The Neptune-Pluto Sextile: A Shift in Consciousness and the Promise of a Spiritual Renaissance (2026 – 2032):

As we are heading towards the formation of a harmonious sextile between the two cosmic super forces Pluto in Aquarius and Neptune in Aries, it might be helpful to explore the Neptune-Pluto cycle. It is the longest planetary cycle lasting about 494 years, roughly have a millennium. It is associated with the evolution of cultural epochs and the shift of consciousness over time, the transformation of human beliefs and knowledge. This cycle defines our underlying historical reality (energy follows thought) on a collective-unconscious level and tells the story of the relationship between spirit and science through the ages. The last cycle started in 1891/92 at 8 degrees Gemini and is regarded as the beginning of the Age of Globalisation. The current Neptune-Pluto cycle will end in 2385.

The 1891/92 conjunction took place during the heights of the materialistic Earth Age coinciding with a multitude of inventions, the electrical revolution, an adoration of science that was replacing the need for religion. Since then, humanity has advanced its mobility in a variety of ways. Besides its many positive effects, it has become a global concern during our times. Transportation is one of the major factors in air pollution and climate change.

Australia became a Federation in 1901, about nine years after the conjunction, when Neptune-Pluto were still in Gemini and in opposition to Uranus, thus aligning the three outer transpersonal planets in a single constellation.

Besides the scientific inventions it was also a pivotal time in the evolution of consciousness as this period brought forth a new wave of spirituality as well as the depth psychology of Freud and Jung. Freud published The Interpretations of Dreams in 1900 and Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality in 1905.

Neptune and Pluto have been forming a supportive waxing sextile during 1945 – 1986 and they will align again from 2026 until 2032, when the sextile will be just about exact for the last time.  New ideas are seeded during the conjunction and then explored during the waxing sextile. Sextiles represent an opportunity to make positive changes when the planetary force of evolution (Pluto) harmoniously aligns with the human need for spiritual connection and the experience of soul (Neptune).  Great things take place when all three outer planets move into alignment. Uranus and Pluto were both forming a sextile with Neptune during the 60’s cultural revolution in which re-emerging spiritual values fuelled the artistic, social and political expression of a whole generation. The good news is that Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are moving into alignment again during 2026 – 2032. They will form a fabulous Minor Grand Trine consisting of a trine aspect between Uranus and Pluto while being in sextile with Neptune. The spiritual values of the Sixties may reemerge and impulse us once more during the upcoming period with spiritual light and new frontiers of comprehension that combine spirit and science.

Going back, the Neptune-Pluto conjunction in 1398/99 occurred in Gemini as well and marked the birth of the Renaissance.  The Renaissance (1400 – 1600) signified an important shift in consciousness. It emerged out of the destruction and the Black Death (1346 – 1353) that brought an end to feudalism and the beginning of the erosion of Church power. A new World Order was seeded during this period and a cultural movement called humanism gained momentum in the years to come. Among its many principles, humanism promoted the idea that man was the center of his own universe, and people should embrace human achievements in education, classical arts, literature and science.

Nicolaus Copernicus (1473 – 1543) was a Renaissance polymath, active as a mathematician, astronomer, and Catholic canon, who formulated a model of the universe that placed the Sun rather than Earth at its center.

The wealthy merchants of Florence could commission a portrait, but even they would likely only have a single portrait painted during their lifetime. A portrait was about more than likeness, it spoke to status and position. In addition, portraits generally took a long time to paint, and the subject would commonly have to sit for hours or days, while the artist captured their likeness.

Leonardo da Vinci understood the three dimensionality of the body and the perspectival treatment of the surrounding space.

Pluto and Neptune formed their waxing sextile during 1460 – 1540 coinciding with the heights of the Reformation, a religious movement that encouraged individuals to challenge authority (especially the Catholic Church) and seek truth without fear.  Human reason was seen as a powerful force that could be used to make valuable discoveries.  This new way of thinking led to the translation of the Bible by Martin Luther and the split of Henry the VIII of England from the Catholic Church. Pope Paul III declared that the natives of the New World (colonised Americas) are rational beings with souls that must not be enslaved.  Copernicus postulated the heliocentric model of the solar system which challenged the beliefs and dogma of the time. Interestingly, Pluto was in Aquarius and Neptune in Aries (as it will be in in the upcoming Minor Grand Trine during 2026 -2032). Pluto was forming a confrontational opposition to Uranus while Uranus and Neptune were in a supportive trine configuration signifying the division in belief systems. In1545, the Council of Trent established the Roman Inquisition, which made humanism and any views that challenged the Catholic church an act of heresy punishable by death.

During the current sextile (2026 -2032) we experience the pros and cons of globalisation and the growth of a globalised culture with the spread of images worldwide through TV broadcasting, the internet and the media in general. During the last sextile a new human image was born that helped people to liberate themselves from the domination of the Church and encouraged them to think for themselves. In this sense, it might be helpful to ponder on what we need to liberate ourselves from now and how far we are influenced in our thinking by outside forces.  We have been developing in the direction of greater wholeness while our globalised culture makes us aware of how interconnected we all are (Neptune).  Even though we are interconnected, we need to maintain our individuality as well (Neptune in Aries).  This leads us to Uranus, the third cosmic player in the journey of humanity’s consciousness (r)evolution. As above so below!

Tina Mews
November 2023