Pluto: The Bad Guy?

As Catwoman once remarked to Batman: “You are the night, just like me. We’re not afraid of the dark  – we come alive in it, we’re’ thrilled by it.” Catwoman’s insightful remark to Batman beautifully captures the essence of their complex characters and their relationship with the darkness. In the world of comics, Catwoman and Batman often find themselves drawn to the shadows and the night, not as creatures of fear but as beings who truly come alive when surrounded by darkness. Their connection to the night symbolizes their shared duality, with both of them straddling the line between hero and antihero, just as the night itself holds the potential for both danger and excitement.

Moving from the world of comics to mythology, the story of Hades and Persephone mirrors the theme of duality and transformation found in Catwoman and Batman’s dynamic. Hades, the god of the underworld, is often depicted as a figure of darkness and death. When he sees Persephone, the innocent maiden dancing in a meadow and picking flowers, he cannot resist her beauty. This moment of attraction leads to a drastic transformation, as he captures her and drags her down into the depths of the underworld.

Persephone’s journey from a young, innocent girl to the Queen of the Underworld is a powerful metaphor for the transformative power of darkness and adversity. In the depths of the underworld, she is subjected to a profound change, and her story illustrates how individuals can be reshaped by the challenges they face. In a way, this transformation represents the transition from innocence to experience, from life to a deeper understanding of the complexities of existence.

The concept of Pluto in astrology further deepens the connection between mythology and psychology. When a planet is aspected by Pluto, it symbolizes a part of an individual’s psychology that becomes captured and drawn into the “underworld” of the subconscious. Just as Persephone was taken into the depths of the underworld by Hades, our psyches can be drawn into the hidden and often challenging aspects of our minds when influenced by Pluto’s energy. This aspect of our psychology may hold the potential for profound transformation and growth, much like Persephone’s journey into becoming the Queen of the Underworld.

Catwoman and Batman, they’re not your run-of-the-mill heroes. No, they’re like these nocturnal creatures, drawn to the shadows, and they’re not scared of it, no way. The darkness, for them, it’s like this canvas where they paint their own stories. And then we switch gears to mythology, right? Hades, the big underworld guy, sees Persephone, this innocent flower-picking maiden, and it’s like, bam! He can’t resist her beauty. So, what does he do? He drags her down to the depths of hell. Talk about a dramatic entrance. But here’s the twist – down there, Persephone ain’t just a victim. No, she becomes the freaking Queen of the Underworld! It shows how life and death, light and dark, are all wrapped up together. You can’t have one without the other, they’re like a package deal. And let’s not forget about Pluto in astrology. When a planet gets all cozy with Pluto, it’s like your own personal kidnap scenario for your psychology. Just like Persephone, you get pulled into the deep, dark corners of your subconscious. It’s where all the juicy, hidden stuff is hiding, waiting to transform you. In the end, these stories teach us that there’s something magical about embracing the darkness. Whether it’s Catwoman and Batman or Hades and Persephone, they all show that the night, the shadows, and the depths of our psyche hold the keys to some serious growth and transformation. It’s like they’re saying, “Embrace the darkness, because that’s where the real magic happens.” 

In astrology, Pluto occupies a unique and enigmatic role, symbolizing a realm that many would rather avoid or overlook – the domain of all things dark, unsettling, hidden, and taboo. It is a celestial body that compels us to confront the aspects of our existence that we often pretend do not exist or try to repress. While it’s true that Pluto has been associated with some of the most disturbing elements of human history, such as Hitler and the destructive power of atomic weapons, its essence goes far deeper than these surface manifestations. According to the insights of James Hillman, Pluto’s true message transcends the superficial associations of evil and terror. Instead, Pluto represents a force of unparalleled depth, one that is sealed and hidden within the very fabric of existence. It is, in essence, the embodiment of the mystery inherent in nature itself. This small, dark planet serves as a symbol for the concentrated and condensed power that lies beneath the surface of our consciousness.

Imagine Pluto as Mr. Hyde, the character from Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.” He is the uncontrollable and monstrous side of human nature, a riveting psychological portrayal of the dark aspects that reside within us all. Pluto, in this context, embodies archetypal energy, symbolizing our repressed desires, fears, and unresolved emotions. It is as if these hidden aspects of ourselves reside in an internal junkyard of rejected feelings, waiting to resurface and demand acknowledgment. While Pluto is often viewed with trepidation and fear in astrology, it also holds the potential to unlock the universe’s most profound secrets. It is a repository of hidden knowledge, waiting to be unearthed in the depths of our own psyches. In this sense, Pluto becomes a cosmic key to unlocking the treasures of life’s mysteries.

Moreover, Pluto’s association with metamorphosis signifies the capacity for profound and transformative change. To embrace the essence of Pluto is to embark on a journey of inner evolution. It calls upon us to summon the strength to stand on transformative ground, even if it means leaving behind the familiar and comfortable aspects of our old selves. It is a process of shedding the old ego and embracing a new role and existence. While it may be a force that initially incites apprehension, it ultimately offers the potential for profound personal growth and the discovery of life’s most treasured secrets.

People tend to associate it with all things dark, scary, and downright taboo. It’s like the black sheep of the cosmic family, the one we’d rather pretend doesn’t exist. According to James Hillman, Pluto isn’t just about Hitler, spiders, or atomic power. No, it’s way deeper than that. Pluto is like the mystery of nature itself, sealed and hidden away. This tiny, enigmatic planet is the symbol of power in its purest, most concentrated form. It’s like the universe’s best-kept secret, a force so deep, sealed, and hidden that it’s the very essence of nature itself. You see, Pluto’s got this thing about metamorphosis, and that ain’t no small thing. It’s about massive change, a transformation so profound it rattles you to your core. It’s like taking your old self and tossing it in the bin. Yeah, your ego might be howling, feeling like it’s on its deathbed, but guess what? You’re reborn, and you’re standing on transformative ground, ready to soak up new knowledge and embrace a whole new existence.

According to Richard Tarnas;

Pluto: the archetype of primordial energy, the universal life force which impels all evolution and transformation. Pluto represents the principle of power itself, of elemental force, of primal libido and aggression, and is essentially identical to Freud’s notion of the id. It is the Dionysian energy of life, the Serpent power, the Kundalini. It compels, empowers, overwhelms, transforms; it destroys and resurrects. Pluto governs the instincts and the forces of nature. It rules the biological processes of birth, sex, and death, and at its deepest level it involves the mystery of death and rebirth. Pluto rules upheaval, breakdown and decay, but also regeneration and the purifying fire of catharsis. It reflects the archetypal Underworld–the dark, mysterious, and often terrifying reality which lurks beneath the surface of things, beneath our ego and societal conventions and the veneer of civilization, and which is periodically unleashed with great destructive and transformative force. Many of the problematic instincts that lie deep within the human psyche, such as murderous hatred, violent jealousy, compulsive greed and lust and so forth, reflect the activity of Pluto: this is Freud’s broiling cauldron of the instincts. Pluto is visible in the elemental power of a volcanic eruption, of a devouring lion, of a war, of an orgasm, of a mother in the climactic stages of giving birth. It is present in all violent, purgatorial discharge of pent-up energies–from the Earth as in an earthquake, or from the human body and psyche as in therapy or in a psychotic break. Pluto is in many ways the polar complement of Neptune–together they represent the great polarities of Dionysus and Apollo, the chthonic and the transcendent, the volcanic and the oceanic, nature and spirit, instinct and imagination. And, like Neptune, Pluto is unfathomable. In terms of the archetypal birth process, Pluto corresponds to the stage in which the baby is being powerfully expelled from within the mother’s body in a life-and-death struggle of bloody biology, when the erotic and aggressive instincts are being aroused to the utmost. Pluto thus has two sides, both expressed in the processes of Nature: a destructive side, personified as Kali, the Devouring Mother, and a creative side, personified as Shakti, the universal divine energy that impels all life and evolution. Pluto is what Schopenhauer and Nietzsche called the universal Will–at one level seeming to reflect only blind, driving instinct, at another possessing all the evolutionary intelligence of Nature, the divine Shakti. Pluto is Nature itself, life eternally transforming and overcoming itself in an immense evolutionary dynamic. It has been said that in the course of life we are all consumed by life’s fire: the only question–and this is where our challenge lies–is whether we will be deformed or perfected by that process.

When a planet forms a major aspect to Pluto in an astrological birth chart, it signifies a significant and transformative influence on the individual’s life. Pluto’s presence intensifies and empowers the qualities associated with the aspected planet, but this amplification can sometimes reach a compulsive extreme. This aspect becomes a dynamic force within the person’s psyche, creating a battleground where conscious and unconscious forces clash. It’s a journey that connects the realms of heaven and hell, light and dark.

The planet that Pluto aspects becomes a symbol of inner and outer challenges. These challenges serve as catalysts for profound personal transformation. Pluto’s energy is relentless and often ruthless, pushing individuals to confront their limitations and weaknesses. This process can be likened to passing through purifying fires, where the individual’s inner world is subjected to intense scrutiny and upheaval.

Power struggles are a common theme when Pluto aspects a planet in the birth chart. These struggles can manifest externally in relationships or circumstances, but they also represent internal conflicts within the individual’s psyche. It’s as if the aspected planet becomes a focal point for the individual’s evolutionary journey, a place where they must confront their deepest fears, desires, and insecurities. Despite the intensity and challenges associated with Pluto aspects, there is a silver lining. Pluto’s energy carries the potential for profound growth and enlightenment. Through the process of facing and overcoming their inner demons, individuals can emerge stronger, wiser, and more empowered than ever before. It’s like wielding a magical wand that can heal and transform when used with honesty and self-awareness.

Pluto, as a symbol of transformation, stands at the farthest reaches of our solar system, representing the extremes of existence. Natal aspects involving Pluto indicate the psychological arenas where we encounter the darkest aspects of ourselves. These encounters are not for the faint of heart, but they hold the promise of rebirth and renewal. In the end, Pluto’s influence in the birth chart may be challenging and even tumultuous, but it serves an essential evolutionary purpose. It pushes individuals to delve deep into their psyches, confront their inner demons, and ultimately emerge as more resilient and enlightened beings. The potential for growth and transformation through Pluto’s aspects is limitless, offering the opportunity for a new and more powerful self to emerge, one that can benefit us in ways beyond our wildest imagination.

So, picture this: that planet, whatever it represents in our life, gets a massive power boost from Pluto. That planet that’s in aspect with Pluto, well, it becomes our battlefield. It’s where we face off with our deepest fears, desires, and insecurities. It’s like we’re having a showdown with our own demons, and let me tell you, they don’t go down without a fight. But here’s the cool part. In the midst of all this chaos and power struggles, there’s a chance for some serious growth and transformation. It’s like we’re forging ourselves in the fires of self-discovery. Pluto, sitting out there on the edge of our solar system, it’s like the embodiment of opposites. When it hooks up with planets in your birth chart, it’s like it’s shining a spotlight on the darkest corners of our soul. He’ll take us to the edge of our sanity and then some, but in the end, we’ll emerge from those purifying fires as a more potent version of ourselves. It’s like he’s handing us a magical wand, but it comes with a warning label – use it with honesty, or else. Embrace the chaos, the power struggles, and the deep dives into our psyches because on the other side, there’s a new, more powerful self just waiting to emerge. And trust me, that version of ourselves, it’s gonna blow our minds in every possible way.