Mars-Pluto Opposition

Mars-Pluto Opposition- Aggressive Power Struggles

"You cannot hope to build a better world without improving the individuals. To that end, each of us must work for his own improvement and, at the same time, share a general responsibility for all humanity, our particular duty being to aid those to whom we think we can be most useful."

— Marie Curie

This week begins with the first of three Mars-Pluto oppositions, highlighting the Cancer/Capricorn axis. The opposition's first completion suggests that the 'pull' is between Cancer's personal, emotional responses and Capricorn's overriding sense of responsibility to society. Mars will enter Leo shortly after completing the opposition to Pluto, bringing individual actions and dramatic flair into focus. There is increased confidence but also heightened ego vulnerability infused with aggressiveness. Mars in Leo leaves little room for a balanced 'in-between'. Essentially, tension runs high this week. A Venus-Neptune opposition at the end of the week suggests a significant breaking point from the tension, where discomfort and disillusionment 'flood the zone'. On Thursday, Mercury moves into the shadow of the next retrograde period (November 25 - December 15), beginning a process where we will need to begin to develop a new frame of reference following a reexamination of many of our beliefs. Mercury and Jupiter are in mutual reception during this period, offering a great deal of support to rebuild our belief systems with better clarity and a 'truer and more realistic perspective'. Pluto will arrive back into Aquarius by November 20th. Mars will turn retrograde next month (December 6, 2024 - February 23, 2025) in Leo and will oppose Pluto two more times next year — but on the Leo/Aquarius axis. Our understanding of responsibility begins to shift as we leave behind the Cancer/Capricorn themes of 'Response/Responsibility' and begin to explore the Leo/Aquarius themes of "Self/Society". In essence, this week's environment is a 'set up' for what is to come. The intensity of this week's Mars-Pluto opposition represents the 'opening salvo' in what will be an ongoing expansion of our awareness of our individual responsibility to 'the Greater Good'. The shift in our focus will be profound. We will begin to see more clearly how our responsibility is informed by the actions and choices of those who have come before us — the society in which we find ourselves. Mars in Leo encourages individual courage and determination but our progress is actually only possible because of the groundwork laid by others. This week's first opposition is intense, demanding balance and awareness. This week's turning point is something like the end of the end — the end of the 'ending' processes that have been underway since the Saturn-Pluto conjunction of 2020 — and the beginning of an entirely new era ushered in by Pluto's return to Aquarius on November 20th.

Tension is extremely high on Sunday, suggesting a 'set-up' that will continue into next year. Emotional responses can be quite extreme. Monday brings excitement but also some surprising stability. However, ego vulnerability may increase a tendency towards arrogant 'bluff and bluster'. Sensitivity increases significantly on Tuesday. We are tempted to make sacrifices in order to conform to some kind of accepted standard. Stability slips away on Wednesday, replaced by a painful awareness of mistakes and missteps. The transformative energy on Thursday begins to shift our perspective. Groundwork is laid for the development of a new 'frame of reference'. Conformity is a significant factor on Friday. There is stirring discomfort and the beginning of some significant disillusionment. Tension reaches a breaking point on Saturday and there is a breakdown of unrealistic idealism. The disappointment is emotional and some chaotic outbursts are possible.