Pluto Retrograde 2025: Adjust to the Change
On May 4th at 11:27AM ET/8:27AM PT, transformative Pluto turns retrograde! A body is called retrograde in astrology when it appears to move backward through the Zodiac. Normal motion is forward, so this tends to throw the energy of the planet off.
Some are worse than others - oh Mercury, Venus, and Mars retrograde, how ye wrecked the start of 2025! - but Pluto retrograde is actually an outlier because it’s considered a GOOD thing!
Why is Pluto retrograde a good thing?
Pluto is the planet of transformation. It’s intense, passionate, unrelenting energy that doesn’t give up, doesn’t know when to quit, doesn’t know when to say when (it does rule obsession and stalkers sooo . . .).
With transit (moving) Pluto, this can bring intense, passionate, unrelenting energy into the world and into our lives with whatever Pluto is doing. But remember that retrogrades mean the planet is moving backward - this means it’s usually operating in the opposite way that it normally does.
With Pluto retrograde, that means we get a break from the intense, passionate, unrelenting energy, and it’s seen as a chance to adjust to the transformations that have already come to pass. Win!
Pluto retrogrades for almost half of every year, so we get almost 6 months to adjust, to align, and to accept.
Pluto retrograde is our time to breathe a sigh of relief, to get some space, and to see things more clearly. We can make plans to be prepared for when Pluto is no longer retrograde again, and we can get in a good headspace.
What about Pluto retrograde in Aquarius?
Pluto officially entered Aquarius in November 2024, though it started back in March 2023. Pluto tours air sign Aquarius for almost 20 more years.
Aquarius is the sign of change, of the future, of our hopes and dreams, and of the unconventional. Pluto in Aquarius challenges us to make powerful changes that propel us toward our dreams for the future, and those changes can be pursued in unusual ways or push us outside of our comfort zones.
This has been in full effect for the last almost 6 months, and now Pluto turns retrograde (until October 13th 2025 at 10:52PM ET/7:52PM PT). This slows down that massive energy for change and helps us adjust to what has already started at the early part of this transit.
We’re only at the beginning with Pluto in Aquarius, so this has largely been a time for first steps. For some, there might’ve been major strides made, but this is likely with anything that you had already started before Pluto entered Aquarius (or that you began right when Pluto started to move to Aquarius 2 years ago).
Look back at any changes that have already occurred in your life. Reflect on how they’ve come to be, your part in them; what has gone wrong and needs to be improved? What has gone right and needs to be expanded on?
How have you been challenged to step outside of your comfort zone? In what ways have you resisted and need to open up to? In what ways have you embraced, and need to continue to?
What is your connection to your hopes and dreams for the future at this point? Do you feel you’re on the right path now? If not, how can you align with what the right path is? Are you passionate about where you’re going?
So many questions, I know! Channelling my inner Baba Wawa (okay that might be too old of a reference! Look it up on Youtube, you won’t regret it).
The Tech Specs of Pluto Retrograde 2025:
To drill down, Pluto retrograde begins at 3 degrees 49 minutes of Aquarius. This means the aspects are between 0 and 6 degrees of:
Aquarius (conjunction - amplifies)
Aries & Sagittarius (sextile - beneficial with work)
Taurus & Scorpio (square - challenges)
Gemini & Libra (trine - helpful)
Leo (opposition - challenges)
Look to your natal chart and see which in your natal bodies are being aspected by this turn retrograde. This is where your attention is likely being drawn at the moment.
Sextiles and trines are beneficial aspects, so you can work with this energy fairly easily. You can focus on the changes that are transforming whatever the natal body rules, and make them work to your advantage.
Squares and oppositions are challenging aspects, and with Pluto, they’re really forcing you to take a hard look at whatever the natal body rules. The changes can be difficult, but necessary; and while it might be painful in the interim, you can emerge stronger. Use the Pluto retrograde to learn as much as you can about what has already occurred, and be smarter going forward.
Conjunctions are super passionate and unrelenting with Pluto, and you’re likely in a year where there’s massive changes going on with whatever the natal body rules. Work to take some control and make some of these changes of your own volition. You don’t have to be a victim of Pluto, and can take some of the power for yourself. Use the Pluto retrograde slowdown to help with that.
Pluto Retrograde Gets Help + Emotion:
This Pluto retrograde begins sextile both Venus and Neptune in Aries, so there is very helpful energy available to use. Venus rules the other people in our lives, so we can work together to try and find some common ground, or even ask for assistance, and this can be to our benefit with whatever changes and transformations we’re working on.
Neptune adds in some creativity and intuition, so we can benefit when we’re connected to our inner guide and listening carefully. Work to hone in on your intuition, and utilize your creative energy. Creativity can be a way to properly deal with any passionate energy, especially if you’re experiencing a conjunction, square, or opposition.
With Venus and Neptune in Aries, this does say you should take the initiative. Aries takes the lead and urges independence, which vibes well with Aquarius.
There is stronger emotion coming though with a Scorpio Full Moon on May 12th. Pluto is the natural ruler of Scorpio, so this directly triggers Pluto retrograde, and we can feel everything much stronger.
Passionate energy is even more passionate, and we can be super intense. This is especially the case if you’re experiencing a conjunction, square, or opposition to Pluto retrograde, and you can feel a strong emotional connection to whatever the natal body rules.
You can feel emotionally caught up in whatever it rules, and you might be more pessimistic about it. Try to take control - this is important with Pluto and Scorpio. Empower yourself and problem solve, and you can find a way out.
Recap:
Pluto retrograde is a time to adjust to transformations that have already occurred
connect to your hopes and dreams and get on the right path
major aspects are 0-6 degrees of Aquarius (conjunct), Aries & Sagittarius (sextile), Taurus & Scorpio (square), Gemini & Libra (trine), and Leo (opposite)
Pluto retrograde begins sextile Venus and Neptune (helpful, creative, and intuitive)
