As you may know, the generations defined by social scientists fit nicely into the Pluto generation categories:

  • Pluto in Cancer 1912-1937: The “Greatest Generation.” Governed by Cancer, they prioritized family and sacrificed themselves for their countries.
  • Pluto in Leo 1937-1956: Boomers. Leo celebrates the Self, and my generation has made an art form out of self-expression, sometimes to the detriment of others.
  • Pluto in Virgo 1956-1971 (sometimes called Late Boomers) the first half of Gen X. Sometimes called the “Slacker generation,” Virgo can get so lost in details that decisions become impossible if their laser sharp mind is unable to find a focal point for their fine judgment.
  • Pluto in Libra 1971-1983: Gen X. Libra prioritizes harmony and fairness, and this generation more than any other is highly sensitive to inequalities. The prevalence of divorce exploded while Pluto was in Libra rendering this generation somewhat wary of commitment.
  • Pluto in Scorpio 1983-1995: Millenials or Gen Y- the loneliest generation. Scorpio craves deep connection and real truths, and this generation has had trouble finding authenticity in today’s world. They are highly sensitive and invented the idea of “trigger warnings.” This generation also marks the first of the trans revolution.
  • Pluto in Sagittarius 1995-2008: Gen Z – The one that doesn’t like to be controlled. Sagittarius craves freedom and adventure, and this generation would rather be traveling (they invited Van Life and live their lives on social media) than achieving material goals.
  • Pluto in Capricorn 2008-2023: Generation Alpha. The oldest of this generation is now 17 and preparing to enter the world of adulthood. So far there are indications that this Saturn-ruled generation has higher levels of depression and isolation. However, they will likely be hard workers under the Saturn influence which begins with hardship and brings material rewards later in life.

I know that many of you are concerned about your Gen Z kids and grandkids who are having trouble getting launched into adulthood, and an article this morning entitled “Is Gen Z Unemployable” will not ease your mind.

We then surveyed 2,100 experienced hiring managers in knowledge-industry roles—those that rely heavily on human capital. We asked employers to identify the No. 1 value they desired in their new employees.

Achievement came in first; it’s the value of wanting accomplishments and success other people can see. That value comes in 11th for Generation Z; 61% wish they had less of it in their lives.

Next for the hiring managers was scope, which reflects the desire for learning, action and stimulation. That ranks 10th for Gen Z.

Third for hiring managers was “workcentrism,” the desire to work for work’s sake. That’s ninth for Gen Z.

We then calculated how many Generation Z respondents—7,563 of the 45,000 total people who took our test—identified achievement, scope and workcentrism in their top five values. Only 154, or 2.03%, did so.

Gen Z as a whole (of course there are outliers in every generation) does not prioritize values that prospective employers value. Their values are different – under the influence of Sagittarius they crave a sense of individuality, the freedom and flexibility to pursue their dreams and explore ideas and philosophies, a balance between work obligations and life pleasures, and affluence and abundance.

Gen Z (Pluto in Sagittarius) is the first generation since the Boomers (Pluto in Leo) to be born with Pluto in a fire sign. Fire doesn’t like to be contained – it tends to be self-oriented and self-directed and the Pluto in Leo generation didn’t care for structures that were imposed by others either. The Sagittarian influence can be a little like Icarus who flew too close to the sun with his wax wings which melted and crashed him back to earth. But the expansive dreams of this generation may hold the key to improving life on a shrinking planet.

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