Premium Astrologer

Pluto in houses 1-4

(This is the first of part a 3-part article spread across several sister blogs.  You can find part 2 here and part 3 here)

Painting of Pluto/Hades by Renaissance artist Agostino Carracci

Pluto carries the name of the Roman ruler of the underworld, known as Hades in Greek mythology.  The most famous of the myths about Pluto has him kidnapping Persephone and carrying her underground to be his consort. Pluto’s house position in our natal charts reveals where in our lives we are most likely to experience compulsion, obsession and the shadow side of human behavior.  However, the positive side of Pluto relates to the ability to regeneration and transformation, to survive harrowing events and even become empowered by them, like a phoenix arising from the flames.

Check your own chart to see where Pluto is located:

1^st house

This is the house of our physical self, as well as the mask we wear in our interactions with others.  People with Pluto in the first house tend to a laser-like focus which can be almost frightening.  They approach their life goals as if they were guided missiles seeking a target.  They may undergo some physically transformative experience during their lifetimes and are also capable of a deeper level of personal transformation based on their own inner resolve.

2^nd house

People with Pluto placed in the house of possessions and beliefs have a need to control their own resources.  At worst, this can make them seem a bit like Gollum fawning over the ring in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.  More positively, these people can overcome great obstacles through their tenacity and hard work, achieving wealth in spite of very difficult circumstances.   Some 2^nd house Pluto people may eventually transform their sense of values to understand money as a tool for improving the world around them and/or share their financial acumen in order to help others achieve wealth.

3^rd house

Natal Pluto situated in the house of communication tend to look beneath the surface of everyday chatter.  They often possess strong persuasive abilities and project an aura of authority.  Their sense of humor often tends to be very dark and sardonic.  They may have a tendency toward depression have a tendency to look on the dark side, seeing optimism as a form of naivete.  They may utilize their third house Plutonic energy to become diligent detectives or researchers.  Some of them become great writers or healers.

4^th house

Pluto here sometimes points to secrets or power struggles in the family which strongly shaped early home life for the person with this placement.  Emotional security is very important to them and they may react very angrily if someone betrays their trust.  They guard their privacy fiercely. Individuals who have Pluto in the 4^th house are often drawn to the field of real estate.   Depending on Pluto’s aspects, there may be either a strong attachment to the parents or a sense of hostility toward them—either way there tend to be powerful feelings.