The much anticipated, and somewhat feared conjunction of Saturn with Pluto in the sign of Capricorn at 22° Capricorn 46 ‘ occurs on January 12th or 13th (depending where you live) 2020. This is a quite interesting conjunction as these planets have not been conjunct in this sign since 1518 and at the time of this conjunction, there are a lot of other planets making close aspects to this conjunction.
The Sun at 21° Capricorn and Mercury at 23° Capricorn stand either side of the Saturn Pluto conjunction at 22° Capricorn. Jupiter is not close to the conjunction degree but is in the sign of Capricorn, along with all these other planets. The Lunar Eclipse of the 10th of January was at 20° of Cancer (directly opposite Capricorn).
When is it happening?
The conjunction will be exact on the dates below but has been building up since the beginning of the year. The closer the conjunction gets to exact, the more intense it gets. After the exact conjunction, the energies tend to start waning.
However, as Pluto is a generational planet (it spends up to 30 years in a sign) and Saturn is also a slower moving planet (approximately 2.5 years in a sign) their aspects tend to pack a punch. While events happening during this time may pass quickly, their after effects are likely to linger and have significant impact going forward.
- 7:04 am Los Angeles, California (PST)
- 8:04 am Phoenix, Arizona (MST)
- 9:04 am Sunday 12th January in Chicago, USA (CST)
- 10:04 am New York, New York (EST)
- 3:04 pm Sunday 12th January in London, UK (UT)
- 8:34 pm 12th January in New Delhi, India (IST)
- 1:04 am Monday 13th January in Brisbane, Australia (AEST)
- 2:04 am Monday 13th January in Sydney, Australia (AEDT)
- 4:04 am Monday 13th January, Auckland, New Zealand (NZST)
What does it mean?
Saturn, ruler of Capricorn is a planet associated with restrictions, limitations, and boundaries. It is often associated with hard work, requiring persistence and dogged determination. It demands that you give it your best if you are to see any rewards.
Pluto, ruler of Scorpio in modern astrology, is associated with depth, intensity, power plays, and brutal honesty. Pluto is also related to transformation. It is about tearing down the old and dilapidated to rebuild something better in its place.
I heard someone put it beautifully, that Pluto aspects were akin to the caterpillar transforming itself into a butterfly. The caterpillar has to enter the dark confined space of the chrysalis and completely break itself down before it can emerge as a butterfly.
Individually both Saturn and Pluto have fearsome reputations and both their transits tend to bring hard lessons and what can feel like hitting rock bottom, or extremely hard times. A conjunction aspect leads to a blending of the planets involved as they are said to be 0° apart (sharing the same right ascension or ecliptic longitude) and therefore look to be extremely close to one another from our perspective on earth.
Saturn is often associated with structures and governments on a larger scale, so while Saturn conjunct Pluto may have an effect on your chart and your personal life, it also has the ability to transform governments and larger institutions in some way.
What does it mean for you?
Pluto has been in Capricorn since January of 2008 and will remain in Capricorn until January 2024. Saturn has been in Capricorn since December 2017 and will remain in Capricorn until March 2020. It will then enter the sign of Aquarius, but retrograde back into Capricorn in July 2020 and finally leave Capricorn for another 29 or so years in December 2020.
While Saturn and Pluto will be in the same sign for a while yet, and have moments of being quite close to each other during this time, the only time they have an exact conjunction is on the 12th or 13th of January 2020 (depending on where you live) at 22° Capricorn. This is more likely to strongly effect, at this time, those with natal or secondary progressed planets at 21° to 23° of Capricorn, Cancer, Aries, and Libra.
For most of us, this aspect will result in some type of transformation in the natal house that it is transiting through at the time. If you know your Ascendant, reading the descriptions below will give you some indication of what you might expect.
At the time of the conjunction of Saturn and Pluto, we also have the Sun which is related to our essential selves and Mercury which is associated with our thinking and communications flanking either side of the conjunction. To add to all this, there was the Lunar Eclipse a few days prior that was opposite the conjunction degree and was itself to do with endings and change.
Aries Ascendant or Capricorn in your 10th house
There are planets of change and transformation making contacts to the area of your chart to do with your career and public reputation, honors, fame, and notoriety.
If you have a birthday around 9th to 12th of April, you may find yourself feeling the impacts of the lunar eclipse and Saturn Pluto conjunction more than others.
It may be that something has to end or be torn down first in an area of your life related to those topics mentioned above. This is likely to ultimately be for the best, as what is rebuilt in its place is likely to be far superior in the long run.
Unless you have natal planets or chart angles at 19° to 23° of Capricorn, Cancer, Libra or Aries, you may feel no real impact at all.
Aries ascendants turning 9, 21, 33, 45, 57, 69 or 81 may feel the impact related to the career and public reputation more than other Aries ascendants.
Taurus Ascendant or Capricorn in your 9th house
There are planets of change and transformation making contacts to the area of your chart to do with broadening your horizons. This can include travel, interaction with other cultures, higher education, religion, esoteric subjects, publishing, the law or philosophy.
It may be that something has to end or be torn down first in an area of your life related to those topics mentioned above. This is likely to ultimately be for the best, as what is rebuilt in its place is likely to be far superior in the long run.
Unless you have natal planets or chart angles at 19° to 23° of Capricorn, Cancer, Libra or Aries, you may feel no real impact at all.
Taurus ascendants turning 8, 20, 32, 44, 56, 68 or 80 may feel the impact related to broadening their horizons in some way more than other Taurus ascendants.
Gemini Ascendant or Capricorn in your 8th house
There are planets of change and transformation making contacts to the area of your chart to do with shared finances and resources. This can include shared finances with a romantic or business partner, insurances, taxation, inheritances or dealings with financial institutions.
It may be that something has to end or be torn down first in an area of your life related to those topics mentioned above. This is likely to ultimately be for the best, as what is rebuilt in its place is likely to be far superior in the long run.
Unless you have natal planets or chart angles at 19° to 23° of Capricorn, Cancer, Libra or Aries, you may feel no real impact at all.
Gemini ascendants turning 7, 19, 31, 43, 55, 67 or 79 may feel the impact related to shared finances and resources way more than other Gemini ascendants.
Cancer Ascendant or Capricorn in your 7th house
There are planets of change and transformation making contacts to the area of your chart to do with your one on one relationships. This includes relationships with your good friends, as well as romantic and business partners.
If you have a birthday around 11th to 14th of July, you may find yourself feeling the impacts of the lunar eclipse and Saturn Pluto conjunction more than others.
It may be that something has to end or be torn down first in an area of your life related to those topics mentioned above. This is likely to ultimately be for the best, as what is rebuilt in its place is likely to be far superior in the long run.
Unless you have natal planets or chart angles at 19° to 23° of Capricorn, Cancer, Libra or Aries, you may feel no real impact at all.
Cancer ascendants turning 6, 18, 30, 42, 54, 66 or 78 may feel the impact related to their one on one relationships more than other Cancer ascendants.
Leo Ascendant or Capricorn in your 6th house
There are planets of change and transformation making contacts to the area of your chart to do with your health and fitness, as well as your daily routines, work, and pets.
It may be that something has to end or be torn down first in an area of your life related to those topics mentioned above. This is likely to ultimately be for the best, as what is rebuilt in its place is likely to be far superior in the long run.
Unless you have natal planets or chart angles at 19° to 23° of Capricorn, Cancer, Libra or Aries, you may feel no real impact at all.
Leo ascendants turning 5, 17, 29, 41, 53, 65 or 77 may feel the impact related to their health and fitness, pets, work or daily routines more than other Leo ascendants.
Virgo Ascendant or Capricorn in your 5th house
There are planets of change and transformation making contacts to the area of your chart to do with your children, creativity, hobbies, romance and what you do for fun.
It may be that something has to end or be torn down first in an area of your life related to those topics mentioned above. This is likely to ultimately be for the best, as what is rebuilt in its place is likely to be far superior in the long run.
Unless you have natal planets or chart angles at 19° to 23° of Capricorn, Cancer, Libra or Aries, you may feel no real impact at all.
Virgo ascendants turning 4, 16, 28, 40, 52, 64 or 76 may feel the impact related to their children, creativity, romance, and fun topics more than other Virgo ascendants.
Libra Ascendants or Capricorn in your 4th house
There are planets of change and transformation making contacts to the area of your chart to do with your family, home or real estate in general. This can also include topics like your homeland and your ancestral roots.
If you have a birthday around 11th to 14th of October, you may find yourself feeling the impacts of the lunar eclipse and Saturn Pluto conjunction more than others.
It may be that something has to end or be torn down first in an area of your life related to those topics mentioned above. This is likely to ultimately be for the best, as what is rebuilt in its place is likely to be far superior in the long run.
Unless you have natal planets or chart angles at 19° to 23° of Capricorn, Cancer, Libra or Aries, you may feel no real impact at all.
Libra ascendants turning 3, 15, 27, 39, 51, 63 or 75 may feel the impact related to their families, home, or real estate ventures more than other Libra ascendants.
Scorpio Ascendants or Capricorn in your 3rd house
There are planets of change and transformation making contacts to the area of your chart to do with your siblings, cousins, local neighborhood, and communications and short-distance travel.
It may be that something has to end or be torn down first in an area of your life related to those topics mentioned above. This is likely to ultimately be for the best, as what is rebuilt in its place is likely to be far superior in the long run.
Unless you have natal planets or chart angles at 19° to 23° of Capricorn, Cancer, Libra or Aries, you may feel no real impact at all.
Scorpio ascendants turning 2, 14, 26, 38, 50, 62 or 74 may feel the impact related to their siblings, local neighborhood, communications, and short-distance travel more than other Scorpio ascendants.
Sagittarius Ascendants or Capricorn in your 2nd house
There are planets of change and transformation making contacts to the area of your chart to do with your income, finances, and possessions.
It may be that something has to end or be torn down first in an area of your life related to those topics mentioned above. This is likely to ultimately be for the best, as what is rebuilt in its place is likely to be far superior in the long run.
Unless you have natal planets or chart angles at 19° to 23° of Capricorn, Cancer, Libra or Aries, you may feel no real impact at all.
Sagittarius ascendants turning 1, 13, 25, 37, 49, 61 or 73 may feel the impact related to their income, finances, and possessions more than other Sagittarius ascendants.
Capricorn Ascendants or Capricorn in your 1st House
This is a huge time for Capricorns and Capricorn ascendants. If you have a birthday around 10th to 13th of January, you may find yourself feeling the impacts of the lunar eclipse and Saturn Pluto conjunction more than others. This also applies to those that have planets or chart angles at 19° to 23° of Capricorn, Cancer, Libra or Aries.
There are planets of change and transformation making contacts to the area of your chart to do with you, your appearance, your personality and how others see or perceive you. It may be that something has to end or be torn down first, but ultimately this is for the best. What is rebuilt is likely to be much superior in the long run.
Capricorn ascendants turning 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72 or 84 this year may feel this more than most.
Aquarius Ascendants or Capricorn in your 12th house
There are planets of change and transformation making contacts to the area of your chart to do with the hidden and secret parts of your chart. This could include psychological issues, addictions, and secret matters.
This area of your chart also includes places of seclusion and confinement, such as prisons, hospitals and monasteries or retreats. As ominous as some of those topics might sound, this area of your chart also includes working behind the scenes and foreign places among other topics.
It may be that something has to end or be torn down first in an area of your life related to those topics mentioned above. This is likely to ultimately be for the best, as what is rebuilt in its place is likely to be far superior in the long run.
Unless you have natal planets or chart angles at 19° to 23° of Capricorn, Cancer, Libra or Aries, you may feel no real impact at all.
Aquarius ascendants turning 11, 23, 35, 47, 59, 71 or 83 may feel the impact related to the hidden and secret topics more than most other Aquarius ascendants.
Pisces Ascendants or Capricorn in your 11th house
There are planets of change and transformation making contacts to the area of your chart to do with groups, friends, organizations and your hopes and dreams.
It may be that something has to end or be torn down first in an area of your life related to those topics mentioned above. This is likely to ultimately be for the best, as what is rebuilt in its place is likely to be far superior in the long run.
Unless you have natal planets or chart angles at 19° to 23° of Capricorn, Cancer, Libra or Aries, you may feel no real impact at all.
Pisces ascendants turning 10, 22, 34, 46, 58, 70 or 82 may feel the impact related to groups, friends, organizations, and their hopes and dreams more than most other Pisces ascendants.
Previous Saturn Pluto Conjunctions
Pluto transit through the zodiac
Pluto takes approximately 248 years to orbit the sun, and therefore approximately 248 years to transit through all the signs of the zodiac. After Pluto has done its tour of Capricorn this time around, it won’t be back in this sign for another nearly 250 years. Pluto spends anywhere from 14 to 30 or so years in any one zodiac sign.
Saturn transit through the zodiac
Saturn takes approximately 29 and a half years to orbit the sun, and therefore approximately 29 and a half years to transit all the signs of the zodiac. It typically remains in one zodiac sign for approximately two and a half years.
Previous Saturn Pluto Conjunctions in Capricorn
As Pluto and Saturn have such different orbits, they tend to come together in conjunction approximately every 30+ years or so. You might think (as I did) that they might meet up for their conjunction in the sign of Capricorn every 250 years or so, but this is not always the case. Pluto Saturn conjunctions seem to skip zodiac signs sometimes and 250 years ago they missed a conjunction in Capricorn and met up in Aquarius instead.
While the last time Saturn and Pluto were conjunct was in 1982, the last time they were conjunct in the sign of Capricorn was (according to my astrology software) in January 1518. The time previous to that was December 1284.
1518
A quick look online says that the start of The Reformation can be traced to 31 October 1517 when Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg. Pluto was in the early degrees of Capricorn at this time and Saturn in the later degrees of Sagittarius.
Martin Luther’s denunciation of the practices in the Catholic Church led to the formation of various protestant religions, a reformation of the Catholic church, influenced international politics and royalty as well as led to wars between Catholic and Protestant countries.
While the very start of The Reformation was not started under a Saturn/Pluto conjunction, it was only a few months later that the conjunction did occur and the very foundations of the Catholic Church were rocked.
1284
When looking up events for 1284 nothing really stood out to me, apart from The Pied Piper of Hamelin. While easy to dismiss as a fairy tale, it seems that something happened to approximately 130 children of the town. Suggestions are that they may have been abducted to fight in the Children’s War, were recruited to settle in Transylvania or died of plague or something similar.
Whatever the cause, even 270+ years later, they were mourning the loss of these children. It was noted in their records, and when a new gate was installed in the town it had the inscription “In the year 1556, 272 years after the magician led 130 children out of the town, this portal was erected.” While unsure what to make of this, I think it is interesting that the moral of the story is to honour your word or pay dire consequences (very Saturn and Pluto type themes).
A quick look at a chart for that time (they give the date of 26 June 1284) shows Saturn (24°) and Pluto (26°) close to conjunction in the sign of Capricorn. Uranus, associated with the shocking, surprising and unexpected was opposite them at 23° Cancer. A few weeks prior they had had a solar eclipse and would soon have a total lunar eclipse 3 days later.
Previous Saturn Pluto conjunction dates
I have listed some previous Saturn Pluto conjunctions below, sometimes there will be two or three exact hits within a short space of time. This will have occurred when Saturn or Pluto were retrograde and the planets made the conjunction two or three times in the same sign or at the very end of one sign and the very beginning of another sign. Times given are in Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).
Exact 26 Jul 1616 (Taurus)
Exact 25 Sep 1616 (Taurus)
Exact 23 Mar 1617 (Taurus)
Exact 25 Jun 1648 (Gemini)
Exact 13 Jul 1680 (Cancer)
Exact 23 Sep 1713 (Virgo)
Exact 22 Nov 1750 (Sagittarius)
Exact 27 Mar 1786 (Aquarius)
Exact 9 Aug 1786 (Aquarius)
Exact 8 Dec 1786 (Aquarius)
Exact 5 Oct 1819 (Pisces)
Exact 12 Jan 1820 (Pisces)
Exact 7 Jun 1851 (Taurus)
Exact 11 Nov 1851 (Aries)
Exact 10 Feb 1852 (Aries)
Exact 23 May 1883 (Taurus)
Exact 5 Oct 1914 (Cancer)
Exact 1 Nov 1914 (Cancer)
Exact 20 May 1915 (Cancer)
Exact 11 Aug 1947 (Leo)
Exact 8 Nov 1982 (Libra)
Exact 13 Jan 2020 (Capricorn)
Upcoming Saturn Pluto conjunction dates
Exact 15 Jun 2053 (Pisces)
Exact 10 Jul 2053 (Pisces)
Exact 2 Feb 2054 (Pisces)
