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Written and Narrated by Pam Younghans
Current and previous weeks astrological overviews
Astrological Overview: Sept. 23 - 29, 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: Mercury quincunx Eris
Tuesday: Mercury trine Uranus
Wednesday: Mercury opposite Neptune, Mars semisquare Uranus, Saturn semisquare Pluto, Mercury trine Pluto
Thursday: Mercury enters Libra
Friday: Venus sesquiquadrate Jupiter
Saturday: No major aspects are exact today
Sunday: Sun conjunct South Node, Mercury conjunct South Node, Mars trine Saturn
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THE LAND TIME FORGOT: We are now navigating the corridor between eclipses, that two-week period when life seems a bit surreal and time is only a blurry concept. The Lunar Eclipse in Pisces on September 17 initiated a new phase in our evolutionary growth, opening us to new spiritual light and creative inspirations. At the other end of this passageway, the Solar Eclipse in Libra on October 2 highlights the need to stay mentally and emotionally in balance as we manage times of significant change.
MERCURY IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The planet Mercury is in the spotlight this week and also during next week's Solar Eclipse. Whenever Mercury is activated, we work with themes of communication, networking, information-sharing, technology, and the need to make logical sense of the world around us. We might also deal with issues related to mental health, our ability to know and stand by our truth, and our capacity to make clear, reasonable decisions.
The calendar shows Mercury activity on five out of the next seven days; although each of the aspects by itself may not be life-changing, the cumulative effect is significant, especially since Mercury is strongly involved in the upcoming Solar Eclipse. (Please see the "This Week's Aspects" section below for a delineation of the individual Mercury aspects we'll be working with this week.)
SATURN-PLUTO EFFECT: Outer planets Saturn and Pluto will be exactly semisquare (separated by 45 degrees) this Wednesday. This is the second of three such Saturn-Pluto aspects within an eight-month period; the first was on May 6 and the last will occur on January 26, 2025. When an aspect perfects three times, we work with its influence for many months, with peaks of effect or crisis times near the exact dates.
Any time Saturn and Pluto are in hard aspect, we are likely to deal with situations that feel outside of our control or with obstacles that seem to block our efforts. To be successful when working with Saturn-Pluto, it can help to understand the higher purposes of both planets.
Saturn offers us a reality check, with the intention of helping us achieve our true aspirations more successfully. Under Saturn's influence, we want to take stock of our activities, noticing which ones have depleted rather than contributed to our vitality. We learn to consolidate our efforts by pruning the tree of any dead wood and extraneous branches. Once we do this, we find we actually do have the strength and stamina we need to manifest the goals that are in alignment with our higher self. The tree's life force is now channeled more effectively and can support the branches that will yield the best fruit.
With Pluto, one of our challenges is to be aware of where we may have been giving away our power, whether that be to an outer authority, to a situation, or to an emotional state. Our task, under Pluto's guidance, is to understand that ultimately we have everything we need within us. To reinforce this truth, we may experience the dismantling of old external forms that we have relied on to our detriment. Thus we experience a "death and rebirth" process that is one of the signatures of the god of the Underworld. Pluto teaches that change must occur if we are to evolve, that the leaves must fall to the ground in autumn to make ready for the new growth in the spring.
THIS WEEK'S ASPECTS: Here are my brief interpretations of this week's most important planetary aspects, day by day:
Monday
Mercury quincunx Eris: Conversations may not flow easily today. People tend to be focused on their personal agendas and are therefore less willing to compromise.
Tuesday
Mercury trine Uranus: Insights and inspirations are more available to us today, as the planet of Logic and Reason is in harmonious aspect with the planet of Intuition and Higher Mind. We are also more accepting of unfamiliar ideas and are better able to "think outside the box."
Wednesday
Mercury opposite Neptune: We may not see details with great clarity today. Misunderstandings, miscommunications, and misdirections interfere with achieving our goals as efficiently as we would like, especially in the early hours of the day.
Mars semisquare Uranus: People may act impulsively under this influence, reacting instead of responding. Be aware of a tendency to jump to conclusions.
Saturn semisquare Pluto: We may feel frustration with obstacles or other situations that seem outside of our control.
Mercury trine Pluto: Our minds are more focused tonight, and we may be determined to speak our truth. Words are direct, driven by instinct.
Thursday
Mercury enters Libra: The Messenger Planet will journey through the sign of the Scales from September 26 to October 13. During this 17-day period, we are supported in seeing both sides of an issue. This can be helpful in some situations, but is not conducive to quick decision-making.
Friday
Venus sesquiquadrate Jupiter: With this somewhat indulgent aspect, it could hard to delay gratification. We may be too impulsive when considering making an investment, whether in a relationship or financially.
Saturday
No major aspects are exact today.
Sunday
Sun conjunct South Node, Mercury conjunct South Node: Old relationship patterns are highlighted, especially those that are somewhat codependent. Be aware of times when you say "yes" when your gut is actually saying "no."
Mars trine Saturn: This aspect helps us have both courage and determination, especially when dealing with emotional issues and feelings of vulnerability.
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IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK (Sept. 23-29):
The flow of information, whether through writing, speaking, teaching, or learning, is highlighted for you this year. Your words may seem to have greater impact than usual and you may feel quite passionate about what you are sharing or studying. However, there may be times when you feel unclear about your sense of direction or about decisions you need to make. This may mean it is time to go with the flow rather than trying to direct the universe. (Solar Return Sun conjunct Mercury, opposite Neptune, trine Pluto)
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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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UPCOMING 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.
