The passionate planet Pluto is about to start moving backward! Pluto retrograde is set to begin on May 1st, 2023, and this will last until October 10th, 2023, so almost 5 1/2 months.

　　Pluto retrogrades for months at a time every year, so that in and of itself isn’t unusual.

　　It’s just that Pluto is on a wild tour for 2023, especially for these six zodiac signs: Aquarius, Capricorn, Scorpio, Leo, Taurus, and Aries.

　　

What is a Planet in Retrograde?

In astrology, a planet or body is called retrograde when it appears to be moving backward through the zodiac. It isn’t actually moving backward and just appears that way.

　　Since normal motion is forward, retrograde motion can throw the energy of the planet or body off. This is very strong with the fast planets like Mercury, Venus, and Mars but can be more subtle with the slow planets like Pluto.

　　

About Pluto Retrograde in Astrology

Pluto is the planet of transformation in astrology. It rules power and control, darkness and depths, our inner demons, fears, and hates. It’s the dark side!

　　Pluto is where we have to dig deeper to get way below the surface to the core and work to understand and transform. Humans like to avoid this, so we tend to be deeply uncomfortable with Pluto’s energy and avoid it as much as possible until Pluto smacks us in the face, and we can’t any longer.

　　With Pluto having such intense energy, Pluto retrograde is actually the one retrograde that is seen as positive because we get a slight break from that intensity. The massive transformations slow down, and we have a chance to adjust to what has come to pass.

　　Retrogrades also tend to have spiritual, karmic energy, which can be strong with Pluto retrograde. We can become more in tune with karmic baggage, patterns, and issues that must be resolved and released.

　　

About the 2023 Pluto Retrograde

The Pluto retrograde for 2023 begins on May 1st, 2023, in Aquarius. Pluto just entered Aquarius on March 23rd, 2023, and is at the beginning of this monster tour.

　　The tour of Pluto in Aquarius pushes us to transform for the future, to make deep and profound changes in our lives, and to take control of our dreams.

　　This can be a transformative period that lasts for over 20 years.

　　On its heels, we’ll have a Scorpio Lunar eclipse on May 5th, 2023, and Pluto is the natural ruling planet of Scorpio. This means emotional energy can be quite strong at the start of Pluto retrograde, and we can be in our feels pretty intensely.

　　This is the last eclipse in Scorpio for some time, though, so there’s also a lot of wrapping things up and getting things finished. The Pluto retrograde may provide an opportunity to reflect on all that’s come to pass or to take a different approach now that gets it all sorted out and over with.

　　The Pluto retrograde doesn’t fully occur in Aquarius, and Pluto goes back to Capricorn on June 11th, 2023, and spends the rest of the retrograde until October 10th, 2023, in Capricorn. 

　　Pluto is nearing the end of its time in Capricorn, where it’s been for over a decade, and Pluto retrograde in Capricorn can help us get clear about the path we’re on, the direction we’ve been going in, and where we want to end up, and the goals we want to dedicate ourselves to.

　　Both Capricorn and Aquarius are forward-looking signs, so this tour of Pluto retrograde gives extra focus on what we need to adjust to in order to keep moving forward.

　　Check out this next: Your Ultimate Guide to ALL 2023 Retrogrades

　　

The 6 Zodiac Signs Most Impacted by the 2023 Pluto Retrograde

1. Aquarius

Pluto is retrograde for about six weeks in your sign, Aquarius, and this gives you direct impact at the start of Pluto retrograde. This is your first taste of Pluto retrograde in your sign since Pluto just recently entered Aquarius, so you’re still getting used to this Pluto energy.

　　If it has side-swiped you so far, the Pluto energy gives you a chance to slow down, take a minute, and adjust. Even if it’s been relatively calm, you can still take the time to adjust.

　　Pluto in your sign is high energy and unrelenting passion and challenges you to transform, to take control, and to find your own power. This can be a lot at times, and you’ll need to work on this for a long time until you grow into your Pluto energy.

　　Those of you who are born early in Aquarius (so mid-January Aquarians) have been at the start of this change and likely felt it first. You’re likely the ones who are most in need of a break right now and can welcome the retrograde.

　　While Pluto is retrograde in your sign, make time to reflect and check in with yourself. You may need to be more willing to dig deep within yourself to truly understand and get to the heart of the issues you’re having.

　　When Pluto leaves your sign, you can take more time to rest, relax, and recharge. Pluto retrograde in Capricorn would be your time to prepare for Pluto coming back to your sign in January.

　　

2. Capricorn

Pluto spends most of its retrograde period in your sign, Capricorn, from June 22nd to October 10th, 2023, so 3 1/2 months. You’ve been dealing with Pluto for years, so you should be more comfortable with this energy by now and know how Pluto retrograde impacts you since this has been the case for half of each year for the last decade.

　　You should be comfortable with your power, feel more in control, and have transformed in many ways by now. This Pluto retrograde, which is one of the last in your sign, gives you some time to reflect and further adjust.

　　When Pluto is retrograde in Aquarius, you may want to work on strengthening your connection to your values, making certain that what you feel is worth your time actually is, and improving your confidence. This can go a long way for you with Pluto in Aquarius.

　　As Pluto goes back to your sign, you may see some culmination of sorts, results, finalizing, and realizations. Pluto is wrapping up its time with you, and there can be a final walk-through, so to speak.

　　

3. Scorpio

When your natural planetary ruler is retrograde, this tends to throw you off in a subtle way. Pluto is the natural ruling planet for Scorpio, so this means Scorpio can feel off in a subtle way throughout the Pluto retrograde.

　　This can be strongest right at the start, though, thanks to the Lunar Eclipse in your sign on May 5th, 2023. It’s the last eclipse in your sign for some time, and this can bring some endings, culminations, and results for you.

　　You can be more in tune with what you’re feeling, with what you want and need in your life, and this can help you stay clear at the start of the retrograde. Take care of yourself, and you won’t feel so off; ignore yourself, and you can feel way off!

　　You may find the retrograde is easier to manage when it’s in Capricorn than in Aquarius since you’re used to the Capricorn energy by now, and it’s at a beneficial angle to your sign. Aquarius is new, highlighting your emotional needs, and is at a challenging angle to your sign.

　　Overall, you need to go easy on yourself with your ruler retrograde, giving yourself extra time to get things done and make decisions. This is just more important with the Lunar eclipse.

　　Read this next: Everything You Need to Know About All the MAJOR Moon Events of 2023

　　

4. Leo

Pluto retrograde, starting in Aquarius, is opposite your sign, Leo, so you may feel some oppositional energy growing around you at the start. There may be things that feel out of your control, and you may want to lash out as a result, but this doesn’t help you very much.

　　Adjusting is even more important for you, and you need to be willing to be more flexible. If you try to be stubborn, this can get in the way of making progress or achieving anything.

　　Even when Pluto retrogrades out of Aquarius to Capricorn, this can still be challenging because Venus is going to retrograde from July 22nd to September 3rd, 2023, in your sign. This can bring struggles in your relationships and dealings with others, and you can be extra stubborn.

　　The start of the Pluto retrograde may expose some of the relationship issues and cracks in the foundation of your relationships you need to address. If you do that, the Venus retrograde can be easier. If you don’t, Venus retrograde may be troublesome.

　　Continue to keep in mind being flexible and going with the flow a little more.

　　

5. Taurus

Pluto retrograde in Aquarius is square your sign, Taurus, which is a challenging aspect that puts Pluto three zodiac signs away from yours. This can bring out friction and issues that need to be worked on; otherwise, they fester and grow.

　　These may be challenges that have been an issue for the last few years, and if you haven’t resolved them by now, Pluto might force the issue.

　　Pluto wants you to strive and succeed when touring Aquarius, so this is likely just a way for Pluto to push you toward the top. Need to overcome some blocks first!

　　You also have to deal with Mercury retrograde when Pluto retrograde starts, and Mercury is retrograde in your sign from April 21st to May 14th. This can make challenges way more obvious, and you can benefit from taking some time to organize and recharge.

　　

6. Aries

Pluto retrograde in Aquarius is actually good for you, Aries! Going into the retrograde, we’re coming off of a Solar eclipse in your sign on April 20th, so your energy is likely pretty high and extra focused on a new beginning in your life.

　　You can be excited, enthusiastic, and ready to hit the ground running. Pluto retrograde in Aquarius can help you adjust as you go and stay light on your feet.

　　Pluto in Aquarius is sextile your sign, which is a beneficial aspect that puts Pluto two signs away from yours, which also helps. You can find your own power, take control, and transform aspects of yourself or life for the better.

　　

Adjust With Pluto Retrograde

Pluto retrograde gives us a breather, and this comes so soon after it enters Aquarius that it can be a relief. Pluto moving into a new sign has shaken everything up, and the retrograde period slows this down a little for us.

　　Tap into your subconscious, into your soul, and into your karma. Reflect and understand what has already happened and the transformations to come.

　　Related article: The Ultimate Guide to Retrogrades