Montreal Theosophy Project: Astrology: Mars opposite Pluto

As noted in a previous study of Mars square Pluto, Mars opposite Pluto is one the twelve more volatile aspects in astrology (comprised of oppositions and squares with any combination of Mars, Saturn, Uranus and Pluto), which I have observed.

According to Robert Hand:

'At the time your efforts to affect others and to affect others and to transform conditions around you may meet with considerable resistance. Nevertheless you strive to get ahead and are prepared to work hard. This transit can represent the culmination of successful effort, or it can be a time when the opposition becomes so fierce that you have to give up.

This transit is a powerful sign of severe interpersonal power struggles. The chief danger is that either you or your opponents in a struggle will act with absolutely no regard for ethics or for the other person’s feelings and situation. This combination acts ruthlessly and relentlessly. You can, of course, do something about your own actions, but it is hard to control the other person’s. The best course to take is to make your position as secure as possible and enlist the aid of ass many people as you can. Resist the temptation to go it alone, because that will bring out the negative side of this transit.

If you are tempted to try to gain control over others, be very careful. Eventually you might find yourself opposed by everyone whom you have ever tried to rule. Nevertheless, your energies are high under this transit, and you should express them by making creative and positive changes in your life. If you try to suppress these energies completely, it is more likely that you will have to contend with someone else.

Under extreme circumstances this transit can signify acts of violence. While you should not necessarily expect this, you could encounter some kind of physical assault. For this reason, avoid situations that involve real danger, bad neighborhoods and the like. Also avoid making others so angry that they will try to strike out against you. This is a greater possibility now than at other times." (Planets In Transit, 2001. pp. 255-56)'

Because the Mars retrograde period occurs close to this aspect's orb, it goes through the full orb of this aspect three times. The first two, November 3, 2024, and January 3, 2025 have been quite dramatic. The third will occur on April, 26. The full 10 degree orb will last from April 1- May 18).

Mars retrograde opposite Pluto was exact on January 3 and went beyond the 10 degree orb around January 29, coinciding with the terrible Washington Plane/Helicopter crash. My observations indicate to me that it can give very volatile effects throughout a 10-degree orb. Below are some of the of the types of incidents that caught my attention since around December 28. It's been quite a month, with added pressure from the Jupiter-Saturn square and the still unstable, confusing area of the cusp of Pluto ingress into Aquarius (note that I use whole sign houses).

Political

China declares that no one can stop China's "reunification" with Taiwan (Jan. 1)

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/taiwan-president-welcomes-exchanges-china-xi-says-no-one-can-stop-reun-rcna185912

China announced sanctions on 28 US defence companies (Jan.3)

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/china-targets-28-us-defence-firms-with-sanctions-in-order-to-safeguard-national-security/articleshow/116903955.cms?from=mdr

Breakdown in talks on Austrian coalition (Jan. 3)

https://www.politico.eu/article/austria-coalition-talks-disarray-centrist-parties-fail-unite-against-far-right-beate-meinl-reisinger/

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau steps down (Jan. 6)

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c878ryr04p8o

Korean President arrest standoff (Jan. 15)

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg45zqz225vo

US Inauguration fallout (Jan. 20)