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Written and Narrated by Pam Younghans
Current and previous weeks astrological overviews
Astrological Overview: August 5-11, 2024
Astrologer Pam Younghans writes this weekly astrological journal based on planetary influences, and offers perspectives and insights to assist you in making the best use of current energies. This column is not intended as prediction. Your own experience will be more specifically defined by transits to your personal chart.
Aspects of Note this Week:
All times listed are Pacific Standard Time. For Eastern Time, add 3 hours; Add 7 hours for Universal Time (UT), but add 8 hours for BST.
Monday: Venus quincunx Pluto
Tuesday: Sun sesquiquadrate Neptune
Wednesday: Jupiter sesquiquadrate Pluto, Sun sextile Jupiter, Mercury (R) conjunct Venus
Thursday: No major aspects are exact today
Friday: Sun quincunx Saturn
Saturday: No major aspects are exact today
Sunday: Venus trine Ceres, Venus sesquiquadrate Chiron
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THE MARS-JUPITER EFFECT: The exact alignment between Mars and Jupiter won't occur until August 14, but the two planets are separated by only four degrees as this week begins, and they will be within three degrees of each other by this Thursday, August 8. This date is important to watch, since concrete manifestations related to the effects of an aspect often begin when the planets enter this three-degree range (orb).
Throughout the next two weeks, Mars, the God of Action and Desire, will be energizing the areas of our lives that we associate with Jupiter. Headlines and conversations will focus on morals, ethics, and religious beliefs; justice, courts of law, and legal affairs; and international relations, higher education, publications, and philanthropic endeavors. However, the negative qualities of Jupiter will also be activated: over-optimism, belittling humor, irresponsibility, over-indulgence, self-righteousness, dogmatism, and intolerance.
At the same time, Jupiter, the God of the Sky and Thunder, will be magnifying the positive qualities we associate with Mars: enthusiasm, confidence, courage, forthrightness, a pioneering spirit, and leadership abilities. At the other end of the vibrational scale, we will also observe impatience, selfishness, impulsive or overly risky actions, and aggression.
THE GEMINI EFFECT: Excitable Mars and exuberant Jupiter are having their rendezvous in airy, versatile Gemini, so we could find it hard to concentrate on one topic or one project over the next two weeks. Our attention is easily scattered to the wind, following first this thought and then another, resulting in less focusing power. This means that this time might be best suited for brainstorming sessions rather than trying to deeply study a specific subject — especially since Mercury, the ruler of Gemini, will be retrograde until August 28.
The news cycle will be especially active over the next two weeks, with information coming quickly and changing rapidly. Since Gemini rules the brain and neural system, nervous energy is also heightened. An overload of mental energy can lead to anxiety and an inability to calm the mind, so it will be important to use our tools for grounding and centering throughout this time.
THE RIGEL EFFECT: The Mars-Uranus conjunction on July 15 activated the fixed star Algol and its association with misfortune, danger, and violence. Thankfully — and in strong contrast to last month's alignment — the Mars-Jupiter alignment on August 14 is conjunct the fixed star Rigel. Even ancient astrologers, who saw most of the fixed stars as being unfavorable, believed that Rigel had mostly helpful qualities, bestowing honor, riches, happiness, glory, fame, and good fortune.
I'll be writing more about the Mars-Jupiter-Rigel alignment in next week's Journal, so stay tuned ...
THIS WEEK'S ASPECTS: Here are my brief interpretations of this week's most important planetary aspects, day by day:
Monday
Venus quincunx Pluto: This aspect can awaken trust issues, bringing up jealousies and suspicions and making this a challenging day for some relationships.
Tuesday
Sun sesquiquadrate Neptune: We may feel unfocused and ungrounded today. It can be hard to know our true needs.
Wednesday
Jupiter sesquiquadrate Pluto: This aspect involves two slower-moving planets, and thus is in effect for at least a week before and after this date. The power of words to either create or destroy is very apparent now. People can be very persuasive or manipulative.
Sun sextile Jupiter: Speeches can be quite dramatic and influential today.
Mercury (R) conjunct Venus: This alignment in Virgo focuses our attention on personal relationships. We may feel inspired to start a conversation about how to make improvements. At this time, it is wise to review both written and unwritten contracts with loved ones.
Thursday
No major aspects are exact today.
Friday
Sun quincunx Saturn: There's an underlying sense of dissatisfaction today, perhaps due to seeing the reality of a situation. Some may feel they are not getting the kind of attention and support they need from others.
Saturday
No major aspects are exact today.
Sunday
Venus trine Ceres: This aspect can help us connect with loved ones, especially family members, with greater ease.
Venus sesquiquadrate Chiron: However, old insecurities and resentments may arise, especially if we feel criticized or ignored.
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IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK (August 5-11):
You are likely to feel mostly optimistic about yourself and your goals this year, and opportunities will arise for you to express your creativity. However, you may need to overcome latent insecurities or fears about your efforts being appreciated, approved of, or successful to the degree that you hope. While being realistic is a positive attribute and will help you know what needs to be done on practical levels, it will serve you well to focus on the present and on the joy you feel while engaged in the creative process. (Solar Return Sun sextile Jupiter, quincunx Saturn, trine Chiron)
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TRANSLATION and AUDIO/VIDEO VERSION: This weekly Journal is recorded (in English) AND the text is transcribed into 30 languages! You'll see a row of flags under "Available Languages" in the upper right. And, there are options to listen to the audio (in English) or watch a video directly beneath the photo (see top of page).
The Journal entry is usually updated by Sunday evening, with the recordings appearing late Sunday or by Monday depending on your time zone. Please share this information with those who might benefit.
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CLASSES AND WEBINARS by Pam Younghans:
DAILY ASTROLOGY: Please check out my daily astrological forecasts ~ including lunar aspects that aren't included in this weekly Journal ~ on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pamyounghans/
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For previous weeks of the Astrological Journal, click here.
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About the Author
Pam Younghans is a professional astrologer, editor, and writer. She lives in a log home northeast of Seattle, Washington with her beloved animal companions. She has been interpreting charts professionally for over 25 years. If you are interested in an astrology reading, e-mail
For more information about NorthPoint Astrology offerings, please visit NorthPointAstrology.com or visit her Facebook page.
