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Written and Narrated by Pam Younghans
Current and previous weeks astrological overviews
Astrological Overview: Sept. 2 - 8, 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 sesquiquadrate Eris, Mercury trine Chiron, New Moon 6:55 p.m. PDT, Mars square Neptune
Tuesday: Venus conjunct South Node
Wednesday: Mars quincunx Pluto, Mars enters Cancer
Thursday: Mercury trine Eris
Friday: Sun sesquiquadrate Pluto, Mercury square Uranus
Saturday: Sun opposite Saturn
Sunday: Mercury quincunx Neptune, Venus sesquiquadrate Uranus, Mercury quincunx Pluto, Mercury enters Virgo
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HARVEST TIME: The Sun is now in Virgo, the sign of the Harvest. It is the time when we reap the fruits of our labors, the results of the hard work we've done since the beginning of the zodiac year in March.
Like farmers harvesting their crops, we must now use the Virgo qualities of discernment, analysis, and precision. As we observe the crop coming in, we will need to decide what is worth keeping and what should be discarded. The challenge while the Sun is in Virgo is not to be overly critical or too much of a perfectionist, which could lead to blaming self or others for the occasional misshapen fruit.
VIRGO NEW MOON: Our New Moon for September perfects at 6:55 p.m. PDT on Monday, September 2, when the Sun and Moon conjoin at 11°04' Virgo. With exacting Saturn in opposition to the two luminaries, the judgmental side of Virgo is likely to be emphasized.
While maintaining strict standards may help in the process of discernment, focusing only on what is wrong and needing to find a scapegoat takes us into the shadow realms of Virgo. Instead of going down that road, we can call upon the higher frequencies of Saturn in Pisces, which support us in living and acting in alignment with our spiritual values, including the ideal of unconditional love.
Being a representative of unconditional love does not mean sacrificing one’s self or one’s values, or taking on the role of rescuer or martyr; these are also lower-vibrational manifestations that are possible for service-oriented Virgo. However, they are based in old definitions of what "unconditional love" means.
The more elevated definition of unconditional love, offered by Abraham-Hicks, is the ability to hold the energy of Love under all conditions. When we are in vibrational alignment with the highest expression of Love, we are in tune with what is best for all concerned, including for ourselves.
MARS-NEPTUNE EFFECT: One of the main challenges this week is an aspect that perfects just two hours after the New Moon. When a new lunar cycle begins, we usually think in terms of what new projects and directions we want to start implementing. However, Mars in Gemini will be exactly square Neptune in foggy Pisces on Monday, indicating a lack of clarity about what we want and how to take action going forward.
With this Mars-Neptune square in effect, it could be hard to stay focused on a specific plan or strategy as we begin the new lunar cycle. We might feel unmotivated in general, or perhaps disappointed, disillusioned, or discouraged regarding our ideas or communication skills. There can also be physical symptoms associated with a Mars-Neptune square, such as a lack of energy or the need to sleep more.
In essence, the personal ego (Mars) is being confronted by the aspect of our being that is most in tune with our soul (Neptune). Before we take action, this Mars-Neptune square requires that we check in with the higher aspects of our being to ensure that all is in alignment with our higher purpose and the Divine Plan for our lives. It might be best to wait until next week, or at least until Mars enters Cancer on Wednesday, to begin a new endeavor.
THIS WEEK'S ASPECTS: Here are my brief interpretations of this week's most important planetary aspects, day by day:
Monday
Sun sesquiquadrate Eris: We begin the day with some conflicts and controversy, perhaps including finger-pointing and shaming.
Mercury trine Chiron: A heart-to-heart talk with another or with ourselves can open the door to healing.
New Moon: The Sun and Moon meet for their monthly rendezvous at 6:55 p.m. PDT, when both luminaries are at 11°04' Virgo.
Mars square Neptune: It may be hard to know what we truly want with this aspect. Efforts to assert ourselves may lead nowhere.
Tuesday
Venus conjunct South Node: Unprocessed issues from past relationships may come into our awareness now. Or, someone from our past — either from this lifetime or from another incarnation — could make an appearance in our dreams or in "real life."
Wednesday
Mars quincunx Pluto: People may be verbally assertive, argumentative, or manipulative with this aspect, driven by a need to exert control over a situation.
Mars enters Cancer: Mars will initially be in Cancer from September 4 to November 3, but will eventually go retrograde and revisit the sign of the Crab in the new year, from January 6 to April 18, 2025. While Mars is in this sign, people seek security and are motivated by a strong protective or defensive urge. This may lead some to withdraw and others to attack, much like a startled crab in a tide pool.
Thursday
Mercury trine Eris: Forthright conversations are on the schedule today, giving everyone a chance to speak their minds. We may need to watch a tendency to overdramatize to make a point.
Friday
Sun sesquiquadrate Pluto: Opinions are powerfully expressed. Criticism could be used as a weapon of manipulation.
Mercury square Uranus: Nervous energy is very high today. It may be hard to concentrate and communications could go off-course. However, intuition is heightened and we can be open to insights and higher-level information.
Saturday
Sun opposite Saturn: We may feel increased stress today, and perhaps have a more pessimistic view of current situations. Obstacles or delays can arise.
Sunday
Mercury quincunx Neptune, quincunx Pluto: Mercury is forming a "yod" configuration with Neptune in Pisces and Pluto in Capricorn today. This can manifest as difficulty in focusing our attention. We might feel overwhelmed or confused by incoming information, resulting in frustration.
Venus sesquiquadrate Uranus: Loved ones are likely to need their space today, and could be more aloof than usual if they do not feel free to express their individual needs.
Mercury enters Virgo: Mercury will travel through Virgo from September 8 to 26. During this transit, our minds tend to be more practical and detail-oriented. Conversations involve how to make improvements or support growth.
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IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK (Sept. 2 - 8):
You are likely to experience wide variations in your attitude and approach this year. On one hand, a part of you is feeling optimistic, eager, and ready to take a leap of faith. On the other hand, you are very aware of the potential downfalls of taking that risk, and could feel discouraged or even somewhat depressed by what you perceive as limitations. Your challenge is to follow your inspiration, to be aware of where you want to make advancements and how you want to grow, but at the same time to be realistic, to take your time and have patience with sometimes slow progress. This year you are learning to maintain a positive attitude even as you experience "two steps forward, one step back." (Solar Return Sun square Jupiter, opposite Saturn)
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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:
WEBINAR NEXT MONDAY! I'm excited for our "Final Four of 2024" webinar, airing live next Monday, September 9! I hope you can join us for my preview of the planetary influences we'll be working with over the next four months. This week I'll be very busy, putting finishing touches on the slideshow that will walk us through the major events from now through the end of 2024.
I hope to see you in the Zoom gallery! Remember that if you can't attend the live webinar, you'll be receiving the video replay and all class materials, so you can watch at your leisure. The description of the class is at https://events.humanitix.com/finalfour2024.
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.
