Pluto, Ceres, and Venus
A Rare Celestial Meeting
Following Pluto’s entry into Aquarius on November 19 this year, we are witnessing a rare celestial event shortly after. Pluto meets Ceres and Venus, a conjunction that could foreshadow significant global and personal trends in the coming months. To understand its meaning, we turn to Greek mythology.
In the underworld, the mighty king Hades (Pluto) reigned. During a journey to the Earth’s surface alongside Hermes (Mercury), he became enchanted by the beautiful Persephone (symbolizing Venus in this context) and abducted her to his realm in the underworld.
When Persephone’s mother, Demeter (Ceres), learned of what had happened, she was furious and threatened to render the Earth barren if her daughter was not returned. She sent Hermes to the underworld to retrieve her daughter. However, Persephone had already eaten a few seeds of a pomegranate offered by Hades. According to myth, consuming the entire fruit would have bound her to the underworld forever.
Hermes managed to broker a compromise with Hades: Persephone would spend half the year in the underworld and the other half on Earth with her mother. This arrangement, mythologically, explains the cycle of the seasons.
Astrologically, this mythological drama is mirrored in the skies around December 7. Pluto, Ceres, and Venus come together in a conjunction in the early degrees of Aquarius.
Ceres, a dwarf planet discovered in 1801, resides in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. It is the largest of the four major asteroids—Ceres, Juno, Vesta, and Pallas—and is associated with themes of nourishment, loss, and cycles of life.
This rare conjunction brings profound themes to light. With Ceres in Aquarius until February 24, 2025, we might see a heightened focus on resource scarcity, particularly with staple crops. Climate change could further challenge the conditions necessary for agricultural growth.
Additionally, our relationships and capacity to cope with loss and transformation may come into sharper focus. The ongoing human suffering caused by conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine may draw increased attention, potentially sparking greater political unrest, especially with Pluto freshly positioned in Aquarius.
Like in mythology, we are reminded of the pain of loss—both as individuals and as a collective society.
As long as Ceres remains in Aquarius, these themes are likely to stay relevant.