#pluto and compulsion

I admit, that was not soon. My apologies. Life caught up with me for a while. In my previous post I explained how Pluto is the compulsion planet of the planets. How this compulsion is expressed (and/or, if it is expressed at all) depends on the house position of Pluto in the natal chart (and, of course, the aspects Pluto makes to the other planets, but I will leave those out of the equation here). When talking about planets in certain natal positions I always find it impossible to not explain how the energy is expressed in interaction with other people. Of course, in this entry, I have to leave out the natal planet and house positions of the other person, as I cannot discuss every possible interaction of the planets and houses of one person with every possible natal planet or house position of the other person. What I can and will do is discuss how Pluto influences and colors the interaction with others, in relation to Pluto’s position by house. Pluto in the first house Pluto in the house of the Ascendant adds an intensity to the make up, every day expression and charisma. The Ascendant is the mask shown to the world and it defines the initial reaction to situations one is confronted with in every day life. When Pluto is in this house, therefore, it gives any Ascendant, and thus the expression, a Scorpionic vibe. This holds true even when the Ascendant is in a flamboyant sign, like Leo for example. Actually, Pluto located in this house in combination with a more flamboyant Ascendant gives the planet even more power. That is because when in its own sign, a planet feels comfortable. The expression is easy and does not fluctuate heavily. When a planet is in an uncomfortable sign (e.g. the sign of its fall or detriment), however, it is quite often far more present in the expression and life of a person. Still, when a planet is in a sign that it rules, it does not mean the energy of the planet is never expressed. In fact, the expression is as frequent; just less present because of the natural flow. People with Pluto in the first house are quite determined individuals and have a rather black and white approach to life. They dislike superficiality and have a hard time interacting with people who they think are phonies or hypocrites. When confronted with a challenge, they usually take it. They do not approach a challenge in an obvious, lighthearted, fun and healthy competitive way, though. They take each challenge seriously and more often than not the other party does not even know that they are involved in a competition until it reaches the point of culmination. When Pluto is in the first house, showing what is behind the exterior is not easy. It takes a long time for these people to warm up to others, quite in contrast to what they sometimes seem to show the world. In fact, they often come across as lighthearted, fun and open. Look closer, though, and you will realize that these people never show their true colors until they know it is safe enough to do so. They have a tendency to provoke crises. Not so much because they want to, but because the compulsion gives them the instinct to do so. This natural instinct they have to cause crises stems from an unconscious and deeply rooted drive to exterminate all superficiality, dishonesty and general deceit or falseness. They might not even realize that this is what they are doing until crisis arrives. Pluto in the second house The second house is the house of Taurus: a stable, material and secure house. Exactly. All things Pluto is not. The second house is often interpreted as the ultimate representation of what happens to a person on the financial side of life. This is true, of course, but the energy of this house stands for stability and (practical) security in general. Security can be found (or missed) in every aspect of life, although the material one is the most obvious. Familial security is the territory of the fourth house of Cancer, and emotional security belongs to the eighth house of Scorpio. This leaves the second house of Taurus to deal with the practical – hence, material – side of the security spectrum. This house is a no-bullshit type of house. With Pluto in this house, material security is not easily obtained or, once attained, not easily relinquished. Of course, regarding the latter, one cannot always influence finances. Sometimes you win the lottery; sometimes you overestimate your financial resources. Fact is, for people with Pluto in this house the financial situation does not really alter their goal. These folks will always want to make sure they are financially secure: they can even make a big fuss out of giving up things they’ve held on to for a long time – maybe even too long. This holding on to something can be a problem for those who have Pluto in the second house. The ‘something’ does not necessarily have to be a material thing: if a person with Pluto in the second house is involved in a relationship that somehow holds a lot of value for some irrational (or, maybe even better, rational) reasons, it can overstay its welcome and hold on desperately to something that, actually, has become worthless over time. What these Plutonians need to learn is how to let go of something and still be secure – whether that is financially or ‘just’ rationally. Pluto in the third house The third house is the house of communication, short travels, matters of the mind and is ruled by Mercury. Hence, Pluto in this house intensifies speech and quick analytical thinking. Martin Luther King had this position for example. His manner of speaking commanded authority and he spoke his words with force. With Pluto in this house, it is a great challenge to not come across as too forceful and too overbearing. In relationships with others, folks with Pluto in the third can find it hard to let others finish talking. They like to make their point loud and clear, but not all people understand their good intentions. On a more positive note, when Pluto in the third house is quiet, deep and quick analysis of difficult and challenging problems is stimulated. The energy that represents the third house moves quickly and is concerned with all matters on the surface of life. It is also a curious house. Well, Pluto represents energy that is opposite to superficiality. It is not at all a planet that likes to stay on the surface; it is compelled to move far beyond what is on the surface. Hence, Pluto in the third stimulates intense curiosity about certain subjects. The compulsion here is that it is hard to satisfy the curiosity of folks who have Pluto in this position. They thrive in intense and deep discussions where they can satisfy their desire to get to the heart of things. Because their words carry weight, what they say or write often makes a deep and lasting impression on people. The third house also rules siblings. Depending on the aspects Pluto makes to other planets in the natal chart, the relationship these Plutonians have with their brothers and/or sisters is very intense in various ways. Either they feel a very deep and close connection to their siblings, or they are continuously involved in a power struggle with them. Pluto in houses 4-6 to come within the week.

Yours truly,