By The word “retrograde” has a way of inciting fear or at least a surge of anxiety, but the truth of the matter is that every planet takes its turn moving backward through the zodiac, bringing valuable lessons as well as bright spots and bumps in the road. The next planet to go retrograde is Pluto, and it’s offering up a chance to embrace transformation, claim your power and address toxic dynamics in your life.
From Sunday, May 4 to Monday, October 13, the planet of power, control and regeneration, will appear to move backward from our perspective here on Earth. In 2025, Pluto retrograde occurs in the fixed air sign Aquarius, which is co-ruled by Uranus, the planet of sudden change, and Saturn, the taskmaster planet. The main effect of this transit: If you’ve been itching to overhaul a part of your life — a relationship, a career path, a living situation — that’s derailing your ability to step into your power, you can do meaningful inner work now to break free and burn down the past in order to forge more assertively toward the future. And because this retrograde is happening in Aquarius, which is associated with the Eleventh House of Groups, there’s a special focus on the platonic bonds you’ve been maintaining and the communities you associate with. Here’s what to know to make the most of this five-month transit.
What is Pluto retrograde—and why does it matter?
To understand what Pluto retrograde brings, it can help to take note of how the planet of power, control, regeneration and the subconscious functions when it’s moving forward, aka direct. For a little more than half of the year, Pluto works by excavating your hidden truths and nudging you to deal with the shadow side of life — anything dark, taboo, or secretive underlying everyday life. It also sheds light on power struggles and control issues and encourages you to burn down anything that’s no longer serving you in order to start anew. Think of Pluto as the planet that fuels the phoenix’s rise from the ashes.
When a planet is moving direct (a.k.a. forward), it has a more external effect, whereas retrogrades require us to deal with their themes and energies in a more internal, emotional way. So, when Pluto is retrograde, you’ll be compelled to meditate on ways in which you’ve given away or taken on too much power or control. You could also become more aware and prepared to remedy any self-destructive behaviors or patterns.
Because Pluto moves so slowly, taking anywhere from 12 to 31 years to make its way through each sign, the effects of its retrogrades are definitely felt less acutely than a faster-moving planet like Mercury. You’ll feel it the most when it’s hitting your birth chart spot-on, either moving over a planet or luminary (that’s the sun and the moon) or forming a tight angle to it. To get a sense of whether that’s the case this time around, you’ll want to check your chart for any placements sitting at 1 to 3 degrees of any sign — especially a fixed sign, meaning Taurus, Leo, Scorpio or Aquarius.
Pluto retrograde in Aquarius 2025: key dates and themes
Since 2023, Pluto has been back and forth between Aquarius and Capricorn (where it had been since 2008!), but on November 19, 2024, the planet of transformation settled into the fixed air sign, symbolized by the Water Bearer, where it’ll remain until 2043. Aquarius’ modern ruler is Uranus, the planet of rebellion, innovation and striking out against convention, and the sign is also associated with the Eleventh House of groups, teams and friendships. So Pluto’s lengthy trip through Aquarius will spotlight the shadow side of how we connect on a platonic level, revolt and rebel against what’s considered mainstream, how we function as part of a team, the way we take a stand against rules and regulations and how we interact with technology.
As Pluto moves backward through Aquarius from May to October 2025, you could be reflecting on how you want to show up in the world, claim your power and harness control of situations tied to these themes. You might be reassessing how you want to interact with social media, your digital devices, AI and other emerging technologies. Meaningful self-work could lead to identifying problematic dynamics in your friendships or collegial relationships and realizing it’s time to move in a new direction. And don’t be surprised if you’re reconnected with friends, social circles or organizations from the past, all of which could resurface as a test. Are you truly on the same page and do they leave you feeling empowered, or have you evolved beyond these bonds?
Here, how Pluto’s retrograde in Aquarius will affect you based on your sign. (Be sure to read both your sun and your rising sign if you know it. If you don’t, you can find it in your birth chart or by using this CafeAstrology calculator.)
Aries
The themes of this Pluto retrograde tied to communities, teams and social circles are emphasized for you more than any other sign, thanks to the fact that the backspin is happening in your networking and friendships zone. You’ll be nudged to take stock of platonic bonds — with friends, colleagues, fellow community members — and to consider whether they’re truly worth your time and mental and psychic energy. This sector also oversees long-term wishes, so find time to meditate on how you’ve been pursuing aspirations you’ve held onto for years — and how you might be holding yourself back from manifesting your vision.
Click through for more on Aries.
Taurus
Pluto has been moving through your public image and career zone, encouraging you to step into your power professionally and to think about how you want to define success. Until October, you can slow down a bit and reflect on any power- and control-related conflicts you’ve been having with authority figures and get a better sense of how you can more effectively claim your own power. Doing this inner work could inspire you to revise your resume or even redefine the ultimate win, which sets the stage for even more fulfillment down the road.
Click through for more on Taurus.
Gemini
Pluto’s trip through your higher learning sector since late 2024 has been cranking up your restlessness and challenging you to get real with yourself about your beliefs, philosophies, world view and what you actually want in your heart of hearts. You might have thought you wanted life to look one way, but this transit has a way of opening your eyes and requiring you to consider reshaping your path. As Pluto backs up here, you could have impactful, psychological experiences that help you to tune into your gut impulses — and to feel more confident taking leaps of faith.
Click through for more on Gemini.
Cancer
Pluto has been cruising through your intimacy and joint resources sector since late last year, requiring you to identify and examine toxic dynamics within your closest relationships. As it moves backward there, you can do deep inner work around your role within these bonds. If you’ve been having a power struggle with a loved one, for example, what can you do differently going forward to get in sync? You’ll better understand how you’ve been relying on one another and what needs to change in order to feel more comfortable and secure within your relationship.
Click through for more on Cancer.
Leo
Pluto’s retrograde falls in your partnership zone, where it has been transforming your one-on-one bonds and highlighting power struggles and control issues with a significant other, dear friend or close colleague. Now it’s time to reflect on any behaviors or thought processes that have been working against your desire to move across the finish line as a pair. If one person has been holding the cards while the other has been feeling disempowered, you’ll be compelled to take a cold, hard look at this imbalance and find ways to tip the scale.
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Virgo
Pluto moves backward through your wellness and routine zone, which will require you to pay attention to drawbacks of certain daily habits and patterns. As industrious as you are, there might be a shadow side to how you’ve been tackling your hustle. Maybe you’re missing out on valuable rest, could use a better organizational system or have been putting off to-dos tied to your health. This transit encourages you to get clear on the psychological effects of the schedule you’ve been sticking to, and bolstering your awareness can ultimately strengthen your vitality.
Click through for more on Virgo.
Libra
Pluto’s retrograde in your romance and self-expression zone boosts your recognition of your heart’s desires. Perhaps you’ve been ignoring your artistic impulses or shying away from expressing yourself through beloved creative outlets. Consider how ignoring this side of yourself — or just not making it a big enough priority — might be giving your power away, and you could soon be fired up to add more pleasure, joy and artistic fulfillment into your world. Making room in your life for not only more passion but also spontaneity and lighthearted activities reminds you that you’re the one who’s calling the shots of your life, which can feel incredibly empowering.
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Scorpio
Pluto’s been moving through your home zone, encouraging transformations and empowerment tied to your family life. Perhaps you’re flirting with a big move or home redecoration project, and relationships with relatives could be shifting in a thrilling new way. But, as Pluto moves backward here, you’ll want to explore this part of your life in a more psychological way. You can embrace your willingness to explore your emotions and dive into self-work that opens your eyes to difficult family dynamics and old emotional wounds. Practice self-compassion and lean on loved ones or trusted mentors (like a therapist).
Click through for more on Scorpio.
Sagittarius
While Pluto moves back through your communication zone, you can reflect on the past several months in which you’ve been challenged to reevaluate and potentially transform how you express yourself, learn and socialize. Are you sharing what’s on your mind and feeling heard? Is it possible you’d benefit from pursuing more intimate, meaningful conversations with friends or colleagues? This transit also lends itself to meditating on how you’ve been managing your mental energy. For instance, if you’ve been prone to infatuation or obsessive thinking, you may find new ways to get centered and boost your inner peace.
Click here for more on Sagittarius.
Capricorn
Pluto has been in your money zone, highlighting power struggles and toxic behaviors or ways of thinking that are inextricably linked to how you earn, save and invest — and also nurture your self-worth. Now you have the opportunity to investigate the roots of these challenges and possibly do a bit of psychological weeding. Whether you’ve been holding back from taking a microscope to your budget or putting off going to bat for what you’re worth, you can go inward and better understand what’s been holding you back and make positive change.
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Aquarius
With Pluto settling into your sign and self-image zone since November, you’ve been itching to transform how you’re showing up in the world and being perceived by others. Maybe you’ve taken steps to get the ball rolling, but if you’re unclear on what this looks like just yet, this retrograde may inspire useful epiphanies. You could identify new ways of stepping into your personal power and making an impression simply by celebrating what makes you unique.
Click through for more on Aquarius.
Pisces
This Pluto retrograde activates your spirituality sector, encouraging you to consider how you’ve been tending to your psychological well-being in the aftermath of challenging relationships, career moves or any other final chapter. You’ll be nudged to listen to and trust your inner voice and make room in your busy schedule for nurturing your mental and emotional wellness. Meditating or journaling could help you release thought patterns that have been holding you back from feeling like your most healed, centered and peaceful self.
Click through for more on Pisces.
