Obsessed with Pluto?

If you look at the Carousel on the sidebar, you will see books about Pluto. Does that mean I'm obsessed with Pluto? Yes, to some extent. I had been studying astrology for many years (along with many other things). I had had my chart done again and again. But there was always something missing. Something left out that felt like 'the most important thing.' I didn't care that much about love or money. What I wanted to know about was 'why am I here?' What is my purpose in life? Why do things happen to people? When I read Jeffrey Wolf Green's Pluto Book 1, I found someone who was 'speaking my language.'

Until I read the "Pluto books" by JWG, no one had been able to tell me what this archetype meant. Since I have it in the 12th house, it was even more hidden from my view. When I read Book 1, I was living in New Orleans (a very Plutonian place, by the way). And I was just about to go into a journey into the underworld myself. A Shamanic dismemberment of my own. I didn't know it until later, because I was not following my transits, but I was about to experience transiting Pluto 3rd house Scorpio square natal Pluto 12th house Leo. It was definitely a death and rebirth experience and it lasted for many years.

Since I had been meditating for many years by then, and had been on a spiritual path most of my life (including my childhood as a Catholic), I was somewhat psychologically and spiritually prepared for my ordeal. I had the idea that life is a school where we learn what we need for the development of our consciousness. I had internalized the idea of 'life lessons', but didn't fully get it until I went through my 'Pluto transit' where I had to literally re-invent myself. Having the information in my head, I now had the chance to practice it. I knew what I was going through was meant to teach me something and I was not going to waste the lesson, because I did not want to have to do it again.

I found out that JWG had developed a method of chart analysis called Evolutionary Astrology and a couple of years ago I was able to enroll in the home study program. JWG no longer runs the school himself, but he has passed it on to Kim Marie in the US and Rose Marcus in Canada.

Basically, one enters the chart through Pluto: sign and house placement, and the nodes of the Moon. It is believed that Pluto represents the Soul's Purpose, which is ultimately the purpose of our life. Everything that occurs in a life is meant to serve the development of the Soul and it's ultimate return to God. There is an intrinsic acceptance of the idea of reincarnation and karma in this method, since it not possible to go through the complete process of separation and return in one lifetime. Relationships, careers, money, etc., are means by which we are involved in life as incarnated beings. But they are not the purpose of life.

Unlike most methods of chart analysis, EA does not put emphasis on the Sun, Moon and Ascendant. Yet as I have been studying EA, I have found it to be amazingly useful and accurate.

For books I recommend on other aspects of astrology, go to the bottom of the page where there is another Carousel.

The Nodes of the Moon

Have you ever had an astrological reading where you want to know what to be when you grow up and what your life is about and you feel like the answers you get are so vague as to be useless?

Actually that is a good sign. It is a sign that the astrologer is not telling you what to do, but leaving it up to you and your process. In a way, the less they "tell" you, the better.

But then what?

In my own studies, I have found that studying the nodes of the moon is very helpful. When I first started studying astrology 40 years ago, there was almost nothing written about them. Now, there are people who specialize in them.

Basically, the South Node is what you came into this incarnation with - including talents and baggage. Karma is carried on the South Node. It is where you unconsciously go, behavior that comes naturally to you. The path of least resistance.

The North Node is what you are moving towards in this life time and where you should attempt to go. It takes more effort because it is new territory.

I suggest you look at the sign your North Node is in, then the house. Personally, I have been working with my North Node consciously for about 5 years now and it has changed my life for the better. After many twists and turns, I can finally see a clear path ahead.

A book I picked up at the UAC in Denver this year is turning out to be one of the most useful I have ever found for both understanding the meaning of the nodes, then moving forward with the North Node.

It's called Astrology for the Soul, by Jan Spiller. It should be called Working with the Lunar Nodes because that is what it is about. She goes through the North Node in every sign describing behavior or attitudes that come naturally, South Node in opposite sign, and how what you already know can help you or not.

Just to give you a sample, here's the opening section for Taurus North Node which would also be the 2nd house.

Attributes to Develop

Work in these areas can help uncover hidden gifts and talents

* Loyalty
* Awareness of boundaries
* Taking things one step at a time
* A sense of self-worth
* Awareness of personal values
* Patience
* Honoring expressed needs of self and others
* Enjoying the five physical senses
* Gratitude
* Awareness of nurturing from Mother Earth
* Forgiveness
* Persistence

Tendencies to Leave Behind

Working to reduce the influence of these tendencies can help make life easier and more enjoyable

* Attraction to crisis situations
* Overconcern with other people's business
* Impatience
* Inappropriate intensity
* Judgmental tendencies
* Preoccupation with the psychological motivations of others
* Resistance to cooperating with what others want
* overreacting
* Destroying something in order to eliminate one part
* Obsessive-compulsive tendencies

I find this very helpful and practical, and yet they are just suggestions. She is not telling people what to do or what not to do. Some of the points may not be relevant, while others may be right on the button. This is just the beginning of the chapter.

For me, Astrology is a means of knowing and understanding how we and others tick. It is also a tool for transformation, which I believe is part of our purpose while here on Earth. It is spiritual but does not preach any religion or belief.