefs. While this can be disorienting, trust that this deconstruction is needed for a more resilient foundation. When you feel overwhelmed, take some deep breaths and ground yourself by putting your feet on the grass. 

7. Adapt to scarcity and self-reliance

This transit may bring periods of scarcity or loss in areas you once relied upon for security. Embrace these challenges as lessons in self-reliance and resourcefulness. Learning to thrive with less will increase your resilience. Minimalism can give you tools to organize your existence within certain limits by focusing on what you truly value.  

8. Trust in the timing of change

The transformation unfolding during this period is occurring at the right pace. Rushing the process may result in unfinished or unstable growth. Patience. To get inspired, consume material about people who went through hardships. The movie Nyad comes to mind. 

These tips are inspired by Tarnas’ focus on deep psychological processes and Hand’s emphasis on personal transformation. I hope they offer guidance for navigating this challenging yet growth-oriented period! 

How Long Does Pluto by Transit Conjunct the Natal Saturn Last? 

You will start feeling this transit when Pluto is one degree away from your natal Saturn. 

Then, the peak of the transit will occur when Pluto is at the same degree as your natal Saturn. 

And it will release its grip when Pluto gets one degree away from the degree of your natal Saturn. 

Outer planets usually have three (and sometimes more) exact hits over a couple of years. The whole transit will last for two years, but it won’t be always pressing. 

You can use Astro Seek’s calculator to see the dates. Have your birth chart handy to look at the exact degree of your natal Saturn.  In “Planet,” you have to choose Pluto. In the degrees, you must put the degree, minute, and second of your natal Saturn. 

Tarnas states that periods of crisis served to build enduring psychological foundations for the future. These periods’ deprivations, losses, and hard work pushed individuals out of an old form of life and into a new one. 

However, this can only be seen in retrospect.

The new was not visible during the transit. The grim realities of hardship and oppression, contraction, and decline were in evidence. No glimpses of hope.

But resilient people kept going. 

Resilient people ALWAYS keep going, even in the darkest of times. Just because we can’t see the light now that doesn’t mean it won’t emerge soon. 

So, embrace the difficulties, trust in the long-term changes, and allow yourself to be shaped by whatever transformation Pluto brings to your door!