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Written and Narrated by Pam Younghans
Current and previous weeks astrological overviews
Astrological Overview: Sept. 9 - 15, 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: No major aspects are exact today
Tuesday: No major aspects are exact today
Wednesday: Venus quincunx Saturn, Mercury sextile Mars
Thursday: Sun square Jupiter
Friday: Mercury sesquiquadrate Chiron
Saturday: Sun quincunx Chiron, Venus trine Jupiter
Sunday: Mercury sesquiquadrate Eris, Mars square the nodal axis
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ECLIPSE SEASON: We are now in Eclipse Season, when Fate seems to take us by the hand and life-altering events often occur. Our New Moon last week opened the door to the eclipse energies, which will build in strength in the days leading up to the partial Lunar Eclipse (Full Moon) on September 17.
We then will navigate the two-week "between eclipses" zone, when life takes on a very surreal quality and time seems to stand still. A "ring of fire" annular Solar Eclipse (New Moon) then occurs on October 2, and we will be assimilating those energies through the Full Moon on October 17 — which will be a very powerful lunation in and of itself!
MARS "AT THE BENDING": This week, Mars is square the Moon's nodal axis. The lunar nodes are two invisible points in the sky, determined by where the Moon's orbit intersects the path of the Sun.
The South Node represents what we might call "negative" attitudes and behaviors, the ones we are transcending as we raise our vibrations. It is often called the "karmic" node, indicating old patterns that we might default to if we are not living consciously. The North Node, which is always exactly opposite the South Node, shows us our evolutionary path forward and the "positive" qualities we are being asked to develop.
The sign of the nodes in present-day shows humanity's default mode (South Node) and our collective growth path (North Node). In our birth charts, the sign and house of the nodes reveal much about our soul's intended growth for this lifetime.
When a planet is square both the nodes, it's said that the planet is "at the bending" of the nodal axis. This is a challenging aspect that can lead us to revert to old unconscious patterns that do not serve us or our higher destiny.
With Mars in Cancer "at the bending" of the Aries-Libra nodal axis this week, our ability to remain objective when dealing with emotional upsets is tested. A discomfort with feeling vulnerable could tempt us to default to people-pleasing or manipulation (shadow traits of Libra) in order to maintain harmony. Or, we could find ourselves acting passive-aggressively, or being overly protective or defensive. If we are to successfully navigate this aspect, we will need to utilize the very highest vibrational potentials of Mars in Cancer.
Cancer is the sign of the Crab, an animal that is easily startled and quickly either withdraws under a rock or attacks with its claws. We tend to forget that we, like the Crab, are able to sidle (walk sideways) when we feel threatened, instead of going into "fight or flight" mode. Sidling represents the ability to step away from confrontation when emotions are heightened, with the intention of getting a more objective view of the situation. It is not the same as "flight," because we intend to readdress the problem once our heart and breathing rates have returned to normal.
Managing this "Mars at the bending" aspect will require clear, conscious intention, since it could be easy to fall into old reactive patterns. Along the way, we can call upon the many other strengths that are characteristic of Mars-in-Cancer: Emotional courage, an empathic understanding of the fears that are motivating others and ourselves, a deep caring for those we call family, and the ability to handle situations directly and calmly.
THIS WEEK'S ASPECTS: Here are my brief interpretations of this week's most important planetary aspects, day by day:
Monday & Tuesday
No major aspects are exact on these two days.
Wednesday
Venus quincunx Saturn: Relationship and financial matters could encounter obstacles or delays today, requiring an adjustment in our expectations.
Mercury sextile Mars: We are able to access good emotional intelligence when considering how to resolve and improve a situation.
Thursday
Sun square Jupiter: The urge to micromanage can be strong with this aspect, and some may go overboard in trying to teach and explain the "best way" to accomplish a task.
Friday
Mercury sesquiquadrate Chiron: Self-doubt and insecurities about our creative ideas can interfere with clear communications.
Saturday
Sun quincunx Chiron: Some may be especially sensitive and react angrily to criticism today.
Venus trine Jupiter: This aspect encourages us to be social and outgoing. It can open a door for a new partnership or for improved communications in existing relationships.
Sunday
Mercury sesquiquadrate Eris: Controversies are stirred and words are used dramatically. Conversations can quickly become quarrelsome.
Mars square the nodal axis: Emotional reactivity is heightened. We may be aware of falling into old patterns of relating that no longer serve us.
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IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK (Sept. 9-15):
There is an underlying restlessness within you this year, a need to reinvent yourself and a desire to break out of old routines that suddenly feel stifling. However, you will be working with the energies of expansion and constriction in equal measure, understanding how and when to use each for best results. This is similar to learning how to drive a car using both the gas pedal and the brake pedal; we need both to make our way safely down the road, but it takes skill and attention to know when and how to apply each. If there are delays in your plans for expansion, understand that the universe may be slowing progress so that you are aligned with the best timing for success. (Solar Return Sun square Jupiter, opposite Saturn, trine Uranus)
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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:
READY FOR LAUNCH! As most of us are already sensing, the remaining weeks of 2024 are going to be a very transformational! If you'd like to learn what to expect and when, please join us my "Final Four of 2024" webinar, airing live tomorrow (Monday, September 9). I'll start the show by giving my perspectives and insights about the major planetary events we'll be working with September through December. After that, I will walk us through all four months, week by week, so that you have a good understanding of what the planets have in store.
When you register: You will receive a confirmation email and follow-up from order @ humanitix.com. These emails will contain a link to download the calendars and the link and passcode to attend the live Zoom meeting.
If you haven't received these emails or have other technical questions, please contact Elsie Kerns at
I hope to see you there! Remember that if you can't attend live, you'll be receiving the video replay and all class materials, so you can watch at your leisure. To register: https://events.humanitix.com/finalfour2024
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.
