Chapter Four: Pluto and China's Future

One planet has been affecting China for several years and will continue to do so for the rest of the 2020s: Pluto, the planet of extremes.

We can see this by using a technique that begins by looking at major transiting aspects between the outer planets, in this case, Uranus square Pluto. There were seven of those aspects between 2011 and 2015. Then we make charts for when these aspects were exact. The location of these charts is set for the capital of a country—in this case, Beijing, China.

After that, we run off solar and half-solar returns for that same location for each of the seven charts. This shows us the future effects of the original aspects. For this, I recommend the Solar Fire program as you can calculate 30 return charts in a few seconds with one click.

The first thing to look for is stressful aspects to the chart angles: the Ascendant and Midheaven. Pluto has been consistently making hard aspects for China since 2016 and will continue to be active there until 2029—watch out world!

Pluto rules volcanoes, and with a volcano, the pressure has to build up deep inside before it explodes. What we have here is a whole series of charts year after year with Pluto at the strong points, building up to major eruptions—some of which have already started.

Here are the charts that have happened already.

2016

April 29, 2016, 10:06:46 AM AWST, Beijing. This half-solar return is from 11/1/2013 Ur-Pl Square. Pluto opposes, and Uranus and Eris square the Ascendant. That's three explosive planets all hitting the same trigger point.

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September 19, 2016, 2:41:13 PM AWST, Beijing, from 9/19/2012 Ur-Pl Square: Pluto conjunct the Ascendant.

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December 15, 2016, 0:56:32 AM AWST, Beijing, from 12/15/2014 Ur-Pl Square: Pluto opposes the Midheaven.

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2017

March 17, 2017, 12:18:46 PM AWST, Beijing, from 9/19/2012 Ur-Pl Square: Pluto opposes the Ascendant.

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December 15, 2017, 7:32:17 AM AWST, Beijing, from 12/15/2014 Ur-Pl Square: Pluto squares the Midheaven.

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2018

June 14, 2018, 2:42:29 PM AWST, Beijing, from 12/15/2014 Ur-Pl Square: Pluto squares the Ascendant.

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June 25, 2018, 6:07:16 AM AWST, Beijing, from 6/24/2012 Ur-Pl Square: Pluto opposes the Ascendant.

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November 22, 2018, 8:27:31 PM AWST, Beijing, from 5/21/2013 Ur-Pl Square: Pluto opposes the Ascendant.

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December 25, 2018, 1:13:14 PM AWST, Beijing, from 6/24/2012 Ur-Pl Square: Pluto conjunction the Midheaven.

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2019

September 19, 2019, 1:56:59 PM AWST, Beijing, from 9/19/2012 Ur-Pl Square: This chart happened just as the coronavirus was starting to spread. Pluto is not that active, but Uranus (sudden and unexpected changes) afflicts both the Ascendant and Midheaven. The Moon rules the 9th house of long journeys and far-off places and is placed in the 8th house (death). The virus is still spreading death all around the world.

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December 15, 2019, 7:58:20 PM AWST, Beijing, from 12/15/2014 Ur-Pl Square: Pluto squares the Midheaven. Uranus (sudden unexpected events) rules the 8th house (death) and is square the Ascendant. The Moon rules the 12th house (self-undoing) and is placed less than one degree from the Ascendant—you can't get a stronger placement than that—and the Moon squares Uranus. So we have the ruler of death squaring the ruler of undoing, and both are in stressful aspect to the Ascendant. This chart was also active when the coronavirus was starting to spread.

This gives us two charts indicating the same pandemic at the same time. Do we have a trend here?

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What happened in China during those three and a half years?

  • China started cracking down on Hong Kong.
  • The government has sent thousands of the Muslim Uyghur minority to reeducation camps.
  • They are claiming their territorial limits stretch further out to sea and have come into conflict with Malaysia.
  • They created a new computer system that can keep track of their entire population. It's used to distribute rewards for "good" behavior and punishments for "bad" behavior. How Plutonian can you get?
  • They had a border conflict with India.
  • They let a plague get out of hand and it killed people all over the world.

So what's coming up for China in the next ten years? More Pluto. A lot more!

Remember that each of the original charts has a solar return and a half-solar return every year. There were seven original charts, one for square between Uranus and Pluto, giving a total of 14 return charts each year. That's 140 charts in the next ten years—45 of these charts have Pluto afflicting a chart angle! That's 32%, almost one out of three.

That means Pluto's influence on China is going to continue for the rest of this decade. Here are the charts:

2020

From the September 2012 Chart:

Solar, 9/19/2020, 3:10:05 PM: Pluto and Saturn are in conjunction with the Ascendant. All three are square Mars (violence) and Eris (discord), and all of these make a Cardinal T-Cross with the Moon and Mercury in Libra.

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From the April 2014 Chart:

Demi-solar, 10/24/2020, 11:38:31 PM: This chart is a real piece of work! There is a triple conjunction of Pluto, Saturn, and Jupiter. That triple conjunction squares Mars, Eris, and the Midheaven. And Uranus (sudden and unexpected events) makes a close square to the Ascendant.

But there is more trouble: That's Eris (discord) hitting the Midheaven in 2 to 3 months. There is also a tendency to take violent actions in haste (Uranus). This chart overlaps with the previous one. The disruptive powers of both charts could add together. Remember that each solar or half-solar return chart has a maximum influence for six months.

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From the December 2014 Chart:

Solar, 12/15/2020, 2:03:38 AM: Pluto opposes the Midheaven. When Pluto is at the bottom of the chart, the "people" are not in a good mood, and the squares from Mars and Eris don't help. But the sextiles Venus makes to Pluto, Jupiter, and Saturn indicate the government is willing to spend money (Venus is in the 2nd house) to ease the situation. Neptune trines the Midheaven and sextiles Pluto shows some government success with a propaganda campaign.

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From the June 2012 Chart:

Demi-solar, 12/25/2020, 1:30:27 AM, ASC Libra, 18:08. This is very similar to the previous chart. Pluto is still at the Nadir, putting pressure on the people. Pluto still squares Mars and Eris, which can increase unrest. But violent Mars and discordant Eris are in the 7th house of open enemies, meaning China may continue action against other countries. But this aspect could also mean other countries are taking action against China. The Moon rules the Cancer Midheaven (the country's leaders). Uranus conjunct the Moon indicates the leadership is prone to make rash decisions during the next six months.

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2021

Demi-Solar, 10/25/2021, 5:51:47 AM, ASC Libra 22:14. Another T-Cross at the chart angles! Mars is conjunct the Ascendant and they both oppose Eris—Pluto squares all for them! But the Moon rules the Midheaven (the leader) and the Moon squares Neptune, the planet of illusion. The danger is that the leadership of China will see what it wants to see instead of what is really there.

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From the May 2013 Chart:

Demi-solar, 11/22/2021, 2:59:21 PM, ASC Aries 21:25. Pluto squares the Ascendant and Eris, but Mars and Saturn are no longer aspecting them, so the volcano is still bubbling, but it seems a little calmer here.

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Solar, 12/15/2021, 8:14:39 AM, ASC Capricorn 2:29. Pluto in the 1st house has a square to the Midheaven and a conjunction to the Midheaven ruler, Venus. Eris squares Pluto and Venus and opposes the Midheaven. The leadership is relentlessly moving ahead with its plans. The people are still irritated (Moon and Uranus in conjunction in the 4th house) but Saturn making squares with the Moon and Uranus will hold dissent down for the next few months.

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Demi-solar, 12/25/2021, 7:49:01 AM: Ascendant Capricorn 5:44: Pluto squares Libra Midheaven and conjuncts Venus, the Ascendant ruler. Saturn square Uranus and Venus' charm covers up Pluto's force.

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2022

Demi-solar, 6/14/2022, 3:08:23 PM, ASC Libra 28:44. Pluto square the Ascendant. A calmer period but only on the surface. Pluto and Eris are just behind the angles, so they are working behind the scenes.

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Solar, 6/25/22. 6:36:38 AM, ASC Cancer 25:27: Pluto opposes the Ascendant and square Mars and Eris. There is too much impulsive action leading to violence and discord. Added to that, there is over-enthusiasm caused by Jupiter just behind the Midheaven. The Jupiter influence can make the leadership over-enthusiastic and prone to over-extend itself.

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Demi-Solar, 9/19/2022, 2:02:11 PM, ASC Capricorn 3:33: Pluto squares and Eris opposes the Midheaven. The leaders are pushing and the people are complaining.

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Solar, 6/25/22. 6:36:38 AM, ASC Cancer 25:27: Pluto opposes and Eris squares the Ascendant. Since Pluto is in the 7th house, there will be increased trouble and power struggles with other countries. The Moon is the Ascendant ruler and it is less than a quarter of a degree from Uranus. In a person's chart, that could indicate sudden emotional swings and new desires while Jupiter at the Midheaven can give some luck. But it can also mean that the government is biting off more than it can chew—and caution is nowhere to be found.

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Solar, 12/15/2022, 2:28:56 PM, ASC Taurus 13:54: Pluto on the Midheaven and Uranus on the Ascendant means it is still roller coaster time. Sun in the 8th house squares Neptune can mean mistakes and confusion with finances.

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Demi Solar, 12/25/22, 1:56:01 PM, ASC Taurus 16:07: Again Pluto is on the Midheaven and Eris squares both of them. This increases discord, but it is behind the scenes as Eris in the 12th house. Sun squares Jupiter can indicate over-confidence and lack of caution, while Uranus just above the Ascendant can bring "self-undoing" and accidents.

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2023

From the November 2013 Chart:

Demi-Solar, 4/30/2023, 5:03:27 AM, ASC Taurus 2:37: Pluto squares the Ascendant, but Pluto has changed signs from Capricorn to Aquarius. That could indicate problems taking a new turn. We will only be getting a brief glimpse of this, though as Pluto will be going back to Capricorn soon.

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Demi-solar, 9/19/2023, 8:10:24 PM, ASC Taurus 13:21: Pluto is back in Capricorn and in conjunction with the Midheaven. Eris is squaring both of them, creating a power struggle that is causing some discord. Jupiter in the first house gives the government some luck, but once again there is a danger of overreaching.

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Demi-solar, 10/25/2023, 6:05:01 PM, ASC Taurus 18:54: Pluto conjunct and Eris squaring the Midheaven. Similar to the previous chart, the government is over-reaching and throwing its weight around.

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12/15/2023, 8:29:29 PM, ASC Leo 10:36: Pluto square and Eris conjunct the Midheaven. Pluto and Eris are behind the angles, so they do their work in the background. Meanwhile, Jupiter in the 10th house covers it all up.

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2024

Solar, 9/19/2024, 3:48:29 PM, ASC Aquarius 2:41: Pluto conjunct the Ascendant and Uranus conjunct the Nadir. Is there a conspiracy against the leader? Pluto rules the Midheaven (the leader) and Venus rules the 9th house (hidden enemies of the leader) while Venus squares Pluto. Since Libra is the sign on the cusp of the 9th house, those enemies will be outwardly polite and charming.

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Solar, 12/15/2024, 2:41:22 AM, ASC Libra 24:27: Pluto on the Nadir opposite Mars in the 10th house. That sounds like more trouble between the leader and the people. On top of that, Eris is opposite the Ascendant. Do things ever calm down?—wait until you see the next chart.

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Demi-solar, 12/25/24, 2:13:54 AM, ASC Libra 26:48: Mars on the Midheaven opposes Pluto on the Nadir.

Meanwhile, Eris is opposite the Ascendant? Wait a minute. That's the same as the previous chart! That's right.

This demi-solar return of the June 24, 2012 chart is very similar to the solar return of the December 15, 2015 chart. Both charts are explosive and they will reinforce each other from December 2024 to June 2025. Mars opposite Pluto at chart angles can be violent, and so can Eris opposite the Ascendant. This might not be the best time to plan a vacation trip to East Asia.

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2025

Demi-solar, 3/17/2025, 1:36:25 PM, ASC Leo 1:00: The only thing we have here is Pluto opposite the Ascendant. Compared to the previous two charts, this one seems calm. But Pluto is still "the transformer," and it never stops. Remember that this chart's span, March through September of 2025, overlaps with the previous two charts for three months—and those charts are more disruptive.

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Demi-solar, 4/29/2025, 5:32 PM, ASC Libra 21:33: Mars is still opposite Pluto. They are in angular houses but not on the angles—making their effect weaker. However, Eris (discord) and Chiron (the wounder) are together—both are opposite the Ascendant and square the Midheaven. Things are still a long way from being dull.

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Demi-solar, 9/19/2025, 8:26:48 AM, ASC Libra 24:56: This is similar to the previous chart. Pluto at the bottom opposes the Midheaven while the conjunction of Eris and Chiron squares it. Violent Mars conjuncts the Ascendant, opposes Eris and Chiron, and squares the Midheaven. These are not the aspects you would want if you are throwing a tea party in the drawing room. Pluto opposing the Midheaven can be trouble between the people and the government. The usual way to avoid this is to distract the people with either a campaign against domestic enemies or by starting a war.

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Demi-solar, 10/25/2025, 6:18:42 AM, ASC Libra 27:36: Pluto opposes the Midheaven and Eris opposes the Ascendant. Does Pluto at the bottom mean that the people are putting pressure on the government? Or does it mean the government is putting pressure on the people? It could go either way.

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Demi-solar, 11/22/25, 3:28:24 PM, ASC Taurus 2:57: Pluto in the 10th house (the leader) squares the Ascendant. Is the leader coming out on top?

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Solar, 12/15/2025, 8:51:03 AM, ASC Capricorn 11:22: Pluto squares the Midheaven. Only one stress aspect? This is almost like a vacation!

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Demi-solar, 12/25/2025, 8:17:12 AM, ASC Capricorn 12:46: Pluto squares the Midheaven, but the Sun and Mars are together in the 12th house. This could indicate that aggressive moves are being planned behind the scenes.

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2026

Demi-solar, 4/29/2026, 11:41:42 PM, ASC Capricorn 7:44: Pluto squares the Sun and Midheaven and hasn't stopped. It continually makes stress aspects with the chart angles. The volcanic pressure is building. The question is: when will it all erupt?

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Demi-solar, 6/14/2026, 3:58:45 PM, ASC Scorpio 8:42: Pluto squares the Ascendant and Mars squares the Midheaven. There are more battles, but with Pluto, Mars, the Ascendant, and Midheaven all in Fixed signs, it looks like nobody is ready to give in.

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Solar, 6/25/2026, 7:20:57AM, ASC Leo 4:21: Pluto opposes the Ascendant and Eris conjunct the Midheaven. The Pluto opposition is partial—less than one degree from exact—making it powerful. Neptune is also square the Sun, and the Sun rules the Leo Ascendant. Neptune can bring confusion or deception. As usual, the Pluto and Eris aspects will keep adding upheavals and discord.

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Demi-solar, 9/19/2026, 2:32:53 PM, ASC Capricorn 11:04: Pluto squares the Midheaven and Eris squares Mars.

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Demi-solar, 11/22/2026, 9:38:23 PM, ASC Leo 6:33: Eris on the Midheaven can mean the country's leadership is creating discord. Pluto opposite the ascending means they are applying pressure to get their way. Jupiter and Mars trine the Midheaven and Eris could mean the leadership is succeeding with their plans.

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Solar, 12/15/2026, 2:55:45 PM, ASC Taurus 22:58: More success for the leadership. Uranus in the 1st house trines both Pluto and the Midheaven. A sudden change of tactics seems to be working.

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Demi-solar, 12/25/26, 2:29:03 PM, ASC Taurus 26:58: Once again, this chart is very similar to the previous one. The effects are similar and the energy of the charts will add up, magnifying the effects. The leadership's Pluto drive for power is still there. Uranus is making trines to both the Midheaven and Pluto. The leadership is making some changes that seem to be working.

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2027

Demi-solar, 9/19/2027, 8:51:48 PM, ASC Taurus 27:05: Three charts in a row have Pluto just behind the Midheaven. The leader may be a figurehead, while the real power is someone behind the scenes.

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Demi-solar, 10/25/2027, 6:45:09 PM, ASC Gemini 1:37: Make that four charts in a row with Pluto just behind the Midheaven. There are good aspects to that Pluto/Midheaven conjunction from Mars, Uranus, and Neptune. The leadership seems to be on top for the next few months. However, the general population is probably not comfortable. They are ruled by the Sun, which is getting an oppressive square from Pluto. Pluto is elevated above the Sun, so Pluto is in charge.

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Solar, 12/15/2027, 9:09:06 PM, ASC Leo 18:27: Pluto squares the Midheaven. This chart is not as active, but it continues to show the trend of Pluto afflicting a chart angle.

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2028

Demi-solar, 4/29/2028, 11:52:25 AM, ASC Leo 14:07: Pluto squares the Midheaven and opposes the Ascendant, continuing the Pluto trend. But there is something else here, Mars and Saturn are conjunct in the 9th house— the house of the leaders "hidden enemies." The Midheaven is the country's ruler, and Taurus is on it. This is ruled by Venus which is square Jupiter. Jupiter rules the 5th house—the house of the death of the leader. The 6th house rules long journeys made by the leader, but Capricorn is on the 6th house cusp. Saturn rules the leader's trips. If I were the leader of China, I would not take any long trips from April to October of 2028.

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Solar, 12/15/2028, 3:11:54 AM. ASC Scorpio 0:32: Pluto opposes the Midheaven. Saturn and Chiron are square Pluto and the Midheaven. Could this mean another health crisis? Well, at least it doesn't seem to be worldwide this time. Other countries (7th house) are putting restrictions (Saturn) in place.

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Demi-solar, 12/25/28, 2:38:31 AM, ASC Scorpio 1:42: This chart is highly similar to the previous chart, including the stressful aspects. Pluto opposes the Midheaven. Saturn and Chiron square Pluto and the Midheaven. Essentially, this doubles the difficulties the leadership will be having with other countries and their own people, and it also increases the risk to public health.

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2029

Demi-solar, 3/17/2029, 2:06:28 PM, ASC Leo 7:00: Pluto opposes the Ascendant and Eris is conjunct the Midheaven, meaning discord is coming from the leadership.

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Solar, 6/25/2029, 1:53:19 AM, ASC Taurus 14:24: Pluto squares the Ascendant but Saturn in the 1st house slows things down. Venus on the Nadir is a calming influence.

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Demi-solar, 9/19/2029, 9:10:17 AM, ASC Scorpio 3:34: Pluto opposes the Midheaven and Venus squares both of them. This could mean "accept the government's charming behavior, or else!"

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Demi-solar, 10/25/2029, 7:03:15 AM, ASC Scorpio 6:26: Pluto squares the Ascendant and opposes the Midheaven. Jupiter will square Pluto making for overconfidence. This is a "don't bite off more than you can chew" aspect.

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Conclusion

During the next decade, China will relentlessly pursue the same drive for dominance that it has been doing intensively since 2011. Their leadership should remember, though, that there is always a price to pay when you make a deal with Pluto, the Lord of the Underworld.

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