You always know when Pluto decides to stop by for a visit, since there is no mistaking his calling card; this applies whether he is considered by astronomers to be an official planet or a mere dwarf.

Pluto is a planet that is aptly named, since the symbolism and mythology behind him are all about the darker and deeper issues of life. After all, Pluto is (above all) the planet of transformation and of deep inner searching, among a myriad of other profound qualities. Pluto is still the ruler of Scorpio, a very deep and intense zodiac sign, and is still the planet that guides our most potent and radical transformation.

On January 27, 2008, Pluto entered into Capricorn for the start of his long stay in that sign (until January of 2024). In an effort to take a look at what Pluto in Capricorn might mean for both the universe and for you on an individual basis, let's take a look at just one event that occurred during Pluto's previous sojourn in Capricorn.

The last time Pluto was in Capricorn, the American Revolution occurred, and Thomas Jefferson, one of the founding fathers of the American Revolution, first penned in the American Constitution that all men (and women) have the pursuit of happiness as one of their intrinsic and inalienable rights. At that time, the idea of a person's personal happiness was a radical one indeed.

From 1776 until now, the pursuit of personal happiness has been very hard to obtain. Perhaps that is because we all face so many trials in our life journey, and we find it hard to know who we really are and to determine what we really want out of life, and what, by extension, will make us happy.

St. John of the Cross, one of the most religious people of his era, confessed to having experienced "dark nights of the soul" many times, and that is surely a very Plutonian theme. And of course, not even profound religious faith keeps us from feeling sad, or lonely, or unsure of ourselves at times. That's why the more we can learn about ourselves, and what our true desires are, the easier it will be for us to create lifestyles that will make us happy.

That's the good result of a Pluto transit; when Pluto impacts you throughout your astrological chart, you are going to radically revise the way you look at yourself and your lifestyle. If you are engaging in behavior that is self-defeating, you will realize that during the long transit you will experience under Pluto, and ultimately change that behavior, one way or another.

Pluto is the Roman name of Hades, the mythological Greek god of the underworld. It is Pluto who governs over the dead in Greek mythology, along with his queen, Persephone. But Pluto's rule extends far beyond that of the nether regions. He is also the ruler of the dark side of our souls, and of our minds. Psychology is under the realm of Pluto, as is any other transforming science or doctrine. Among other dark subjects, Pluto rules crime, dictatorships, and fascism. Pluto also rules deep devotion and dedication to another, or to an ideal we have, and its reach is very profound and long lasting.

When we have a Pluto event in our lives, it is a far-reaching, life-changing occurrence. The symbols of Scorpio, the soaring eagle, the phoenix bird, and yes, the lowly snake, detail the route we can take when Pluto impacts us. We can fly to the heights, we can rise from the ashes of our former selves, or we can crawl on the ground, consumed by our hate and despair. The choice, as always, is ours, and we are given the opportunity to show our best selves, or our worst selves, when Pluto impacts us.

When Pluto aspects our charts, he stays a long time in each individual house in which he takes up residence. This enables him to thoroughly change and alter our experiences in that realm of our life. The same holds true for Pluto's entrance into a sign. Since Pluto spends many long years in a sign, the issues of each sign are dealt with in a very deep and utterly life altering way.

Pluto is the planet of revelation, and delights in shining a spotlight on the dark corners of our psyche and mind, and showing us what lies beneath the surface.

When Pluto makes his way into Capricorn, he will be transforming many of the areas of life Capricorn deals with. One of the most important issues that will be dealt with during Pluto's journey through the sign of Capricorn, the winter sign, will be the subject of aging. Material resources, money, the way we deal with power, our desire for status, and our response to security issues will also be paramount in our conscious and unconscious thoughts.

Pluto will also impact you through your astrological chart, and through the house in your personal chart he is transiting, based on your ascendant (your rising sign). Check below to see what this transit may mean for you.

Pluto in the First House: The way you feel about yourself, and the image you project to the outer world will change radically. Your need to be in control of yourself and of your environment will also change, and you may find that your lifestyle alters considerably under this transit.

Pluto in the Second House: Your financial status, and what you do and do not find valuable will alter significantly. Your standards and value systems may change dramatically. Your personal finances may undergo very drastic ups and downs during this transit.

Pluto in the Third House: You will begin to think very deep thoughts, and you will start to take a very profound view of the subjects that interest you. Your ability to read between the lines, and understand the nuances and subtleties of how people relate will be considerably enhanced. Your relationship with your siblings and close relatives will undergo a deep transformation and enlightenment.

Pluto in the Fourth House: Your relationship with your family of origin, particularly with your mother, or with someone who played a nurturing role for you in your childhood, will take up a lot of your time and attention. You may decide it's a good time to enter counseling for any childhood traumas you experienced.

Pluto in the Fifth House: You may meet your soul mate, and the lover you are destined to be with in this lifetime. Your interaction with your children will become very emotionally fulfilling, albeit very intense at times.

Pluto in the Sixth House: Pluto will drastically change your attitude toward your daily routine and to the way you spend your time during the day, especially where your job is concerned. Your attitude toward your diet and exercise will also be revamped.

Pluto in the Seventh House: Your relationship to your life partner, spouse, or live-in domestic partner will alter considerably. The way you view your partnerships in general will undergo considerable change.

Pluto in the Eighth House: You will come to understand and acknowledge yourself as a sexual being under this transit, and your sexual desires may change drastically. You won't hesitate to face your "shadow self," and you may undergo counseling in an effort to understand yourself from a psychological perspective.

Pluto in the Ninth House: Your vision of yourself and your place in the world will alter greatly, and you will pursue the deep questions of the universe through your interest in philosophy. You will want to explore every corner of the globe, and get to know people from cultures and religions that are different than your own.

Pluto in the Tenth House: Your career goals will change, and you may decide to go into a profession that is completely different than the one you trained and studied for. Your status in the world may undergo radical change, and you could find yourself in the public eye, one way or another.

Pluto in the Eleventh House: You will evaluate your personal interpretation of what a friend is, or is not, and of what friendship means in general. You may scrutinize and critique the groups and associations you are a member of and sort and sift through them. Your wishes and hopes will change considerably, and you may become very involved with a cause that affects you deeply.

Pluto in the Twelfth House: Your interest in metaphysics will greatly increase, and you may discover that you have untapped reservoirs of intuitive ability under this transit. You will undergo a very deep spiritual metamorphosis, and you will learn to trust yourself and be your own guide. You may need to be alone to collect your own thoughts, and the idea of solitude will be a welcoming one for you.