Mars and Pluto: aspect cards

Mars conjunct Pluto gives a deep-rooted, intense drive. You are determined, do not back down easily, hold up under heavy pressure and walk toward problems others avoid. Deep research, hard problem-solving, endurance sport or rescuing work that has fallen apart suit you. The things to watch are silent anger that builds and comes out hard, winning with no thought for others, and power contests with people above you.

• You do not retreat from a hard problem and keep going until it shows results.
• You hold up under pressure and still decide clearly.
• You focus deeply on work that matters and give it everything.

• Dissatisfaction held in silence may come out far stronger than the matter in front of you.
• You may push to win and forget to ask what you gain and what you lose.

You take on rescuing a system the previous team left behind, which nobody wants to touch, and work on it all week without asking for help. When your manager makes a small criticism, you reply far too strongly. Try waiting one night before answering, then send a summary of what you have done and what you need next.

Put your deep force into work bigger than yourself, not into beating people.

When Mars is in harmony with Pluto, intense energy runs in a clear direction. You have stamina, determination and quick recovery of your footing after a problem. You plan long-term strategy, commit fully once the goal is clear and turn a crisis into an opening. Solving hard problems, research or rebuilding an organisation suits you. The thing to watch is holding energy in reserve because you have not found a mission worth it.

• You plan long-term and still keep your energy to the end.
• You find your footing quickly after a problem and find a way to go on.
• You persuade others through calm and facts, without raising your voice.

• You may hold energy back until you find a worthwhile target and let time pass.
• Your calm may leave others unable to read what you think.

A small organisation you volunteer for has trouble with its workflow. You study it for two weeks before you propose anything. On meeting day you present a three-step plan with data behind it, and everyone agrees. You choose to take the hardest step yourself because it feels challenging enough.

Choose a mission that challenges you enough, and your force will bring real change.

When Mars challenges Pluto, your energy gets drawn into questions of power and control. You meet heavy conflict, clash with people in authority or let out dissatisfaction held for a long time. Sometimes the urge to win or control is stronger than the real situation calls for. The upside is toughness and refusal to quit. When you ask yourself whether the matter is worth the energy, you choose better what deserves it.

• You do not give up easily and have great stamina when a matter counts.
• You are not afraid to confront what needs fixing.
• You can truly change yourself after something heavy.

• You may push as hard over small matters as big ones and tire of competing.
• The urge to control a situation may make others step back from you.

Your manager changes how work is assessed without asking the team. You are furious and write a three-page email to send to everyone. Keep it as a draft overnight. By morning you are down to three paragraphs about the effect on actual work, which your manager reads to the end and takes away to consider.

Ask whether this matter is worth the energy, then choose what deserves your force.