Gen X and the Activation of Menopausal Rage

The Disruptive Power of Transits to Pluto in Libra

PHOTO: Unsplash/Paras Kaushal @artkitokri

There was recently a video of a gray-haired woman in a Primus t-shirt flipping off the crowd as she was escorted out of a political rally. Watching her, the rage and defiance resonated with me. And as I thought why so many women my age are feeling the same, I started thinking about Gen X’s Pluto in Libra placement.  

Pluto transited Libra from late 1971 to 1984, giving Gen X’s attitudes towards social justice, independence, and relationships a Plutonian signature. Those born between 1969 and 1975 also have Uranus in Libra, adding a rebellious and disruptive quality to this energy. 

Now in their late 40’s to early 60’s, Gen X is often referred to as the forgotten generation. The original “latchkey” kids, Gen X was independent at a young age as a result of being largely ignored by their Boomer parents. They navigated massive cultural shifts that included rising divorce rates; the continued march for women’s, civil, and gay rights; and a pop culture revolution ushered in through media, video games, and malls.  

People joke about the “whatever-ness” of Gen X, but it’s a result of learning to take care of themselves because there was no other choice. It was easier to figure it out or get over it instead of making waves. Societal upheaval hidden behind a lovely Venusian veneer of propriety. 

This generational Pluto in Libra is being activated now through the transiting trines of Pluto in Aquarius and Uranus in Gemini. Pluto trine Pluto allows us to shed old habits and reclaim our power, while Uranus trine Pluto brings liberation and breakthroughs. It’s an important and powerful free flow of energy that taps into Gen X’s craving for justice in the face of massive shifts towards authoritarianism and other forms of oppression symbolized by the oppositions from transiting Saturn and Neptune in Aries.  

Power struggles between our ideals and our current restrictive reality become unavoidable. As these two planets oppose the Natal Pluto in Libra by transit, Gen X is forced to develop the confidence to direct the spiritual fire that’s been awakened.  

The rage of Gen X women specifically comes to the forefront during these transits with Venus’s rulership of Libra. The amplification of toxic masculinity is pushing women to a breaking point where compromise means submission. These aspects to Natal Pluto in Libra are activating the Venusian qualities we often forget are intrinsic to the mythologies across ancient cultures. True Venus energy encompasses both the Morning Star/Evening Star duality, adding the fiercer traits of creation, autonomy, and divine law to the more prominently discussed beauty and fertility.  

As the outer planets cycle between retrograde and direct motion, they allow us to fine-tune our understanding and expression through the Air and Fire elements. Air is where we speak out, connect, and communicate, while Fire initiates action. This puts Gen X at a pivotal point now to lead with bold ideas and determined effort.