Written in February 2008 for the March 2008 FAA Journal Editorial:
Pluto into Capricorn: Early Indicators of the power shift
Much has been written in astrological publications on the entry of Pluto into the tropical sign Capricorn. Various historical studies have shown that on previous passages of Pluto through Capricorn there was a major geopolitical power shift when Pluto entered Capricorn.
A similar power shift is beginning at the moment. In my mind the early indicators of the present power shift show that national power is being shifted through financial means. We have the newly developed states building a power base within Western countries through sovereign funds. A sovereign fund is a fund of money owned by a national government, such as China. Sovereign funds managed and owned by foreign governments are shoring up Western economies as they move into a time of economic crisis. As the sub-prime mortgage crisis and now the prime mortgage crisis hits, large financial organisations suddenly find themselves in a liquidity crisis.
To the rescue come funds owned by foreign countries who seek to wield influence and power through the provision of credit. By shoring up the financial foundations of the West they are making themselves indispensible, and in doing so they have great potential to influence domestic and foreign policy. Quickly the developed countries may find themselves at the mercy of the developing countries as the economic crisis worsens.
This is a situation we have not witnessed before. Consumerism combined with the capitalist system of growth and expansion has contributed to the present scenario. It is likely that it is the system itself that will need to be adjusted, at least in the long run.
It is not clear how Western governments will respond to this new situation, and whether they will allow foreign governments entry through financial means. The early indicators are that as the developed nations are enveloped by financial crisis, their leaders can see no other option but to open the gates of the empire to the owners of sovereign funds.
Pluto is known in astrology for working in a hidden manner, from the foundations upwards, and in this scenario this same trait appears evident. Could we be witnessing the beginning of the Plutonic process of death and rebirth of Western society through the power of the dollar? The sign of Capricorn has often been associated with economic matters and financial institutions.

Written January 2008:
As 2008 dawns we are moving into a new era:
Both Pluto and Jupiter have moved into Capricorn, and Saturn has moved into Virgo. Pluto has been dubbed “The Lord of the Underworld”. In the sign of Sagittarius war and terror were proclaimed in the name of the high moral ground. Sagittarius has a strong association with morality, and Pluto has an historic associan with war and terror.
Now as Pluto moves into Capricorn, he adopts status, tradition and power as his claim to authority. Might is right. The rule of law is king. The apparent threats and lack of security triggered by a borderless and globalised world given birth during Pluto’s stay in Sagittarius is likely to stimulate the establishment of new barriers and power structures. Patriotism is more likely to be used by governments to gain the support of their poeple. The expansion and optimism of the recent years is likely to give way to something far more realistic and sobering.

When Jupiter recently moved into Capricorn in late December 2007 the economy took a battering. Jupiter in the sign of its fall reduces high spiritual goals to the level of status and pragmatic political achievement. It was opposed by Mars, also in its fall, stepping backwards through emotional Cancer. Saturn provides a steadying influence through its trine to Jupiter in January.

But the big news is Pluto moving into Capricorn. Astrologers look to past occurrences of a cycle to gain some understanding of what the repeat of the same cycle will bring in the future. Looking back two cycles to 1515 – 1530, we saw the discovery of the Americas. When Pluto was last in the sign of Capricorn between 1762 -1777, the USA was founded and Australia was discovered. In both cases the focus of world power was transformed. New structures were born. In the coming scenario we can expect further transformation if past examples are reliable indicators.

A clear and emerging trend is the use of ’sovreign funds’ (funds owned by foreign governments) to prop up ailing Western governments. These funds have the potential to undermine the power of Western governments and institutions. The newly developed world is asserting its new found economic power at a time when economic weaknesses are being exposed in the developed world. Pluto is known for its power to manipulate and control, often in underhand ways. It will be some years before the extent of this undermining influence is revealed.

In 2010 there are powerful indicators suggesting a world crisis of a very serious nature. Two of the planets involved are Uranus Saturn and Pluto. Uranus symbolises innovation, reform and revolution. Saturn represents the establishment and structures which have become aged and crystallised. When these two oppose each other the result is structural breakdown, chaos and hopefully, reform.
Added to this volatile mix is Pluto, which represents the process of death, purging, transformation and rebirth. The years 2010 – 2015 are likely to be years of profound change and deep crisis. The previous time these three planets came together in the cardinal signs of the zodiac was in the 1930’s, when the Nazis began their rise to power, the world was plunged into depression, and the atomic bomb was discovered.

My own view is that the stock market is likely to become very fragile in 2008and go into meltdown in 2009- 2010, . New economic paradigms are likely to emerge in tandem with geo-political power shifts. Expect mergers, takeovers, and new powerful conglomerates to join forces. An early indicator of new economic paradigms is ‘peer-to-peer’ lending, where people are beginning to bypass the banks, using the internet.

At the time of writing in Australia we have the proposed merger between the mining giants BHP and Rio Tinto making the headlines. Their merger would produce one of the largest mining giants to strut the earth’s stage. Of great interest in Australia is whether China would seek to purchase a controlling stake in the proposed conglomerate, and thereby extend its reach into this part of the world. The political stakes and risks would present an enormous challenge to the newly installed labour government.

These are the type of scenarios to be expected by Pluto’s entry into Capricorn, the sign of power and control.

The present establishment’s claim to power is likely to be seriously challenged through revolutionary change and social upheaval.

If Pluto in Capricorn brings death and rebirth to the established hierarchy, then the Pluto in Leo generation (those born between the late 1940’s and the late 1950’s) had better take note. It might be time for it to make way to more youthful energies. Uranus in Aries represents rebellious and spontaneous youth, expressing a desire for change with unrestrained courage.

The generation born in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, during the triple conjunction of Saturn Uranus and Neptune in early degrees of Capricorn, will be moving into their early twenties during the coming time of crises. This generation has unique attributes as shown by this rare planetary alignment, and is likely to be an eager participant in the events of the next five years. Consider what was taking place during its birth: the sudden and peaceful dismantling of the Soviet empire.

This generation will be challenged to direct their energy for change and reform through peaceful outlets during the volatile years ahead.

Written in December 2007
Both Pluto and Jupiter are moving into Capricorn, and Saturn has only recently moved into Virgo. The ‘Lord of the Underworld’ no longer seeks the high moral ground in the name of war and annihilation that so characterised Pluto in Sagittarius. Now he adopts status, tradition and power as his claim to authority. Might is right. The apparent threats and lack of security triggered by a borderless and globalised world given birth during Pluto’s stay in Sagittarius is likely to stimulate the establishment of new barriers and power structures. The expansion and optimism of the recent years is likely to give way to something more realistic and sobering.
As Jupiter first moves into Capricorn in late December 2007 order and tradition are idealised. Jupiter in the sign of its fall reduces high spiritual goals to the level of status and pragmatic political achievement. It is opposed by Mars, also in its fall, stepping backwards through emotional Cancer. Saturn provides a steadying influence through its trine to Jupiter in January.
But the big news is Pluto moving into Capricorn.
In the September 2007 issue of the FAA Journal Gregory Clare discussed the momentous times during 1515 – 1530 and 1762 -1777 when it was last in the sign of Capricorn. In the first case we saw the discovery of the Americas and in the second the foundation of the USA, and the discovery of Australia. The focus of world power was transformed. New structures were born. In the coming scenario we can expect further transformation if past examples are reliable indicators.
In the same issue Murray May discussed the coming t-square involving Pluto Uranus and Saturn. Pluto’s new claim to power is likely to be seriously challenged through revolutionary change and social upheaval. Murray discusses both the negative and positive possibilities relating to the tensions between these planets, and also to the difficulty of accurately anticipating the precise manifestations.
In the December 2007 issue of the FAA Journal Ed Tamplin, in his regular ‘Eye in the Sky’ column, presented an excellent and succinct historical synopsis of Pluto’s passages through the zodiacal sign of Capricorn over the last 2000 years. He emphasises Pluto’s function “as an agent of cathartic and evolutionary transformation” as it moves through Capricorn, which governs the pillars of our society – its administration, traditions and institutions.
If Pluto in Capricorn brings death and rebirth to the established hierarchy, then the Pluto in Leo generation had better take note. It might be time for it to make way to more youthful energies. Uranus in Aries represents rebellious and spontaneous youth, expressing a desire for change with unrestrained courage.
The generation born in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, during the triple conjunction of Saturn Uranus and Neptune in early degrees of Capricorn, will be moving into their early twenties during the coming T-square. This generation has unique attributes as shown by this rare planetary alignment, and is likely to be an eager participant in the events of the next five years. Consider what was taking place during its birth: the sudden and peaceful dismantling of the Soviet empire.
This generation will be challenged to direct their energy for change and reform through peaceful outlets during the volatile T-Sqaure. Of particular interest will be Capricorn’s ruler Saturn, which travels from Virgo to Pisces during Pluto’s stay in Capricorn. In Libra it is exalted, while it is in rulership in both Capricorn and Aquarius. Saturn’s condition and planetary relationships may find an echo in Pluto’s expression.
My own view is that the stock market is likely to experience a shakedown, and that new economic paradigms will emerge in tandem with geo-political power shifts. Expect mergers, takeovers, and new powerful conglomerates to emerge. An early indicator of new economic paradigms is ‘peer-to-peer’ lending, where people are beginning to bypass the banks, using the internet.
At the time of writing in Australia we have the proposed merger between the mining giants BHP and Rio Tinto making the headlines. Their merger would produce one of the largest mining giants to strut the earth’s stage. Of great interest in Australia is whether China would seek to purchase a controlling stake in the proposed conglomerate, and thereby extend its reach into this part of the world. The political stakes and risks would present an enormous challenge to the newly installed labour government.
These are the type of scenarios to be expected by Pluto’s entry into Capricorn, the sign of power and control.