The author writes and publishes the monthly Cosmic Telegram, available by snailmail and e-mail, detailing planetary forecasts and their import for human events.

Faces of Pluto

by Christopher Hedlund

Encounters with the human shadow are common. This may come in the form of having to deal with people who are unscrupulous, controlling, or greedy, looking out only for themselves. Abusive types may show up. They may test our limits, try to have us for lunch. We may have to defend ourselves wisely against such tactics. Even dangerous people such as underworld figures and certified loonies can show up. Handling such people is tricky. We may also have to see our own shadow at work and own it, get it under control.

'Hot' psychological and spiritual processes will be triggered under these aspects. I.E. people's issues are up and we all be simmering in them, gettin' cooked real good in Pluto's alchemical ovens. The kettle of inner transformation boils. These aspects mark a point where energies within us are super ripe for transformation or else have gone so dysfunctional as to reach the breaking point. As a fever represents the 'healing crisis' during an illness, we may feel the heat as the first movements of a powerful process of inner transformation begins. Shit may be surfacing, or powerful energies from the Deep Self may be awakened and start cooking the ego like an omelet. Then we have to be able to make the shift. . .growth does not just happen. Those refusing to make the shift may get stuck in a very uncomfortable state for many months as they plunge further into the pits and muck. But it is in those abyss like depths that we sometimes have to dive to before we find the powers and conviction within ourselves to achieve the big turnaround.

In business this Pluto dance presents several scenarios. First, the economy is going to suck, and most likely worsen. Second, there will be major bloodletting, re-structuring and down-sizing in corporations and businesses, and all the organizational chaos that goes with this. This will not be a stable or serene economic atmosphere. It's survival time. Third, there may be fierce power struggles and politicking within organizations of all kinds as people jockey for the upper hand and to secure their position, and they may employ quite under handed tactics. Fourth, in the general business environment competition will be fierce because the economy is shrinking and the fight for market share becomes more desperate. Less fat and fluff, more lean, mean meat is the business diet this year. Get used to raw meat now, you corporate types! Fifth, expect major shifts of power to come out of some of the power plays during these periods.

The energy crisis could escalate. The Arab Oil Embargo of early 70's was brought to you by Pluto Inc. Pluto often activates groups of greedy folks who corner the supply on something vital and then stick to everybody else and cash in. Duh, gee, that's not happenin now is it???

In relationships of all kinds, a testing of the 'health of the union' and a point where differences, conflicts and inharmonies could surface and intensify. But this can be good and can create an even more stronger and dynamic union if handled well. Pluto intensifies and surfaces 'obstacles to unity' in all sorts of alliances, be they lovey dovey, business, familial, social, or whatever. These issues may surface with great emotional intensity, and the risk lies therein as people may start reacting so emotionally that they cannot see that important issues are present which need to be addressed constructively. Sometimes alliances break up under this influence if the differences cannot be reconciled and integrated into a stronger union. . . but sometimes the problems are worked through and create a much healthier atmosphere. But all the down-side human reactions to conflict tend to be present too and have to be met wisely: power struggling, control mania, jockeying for the biggest piece of pie, rage, emotional manipulation, threats, abuse, guilt, you name it. . . people may try everything to 'win' the struggle instead of 'win-win' the struggle. It is vital to respect & hear others out as well as to make ones point in these situations. You have to do both to really win with Pluto. But ya gotta be strong too. . . don't let 'em be unfair!

Negotiation deadlocks. People can get quite stubborn and quite entrenched under these angles; witness the Mid-East last fall (and ongoing), when Jupiter opposed Pluto (due again in early May this year). Negotiations in any sphere: biz, legal, politics, your teenagers, love, etc., can be quite heated and may take time, patience, understanding, wisdom and strength to work through. And some must be walked away from.

Restructuring, sweeping change & metamorphosis. Pluto is the great 'tear down-rebuild' energy of life. . . the phoenix like force likes to purge and eliminate what isn't working anymore, to tear down ineffective things and then re-create new forms. This death and rebirthing process could apply to anything in your life. . . your company, your psyche, your car, your house, your relationship, your plumbing, your self. Just make sure that ya ain't tossing the baby out with the bath water and that the patient doesn't die on the operating table. And that the change you design is truly better than what you had before.

Bush discovers he isn't the great unifier. This one is a no brainer under these aspects. Its gonna be a big battle in ole capitol land. Bush's first geography lesson: Washington D.C. is not Texas.