Pluto Retrograde in Aquarius: Beyond the Sugar-Coated Spiritual Bypass - Shadow Work is Required from May 4th through October 13th

The internet seems to be buzzing with excited talk about Pluto Retrograde. Expressing a unified sigh of relief to be finally free of Mercury. Which, is absolute horse shit by the way. The Fear-Mongering and Universal blame surrounding Mercury retrograde really peeves me off. But, that's not for this blog. I did write a piece on that very topic you can find here. Anyway, this Retrograde is not some anomaly as I am seeing being implied. In fact, it happens every year around the start of summer. It is a very positive shift in our spiritual and metaphysical realm. Encouraging self reflection and change. And, if you actually get off of your phones and to your altars, you may be able to benefit from this months long event. Yeah, I'm sorry. Just like Mercury, who is what you make of him. Pluto won't do you any favors if you rely solely on the cosmos to improve whatever is lacking in your life. So, let's talk about it.

Pluto Retrograde in Aquarius is happening from May the 4th through October the 13th. And, coming into this retrograde we will experience the Flower Moon on May the 12th, which is a Scorpio moon. This particular moon, like Pluto retrograde, marks a time for recalibration of ourselves. So, it is a great time to put in some work if you have been struggling in pretty much any aspect of your life. First, let's briefly discuss what a retrograde is, and why it happens.

A retrograde isn't some mystical curse sent to ruin your life - it's simply an optical illusion that occurs when a planet appears to move backwards from our earthly perspective. This astronomical dance has been observed and documented since ancient Babylonian times, where priests and astronomers first began connecting these celestial movements to earthly events. In the magickal world, retrogrades represent periods of internal reflection and revision, though many practitioners get this twisted into some sort of cosmic doom prophecy. The truth is, retrogrades affect everyone, whether you're a seasoned practitioner or someone who's never touched a tarot deck. It's a natural cycle of energy that can be harnessed for profound personal transformation - if you're willing to put in the actual work instead of just complaining about it on social media.

Back to the first month of this Pluto Retrograde, another significant date is May the 24th. Saturn will enter in Aries. And, this actually is pretty significant as this hasn't actually happened since 1996. This shift in energy will only add to the perfect list of available ingredients the Universe is offering to us. So, let's get the ball rolling on taking advantage of this important Retrograde period.

So, we have a launching month where we have multiple complimenting events, it's time to make a plan to begin enacting the changes we want to see. However, this can also be a painful experience. Shadow work is almost always going to be an element of personal growth and sadly, too many in the pagan and spiritual worlds are still skipping right over the uncomfortable stuff. Hoping their little spells and their attempted worship of various Deities will do that work for them. That just isn't how this works, you're going to have to enact some sort of painful self reflection if you are trying to shed your old skin. There just isn't any other way around that.

While everyone's path is their own (and do not allow anyone to tell you otherwise), here are some suggestions to get the most out of May:

• Deep Shadow Journaling - Get real with yourself and write out your darkest thoughts, fears, and desires. Demonolators can invoke their patron demons for guidance, while other practitioners might work with their chosen deities or spirits. The key is brutal honesty - no spiritual bypassing allowed.

• Death Meditation and Rebirth Rituals - Create a sacred space using black candles and baneful herbs. Meditate on what needs to die within you. Black Magick practitioners can incorporate curse removal work, while Wiccans might focus on releasing through the Dark Goddess aspects.

• Ancestral Shadow Work - Connect with your difficult ancestral patterns through divination. This can include working with darker aspects of ancestor veneration, confronting generational trauma, and breaking toxic family cycles. All paths can adapt this to their practice, whether through necromancy or more traditional ancestor worship.

• Banishing and Binding - Clear your space of what no longer serves you. This can range from full-on hexing for those who practice baneful magick, to cord-cutting ceremonies for those who prefer lighter workings. The key is to be thorough and unapologetic in removing what needs to go.

• Dark Moon Rituals - Use the dark moon phases during this period for deep introspection. This is perfect for both solitary practitioners and covens, whether you're working with Hecate, Lilith, or your chosen entities.

Of course, I always live an existence where everything that I do is encompassed in my path. Honoring the Spirits, The Universe, and myself. Always. And, to be quite honest I see far too much targeted practice, and not nearly enough living your own truth every moment of every day. But, if you aren't quite there yet this is a really good time to start. Use the energy and the magick that is given to all of us and make the absolute most of it. Each and every day.

Be Blessed,

Dena