The Astrology of Late Capitalism: A Thought Experiment

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[A note: What follows is not an endorsement of astrology as fact, but an exploration of how mythological frameworks can help us process the overwhelming complexity of our current moment. Think of it as a narrative device, not a horoscope.]

As a researcher, I’m committed to empiricism and rational analysis. But lately, I’ve found myself drawn to older, more mythic ways of understanding the world. This impulse, I think, speaks to our collective need for sense-making tools in an era of cascading crises and rapid change.

This might explain why I’ve been fixated on a recent article from The Cut about astrology . Not because I believe planets determine our behavior, but because it offers a compelling metaphorical framework for the volatility we’re all experiencing. (Consider this the mystical companion piece to my previous analysis of the Fourth Turning theory. )

The article focuses on Pluto’s astrological transition from Capricorn to Aquarius. In astrological terms, Pluto represents transformation, hidden power structures, and subterranean forces. It’s been in Capricorn—associated with industry, corporate power, and workaholism—since 2008. Now, it’s moving into Aquarius, which symbolizes community, technological innovation, and societal change.

The symbolism here is almost too on-the-nose: we’re witnessing the death throes of a hyper-individualistic, work-obsessed culture and the potential birth of something more communally oriented. But the transition is far from smooth.

Two details from this astrological narrative are particularly striking:

1. The last time Pluto was in Aquarius was 248 years ago—coinciding with the American and French Revolutions.
2. Pluto will briefly retrograde back into Capricorn from September 1 to November 19, 2024—aligning precisely with the U.S. presidential election.

Now, do I think celestial bodies are orchestrating global events? Of course not. But as a metaphor for the massive upheavals we’re experiencing—the decline of empires, the failures of late-stage capitalism, the existential threat of climate change—it’s remarkably apt.

Moreover, this framework captures something essential about our current moment: the sense that we’re collectively awakening from the fever dream of neoliberal individualism. We’re recognizing, en masse, that a society oriented solely around work, consumption, and self-optimization is making us miserable, depleted, and sick.

But what comes next is far from certain. The article’s framing of Aquarius as associated with “collective care, humanitarianism, and large-scale societal matters” is appealing. Yet it also notes Aquarius’s connection to “rebellion and revolution, along with scientific breakthroughs, medical advancements, and technological achievements.” In our current context, this could manifest as either a move towards genuine community and care, or as a further entrenchment of techno-utopianism and algorithmic control.

The rapid advancement of AI adds another layer of complexity to this transition. We’re on the cusp of a transformation that could rival the industrial revolution in its impact on labor, creativity, and social organization. Whether this leads to a more equitable distribution of resources and leisure time or to further concentration of power in the hands of tech oligarchs remains to be seen.

Ultimately, whether we frame it through astrology, generational theory, or straightforward socioeconomic analysis, we’re clearly at an inflection point. The old systems are breaking down, but the shape of what comes next is still very much in flux.

As we navigate this period of intense change, perhaps there’s value in engaging with multiple frameworks—including the mythic and the metaphorical—to help us process and respond to the complexity around us. Not as a replacement for rigorous analysis, but as a complement to it.

After all, if we’re going to be living through “interesting times,” we might as well have an interesting narrative to accompany them.