Every planet takes its turn going retrograde, and since Sunday, May 4, Pluto, the planet of transformation, has moved backward through the zodiac, presenting a chance to go inward and find new ways to claim your power and address toxic dynamics in your life. But as of Monday, October 13, the planet that oversees control and regeneration will go direct, a.k.a. move forward once more, shedding light on underlying truths and unearthing secrets that have been underlying everyday life. Slowly, but surely, you’ll be able to more readily burn down anything that’s no longer serving you in order to more confidently step into your own power — all while applying lessons you might’ve learned over the course of the last five months.
Read on for more details on how to make the most of Pluto going direct in Aquarius following its retrograde.
What is Pluto direct?
Since May 4, Pluto has been retrograde, encouraging you to explore its themes — power, control, regeneration, the unconscious and the shadow side of life — in an internal, emotional way. You may have found that over the last five months, you could do self-work that bolstered your awareness around self-destructive behaviors or patterns or you might’ve become more tuned into ways in which you’ve given away your power or control. However, when Pluto goes direct, or moves forward, it functions more externally. You can excavate hidden truths and manage underlying dynamics, power struggles or control issues in an outward, everyday way versus contemplating them in an introspective way. You can have that talk about problematic power dynamics on the job or finally walk away from a toxic friendship.
As the planet of transformation, Pluto tends to nudge you to burn down anything that’s no longer serving you in order to start over. The imagery that comes to mind for the planet is a phoenix rising from the ashes.
Because Pluto moves so slowly, taking anywhere from 12 to 31 years to make its way through each sign, the effects of it going direct as well as its retrogrades are felt less acutely than a speedier planet like Mercury. You’ll feel it the most when it’s interacting with 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 5 degrees of any sign — especially a fixed sign, meaning Taurus, Leo, Scorpio or Aquarius.
What does it mean that Pluto is direct in Aquarius?
Pluto has been in Aquarius since November 19, 2024, and it’ll continue to be in the forward-thinking, at times contrarian and humanitarian air sign until March 8, 2043. Over the course of almost a decade, the planet of power and control will shed light on the dark side of Aquarian themes, such as platonic bonds, cutting-edge technology and innovation, a push to prioritize what’s best for the collective over the individual, the tendency to dig your heels in — especially when it comes to humanitarian causes or preferring to strike out against convention versus embrace the mainstream.
On a personal level, you may need to face hard truths tied to how you’re using social media or AI or engaging with others as a teammate or friend. You may also have to address problematic power dynamics within relationships, particularly platonic ones, that might be psychologically harmful and require an overhaul.
When will Pluto be direct in Aquarius?
Starting Monday, October 13 at 10:54 p.m. ET/7:54 p.m. PT, Pluto will be direct (also known as moving ahead or not retrograde) in fixed air sign Aquarius. It will then move forward through the early degrees of the sign of the Water Bearer, reaching 5 degrees of Aquarius before going retrograde once more on May 6, 2026.
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
With Pluto going direct in your friendships and networking sector, you can begin to apply any lessons you’ve recently learned about your platonic bonds — with friends, colleagues, fellow community members. Over the last five months, you’ve been grappling with which of these connections are truly worth your mental and psychic energy. Now you’ll begin to see clearly and feel empowered to take action to walk away from problematic relationships in order to create the space to align yourself with people who are truly on the same page. You could be empowered to step out of your comfort zone to pursue personal growth alongside like-minded friends around November 6, when your ruler, go-getter Mars, in your adventure sector forms a friendly angle to Pluto.
Click through for more on Aries.
Taurus
For the last five months, Pluto has been moving back through your public image and career sector, encouraging you to meditate on power- and control-related struggles you’ve been facing with authority figures and to reflect on how you can step into your own sense of authority. This self-work has potentially empowered you to redefine how you see success, and now that Pluto’s moving forward, you’re ready to make bold moves. Apply for that new position or meet with higher-ups to talk through a game plan for advancement. Around January 19, when your ruler, beauty-loving Venus pairs up with transformative Pluto here, you could enjoy well-deserved recognition.
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Gemini
Since May, you’ve been feeling especially restless as you grapple with your big picture beliefs, philosophies and world view, because Pluto has been retrograde in your adventure and higher learning sector. Now, you could be prepared to reinvent your path or follow a gut instinct that didn’t exist before. As Pluto moves forward here, you can experiment with stepping out of your comfort zone and exploring new perspectives that allow you to see the world — and your role in it — in a whole new way. You can look forward to January 22 when your ruler, messenger Mercury, joins forces with Pluto, potentially fueling long-distance travel or honing a new skill set.
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Cancer
Pluto’s backspin through your intimacy and joint resources zone has nudged you to do inner work around what you need to feel secure within your closest bonds. You’ve likely been exploring how to manage power struggles and control issues, perhaps in regard to your sex life or financial goals. As Pluto moves forward there, you’ll increasingly feel empowered to make changes that have you feeling more centered, respected and connected to yourself and someone else emotionally. Around January 23, when the confident sun pairs up with Pluto here, you’ll enjoy a surge of confidence in this part of your life.
Click through for more on Cancer.
Leo
Pluto’s direct movement occurs in your partnership zone, setting a thrilling new tone for your one-on-one bonds. Over the last five months, you’ve had the opportunity to reflect on behaviors, dynamics or thought processes that have been throwing a wrench in shared dreams and game plans. Perhaps a lack of reciprocity or even manipulation or secrets have been impeding your path forward. Now you can address these challenges head-on and start adopting new approaches that serve you better as a pair. Look to January 23’s conjunction between your ruler, the sun, and Pluto for progress on a joint aspiration.
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Virgo
Pluto has been moving backward through your wellness sector since May, urging you to meditate on problematic patterns, habits, relationship dynamics and routines that are causing more stress and exhaustion than they’re worth. For example, as much as you want to be of service to others, you could have realized you’ve been stretching yourself so thin that you’re missing out on rest or otherwise skipping out on crucial self-care. Now, you can begin to reorganize your life in a way that reaffirms your commitment to nurturing your overall well-being. When Mercury, your ruler, joins forces with Pluto on January 22, amplifying the mental energy you can pour into your brilliant plan.
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Libra
Pluto has been retrograde in your romance and self-expression zone, making you more aware of how you have potentially been putting fun, creativity and spontaneity on the backburner. Now that it’s moving forward in this sector, you can pour more energy into artistic endeavors while making pleasure and playfulness more of a priority. You may find that doing this allows you to feel more fulfilled and joyful — laying a foundation that sets you up for all kinds of success. Around January 19, when your ruler, sweet Venus pairs up with transformative Pluto here, you can magnetize that imaginative project you’ve been wanting to pour your heart into or a relationship milestone that makes your heart soar.
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Scorpio
While your co-ruler, transformative Pluto, has been retrograde in your home zone since May, you’ve been reflecting on old emotional wounds that might be affecting your family life or noticing current troubling patterns and dynamics with loved ones that require healing. As Pluto moves forward, you’ll feel prepared to face related challenges without hesitation. Your innate fearlessness is amplified, as well, thanks to your co-ruler ending its retrograde. Around November 6, when Pluto forms a friendly angle to your other co-ruler, go-getter Mars, in your self-worth sector, taking bold steps to care for your emotional needs leads to feeling more centered and self-assured.
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Sagittarius
Since May, powerful Pluto has moved back through your communication zone, challenging you to reassess and consider how you can transform your self-expression, learning experiences and bonds with friends, colleagues, neighbors and siblings if you have them. As it moves forward here, you’ll have a clear runway to build momentum on brainstorms, information-gathering, learning experiences and other opportunities to connect and ideate with your social circle. This influence also allows you to tap into deep, thoughtful, investigative analysis to any issue that pops up on the job or within your bonds. You can also bring a new level of intensity to honing a new skill set or making new friends.
Click here for more on Sagittarius.
Capricorn
Pluto has moved back through your money zone, raising your awareness around certain behaviors, patterns, habits or inhibitions that have been affecting your hustle and bottom line. Perhaps you’ve been afraid of stepping out of your comfort zone with an ongoing job that’s not quite the best fit anymore or struggling to go to bat to be paid what your time and energy is truly worth. As the planet of transformation moves forward here, you’ll be empowered to address power struggles and problematic behaviors tied to moneymaking. You can hit the gas on boosting your income by bringing even more energy and passion to your work. Around March 28, when your ruler, taskmaster Saturn forms a friendly angle to Pluto, your determination, focus and work ethic can’t help but pay off.
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Aquarius
Pluto has been retrograde in your sign and self-image sector since May, nudging you to meditate on how you can claim even more power in your life and ensure that the way in which you’re showing up in the world better reflects your self-image. You’ve also been exploring exactly what motivates and drives you. As Pluto moves forward here, you can begin to apply all of these epiphanies toward your passion projects and big picture goals. Know that you’re moving toward a major transformation related to your identity, purpose and confidence. Because Pluto is in harmony with your co-ruler, rebellious Uranus, in your romance and self-expression zone, stepping into your personal power fuels playfulness, creativity, spontaneity and magic in relationships.
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Pisces
Pluto’s retrograde activated your spirituality zone, requiring you to hone how you’re connecting to your inner voice and prioritize your psychological well-being even more than usual. You may have recognized the need to address deep-rooted wounds tied to your past and endings. As Pluto cruises ahead, you can take empowering steps to let go of thought patterns, stale narratives, habits and fears that have been holding you back from achieving your dreams. Thanks to Pluto making an ongoing harmonious connection to your co-ruler, mystical Neptune, in your self-worth and income sector, the transformations you achieve now could have a positive impact on your bottom line.
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