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Written and Narrated by Pam Younghans
Current and previous weeks astrological overviews
Astrological Overview: July 22-28, 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: Sun enters Leo 12:44 a.m. PDT, Sun opposite Pluto
Tuesday: Venus sesquiquadrate Neptune
Wednesday: No major aspects are exact today
Thursday: Mercury quincunx Neptune, Mercury enters Virgo, Sun sextile Mars
Friday: Sun sesquiquadrate Saturn, Chiron stations retrograde, Venus quincunx Saturn, Mercury quincunx Pluto
Saturday: No major aspects are exact today
Sunday: No major aspects are exact today
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FIRE AND AIR: We are working with very different energies as we head into this fourth week of July, thanks to two planets changing signs: Mars left earthy Taurus on July 20 and is now in airy Gemini, while the Sun will exit watery Cancer and make ingress into fiery Leo on Monday, July 22. One specific symptom we might experience with these shifts is the sense that life is moving exceptionally quickly ~ even more swiftly than the rapid pace we've become used to in recent months!
Another possible manifestation related to the Mars-in-Gemini effect is an increase in nervous energy, restlessness, and irritability. Some of these symptoms could be due to information overload, due to the wide variety and the forcefulness of rhetoric being offered for our consumption. The ongoing and ever-changing news bulletins could become overwhelming at times in the weeks ahead, especially the closer we get to the exact Mars-Jupiter conjunction in verbally expressive Gemini on August 14.
Events are particularly intense and transformational as we begin this new week; the newly-minted Leo Sun opposes Pluto in Aquarius on Monday, indicating a tug-of-war that could ultimately result in a shift in power dynamics. Significant changes that are initiated now could unfold more fully around the dates that Jupiter and Mars interact directly with catalytic Pluto (sesquiquadrate aspects on August 7 and August 12, respectively).
THIS WEEK'S ASPECTS: Here are my brief interpretations of this week's most important planetary aspects, day by day:
Monday
Sun enters Leo: The Sun enters the sign of the Lion at 12:44 a.m. PDT on Monday. Some of the archetypes related to Leo are the Leader, the Creative, the Child, and the Performer. During this zodiac month (July 22 to August 22), the solar energies encourage us to be more outgoing, expressive, and playful, and to confidently blossom in some way. We might also experience an increased need to take a leadership role or to have our creative efforts respected and appreciated. Leo rules the heart, so there is also a warmth and generosity associated with the sign. But, in its lower-vibrational expression, the sign can be self-centered, melodramatic, attention-seeking, arrogant, or dictatorial.
Sun opposite Pluto: People could be very willful and stubbornly competitive with this opposition. Dramas manifest over who holds the power and how to use it. The urge to be in control is strong, resulting in manipulations and attempts to undermine the opponent.
Tuesday
Venus sesquiquadrate Neptune: There is a tendency to overidealize a person or a purchase today. It may be best to delay making important decisions in relationship or financial matters until our capacity for discernment is more intact.
Wednesday
No major aspects are exact today.
Thursday
Mercury quincunx Neptune: The mind is a bit foggy under this aspect, perhaps resulting in miscommunications or errors in judgment.
Mercury enters Virgo: While the Messenger Planet is in practical Virgo, our minds are more analytical and perhaps critical. We are drawn to focus on the details and we value efficiency and effectiveness in communications. However, we might miss important perspectives if we do not also consider the bigger picture and how the details need to come together.
Please note: Due going retrograde, Mercury will be moving in and out of Virgo over the next few weeks. Its first foray into the sign of the Virgin is on July 25; it then will go retrograde on August 5, returning to Leo on August 14. After going direct on August 28, Mercury will re-enter Virgo on September 9 and be in the sign until September 26.
Sun sextile Mars: The urge to communicate is strong today, and people are likely to be very direct and forthright in their speech. There could also be some grandstanding for dramatic effect.
Friday
Sun sesquiquadrate Saturn: Confidence could be lacking today, or we might discover that our creative efforts are not getting the reception we had hoped for.
Chiron stations retrograde: With Chiron's influence heightened now, some may be dealing with insecurities and fears, perhaps masked over by anger and reactivity. This is an opportunity for us to understand, accept, and love the part of ourselves that may be feeling fearful.
Venus quincunx Saturn: It might be hard to express ourselves, either romantically or creatively, due to a fear of being judged or rejected.
Mercury quincunx Pluto: Communications do not flow easily today, and unconscious emotions could interfere with rational decision-making. Some might use their words to manipulate a situation or coerce others.
Saturday & Sunday
No major aspects are exact on these two days.
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IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK (July 22-28):
You are moving through a time of deep personal transformation. Certain activities or roles that in some way defined you are changing or ending. As a result, powerful feelings could arise; these will need to be expressed and not suppressed or repressed, so please find healthy outlets through which to release them. While there may be some frustrations or delays you will need to manage this year, ultimately you have the courage and the strength to move through any challenges. Serendipitously, you will also experience an increase in your ability to surrender to the unknown, to let go of attachments, and to have faith in the greater plan for your life. (Solar Return Sun sextile Mars, sesquiquadrate Saturn, trine Neptune, opposite 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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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.
