On December 22, 2008, the Sun will meet Pluto in the sign of Capricorn for the first time in over two hundred years, during the longest night of the year. As the passing of an aging and feeble king is necessary before a younger, more vital ruler can take control, the Sun’s meeting with the planet of death and regeneration offers us a chance to examine and transform the fundamental structures of our lives.

Pluto, along with Uranus and Neptune, is often seen as having an influence over entire generations rather than over individuals. But when it comes in contact with the Sun, even slow-moving Pluto can touch each one of us on a personal level. Scorpio and Leo, the signs ruled by Pluto and the Sun, respectively, will be especially affected: Scorpio natives may find themselves energized by the conjunction, while Leo may want to take the day slowly. Whatever sign you were born in, this is a good time to take stock, not so much of your goals and values, but of the means you use to achieve them. Are you pursuing your dreams in an effective, efficient manner, or are you squandering your energy on side projects and flights of fancy?

Pluto in Capricorn

Pluto entered Capricorn to stay on November 27, 2008, after a brief foray earlier in the year. It will stay in the authoritarian, businesslike sign of the Goat until 2024. This promises to be an era of earth-shaking changes in the political and business world, in which unnecessary or ineffective institutions and traditions crumble like old buildings, and new structures arise in their place. The last time Pluto was in Capricorn, between 1762 and 1778, the American colonies revolted against Great Britain following a decade of unrest, and the political climate of Europe was shaken by colonial wars, rebellions, and peasant unrest. Patterns of colonialism and monarchy that had become oppressive were shaken by Pluto’s passage through Capricorn.

Transformation doesn’t need to be as painful as a revolution. If we work with the forces of change, rather than clinging to old patterns, the transfer of power from old to new can be peaceful and constructive; we can tear down walls that restrain us, or we can wait for them to fall over when we don’t expect it.

Although most of the effects of Pluto are felt in the events that change the world, they can also be noticed and used in our own lives, especially when Pluto makes a conjunction with as important a force as the Sun. Pay attention to the authorities and rules that govern your life, whether at work, at home, or in your own mind. Do they seem meaningless, arbitrary, and burdensome? If so, they have probably outlived their usefulness. Take steps to replace them with more responsive attitudes. Is your desk or your schedule cluttered with pointless projects and time-wasters? Clear out the dead weight so you can attend to the things that really matter.

The Sun at Midwinter

In the Northern hemisphere, December 21 is the winter solstice—the shortest day, and longest night, of the year. In many ancient societies, this symbolized the Sun’s passage through the Underworld, the time when we confront our deepest fears and beliefs about the world, as everything we’ve held on to disappears and we are free to decide what will come next. The winter solstice also marks the Sun’s passage into Capricorn. This earthy sign lays the groundwork for the upcoming year. It is up to us whether we create a firm, solid foundation on which to build, or allow ourselves to react to habits and old insecurities.

In the United States, the Sun’s conjunction with Pluto will become exact sometime around midnight, depending on the time zone. Symbolically, this meeting with the Lord of the Underworld—Pluto is named for the Greek god of the dead—reinforces the astrological significance of this night as a time to make choices that will have profound effects on us and on our world. This shadowy meeting in the darkness of the solstice may be frightening if we are not ready to let go of our old ways, but if we face ourselves honestly and courageously, it will provide an unmatched opportunity for personal liberation and transformation.

- Daniel Nighting