This week’s question comes from Fumi in the UK:

My Progressed Ascendant is going to be conjunct the full moon in Sagittarius in June, and transiting Pluto is going to retrograde back to and station on my Progressed Ascendant. My Progressed AC will also trine my progressed Uranus. I would like to know your opinion of what this is all likely to mean.

I also have my progressed Jupiter conjunct my progressed 2nd house cusp, as well as transiting Pluto trining my natal and progressed Uranus. After Pluto’s intense 12-year period in Sagittarius, I am seriously meditating on bringing about a major positive breakthrough in my affairs in total.

Neith’s answer:

Fumi, the experience of Pluto conjunct the Ascendant, whether progressed or natal, often has to do with becoming aware of how we express power and control over our environment and the people in it. Pluto transited your natal Ascendant from 1994 to 1995, during which you went through the first phase of learning these lessons.

Now, as Pluto is finishing his stay in Sagittarius, I suspect that you are in the final stages of assimilating what he has to teach. As one who has been down this road (I also have Scorpio Rising), I found the key is staying neutral and not diving into the nearest power struggle, because it’s very easy to become lost in the obsessions that way.

Since Jupiter rules your Sun, the progressed Ascendant, and Pluto in Sagittarius, I can see why you are paying attention to these transits! You are right in feeling that you are on the verge of a major breakthrough. The key may be doing your best to avoid placing specific expectations on what that will be. With Uranus forming trines, it will be easier to find the path of least resistance to your destination.

If I may make a suggestion on how to maintain a sense of centeredness, it would be to practice some type of moving meditation like Tai Chi. Sagittarius folk do better in motion than sitting still.

Pat’s Answer:

Fumi, I tend to look at transits to the natal chart first – just as I rely on the 10 planets (yes, Pluto is one) before exploring Chiron, the asteroids, lunar nodes, and other factors that I consider as supplemental information. If the basics don’t reveal what we need to know, then I start exploring beyond them. Put another way, I don’t use the progressed chart to explain things that are readily apparent in transits to the natal chart.

Since Pluto already has crossed your natal Ascendant, my take is that you’ve already been there, done that (as Neith suggests) and that you’re moving on to new lessons. These lessons have to do with what you value. Material assets are one component of your resources, so changing how you go about managing your resources is part of this transformation.

I also see that Pluto is squaring your natal Moon. He got close earlier this year but went retrograde before making a direct connection. That will happen early next year. All the power struggle issues that Neith describes will be evident in your life, and then some…

As for Jupiter, he has been in your natal second house since late November 2007, and Jupiter and Pluto conjoined in this important financial sector of your chart on December 11. Many people I know, myself included, experienced a breakthrough related to this transit, but it didn’t happen until months later, due to all the complicating planetary aspects that were happening at the time (Mars out of bounds and retrograde, for one).

With Jupiter in practical Capricorn, it makes all the more sense that you are building a strong material foundation. The Big Guy currently is retrograde but turns direct with Pluto on September 8. Major breakthroughs are possible after this date, so use this energy well. 

Thanks for writing, and best of luck to you!

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