Pluto: Wounding from the Past

On June 21st, 2025, I hosted my first in-person astrology workshop. I’ve taught classes online, but this was my first time doing it live in the flesh. The workshop sold out, and it went incredibly well! It felt as if I was meant to do this, but growing up, never in a million years would I believe that I would be leading a class of grown adults.

Why do I always close my eyes…

Most of my life, I was afraid to raise my hand in class, express how I was truly feeling, or speak up when I disagreed with someone, because I was afraid; afraid of being made fun of, afraid of failing, afraid of being wrong. But why was I so scared to have my voice heard? Why was it so hard to just be myself? I didn’t have any traumatizing events in my childhood that would explain this. So then, where did this fear come from?

Where you have Pluto, you have a wound. Since the day you were born, you’ve always had Pluto; therefore, this implies that this Plutonian wound has its origin in previous lives. Also known as the Lord of the Underworld, I just so happen to have this icy, dwarf planet in my third house, the arena of life having to do with communication, information, and ideas. It’s also in Scorpio, the sign that has to do with truth-telling, transformation, the taboo, and the occult. On top of that, it’s conjunct my Mercury, the planet of communication. That’s a double whammy. Having Pluto in Scorpio and the third house symbolizes that my transformational, but occult teachings got me in trouble, so much so that in this life, I’d rather remain quiet, or risk being hurt again. Pluto is also connected to my karmic story (it’s conjunct the ruler of my south node).

In evolutionary astrology, we believe you have the chart you have because of who you were and what happened to you in previous lifetimes. Every placement in your chart can be explained why it’s there, but to really hit the nail on the head, we, evolutionary astrologers, focus on your south node. There’s a technique we apply that exposes the chart behind your chart. Based on this technique, we can feel into your karma. I like to joke around and say, “I’m going to tell you a true story, but I’m going to make up all the facts.” Sometimes when I tell your past-life story, the story repeats itself in this lifetime. Other times, it doesn’t. While the past-life story that I come up with might not be biographical in this life, the themes of your karmic story will be felt.

Steven Forrest, one of the pioneers of evolutionary astrology, read my past-life story on a live call with fellow students on it. He said that in a previous life, I was a teacher of an occult art, but was also the one in charge of the school. We were practicing a subject that was taboo, and if the government were to find out, we would be persecuted and most likely executed. Well, someone found out, and they were on their way to rat us out. In order to protect my school, my teachers, colleagues, and students, I had to take out that person. Talk about traumatizing.

Now, have I murdered someone in this life? No. But what happened in my previous life is echoing in this life. In other words, killing one person to protect numerous people who practiced an outlawed subject has scarred me. So much so that it took me a very long time to even come back to the thing that I loved so dearly–-astrology. It was as if what happened to me in a previous life was so painful that my soul didn’t want to go through with it again.

If I hadn’t left my corporate gig, who knows if I would’ve pursued astrology? It was difficult letting go of a career path that I had worked so hard for and gone to school for, and it was even more challenging trying to actually find that thing that lit me up. But I knew deep down inside that I would feel empty and unfulfilled if I remained in that industry and didn’t pursue discovering what actually lit me up. But now that I have found astrology, it’s as if I were born for it. Maybe because this is what I actually did in previous lifetimes. Nonetheless, whether it was being a teacher of a taboo subject or telling the truth, my prior-life karma left its scar on me. I didn’t want to get in trouble again, so I never spoke up.

So many people end up staying stuck in their south node story because it’s what they’re used to. It feels safe to remain the same. What happens if they don’t heal their karma? By repeating their south node bad habits, their evolution will be stymied, and they will miss out on one of life’s greatest rewards: fulfillment. Also, so many people don’t heal their Pluto wound because it’s too painful to face.

Pluto is also known as Hades, the Lord of the Underworld, or the God of Hell. Why? Well, if you ask a priest what hell is, he will respond something along the lines of, “It’s hot. It’s down there. And you don’t want to go there.” We, evolutionary astrologers, call that place the unconscious. Traumatic events that you weren’t ready to process get stuck in your unconscious, and keeping those emotions out of the conscious mind requires a tremendous amount of energy.

Not everyone heals their Pluto wound, but for those brave souls who do, they will be rewarded with vitality. It’s going to require courage and emotional catharsis to process those hidden emotions, but once they’re healed, you will have unlocked a great reservoir of energy to use as you please. You’ll feel like you are yourself and can finally be the person you want to be and do the things you want to do, and do it with zest!

Healing your Pluto wound is intense, but its reward is totally worth it. Let’s see how Pluto manifests in your chart. I’m going to summarize Pluto throughout the houses, but that’s just the start of it. It is also in its own sign and quite possibly making aspects to other planets, angles, or nodes. So this isn’t the whole story, just the start of your healing journey.

Pluto Through The Houses

Pluto in the 1st House

Pluto in the 1st House means your soul carries wounding around your presence and how you move through the world. You were born with intensity in your bones. Some people appreciate your honesty, others run away. Thank those who can’t handle honesty and vulnerability because they’re not meant for you. In a previous lifetime, you were in a position of leadership and had to make decisions that scarred you. Maybe you did something dark, or maybe the choice you made led to nightmarish outcomes. Nevertheless, to heal this wound, you’re here to find allies who can handle your raw nature and learn how to stop editing yourself. The reward is that you can be your spontaneous self and be a prime example of what a bold, honest leader who isn’t afraid to speak up can look like. Furthermore, your reward is an unshakable magnetism and the ability to empower others just by being yourself.

Pluto in the 2nd House

Pluto in the 2nd House means your soul carries karmic wounds around survival, self-worth, and value. You may fear not having enough, or maybe you had great wealth but feared being attacked or not being seen for who you truly are, because of it. Whichever end of the money spectrum you lie in, the feeling is the same: you feel unworthy at a core level. The healing begins when you source your worth from within instead of possessions or validation. To accomplish this aim, you have to prove yourself to yourself. For starters, begin to ask for what you desire, then do things that you actually want to do, and release any shame or insecurity that arises from making decisions that come from your soul, not from fear. Your reward is deep resourcefulness and unbreakable inner stability to actually go after a life worth living. No longer will your insecurities limit your desires and potential. Instead of feeling worried about money, you’ll have cultivated deep, inner security that relaxes your inner animal and will have regained faith in yourself and in life.

Pluto in the 3rd House

Pluto in the 3rd House means your soul carries wounding around speaking, being misunderstood, or dismissed. You may have experienced mental manipulation or early conditioning that silenced you, or you yourself were the one who has manipulated others and knew how to say the right words to sting people’s hearts. You could’ve been punished for speaking the truth, for saying what you saw, or for teaching taboo subjects. Healing comes from reclaiming your voice, speaking your truth, and discovering what you’re here to share with the world. The reward is being able to speak truthfully without flinching. Your honest voice is a powerful tool that can transform the lives of others for the better.

Pluto in the 4th House

Pluto in the 4th House means your soul carries ancestral trauma or emotional wounding rooted in family, home, or belonging. The wound lies in emotional abandonment, control, or enmeshment in the early home. The wound could’ve arisen from a nightmarish incident that happened to you, and nobody believed you, so you protected yourself by hiding and not revealing your true self, leaving you alienated from your family. Or maybe you were the one who did something horrible, and the family disowned you. Healing requires going inward, grieving, and breaking generational cycles. Be vulnerable and share your truth about your upbringing to release the pain that has been holding you back. Surround yourself with family, blood-related or not, who accept you for who you are. Your family welcomes your raw honesty. The reward is deep emotional security and finally feeling at home within yourself and with your chosen family.

Pluto in the 5th House

Pluto in the 5th House means your soul carries wounding around visibility, creativity, romance, and having fun. You may fear being seen, judged, or rejected for your self-expression. Healing lies in reconnecting with your inner child and creating for joy, not approval. You’re also learning to connect with sexual partners who match you on a soul level. Furthermore, you’re developing a healthy relationship with the normal appetites of the body. Don’t deny yourself the things that bring you happiness, but don’t drink yourself to oblivion. The reward is vulnerable self-expression, a healthy sex life, a healthy relationship with the simple pleasures of life, and a return to childlike playfulness.

Pluto in the 6th House

Pluto in the 6th House means your soul carries wounding around work, responsibilities, and health. In a previous life, you might’ve been under someone’s order: a tyrant boss who took advantage of you, overworked you, and made you feel like a slave. All your hard work went unappreciated and eventually took a toll on your well-being. Healing requires you to find the right teachers, mentors, and guides who can support you in mastering meaningful work and responsibilities. These Plutonian role models are characterized by their honesty and intensity, and are also passionate about their transformational work. Instead of drudging your life away and feeling like a slave, you’re healing your capacity to release petty, toxic, and dishonest bosses. By having the courage to stand up for yourself and going after work that matters, your reward is healthy vitality and a meaningful mission in your life.

Pluto in the 7th House

Pluto in the 7th House means your soul carries wounding around relationships (romantic, platonic, creative, or business partnerships). The wound is betrayal, abandonment, or losing yourself in others. You may attract intense partnerships that expose your shadows. Healing requires taking responsibility for being part of these toxic and hurtful relationships. If you were the victim, reclaim your power, instill boundaries, and release unhealthy people from your life. Your aim is to learn whom to trust and how to trust. This means aligning yourself with people who are transparent and honest, but just as important, is building the courage to speak your truth and your needs to your intimate circle. The reward? Passionate relationships and a feeling of being able to receive and give love.

Pluto in the 8th House

Pluto in the 8th House means your soul carries wounding around sexuality, fears, insecurities, and denial. In a previous life, you might’ve experienced a hellish life. You could’ve either been abused (sexually, physically, and verbally), manipulated, abandoned, or just experienced nightmarish things. The types of experiences that no human should ever go through. In this life, you may have trouble accepting your sexuality and getting intimate with others. You may have exaggerated fears that death is around the corner. You may be in denial of certain insecurities. No matter what fears you have, healing requires you to confront them directly. Your aim is to make the unconscious conscious by sharing your fears, wounds, and insecurities with a trusted ally. This could be a lover, a best friend, a shaman, or a therapist. By owning your fears, you liberate yourself from an underlying mood of darkness. Your reward is healthy intimacy, empowerment to live a passionate life, and a knowing that death is a natural process of life.

Pluto in the 9th House

Pluto in the 9th House means your soul carries wounding around how to live life. Your moral standards were shaped by being force-fed dogmatic beliefs. They could’ve been religious, political, or even educational viewpoints, but regardless of what beliefs were pressed upon you, they shamed you and prevented you from living a meaningful life. For example, you may have shame around accepting your sexuality or may not pursue certain teachings, like astrology, because it “goes against” your family’s belief system. To heal the rigidity in your thinking, some productive strategies are to travel, learn, not be afraid of heretical questions, and explore taboo subjects. Instead of taking things at face value, experience things for yourself. Your reward is being able to pursue what’s true for you, which in turn supports your faith and meaning in life.

Pluto in the 10th House

Pluto in the 10th House means your soul carries karmic weight around visibility, status, or authority. The wound may stem from oppressive family expectations or public persecution. You may fear exposure or misuse of power to feel safe.  In a previous life, you may have been publicly embarrassed, or authorities were out to get you for going against the status quo, or because you represented something that went against those in charge. Whatever it was, your reputation was known by your community, and it scarred you. So much so that you may have fears around being seen and going after a life worth living. Healing occurs by reclaiming your power and releasing insecurities and anxieties about what others think of you. Furthermore, become so good at what you do that nobody can replace you. Your reward is having a meaningful mission in this world and having the freedom to be who you are, no matter what the public thinks of you.

Pluto in the 11th House

Pluto in the 11th House means your soul carries wounding around being swept up by the tides of social current. You were defined by the group and went along with what everyone was doing because you wanted to fit in, not be judged, not be publicly humiliated, or be afraid that if you went against the tribe, you would be kicked out, or worse, executed. The wound may involve rejection, alienation, or betrayal by friends or social movements. You may hide your uniqueness to fit in. Healing means getting clear about what goals you want to accomplish in this life. What are your hopes, dreams, and aspirations, free from any outside influence? Once you have your long-term goals figured out, get your priorities in order, and then align yourself with allies that are heading in the same direction as you. Your reward is accomplishing your authentic goals, maturing into the person you dreamed of becoming, and being surrounded by your soul tribe.

Pluto in the 12th House

Pluto in the 12th House means your soul carries wounding around, wanting to escape objective reality into your subjective one. Life can feel too extreme, and you just want to check out. Why? Your sensitivities are turned all the way up to maximum, and you can feel the pain and hurt of the world around you. In a previous life, you lost it all. You could’ve had a secret enemy who had it in for you, or those in power were against you. Maybe it wasn’t anyone’s fault, like a natural disaster took you out. Maybe you were mystically initiated into a practice you weren’t ready for. How your past-life wound can show up in this life is through escapism and feeling like the world is out to get you, which can result in becoming apathetic and nihilistic. You could become your own worst enemy. The healing involves coming back to the body and doing spiritual and psychological work. Sometimes people do the flight into light spiritual work and avoid all the shadow work. You’re here to do both. Meditate and also make the unconscious conscious. If you don’t work on your stuff, the stuff will work on you. Your reward is having an immense amount of compassion to be a light in this world. Without you going to the great depths of collective pain through spiritual and shadow work, we’ll have one less brave soul being able to safely hold space for others. In other words, the world needs you to transform your darkness into lightness so you can help others do the same.

Transforming Pain Into Energy

It takes a lot of energy to keep yourself crazy. By not facing your wounds and shadow side, you’re wasting precious vitality on maintaining unconscious defenses-–denial, protection, obsession, control, withdrawal, etc. Once again, the unknown is scary, although it may be hurting you, what’s familiar feels safer. What Pluto is asking you is to be brave enough to face whatever hurt you.

Pluto has no stake in the game: it’s neither positive nor negative; it’s what you make of it. Pluto’s placement–its sign and house that it’s in–will teach you what the wound is, how to heal it, and what the reward is. Instead of allowing your unresolved pains, often rooted in trauma, fear, shame, or powerlessness, to run the show, flip the script.

Embody the Shaman archetype and descend into the deepest, darkest parts of your soul and shed light on what has been kept hidden so that you can release it. What I mean by that is, explore the topics of what hurt you or what you’re most afraid of, through talking about it and allowing yourself to feel the feelings that naturally arise. In doing so, you can unlock a great reservoir of vitality to do as you please. By healing your Pluto wound, you’ll feel closer to your deepest self and have greater clarity and energy for what you’re here to do.

Brave travels going inward,
Andre