The Alchemy of a Pluto Transit
And how it’s different from transits of Uranus
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tl;dr
Pluto's Transformations are akin to the slow, intense process of breaking down and rebuilding, mirroring the natural life-death-rebirth cycle. The results are often a new level of psychological mastery and personal empowerment, achieved after confronting deep-seated fears and traumas.
Uranus' Transformations, on the other hand, involve sudden disruptions that force us out of our comfort zones, pushing us to adapt quickly. The outcome is often a fresh perspective or new freedom, though it can be chaotic and destabilizing.
When we consider transits in a natal or a mundane chart, we know both Pluto and Uranus to be “agents of change”.
And they are, for sure. However, I think it’s important to know how vastly different these two energies are. Their modus operandi are worlds apart. And knowing that difference means we can give our clients a much clearer idea of the kind of change they can expect from a transit of either of these planets.
At the core of Functional Astrology is Hermetics. The knowledge of Natural Law. And, the practice of Hermetics is what we know as alchemy. Alchemy being quite literally the manipulation of the material world within the confines of Natural Law.
This is an incredibly important point to note. Because any “magikal”, “spiritual”, “alchemical” - and yes, astrological - process that falls outside of the confines (Saturn) of Natural Law is, to put it bluntly, bullshit. Unless the goal is shits-and-giggles LARPing which I don’t suspect you’re here for.
That said, let’s look at the alchemical process of transformation, and see how that applies to Pluto.
Overview of Alchemical Transformation
Alchemy is the ancient art of transformation—most famously, turning lead into gold—but its deeper meaning concerns personal, spiritual, and psychological evolution. The alchemical process is symbolic of profound inner change, where what is base and heavy (the “lead” of the unmastered personality or ego) is refined and transmuted into something pure, enlightened, and empowered (the “gold” of the true and sovereign self).
Pluto, the planet of transformation, operates similarly, breaking down old patterns to bring about deep, regenerative shifts. Pluto’s transit through the zodiac acts as a catalyst for this alchemical process within the individual. And the same process takes place in a mundane chart. The United States, for example, that is currently (enduring?) a once-every-248-years Pluto return.
Now, remember that a planet operates in a pendulum-like fashion. And, in doing so, that planet will hit a particular point in a chart 3 times before progressing out of that particular “zip code”. Keep that in mind as we explore the 6 phases of the alchemical process, using Pluto as the representative of that change.
1. Calcination: The Breakdown of the Ego
Calcination is the first stage of alchemy and represents the destruction of the old—burning away the ego’s defenses, attachments, and outdated structures. When Pluto makes its initial contact with a specific point in your chart, it introduces intense change. In this phase, Pluto burns through what no longer serves you: your habits, beliefs, relationships, or career structures that are based on ego rather than soul growth. This feels like a breaking down of the personality, often manifesting as crises, losses, or challenges that strip away false identities. It’s uncomfortable because it dismantles the parts of you that have become too rigid or stagnant. Pluto invites you to let go of control and embrace the necessary destruction of outdated elements of your life.
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2. Dissolution: Surrender and Emotional Release
Dissolution follows calcination and is the melting away of the remains after the fire has burned. Here, Pluto dissolves the remnants of what the ego was holding onto, bringing unconscious material to the surface. It’s a time of emotional release, where deeply buried feelings, unresolved trauma, or hidden aspects of the self are exposed. During Pluto’s retrograde motion, this phase often feels like a descent into the unknown. You may feel lost or confused as old parts of your psyche dissolve. The purpose here is to allow for deep cleansing, to make space for the new by letting go of what no longer aligns with your soul’s path.
3. Separation: Distilling the Truth
After the dissolution of old patterns, Separation is about sifting through the debris to find what is essential and what must be discarded. Pluto governs this phase by helping you identify and confront the deepest truths about yourself. You begin to see clearly what parts of your identity, relationships, or ambitions are authentic and necessary for growth, and which parts are holding you back. This process requires discernment. It’s about separating the wheat from the chaff—understanding what needs to be kept and what must be left behind as Pluto’s transformative journey progresses.
4. Conjunction: Integration and Healing
Conjunction is the stage where the separated parts are brought together in a new, more harmonious whole. Here, Pluto guides the integration of your conscious and unconscious aspects, healing the rift between them. The lessons learned from the breakdown (calcination), the emotional release (dissolution), and the truth revealed (separation) are now synthesized into a unified self. In this phase, you begin to heal and build a new, more authentic identity. Pluto’s power becomes constructive here, as you start to align with the deeper truths uncovered during the earlier stages. New perspectives, relationships, and ways of being take form.
5. Fermentation: The Birth of New Consciousness
In alchemy, fermentation is the spark of new life—the moment when something new and vital emerges from the previous stages. Similarly, after Pluto’s intense transformative process, new insights and growth begin to take root. This is the beginning of your rebirth. The internal transformation that Pluto has pushed you through starts manifesting externally as new opportunities, relationships, and ways of thinking. It’s a creative process where the soul begins to flourish again, though this growth is still tender and developing. Fermentation signals that true change has occurred, but like planting a seed, it needs time to fully mature.
6. Distillation: Refinement of Consciousness
Distillation is about refining what has been created. Pluto’s energy here works to purify your newfound awareness and cleanse any lingering impurities in your consciousness. In this phase, you gain clarity and wisdom from the experiences you’ve undergone. Distillation represents a higher level of consciousness—one that has moved through the darkness and now operates from a place of deeper insight and spiritual understanding. The chaos of earlier stages has subsided, leaving behind a more polished, purified self.
7. Coagulation: The New Self
The final stage, Coagulation, represents the solidification of the new self. After Pluto has taken you through destruction, emotional release, discernment, and healing, the final result is a new, stable version of yourself. Coagulation is the moment when all the alchemical transformations have completed, and the soul has been reborn into its full potential. Pluto’s empowerment is complete at this stage—you’ve not only survived the transformation but now stand in your power with a deep sense of self-awareness, purpose, and strength. The change is permanent and lasting; the lead of your old self has truly been turned into the gold of the new self.
Now, let’s look at the above process through the lens of the 3-pass pendulum swing. We have:
1st pass (direct): Calcination
2nd pass (retrograde): Dissolution and Separation
3rd pass (final direct): Conjunction, Fermentation, Distillation and, Coagulation
The obvious question here is “why does the 1st pass include only one alchemical process, while the 3rd pass includes four?”
And the simple answer is this: intensity. Calcination, dissolution and separation are tough processes. The last four processes are a relative breeze compared to the first three. With calcination being the real “throat punch”. I’ve never counseled anyone going through a 1st pass Pluto transit over a sensitive point in their chart that isn’t staggered. Which is why transit Pluto is one of the first things we look at in a chart. Because although this planet moves very slowly, the odds of it hitting a sensitive point are low (in the overall populace). But if he IS hitting a sensitive point, you know you have work to do with a client. And this also means that a disproportionate number of people who come to you will have a significant Pluto transit (or natal positioned) in their chart. They’re coming to you because they ARE staggered!
The good news is that even though the entire process takes a good bit of time (over several months) the toughest part is usually over quickly, if we engage the process full-on.
Ok, so what about Uranus? He’s an agent of change too, right?
Uranus for sure is. But he goes about it in a completely different way.
Uranus' Transformation: The Lightning Bolt of Change
Uranus, often associated with sudden, unexpected shifts, operates in stark contrast to Pluto’s deep, slow, and relentless metamorphosis. Where Pluto brings about profound psychological evolution through destruction and rebirth, Uranus delivers swift, shocking revolutions in consciousness and perception. Uranus’ transformation is like a lightning bolt—fast, electrifying, and impossible to ignore. It doesn’t allow for the gradual adaptation that Pluto encourages; instead, Uranus uproots and disrupts all at once, triggering instantaneous realizations or shifts in one’s life.
Uranus as Promethean Energy: The Rebel and the Liberator
We equate Uranus with Prometheus, the mythological figure who defied the gods to bring fire (knowledge) to humanity. In this sense, Uranus represents liberation, innovation, and rebellion against outdated structures. The energy of Uranus is catalytic—it breaks through limitations and frees us from restrictive patterns, much like how Prometheus gave humanity a new tool that forever changed their reality. Uranus’ revolutionary spirit doesn’t wait for slow evolution; it forces awareness and enlightenment in the blink of an eye.
Uranian transformation can feel like epiphany moments—those sudden flashes of insight that completely change how you see the world or yourself. While Pluto works by digging through the subconscious and exposing deep truths, Uranus works through instant, radical awakening. This is the moment where you step outside of your current framework and are catapulted into new ways of thinking and being. It’s the lightning that strikes when least expected, shattering the old and revealing a new paradigm.
The Quantum Leap: Uranus and Breakthroughs
One of Uranus’ key qualities is its ability to facilitate quantum leaps in consciousness. This is not about a slow unfolding process but about rapid expansion. It’s as if Uranus collapses the timeline, pushing you to make gigantic leaps forward in understanding or circumstance. These moments can feel chaotic and disorienting because Uranus demands that you immediately release old constraints and embrace a totally new state of being.
Whereas Pluto takes you through the trenches of psychological transformation, Uranus throws you into the air—forcing you to adapt on the fly. The sense of “being hurled forward” in life is a classic Uranian experience. It is the planet that governs innovation, technology, and breakthroughs in all forms, representing those flashes of genius that disrupt and revolutionize society, ideas, or personal life paths.
Rebellion, Innovation, and Breaking Free
Uranus is also the energy of rebellion and revolution, pushing against the boundaries of tradition, structure, and conformity. Uranus doesn't gently suggest change; it demands it—and quickly. It represents the urge to break free from limitations, whether they are self-imposed, societal, or institutional. This energy feels liberating, especially when you’ve been stuck in a rut, but it can also be unsettling for those who prefer security and predictability.
Uranus thrives on breaking the mold—it doesn’t accept the status quo. It’s the disruptor that shatters conventional thinking and forces the individual (or collective) to see things from a completely different perspective. This is where Uranus' transformation becomes innovation: not just in terms of technological or societal advancements, but in personal terms as well. Uranus' touch can spark new, creative solutions and push you into territories you hadn’t even considered before.
Jarring Yet Liberating
Although Uranian transformation is exciting and liberating, it often comes with a jolt. Just like a lightning strike, Uranus' impact can feel sudden and disorienting, sometimes leaving you scrambling to catch up. This is because Uranus’ changes don’t give you time to adjust gradually; they come when you least expect it, demanding that you adapt immediately to a new set of circumstances or ideas.
For many, Uranian energy can feel destabilizing, as it challenges existing structures, values, and mindsets. While Pluto's transformation might ask you to let go of old emotional baggage over time, Uranus demands that you instantly leap into the unknown, ready or not. The positive side of this energy is that it often leads to liberation from constraints, allowing you to break free from limiting beliefs, outdated situations, or roles that no longer serve your highest potential.
Uranus vs. Pluto: The Revolutionary vs. the Alchemist
While Pluto works like an alchemist, breaking you down and reshaping you over time, Uranus is the revolutionary, toppling the existing order and forcing you to leap forward. Both planets initiate profound change, but they do so in vastly different ways:
Pluto’s transformation is about deep inner change, emotional evolution, and soul regeneration through a process of destruction and rebuilding.
Uranus' transformation is about sudden breakthroughs, flashes of insight, and rebellious leaps into new realities, where old rules no longer apply.
Where Pluto feels like a slow burning fire, Uranus feels like a sharp, cold wind that rushes in, clears the air, and demands that you embrace a new perspective.
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