Gather ’round as we discuss themes of death, renewal, and the impactful influence of Pluto, a small yet mighty planet. Pluto will commence its retrograde motion in Aquarius, a fixed air sign, beginning on May 4th and will continue this backward dance until October 13th.

Pluto retrograde 2025

Pluto, our powerful planet associated with both destruction and creation, serves as a reminder that growth is impossible without release. During this retrograde, we are encouraged to examine how we handle and distribute power, resist transformation, and try to control aspects like resources, sexuality, and even the concept of death.

While all among us will be affected by Pluto’s backspinning, four signs will feel the effects most acutely. Read for your sun and rising sign.

Pluto retrograde in Aquarius is slashing, burning and birthing in your tenth house of legacy, career, daddy issues and authority figures, Taurus.

You may encounter challenging situations that test whether you are ready to lead and grow, or satisfied to follow and grovel.

If you’re the courageous individual we know you truly are behind that casual athleisure attire, you might find yourself venturing independently and forging a career path that offers both financial security and creative freedom.

Glad tidings to the lion pride.

Pluto Rx is getting close to the bone in your seventh house of partnerships and trusted alliances, Leo.

Deep changes could be coming to your one-on-one relationships.

Remember, big cats, what is comfortable is not always beneficial. If an ending, shift, or separation presents itself, trust that it was time for the energy of that relationship to transmute and make room for something more in line with your beautiful, imminent becoming.

Pluto, your planetary ruler, is turning over the soil in your fourth house of ancestry and apron strings, home and roots.

How do you keep yourself safe, Scorpio? Is it possible that these behaviors are maladaptive, born from a need to protect a younger, more vulnerable version of yourself?

A therapist I spoke to said the difference between surviving and living is dependent on our ability to remember rather than relive our traumas. I hope you’ll find the inspiration to look back and dig deep, Scorpio, as I suspect that planted betwixt the pain is the knowledge that you were not only born to survive but to live, happy, healthy and free.

Ahoy, water bearers, this retrograde is digging deep in your first house of identity and perception, a summons to step into the operating system 2.0 or 7009.0 version of yourself.

As a fixed sign, Aquarius, you tend to hold on tight, but I suspect that there are more than a few habits, accessories, beliefs and well-worn ruts that could get culled in service or a truer, newer you. Where, when and why are you resisting the future?

Astrologer Reda Wigle researches and irreverently reports on planetary configurations and their effect on each zodiac sign. Her horoscopes integrate history, poetry, pop culture and personal experience. To book a reading, visit her website.