Pluto is the planet of transformation. It rules the sign of Scorpio, the sign of death, redemption, and divine mysteries. Pluto’s energy is mysterious. Its discovery in 1932 associates it symbolically with the creation of the nuclear bomb and the development of psychoanalysis. In ancient mythology, Pluto was considered to be associated with all the aspects of the underworld – Hades, the Greek name for Pluto, was the god of shell. Today, the underworld is synonymous with the Mafia, and the two share many characteristics.

Pluto occupies an important place in the horoscopes of great mystics and spiritual beings, as well as in the theme of certain dictators and tyrants, among them the most ruthless and greedy for power. In psychological terms, Pluto corresponds to the transmutation of instinctive energies into energies which are accessible consciously by the individual’s ego. This transmutation, which is never completely controllable, induces a power complex. On the social level, it might be symbolized by the nuclear disaster, the failure of Western man to master the energy of the atom – a power complex gone awry. On the individual level, Pluto is expressed either in a “power complex,” in which instinctive energy is completely transmuted into a personal resource, or as a “failure complex,” in which certain inhibitions prevent the instinctive energy from being transmuted.

The sun is the great source of all warmth and life. It has always been worshipped by humans, who see in it the power of kings and despots. It represents the principle of cohesion and harmony in society, and various subordinates, aka planets, orbit around it. In terms of psychological symbolism, the sun corresponds to the center of an individual, the factor that rules their psyche. Its luminous aspects are usually associated with knowledge and consciousness, and as a creator of life, it is related to the image of the mother. As a result, the sun’s position in a birth chart always indicates the way in which an individual will relate to their goals and ideals, what their ambitions and aspirations might involve. A person whose chart is strongly “solar” usually identifies very positively with motherhood. You are friendly, energetic, and creative, with high ideals and a firm determination to accomplish them. You take your own superiority and authority over others for granted, and you have a natural ability to command the attention and admiration of an audience. You are a born leader who enjoys being in the limelight and may behave somewhat theatrically or with dramatic exaggeration. You have definite artistic leanings. The sense of your ideals is evident to you and may lead you to be somewhat self-focused. If ill-directed, your deep aspirations may lead to such faults as egotism, selfishness, or greediness for power.

Anna Cooke:

In the Greek tradition, Mars or Aries was the god of war. Traditionally, astrology associates him with the element fire, the color red, and the taste of bitterness. Although it also symbolizes the elder brother in the cosmic family, it is more likely to be associated with declared enemies or adversaries. Martian morphology is typically virile, angular, and athletic and corresponds to aggressive, domineering, masculine behavior. Likewise, Mars is usually associated with rage, its resultant brutality, and male destructiveness and domination. Psychologically, Mars figures in any situation of conflict, opposition, and confrontation. Martian symbolism intervenes to separate, oppose, and decide and corresponds to duels, war, and any situation in real life which involves confronting an obstacle. Individuals who are greatly influenced by Mars are typically direct and straightforward–either unabashedly extroverted or furiously introverted. They are extremely active and extremely emotive. Their purpose in life seems to be inextricably mingled with a combat against an unacceptable situation, a challenge which they either issue or are forced to accept.

Anna Cooke looked up at the fifth house in the sky and began to understand the general meaning of it.

According to traditional astrology, the fifth house is related to Leo, love, children, and the pleasures of leisure activities. Gambling, speculation/risk, theater, and teaching are also associated with it. Most particularly, this area is related to your need to extend yourself in a significant and creative way. However, you face the challenge of finding what to extend and how. The type of problem which arises concerns extension without substance. In child-rearing, parents may neglect their children’s education. Others may talk a great deal without having anything to say, and still others may love without really exchanging anything. Creativity is basically a matter of imprinting on the environment the distinctive signs of one’s individuality; leaving the mark of one’s self and experience on society, history, and humanity in general. However, self-knowledge is the key prerequisite for success. This is the psychological work which must be accentuated if the negative aspects of this house are not to be experienced.

Anna Cooke, the subject of the text, looks up at the second house in the sky and notices that it contains several planets, including the planet which rules her rising sign.