TRANSPLUTO IS REAL!

by Lynn Koiner
P.M.A.F.A.

     In 1972, I obtained the first Transpluto ephemeris which was published in Germany by the highly respected astrologer/scientist, Theodor Landscheidt.  Relying upon my respect for this man and his work, I presumed that there was validity for this hypothetical "planet." 

     Since the discovery of Pluto, scientists have agreed that Pluto was too small to induce the irregular orbits of Uranus and Neptune.  Yet, it was a similar type of calculation that identified the approximate position of Pluto before it was discovered.  Because Transpluto moves so slowly - from 1938 to 1993, it has moved only 23 degrees - the verification of this planet through photography will be a tedious and prolonged task.

     When I first obtained the Transpluto ephemeris, I decided that this planet would rule either Taurus or Virgo.  Both of these signs share a dual rulership - both Taurus and Libra are presently ruled by Venus and both Gemini and Virgo are presently ruled by Mercury.  In the past, both Capricorn and Aquarius were ruled by Saturn until the discovery of Uranus, both Sagittarius and Pisces were ruled by Jupiter until the discovery of Neptune, and both Aries and Scorpio were ruled by Mars until the discovery of Pluto.  Later astronomical discoveries will resolve the pairing of Gemini/Virgo and Taurus/Libra.

TECHNIQUE FOR RESEARCH

 
     In order to determine the qualities of Transpluto, I selected a large number of horoscopes in which Transpluto was close to the Ascendant.  This posed a problem because Transpluto and Pluto were conjunct in the 1930s and 1940s.  For most of these charts, I used data of individuals born in the 1950s.  Those born in the 1960s were too young for my 1972 research.  I also used the horoscopes of individuals with the natal Sun closely conjunct Transpluto.  In most of these cases, the Sun was in Leo.  I later used Moon-Transpluto aspects in order to determine how the Transplutonian energy and the Transplutonian childhood experience related to feelings of self-worth.

     In order to determine the personality traits associated with Transpluto, I did not interview the individual with Transpluto rising - I interviewed that individual's closest friends whom I felt would be more objective.  In every case, the friend described their Transplutonian friend as "critical, analytical, fastidious and very much a perfectionist."  Other descriptions were "an eye for detail and very self-critical and introspective."  These descriptions seemed to identify Virgo as the sign ruled by Transpluto. 

     In order to verify the Virgo rulership, I worked with the progressed Moon and its progressed aspects to Transpluto.  The nature of the event would give further clues as to the nature of Transpluto or how this planet operates in the horoscope.  Furthermore, when Transpluto is aspected by the progressed Moon, the House ruled by Transpluto (the House with Virgo on the cusp) should be correspondingly activated.  Indeed, this appeared to be the case. 

     Because Transpluto is a hypothetical planet, the accuracy of the Landscheidt ephemeris had to be determined.  In this case, I selected horoscopes with Transpluto in the 4th or 10th Houses.  Using solar arc progressions, one degree rqualing one year in the life, I discovered that this ephemeris was as accurate as any ephemeris for the known planets. 

     In some rare cases, I was able to examine the effects event-wise of the transiting Transpluto.  This is rare because of the very slow movement of this planet.  In 1973, I was observing the horoscope of an assistant researcher.  This chart had Virgo rising, Transpluto in the 11th House sextiling her Gemini Sun in the 9th House.  On August 15, Transpluto would transit an exact sextile to the natal Sun.  On that date, she received a notice stating that her application had been accepted to teach and conduct research at a local college.

     Another example shows the effect of the transiting Transpluto upon the Virgo House cusp.  In this chart, Transpluto was transiting an exact conjunction with a Leo Ascendant and Virgo was on the 2nd House cusp.  At the time of the exact conjunction, a very materialistic woman became introspective to the point where she re-evaluated her situation and "changed her ways" with regard to her materialistic values.

     In researching the influence of transits and progressions involving Transpluto, a group of cooperating individuals were given a list of dates in which Transpluto was active.  I requested a description of the event and, in retrospect, what the individual felt was the psychological effect of the event.  I asked them to look at all of the events and describe a psychological theme with these occurrences.  It was using this type of research that I discovered physiological correspondences with Transpluto.

     There are other well-known astrologers who ascribe different sign rulerships to Transpluto.  These rulerships have not been given without some facts to back them up.  I have often found much validity to their findings.  I ask my readers to keep an open mind and test all theories with their own charts.

TRANSPLUTO AND ITS EFFECT
 UPON THE DEVELOPING PERSONALITY

     In my earliest research, I observed a very specific personalty type unfolding with a strongly placed natal Transpluto.  Indeed, when Transpluto closely conjuncts the natal Sun, the perfectionist Virgo qualities can frequently dominate over the influence of the Sun sign. 

     The sign of Gemini, particularly noticeable with the Moon in Gemini, is the most acute conductor of the Transpluto influence.  This was observed through the critical, perfectionist parental experiences during the childhood when Transpluto was sextile to Gemini placements.

     In surveying the effect of Transpluto upon the ego development, I examined only the hard aspects of Transpluto to the Sun and Transpluto conjunct the 1st, 4th and 10th House cusps.  In these cases, the Transplutonian parent had been subjected to much criticism as a child and this, in turn, was projected onto the individual whose chart I was examining. 

     Specifically with the Sun-Transpluto aspect, the father was experienced as a critical, perfectionist man who punished the child with exacting demands.  As the individual matured, the same exacting standards continued to be used in evaluating self and others. 

     Used constructively, self-criticism and the perpetual alert for imperfections can motivate the individual to continually strive to do better, to achieve a standard of excellence and to make improvements where needed for the betterment of all.  If a child has one experience of approval from a perfectionist parent, this will be carried over into adulthood as a pattern for finding contentment.  The more experiences of approval from the perfectionist parent, the more contentment the individual will find in life.

     Used destructively, perfectionism never allows the individual to be content.  Always dissatisfied and troubled by self-recriminations, the ego is diminished by a low self-esteem, an image unfairly projected by the parent.  In anticipating failure, the individual painfully procrastinates or gives up before the efforts see fruition.  In dogging failure (often found when there are many Mutable placements in the horoscope), the individual may take on an irresponsible attitude, drift from one job or relationship to another, and never really try anything.  Such an attitude reinforces the belief that the perfectionist parent is correct -"I am a failure."  It is common to find such extreme cases when the individual never experienced any approval from the perfectionist parent.

     The Personality Keywords for Transpluto are:   The Perfectionist/Perfectionism, Self-sufficiency, The Reformer Complex, and Alienation.

     The House position of Transpluto shows where perfectionist demands were placed upon us as a child and where we place perfectionist demands upon ourselves as adults.  According to Karen Horney, M.D., a perfectionist is one who fears criticism.  If the person is perfect and always right, there will be no vulnerable areas for criticism to find a foothold¹.  Perfectionism and its resulting fear of failure and disapproval invariably lead to the next quality, self-sufficiency.

     Self-sufficiency is the Transplutonian ideal.  Perfection is not a practical ideal since it is impossible to achieve.  Self-sufficiency is always possible.  The House position of Transpluto shows where we psychologically need to be self-sufficient. 

     Self-sufficiency is a self-protecting mechanism whereby others can never get so close that they can criticize, try to change us or tell us what to do.  If the individual experiences a personal failure, others are never close enough to discover the shortcoming and make recriminations.  As a client told me, "If I do it myself, if it is mine, then no one can criticize me, tell me what to do or how to do it!"  When self-sufficiency is being lost or undermined, the individual can become quite critical which drives the undermining person away and, thus, re-establishing self-sufficiency.

     The Reformer Complex is a mode of creativity for Transpluto because it involves maintaining high standards and continually making improvements. 

     In Transpluto, there is a Virgo-type idealism in its quest for perfection.  However, it is an idealism that is seen through the eyes of a critic.  This idealism cannot be satisfied because the individual is always aware of the flaws yet continually seeking perfection.  The concern is that the Transplutonian individual  will desire to change, reform or reconstruct the world and people in a highly subjective style rather than as would be best for those concerned.

     Alienation is an anxiety-avoidance reaction which serves to remove the individual from any painful reminder of a personal image of failure - something that brought about a psychologically painful critical reaction from the Transplutonian parent.  Consequently,

the individual may avoid working closely with others in order not to be subjected to criticism.  Close relationships may be difficult to establish. 

     I found the Alienation Factor very apparent in my observations of transits and progressions involving Transpluto.  When dependency (in one's self or in others) became a problem in that it allowed another to get so close that they could criticize, try to change or tell the individual what to do, an alienation occurred.  Often a critical exchange of words served to effect the alienation. 

     Through my observations of Transpluto in Leo, I was able to ascertain the Dignity and Exaltation of this planet.

     Since the dignity of Transpluto is Virgo, its detriment would be in Pisces.  Pisces is a very idealistic sign and the critical tendencies of Transpluto can destroy Piscean dreams and illusions.  The Reformer Complex of Transpluto can be used in a positive and supportive manner when directed towards broad social requirements.

For this reason, Transpluto is exalted in Aquarius.  When the critical, perfectionist demands of Transpluto are aimed at the individual, it can severely punish and undermine the ego.  Therefore, Transpluto is in its Fall in Leo.
 

TRANSPLUTO AND ITS EFFECT UPON
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EMOTIONS

 
     In researching the effect of Transpluto upon the development of the emotions, I observed horoscopes with hard aspects from Transpluto to the Moon and Venus.  The emotional development is traditionally attributed to the mother.  It is through her role that we should be taught to feel good about ourselves, to feel secure and loved.  Ideally, the mother should convey the concept that we are loved no matter what happens, that we are accepted just as we are, and that we are loved unconditionally.  For most of us, this is an ideal and not a reality!

     With hard aspects to the Moon, mother becomes the perfectionist parent who drew critical attention to shortcomings and constantly monitored the child with reprimands and orders.  Because of these tendencies in the mother, the individual often creates a form of emotional alienation and self-sufficiency as a subconscious anxiety-avoidance reaction to the pain of her criticizing remarks or demands. 

     The fear of emotional closeness is pronounced.  This can be frustrating for Moon signs that require closeness in order to feel loved and secure.  It is a fear that, when others are allowed to get too close, they will criticize, try to change or express disapproval.  Always on the alert for such a threat, the individual with a strong Moon-Transpluto placement will criticize first in order to drive others away or, at least, keep them at a safe distance.

     Relationships are stressed when the individual over-reacts to anything that sounds like a criticism or an attempt to effect any type of change.  In my couple counseling, the Moon-Transpluto individual frequently complains that the partner is "always criticizing."  The use of absolutes such as "always" and "never" is a common Moon-Transpluto habit.  A simple comment such as, "Did you take out the trash today?," is seen as a harsh reprimand.  Coming to terms with this hyper-sensitivity is important to establishing positive relating patterns, finding emotional satisfaction with a partner, and cultivating a capacity to share one's self with others.  Self-sufficiency can be very lonely!
 

MATERNAL JEALOUSY IN THE FEMALE HOROSCOPE

      Over the years, in working with my clients, I discovered a correlation between the Moon-Transpluto aspect and maternal jealousy.  Previously, I associated this pattern of parent-child relating with Moon-Mars (maternal competitiveness) or Moon-Pluto   (the projection of maternal resentments and feeling out of control onto the child).  Most of my work on this subject has been with females and their relationship with the mother.

     While the behavior of the critical, perfectionist mother is usually the projection of the mother's own fears, failures and shortcomings onto the Moon-Transpluto child, this behavior can also be symptomatic of the mother's own frustrations and lack of emotional fulfillment.  This includes sexual frustration which a lack of emotional fulfillment often entails.

     As the young female child begins to develop some autonomy, often observed at the time the child enters grade school, the mother resents the freedom and the talents² expressed by the child.  The mother subsequently uses criticisms and putdowns to sabotage the child's efforts to be successful in any undertaking deemed threatening to the mother. 

     In some way, the Transpluto mother sees herself as a failure.  Her own perfectionist attitudes hold her down and keep her from trying to succeed, a fear of failure and rejection.  As her Moon-Transpluto child begins to achieve personal successes and popularity, it is a painful reminder to the mother of these personal failures and lack of achievement.  If the child is successful, the mother can become both critical and angry which the child does not understand. 

     Mothers are supposed to be proud of the achievements of their children.  She may even encourage the success of the child but, out of jealousy, attack the child at every turn.  This gives rise to a fear of success in the child.  In this case, it is not a fear of failure but a fear of rejection, recrimination and psychological retaliation from the mother that success would engender.

     I have a female client of many years whose rising Moon in Taurus aspects the malefic stellium of Mars, Saturn, Pluto and Transpluto in Leo.  Transpluto is closest to the I.C.  The learned pattern of gaining approval through being of service to others produced a desire to pursue a career in nursing.  The mother had once longed for such a career but gave up this notion for marriage.  Resenting this sacrifice because of a lack of emotional satisfaction in family life, she resented the daughter attempting to succeed where she had failed.  The mother sabotaged the daughter's attempts to be a nurse by telling her that she was not smart enough and she would not help her financially.  The daughter never became a nurse but she did marry a much older man whom she "nursed" for many years.
 

Transpluto and the Moon signs

 
      I have discovered that a favorable (sextile and trine) or unfavorable (conjunction, square, opposition, semi-square, sesquiquadrate and inconjunct) aspect between the Moon and Transpluto did not necessarily determine whether the perfectionist relationship had a positive or negative influence.   The sign in which the Moon is found more often describes how the individual reacts to the Transplutonian energy.

Moon in Aries:  There can be a rash or impulsive reaction to unwanted criticism.  This can often lead to crises in the life.

It can sharpen the intellect with swift, razor-sharp analyses but this occurs at the expense of the emotional development.  In extreme cases, sensitivity to criticism can keep this defensive individual on edge. 

Moon in Taurus:  The fear of criticism and disapproval causes the individual to internalize feelings and to "swallow one's words," blocking both personal creativity and communications.  In order not to provoke recrimination, the individual may appear to go along with what another says but go one's own way in the end.  The combination of Taurus and Transpluto can make the individual quietly willful.

Moon in Gemini:  Because Gemini absorbs Transpluto readily, the individual can criticize without thinking.  Criticism can be expressed indirectly through humor or pranks which often drives others away.  All too easily this mercurial sign substitutes the intellect for the emotions.  The need to feel chipper divorces the individual from true feelings.

Moon in Cancer:  This is an overly sensitive sign that becomes secretive about real feelings and quietly retreats into a protective shell.  A conjunction with Transpluto can be quite harsh for this sensitive Moon sign that feels a strong emotional bond with people who criticize and reject.

Moon in Leo:  The pride and respect needs of this sign are not compatible with a critical, demanding parent.  Much showiness is a manifestation of a need for approval and reassurance.  A conjunction with Transpluto often indicates a mother who criticized because her own emotional needs were being neglected.  The mother may have been very competitive with the child.

Moon in Virgo:  This sign emphasizes the Virgoan need for approval through being of service to others.  Fussy habits are developed to establish self-sufficiency in the daily life.  The individual becomes difficult to please emotionally.  In a male horoscope, the mother could have been a perfectionistic "Super Mom" and other women never seem to measure up to her standards. 

Moon in Libra:  Transpluto can add discrimination to this sign, allowing the individual to better weigh and assess details.  Yet, the fear of criticism can make this Moon even more indecisive.  The individual is highly critical of anything which seems unjust and unfair.

Moon in Scorpio:  This Moon can harbor deep resentment towards parental demands that make the individual feel powerless.  The individual can become highly critical and disapproving of others and control through poor cooperation.  A strong element of competitiveness colored the maternal relationship.

Moon in Sagittarius:  This Moon can cultivate very high standards, codes and ethics when combined with Transpluto.  The liability here is self-righteousness.  Criticizing and finding fault with others can be a defensive means by which an insecure individual can appear better than others.  A religious upbringing can be a problem.

Moon in Capricorn:  This Moon describes a "favorite child" upon whom high expectations were placed yet the individual always feels like a failure who did not measure up to the parental expectations.  Trust on an emotional level is difficult to achieve.  The need to achieve is a manifestation of the need to be self-sufficient.

Moon in Aquarius:  Mother was perceived as unusual in some way.  As a child, she felt different, not like other children her age and not accepted as is.  As a result, the individual with this Moon opposing or inconjunct Transpluto will feel that there is something wrong with being different because mother was very critical of non-conformity.  Being self-sufficient is a means of being free from the disapproval of others.

Moon in Pisces:  At times, the individual feels criticized by others for any sensitivity to the downtrodden.  If unable to establish emotional self-sufficiency, the tendency to whine and complain about personal dissatisfactions can be emphasized.  There can be a vague discontent with life's imperfections.

     A trine from Transpluto can provide the discrimination needed by this empathetic Moon sign to separate the desires of self from others.  It is a positive influence for those in the "helping" professions.
 

TRANSPLUTO AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF SEXUALITY

 
     In 1974, I placed a notice in the American Federation of Astrologer's monthly bulletin, requesting research subjects for medical aspects of Transpluto.  With the incoming letters, my research was suddenly side-tracked into a new area of investigation. 

     One of my research subjects wrote in detail about her Venus-Transpluto conjunction in the 5th House.  Shortly before the birth of her baby brother, when her Solar Arc Transpluto conjoined her 5th House Venus, her mother decided to tell her all about pregnancy.  Shocked by this information, she never realized that men had anything to do with it.  "I figured that 'father' was just an honorary term for the man who married your mother."  When the transiting Transpluto crossed the 5th House Jupiter (conjunct Venus), the mother "tactlessly and bluntly" informed her about the specifics of sex.  Feeling that this was "the most disgusting thing I'd ever heard," she lost all respect for her mother.  This was not an isolated incident.  I received many letters describing similar occurrences, especially when there were strong aspects involving Venus-Transpluto.

     Confirming my observations of Transpluto, my research subject who had the Moon in Gemini sextiling Venus-Transpluto described her mother, who had no Virgo planets, as "the most critical person I have ever known.  I could not even strike a match correctly.  I grew up thinking that, whatever I did, it would be wrong."  Her mother further reproached her by saying that "You will never have any friends, especially if they knew you like I do."  Out of this fear, this subject "was afraid to invite anybody to my house or to let them really get to know me."  The fear of closeness was instilled by a mother who warned that, if others got close enough to know her, they would disapprove and reject her.  This is clearly negative Transpluto indoctrination.

     In evaluating the responses to my inquiries, I determined that the Venus-Transpluto individual experiences conflict in sexuality and relating due to a sense of unlovability, a fear that they are not good enough and guilt associated with sex.

     Frequently, there was a strong religious focus in the childhood that instilled a perfectionist moral code that created blocks, inhibitions and frustrations over sexuality.  If the Venus-Transpluto aspect has any connection with the 3rd House, the individual may have attended a religious school.  I have also found that Saturn connected with the 3rd House rules parochial schooling.

In my own chart, I have Venus at 29 Cancer conjunct Saturn at 20 Cancer and Transpluto at 4 Leo.  Libra is on my 3rd House cusp.  I attended Catholic schools for 9 years. 

     Not feeling loved or accepted for one's self during the formative years, the individual can project the inner unworthiness by attracting people who are underdogs, people who are not up to their potential  or people who are socially or economically inferior - people who will make the Transplutonian individual feel superior or needy types who will give some validity to the life.

Rather than remaining hard to please and rather than expecting perfection from others, it is essential that the individual concentrate on what is right about a relationship and not the numerous flaws and inadequacies.  Discrimination is a healthier ideal for Transpluto.

     With a strong Venus-Transpluto connection, the individual grew up with an emphasis upon being a good boy or a good girl - with the concept of "good" being prudish and unrealistic.  This can create an inner battle with sexuality.  A man with Venus conjunction Transpluto in Leo can frequently become a "male chauvinist prude" -having sexual relationships while dating but, in the end, wanting to marry a virgin!  

     I observed another version of sexual conflict when the 8th and 11th Houses were involved with Venus and Transpluto.  When a boy is told, "Nice boys don't sleep with girls!," he can be programmed that he can only sleep with other boys.  Sexual ambivalence was not uncommon.  This occurs when the individual is confused about his or her sexuality.  The confusion can make the individual asexual or seemingly disinterested in sex.  Transpluto in the 5th, 8th or 9th Houses with heavy afflictions to Venus can cause periods of celibacy in the life wherein the individual withdraws in order to sort out the conflicting sexual urges.

     A Venus-Transpluto aspect in the horoscope does not necessarily indicate that there will always be sexual blocks and frustrations.  The early blocks and feelings of guilt can be overcome with positive sexual experiences that give reassurance and fulfillment. 

     I tell my clients that they should use guilt as an indicator as to whether or not they are doing something right.  If you do something that makes you feel guilty, then you know that you did the correct thing.  Guilt means that you did something for yourself and not for others.  If you go along for months without feeling guilty, find a good therapist because you are living your life according to the expectations of others.  This is a very simplistic approach but it has been very helpful to many of my guilt-ridden clients.

Transpluto, Pregnancy and the 5th House:

     In my early research, I used the key phrase, "tearing apart," for Transpluto.  I subsequently changed this but it does have a better application to my investigation on pregnancy and the 5th House.

     Over the years, I have observed that the 5th House rules our early "play" experiences - how we played as a child, how we entertained ourselves and how we had fun.  Spontaneity in childhood play time usually produces a highly creative adult. 

     This House colors our attitude toward children and child-rearing in general.  How we are parented determines how we parent our own children.  Transpluto in the 5th House describes a critical, perfectionist parent, usually the mother, who feels that, if she is not constantly monitoring the child, the child is being neglected.

  One research subject with Transpluto in the 5th House stated that her "judgment of people in general is pretty critical, especially children.  I figure, if I could not get away with it, why the #*&# should I have to be tolerant of them (children)!" 

     The phrase "tearing apart" relates to the alienation factor in the Transpluto experience by which the perfectionist behavior serves to emotionally drive away or alienate the child.  This, in turn, relates to the self-sufficiency ideal of Transpluto.  With Transpluto in the 5th House, independence and self-sufficiency in children is essential.  The parent does not want a child to be needy, dependent or vulnerable.  The child is urged to "do it for yourself" and not rely upon the parent.

     The "tearing apart" can produce a miscarriage or abortion.   I found miscarriages which were influenced by Transpluto to be psychogenic.  That is, there was a strong psychological motivation for the miscarriage.  For example, the woman did not really love the man and she did not want to be tied down with his children.  Although she may have wanted children, she did not want his.  In rejecting the child through miscarriage, she was rejecting the husband's love.  In the horoscopes of women who never had children, they described not wanting to give up their own self-sufficiency.  These women felt that they had always taken care of themselves and they did not want to devote the next 21 years taking care of a child. 

 In 1973, I conducted a small research study on miscarriages.  I did find that, if Transpluto was heavily afflicted at conception, a miscarriage was likely to occur. 

TRANSPLUTO BURN-OUT AND THE PERFECTIONIST
 SELF-SUFFICIENT, OTHER-DIRECTED PERSONALITY

 
     When Transpluto is strong in the horoscope by House position or aspects to the personal planets, it can create a condition whereby the perfectionist, self-sufficient person cares too much what other people think.  This personality type tends to be a "giver" who feels uncomfortable receiving.  In Transactional Analysis, this trait is called Heavy Parenting.  It describes a person who was only rewarded for perfect conformity, obedience, compliance - doing exactly what he or she was told...blocking out personal nurturing needs³.  These people become so fearful of receiving (nurturing) that they cut off others when they try to give and they set themselves up with a bevy of "receivers" or people who enjoy taking and dependency.  This "giving" service provides the perfectionist, self-sufficient personality type with a considerable amount of control over others (the receivers) and a valid purpose in the receiver's life.

     This fear of receiving stems from childhood experiences wherein the early environment stressed obedience, compliance and a critical emphasis upon detail so that the individual came to be molded by the parental ideal without regard for the true inner self.⁴  Such individuals possess a subconscious childhood memory of being quite vulnerable in the position of "receiver" (from the parents, as all children are) - a position in which they were subjected to criticism, the parents trying to change them and being cast into a parental mold.  As adults, when in the position of receiving, the Transpluto-afflicted individual does not feel worthy.  In receiving, the individual fears that he or she will once again be placed in that position wherein the person giving will try to change them and tell them what to do.

     When raised in an environment of conditional love - I love you if...if you do your homework, if you get good grades, if you clean your room, if you choose acceptable friends, if you do this or if you do that - such individuals learn that they can only gain approval though service and that they are only deserving of love and approval when they do something for it.  The Moon's House position and sign will show where approval and acceptance is sought.  It is this aspect of Transpluto that directs the individual to employment in the "helping" professions, including astrological counseling, which is an outbranch of the core feeling that the individual is only worthy when doing something for others. 

     Being sensitive to criticism as a result of the perfectionist childhood environment, the goal and ideal of the Transplutonian individual is to strive for self-sufficiency.  Self-sufficiency is a psychological protective mechanism whereby others are not allowed to get so close that they could criticize, reject, try to change or make demands.

The life-direction of service is actually as means of being in control.  That is, those on the receiving end of the service are dependent upon the activity of the server.

     The Burn-Out dilemma of the perfectionist, self-sufficient, other-directed personality type arises from a pattern of many years of giving energy to others and not allowing the reciprocation of receiving.  Usually at the time of strong transiting Saturn afflictions, the Transplutonian individual comes to feel depleted and burned out.  Feelings of anger begin to surface under the pressure of fatigue.  The "receivers" in the life are resented because it is felt that they have used without returning.  While blaming others, the fault actually lies within the Transplutonian individual.  These individuals control their relationships through their giving and doing for others, becoming frustrated when the giving starts to control them!

     The Transpluto Burn-Out symptoms are physical and emotional exhaustion, feeling unloved and unappreciated by the "receivers" in the life, no sense of purpose or drive since most of the activities are geared towards the needs of others.  Caught in this pattern for many years, they have no idea how to change this situation.  As perfectionists who fear criticism, they are driven by the projection that people will not love them if they do not continue to give their time and energy, coming to resent the people to whom they give.  Yet, the thought of allowing others to do for them gives shutters of horror since their primary memory of receiving is from the critical parents.  They see nurturing as dependency and vulnerability.  If one cannot get nurturing from others by allowing them to do things for you, at least nurture yourself.  This means getting in touch with what you want, what you need and what you feel.  The action of Transpluto upon the developing psyche is to detach and intellectualize the emotions.  Getting in touch with real feels becomes very difficult.  Shop-a-holic compulsions and the Sara Lee Surrogate Mother Syndrome are merely emotional substitutes!

     There are entire generations of individuals who are highly susceptible to the perfectionist burn-out of Transpluto.  Those born during 1946-48 when Saturn in Leo was conjunct Transpluto, during 1953-55 when Saturn in Scorpio squared Transpluto.  For such individuals I developed the following suggestions for dealing with Burn-Out:

1.  Learn to ask for what you need and want.  When another offers, do not cut them off - SAY YES!  Sounds easy?  If you wince at this thought, you are a prime candidate for Transpluto Burn-Out.

2.  Do not give unless the other person asks.  This will eliminate compulsive doing and giving.  Put an end to volunteerism!

3.  Make yourself less available to others.  Wean off the receivers and seek other types of relating.  Find activities that are for your pure pleasure alone.  If employed in a "helping" profession, decide when you are working.  Simply because "problem solving" is easy, you may not consider it work but it is work! 

4.  Do not do what you do not want to do!  You cannot eliminate everything that is unpleasant but you can eliminate those things over which you have control. 
 

TRANSPLUTO IN TRANSITS AND PROGRESSIONS

 
     As I described in "Research Techniques," my research subjects were given a list of transits and progressions involving Transpluto.  They were asked to describe the nature of the event as well as the psychological theme.  From the responses, I developed key phrases to describe the effects of Transpluto event-wise. 

     In the personal horoscope, Transpluto triggers changes in the nature of a separation, alienation or even a loss in order to re-establish self-sufficiency in the life.  Where dependency upon some form of security had undermined self-sufficiency, being one's own person and doing things for one's self, an alienation or loss occurred.  Changes to remove a dependency situation were often emotionally traumatic but the individual recovered, emotionally stronger and more self-reliant.

     A client with a 6th House Transpluto had become very dependent upon a relative to run her business.  The relative was a very well-organized and a perfectionist.  Where Transpluto falls in the horoscope shows where you must be self-sufficient and not reliant upon others.  If you give up your self-sufficiency, Transpluto will bring a crisis to re-establish self-sufficiency in your life.

     When the transiting Pluto squared and the progressed Moon crossed her natal Transpluto, there was a relationship crisis and this relative quite the job and moved away.  This was traumatic to my client who had become very dependent upon this relative.  This separation forced my client to take charge and run the business herself.

     I firmly believe that we can appease the planets so that any  negative effects are greatly diminished.  If a choice for self-sufficiency is made in order to eliminate a dependency situation, it will not be forced upon the individual.  One such person, experiencing a progressed Sun-Mercury aspect to her natal 9th House Transpluto, decided that she had become too independent upon her current friendships at work and she transferred to the west coast.  She never said what circumstances led up to this decision but it was a very satisfying move. 

     I often find that a critical (criticism) exchange of words often leads to the removal.  Criticism is used by Transpluto to push people away.  A woman who had worked for a small organization had always felt that, when someone criticized how she ran the organization, she would know that it was time to leave and start her own business.  When her progressed Moon in the 3rd House sextiled her 11th House Transpluto and the transiting Pluto squared it, a new administrator came into the organization and found her way of doing things too "non-traditional."  She diplomatically submitted her resignation and successfully started her own business. 

     The progressed Moon aspecting Transpluto frequently triggers minor self-sufficiency changes.  One woman had a brother who continually called her for advice and to complain about family matters.  When her progressed Moon in the 3rd House squared her 11th House Transpluto, she criticized him bluntly, telling him to make his own decisions and to discuss his problems with his wife and not her.  For months, the brother never spoke to her but it ended his dependency upon her for "a shoulder to cry on."

     In this respect, I found a strong association with Transpluto and small pets.  Transpluto rules a pet upon whom there is a strong emotional dependence, one's "baby" so to speak.  Venus-Transpluto and Moon-Transpluto can trigger the loss of such a pet.

     I have observed horoscopes in which the pet became a substitute for emotional companionship.  Transpluto can serve a harsh blow when it removes the animal from the life.  In the 1970s, I acquired cats as substitutes for people.  When Transpluto periodically took one of the cats away, while emotionally traumatic, I felt a sense of relief and freedom from the mutual dependency.  I no longer have such a relationship with my pets and Transpluto no longer affects their well-being.

     One research subject gave a particularly insightful overview of the effects of Transpluto in his life.  With the Sun conjunct Saturn in Cancer and the Moon conjunct Neptune in the 1st House, he described himself as a very dependent man with a strong Mother Complex.  With Transpluto conjunct Mercury, the ruler of his Ascendant, in the 11th House, he felt that he was continually attracted to meddlesome Transplutonian individuals upon whom he became dependent for advice and direction. 

     During progressed and transiting aspects of Transpluto, these meddlesome security figures were removed from his life.  This separation was always followed by feelings of loneliness, isolation and alienation but these events always compelled him to cultivate self-sufficiency and a self-determined direction in his life.  Since most of the aspects were favorable, he made the decision himself to remove these individuals from his life.  However, the decision was made only after the meddlesome associations exerted "unbearable" pressure in trying to change him. 

     Transpluto can bring positive changes, often career or financial, that liberate the individual into self-sufficiency.  Career changes can establish the individual in a position of self-sufficiency - a position wherein others are not so close that they can criticize, try to change or tell the individual what to do and wherein the individual can conduct work routines "their way."

     An actress whose natal 9th House Transpluto trined her 5th House Sun (ruling 10th House cusp) and Mars (ruling Ascendant and 6th House cusp) had been out of work for over a year.  When the progressed Moon in Sagittarius (1st House) trined the 9th House Transpluto, she received her first leading role.

     Financial gains occurring under a Transpluto event also liberated the individual into a position of self-sufficiency - a position where others were no longer needed financially.  From these events, I collected data of lottery winners.  Transpluto was active in all of these cases.

Transpluto and the Lottery:

     A few years ago I heard Joyce Wehrman state that she had found Transpluto prominent in major lottery wins.  I began to examine the horoscopes of lottery winners.  I have two friends who each won over $1 million in the Maryland lottery.  In the charts of lottery winners, I found that all were experiencing a conjunction or square from the transiting Transpluto to the ruler of the 2nd House cusp, a planet in the 2nd House or Venus, the natural ruler of the 2nd House. 

     The psychology involved in this transit was to liberate the individual into a state of financial self-sufficiency.  One friend was a taxi driver supporting 7 children.  He had used creative visualization to manifest the winning numbers.  I did not have his exact birth data but the major win was clearly shown in his wife's chart - the transiting Transpluto squared her natal Venus in Scorpio. 

     One of my students, who also used creative visualization to manifest the winning numbers, won the lottery when the transiting Transpluto crossed her natal Venus and Mercury, Mercury ruling the 2nd House cusp.  Her family had been abandoned by the husband and her personal finances were running out.  Her yearly income from the lottery was exactly the amount of her ex-husband's salary.  Now self-sufficient, she no longer needs her husband or his money.

     I personally found Transpluto to be active in small wins.  In 1991, when the transiting Venus was conjunct the transiting Midheaven and both exactly square my natal Transpluto, I won a door prize, an eyeglass case.  Of course, I was not liberated into self-sufficiency but I did need the eyeglass case!
 

THE MEDICAL INFLUENCES OF TRANSPLUTO

 
     In reviewing the events produced by Transpluto, I found a strong connection with psychosomatic blood sugar disorders (diabetes and hypoglycemia), female problems, and herpes.  All of these ailments had a psychological association with love and rejection. 

     A friend in New York collected many charts of hypoglycemics and diabetics.  She found similar patterns through which we developed a hypoglycemia personality profile.  Because my friend was not an astrologer, she was not influenced by astrological factors.

     First, I found a psychological factor in which the individuals were subjected to "little blows" psychologically from a critical, perfectionist parent.  In turn, they became very self-critical, putting themselves down in the same manner as the critical parent.  The self-criticizing trait seems to create a vulnerable point in the psychological make-up or stress on the system through the function of the liver.  Any shock or trauma that upsets some source of security then triggers a pancreas dysfunction found in hypoglycemia or diabetes.

     I found a physiological weak link created by the use of stimulants.  This included caffeine from smoking, drinking coffee, tea and sodas.  Some of the subjects used diet pills, took drugs or drank alcohol.

     The alloplastic factor was an event in the nature of a separation, alienation or loss of some source of love or security in the life.  The event may have been a divorce, a broken relationship, a change of residence, or a change of schools.  The emotional disruption to the sense of security triggered the psychogenic reaction.

     The body, in its attempt to compensate for the loss of love, would shoot a little sugar to itself in the form of glycogen from the stressed liver.  The onset of the blood sugar dysfunction - diabetes or hypoglycemia - usually occurred within 6 months of the loss or change.

     In the example chart, the young man experienced the perfectionist standards from the Scorpio mother, although he felt closely tied to her.  My assistant researcher stated that, "He is a very insecure young man who puts others down so that they are not as good as he is, making himself seem more superior."  He had indulged in all forms of stimulants - amphetamines, LSD and he was a heavy coffee drinker.  At 18 years, exactly when the solar arc IC conjuncted the 4th House Transpluto, his mother left with another man.  The transiting Mars was crossing Transpluto on the day that she left.  Within 6 months, he developed diabetes. 

     In 1975, I corresponded with one of the leading hypoglycemia research physicians, Harry M. Salzer, M.D., in Ohio.  While he was very open-minded about consulting with an astrologer, he did not feel that there was a psychological basis for disease.  He did concur with the physiological weak link.

     I developed a planetary picture or formula for these blood sugar disorders.  For diabetes, I used Transpluto + Jupiter - Venus.  For hypoglycemia, I used Transpluto + Jupiter - Mars.  Charles Emerson, in his early research, preferred Saturn rather than Jupiter. 

     It was not until the early 1980s, when I studied esoteric astrology and the Alice A. Bailey material, that I discovered the significance of Jupiter and Saturn.  In esoteric psychology, Alice A. Bailey discussed the transfer of energy from the sacral chakra to the throat chakra and from the solar plexus chakra to the heart chakra.

     When the Jupiter formula had a strong position in the horoscope, the individual was learning detachment in relationships as energy was being transferred from the solar plexus to the heart chakra.  When the Saturn formula had a strong position in the horoscope, the individual was trying to cultivate creativity as energy was being transferred from the sacral to the throat chakra.

Bailey referred to blood sugar disorders as one of the diseases of discipleship, an imbalance that occurs while one is developing spiritually.

     My research with female problems, dysfunction with the uterus and ovaries, is limited.  One subject made the decision to have a hysterectomy when her progressed Mercury conjuncted her natal Transpluto.  The progressed Moon in the 12th House squared Transpluto.  Tumors were found in the uterus wall.  The psychological factor involved around these surgeries were described as a way of rejecting or removing the "critical, rejecting" mother.

     Over the years, I have obtained many charts for herpes in women.  I associate it with the sign of Leo but I noticed that the onset occurred at the time of a major Transpluto progression or transit.  The women interviewed described a psychological factor in which they rejected love in their lives.  One subject was in a relationship with a married man.  She could not break away from this emotional tie.  Under a progressed Mercury-Transpluto conjunction, she developed herpes.  This condition abruptly ended the relationship. 

     I interviewed several women who described finding real love for the first time in their lives and suddenly developed herpes. They felt that this was a psychological projection of unworthiness and an attempt to drive this type of love away because they did not deserve it.  If they could resolve the issue of unworthiness, the herpes outbreak did not reoccur. 

LUPIS:  Chronic, inflammatory, auto-immune (body attacks itself) disease that affects the connective tissue.  Critical, perfectionist environment causes the body to attack itself.  TP rising in sample case.  Another had a stellium in Virgo in the 6th House.  When Saturn crossed Virgo, she was forced to let go of perfectistist work tasks and retire.
 
EATING DISORDERS:  Any compulsive disorder arises from perfectionism.  Male chakra imbalances allowing the individual to see self as a victim.  Addiction part focuses upon food rather than the real issues.  Individual destroys self.
 
SHINGLES:  Sally had Transpluto squaring her 12th House Jupiter in Scorpio - a pattern that it is OK to be generous to others but not to yourself.  The outbreak occurred when the progressed Moon crossed her 8th House Transpluto.  She had ended a bad relationship but I Iknow she was having second thoughts.  Bob said that he did not love her and that he did not want a relationship but he did want her to caretake - shop for him and take care of his family.  While her face was a mess and she was in pain, Bob wanted her to buy a gift for his neice - however, he felt that she was not attractive enough to go to her birthday party.  She saw him as he is and realized that she really did not love him or even like him!
 
HARENING OF THE ARTERIES:  The Moon in Pisces is the constant with this problem - the nice person who resents the nice-ness.  Yet, there is also Saturn and/or Transpluto aspects that give a poor sense of self, making them feel guilty if they are not nice and tolerant. 

All have poor sense of self due to negative tearing apart of Virgo/Tp.
 

TRANSPLUTO AS A BEGINNING AND ENDING PLANET

 
     A Beginning Planet is one that is the earliest by degree in the horoscope.  This does not involve the sign, only the degree.  However, the planet must be between 0 and 5 degrees of a sign.  With a Beginning Planet, the individual is young in the experience of the energy of the planet and, therefore, it is not used effectively.  This

 can cause a block or distortion of which the individual is not aware.

     An Ending Planet is one that is the latest by degree in the horoscope.  This planet must occur between 25 and 29 degrees of a sign.  This is an energy that has been over-developed and the individual must learn to release or let go of the qualities ruled by the planet. 

     There was a period during the mid to late 1930s when Transpluto was the Ending Planet in almost every chart.  At this time, Transpluto was transiting the late degrees of Cancer.  By 1938, Transpluto was the Beginning Planet for most people because it entered the sign of Leo and it stayed in 0 to 1 degree Leo for about 4 years.

     The Beginning Transpluto is very insecure in new situations.  This makes the individual very critical, especially self-critical, wanting to be perfect in the project or endeavor.  In order to feel safe, these individuals repeatedly told me, "If it is going to be done right, I must do it myself!"  There is a lack of tolerance with ineffectiveness, ineptness, incompetence and poor work habits in others.  The fear of failure in a new situation and a sensitivity to any criticism creates a high degree of tension for the individual.  This can cause poor cooperation in a work situation.

     The Ending Transpluto is in the process of releasing these critical, perfectionist tendencies.  The individual is learning to become more tolerant of self and others.  They are less inclined to critically analyze every situation.  As one student stated, "I have come to realize that I cannot do it all myself and that somebody else might be able to do it a lot better than I can!"

TRANSPLUTO, THE HARSH BENEFIC

 
     With all that I have written, Transpluto does not appear to be a charitable planet.  It makes harsh demands upon us but, when used constructively, it strengthens us with a fortification that allows us to be our own person.  It is the "Tough Love" planet.  We cannot be influenced by trends, peer pressure or the wave of mass consciousness.  We must be steadfastly loyal to our true inner nature. 

    Transpluto is a loner planet.  Through its energy and lessons, we must walk the path towards Self-Mastery.  This mastery must not make us feel arrogant or superior to our fellow man.  Transpluto rules the act of striving for perfection in a very imperfect world.  The virtue of Transpluto is tolerance.  In seeing the flaws, we must know that the flaws are in all of us.  "I am human, therefore, nothing human is alien to me," is the spiritual philosophy of this planet.