Photo: The Eagle Nebula taken by the James Webb Space Telescope. Image Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Processing & Copyright: Mehmet Hakan Özsaraç.
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Written and Narrated by Pam Younghans
Current and previous weeks astrological overviews
Astrological Overview: Oct. 21-27, 2024
Astrologer Pam Younghans writes this weekly astrological overvuew 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).
Monday: Mercury sesquiquadrate Neptune, Mars square Eris, Mercury trine Saturn
Tuesday: Sun square Pluto, Venus sesquiquadrate Chiron, Sun enters Scorpio
Wednesday: Mercury sextile Ceres
Thursday: Mars sextile Uranus
Friday: Venus sesquiquadrate Eris
Saturday: Pluto trine Vesta, Mercury quincunx Chiron
Sunday: Mercury quincunx Jupiter, Venus sesquiquadrate Mars
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TRANSITIONAL PERIOD: We are in a transitional period that is reshaping us individually and collectively. Old forms began to crumble five years ago, when a new Solar Cycle began and Saturn and Pluto aligned. Now, as Pluto nears the end of its 16-year transit of Capricorn, there is a crescendo of change, a completion of a process that truly began in 2008 when Pluto entered the sign.
We are starting to see the cumulative effects of so many endings. As we individually review all that has changed in recent years, it is clear that our old identity, pre-2020, no longer fits. The goals and the roles that we previously claimed have either slowly or at times abruptly fallen away. In some ways we are eager for the new; and yet, the unknown that lies before us, while intriguing, may also be unnerving in its vastness.
FROM FULL MOON TO MARS-PLUTO: The Full Moon on October 17 was a powerful one that drew upon the energies of transformational Pluto and dynamic Mars to augment its effects. That lunation was one bookend on a four-week period that will prove to be life-changing for many. The other bookend on this time is the Mars-Pluto opposition that perfects on November 3.
We can consider these weeks, from mid-October to mid-November, to be very Plutonian in nature. Some will be drawn deeply inward during this time, seeking a more complete understanding of their own psyche. We are compelled to become better acquainted with the truth of our being, to discover our inner source of power. Since external indicators of who we thought we were have fallen away, we now seek a deeper identification with our Soul, and its path and purpose.
However, some will seek power externally during this Plutonian time. The struggle to reclaim a disintegrating identity and the fear of opening to the new are being projected onto the world stage. These are the underlying reasons for the battles manifesting in the outside world.
SUN IN SCORPIO: We are assisted in our process of self-discovery by the Sun's ingress into perceptive Scorpio this Tuesday. Scorpio is a very complex and somewhat enigmatic sign; this is reflected in the fact that it is the only sign of the zodiac that has more than one animal symbol.
All signs have both a higher-vibrational and a lower-frequency manifestation, and we are always given the choice of which end of the spectrum to embody. With Scorpio, our options are clearly represented by its two main symbols: the Scorpion and the Eagle. Both of these creatures are powerful and intense, but each in a different way.
The Scorpion is known for its resilience and its capacity to defend itself. It lives in darkness, hiding under rocks or in burrows. Its virtues, when taken to an unhealthy extreme, manifest as being overly guarded, suspicious, manipulative, or vengeful. The stinger on the Scorpion, which is used for protection and also to hunt, contains a poisonous venom. This represents the toxic nature of holding onto anger and resentment.
The Eagle nests high in the trees and is known for its clear vision. As it soars above the landscape, it sees the darkness — the shadows in which the Scorpion lives — but it also sees and is drawn upward to the light. The Eagle represents the ability to rise above obstacles, to be free of attachments, and to gain spiritual enlightenment.
A third animal symbol commonly associated with Scorpio is the Phoenix. This creature, which bursts into flames and is reborn from the ashes, represents the transformational process of death and rebirth that is part of the Scorpio experience.
As the Sun transits the sign of Scorpio, from October 22 to November 21, we likewise are experiencing a death and rebirth. Our tasks during this time are to maintain the higher perspective of Eagle, to use the tenacity of Scorpion to stay aligned with our inner truth, and to let go of attachment to the old forms so that the new may be birthed.
It is especially appropriate that we are working with the effects of the Mars-Pluto opposition while the Sun is in Scorpio. The two planets are the “co-rulers” of the sign, due to embodying its traits of intensity, willfulness, courage, and passion.
THIS WEEK'S ASPECTS: Here are my brief interpretations of this week's most important planetary aspects, day by day:
Monday
Mercury sesquiquadrate Neptune and trine Saturn: Communications can be confused or misleading early in the day and our ability to perceive reality may be compromised. Our mental state is more reliable later in the day as the Mercury-Saturn trine takes the reins.
Mars square Eris: People may be reactive and irritable with this influence, acting impulsively or defensively.
Tuesday
Sun square Pluto: A need to control or dominate is heightened. Compulsive or manipulative behaviors are driven by underlying fear or unprocessed anger.
Venus sesquiquadrate Chiron: People are more sensitive to feeling judged or criticized today, bringing conflict into relationships.
Sun enters Scorpio: As the Sun transits watery Scorpio, from October 22 to November 21, emotions run strong. We may feel especially determined and passionate about something that is deeply true for us.
Wednesday
Mercury sextile Ceres: It is easier to be empathic today, as we are assisted in listening with the heart instead of only the mind.
Thursday
Mars sextile Uranus: This aspect supports courageous action and a willingness to take risks. We also may feel very restless and anxious to "move," especially if we've been feeling restricted in any way.
Friday
Venus sesquiquadrate Eris: Differences of opinion and the need to be "right" may cause conflicts in a relationship.
Saturday
Pluto trine Vesta: Dedication to a spiritual truth or a social cause is supported with this aspect.
Mercury quincunx Chiron: A lack of confidence in our communication skills can interfere with expressing deeper feelings and insights.
Sunday
Mercury quincunx Jupiter: A tendency to be judgmental or self-righteous makes conversations uncomfortable.
Venus sesquiquadrate Mars: The desire to cooperate is in conflict with the need to act independently.
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IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK (Oct. 21-27):
This year, your greatest strength lies in your ability to accept yourself and to understand your deeper motivations. Circumstances arise that compel you to discover new facets of your being, parts of yourself that you may not have realized or accepted previously. Strong emotions are stirred and you are likely to feel very passionate about a certain person or situation. Do your best to maintain a level of objectivity even as you explore the truth of your being. If your Sun is in Libra, you are completing a process of deep personal transformation that began two or three years ago. If your Sun is in Scorpio, your period of major change may have begun as early as 2023 and will be in effect for at least another year (depending on your exact date of birth). (Solar Return Sun square Mars, square Pluto, opposite Eris)
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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: For daily astrological insights, including lunar aspects not covered in this weekly Journal, please follow me 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.
