Are you ready for retrograde season? Because underworld-dwelling Pluto is about to take us on a moonwalk through our deepest influences and most profound power issues. Pluto retrograde 2023 begins on May 1 and will storm on until October 10, giving us a full five months to review some of the subconscious work we’ve been doing this past year. Pluto is the most distant planet from the Earth, so the effects of its backspin tend to impact us on a collective level. That said, knowing how Pluto retrograde will affect each zodiac sign personally is integral, as this potent planet can help us venture into the deepest parts of our minds and hearts.

Tiny but mighty planet Pluto spends nearly half of every year retracing its steps through the zodiac, so this retrograde is nothing to panic about. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t powerful! As the planet that rules depth, alchemy, and all things subterranean in nature, much of Pluto’s work in astrology takes place beneath the surface—meaning that its retrograde periods generally aren’t as outwardly disruptive to our daily lives as some others are. However, Pluto transits can still have a powerful ripple effect on our reality, slowly shifting the foundations of our innermost psyches and society at large until something emerges completely anew. Pluto retrograde is subtle, working quietly in the background to revamp and rewire all that’s going on above ground.

Pluto recently entered Aquarius for the first time in more than 200 years and it’s been activating the critical first degree of this air sign since March 23, quietly ushering in a new era of transformation. But just as Pluto’s magic takes time to materialize, so will its full transition into Aquarius—as Pluto retrograde 2023 finds the planet retracing its steps right back into earthy Capricorn on June 11, hovering over the sensitive cusp of these two signs. Pluto spent the past 15 years in Capricorn, and this retrograde cycle will ensure we’ve truly learned our Pluto in Capricorn lessons and are ready to start excavating a new part of ourselves.

StyleCaster | How Pluto in Aquarius Will Affect Each Zodiac Sign

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This is the first of two Pluto retrogrades that will oscillate over the edge of Aquarius and Capricorn before Pluto finally leaves the sign of the sea-goat behind in late 2024. However, this backspin has its own unique flavor. Throughout this retrograde, Pluto will be in a tight square with the North and South Nodes of Destiny—an aspect that peaks on July 28, but colors the entire transit. This catalyzes a collective experience of evolution, challenging us to push past fear-based limitations in an individualistic and societal sense. Pluto will also continue harmonizing with spiritual Neptune throughout this retrograde, reminding us that we can trust our intuitive spidey senses.

Pluto will retrograde from May 1 to October 10, re-entering Capricorn on June 11.

Pluto also makes some other significant planetary connections throughout its 2023 retrograde, too. The backspin kicks off with an action-packed T-square involving excess-loving Jupiter and hot-headed Mars. This three-way cosmic squabble invigorates our drive toward ambition and abundance, but could cause us to go overboard in our quests for success. It’s a battle to balance our trigger-happy passions, visions of grandeur and tactical master plans. In July, both Mercury and the sun will face off with Pluto retrograde, revealing hidden information and prompting some potentially uncomfortable shadow side exploration. But by the time we hit the final weeks of the retrograde in late September and October, these two planets will be harmonizing with Pluto, bringing solutions and clarity to the identity crises and spilled secrets that stirred up drama a couple months earlier.

Let’s dive straight into the heart of it all, Pluto-style. Here’s your Pluto retrograde 2023 horoscope, based on your your sun sign and/or rising sign: