Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS over Mexico. Image Credit & Copyright: Daniel Korona.
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Written and Narrated by Pam Younghans
Current and previous weeks astrological overviews
Astrological Overview: Oct. 7-13, 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: No major aspects are exact today
Tuesday: Venus trine Mars, Mercury trine Jupiter, Mercury opposite Chiron
Wednesday: Jupiter stations retrograde
Thursday: Venus quincunx Jupiter, Venus quincunx Chiron, Mercury opposite Eris
Friday: Mercury quincunx Uranus, Pluto stations direct
Saturday: Jupiter sextile Chiron, Mercury quincunx Neptune, Mercury sesquiquadrate Saturn
Sunday: Mercury square Pluto, Saturn sextile Ceres, Mercury enters Scorpio, Mars square Chiron, Sun opposite Chiron, Sun trine Jupiter
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JUPITER & PLUTO: We are feeling the influence of Jupiter and Pluto very strongly right now. Both planets come to a standstill and change direction this week: Jupiter stations retrograde on Wednesday (October 9) and Pluto stations direct on Friday (October 11). The date of a planet's station is significant because its impact on our lives is magnified for at least a week before and after that date.
The analogy I like to use to illustrate this effect is that of a train pulling into a station, where we are standing on the platform. As the locomotive gets closer, we hear the engine and feel its vibration more and more strongly. By the time the train is at a standstill in front of us, the platform is vibrating beneath our feet and we may even be covering our ears to muffle the noise. When the gears are flipped and the train reverses direction, it moves out slowly at first. The intensity of the sensory input gradually lessens until we finally feel less inundated.
JUPITER IN GEMINI: With Jupiter in airy Gemini, we may be inundated with information this week. People could be especially verbose, barely taking time to breathe between their long, run-on sentences. The very air around us can feel more electrical and active. Mentally, there can be a feeling of overwhelm or anxiety, so any meditation or mindfulness practice will come in especially handy.
Since Jupiter is at full strength this week, the effects of any aspects involving the Giant Planet are heightened. Of special note is the Jupiter-Chiron sextile that perfects on Saturday (October 12). This beneficial aspect helps us gain insights into the insecurities and fears that have prevented us from claiming our truth and speaking our inner wisdom. The aspect also holds the space for us to heal those wounds, which may have been with us since childhood.
PLUTO IN CAPRICORN: Pluto is in the final weeks of its journey through Capricorn; its station this week will be the last one in the sign until it returns to Capricorn in the year 2254. Perhaps most significant about this Pluto station is that the dwarf planet is in the very last degree of the sign, called the "anaretic" degree. In this critical final degree, a planet is known to be finishing up the work it has intended to complete during its transit of the sign. Since we know that Pluto's task in Capricorn has been to reveal the shadow side of businesses, governments, and other hierarchical social structures, we can expect even more revelations this week and next.
All aspects involving Pluto this week should be especially dramatic. Most noteworthy is the Mercury-Pluto square that perfects next Sunday (October 13). This aspect will likely escalate the war of words, verbal power struggles, accusations, and manipulations of the facts. The mind tends to be suspicious, looking for threats around every corner and getting caught up in conspiracy theories. We may also see secrets revealed or mysteries solved during this time, since the drive for truth is quite strong.
On a personal level, while we are drawn to be very forthright and direct in our communications while Mercury and Pluto are square, we should be aware that words have great power. Wounds inflicted under this influence could take considerable time to heal.
Although I don't usually discuss the shorter-term lunar aspects in this Journal, I want to mention that the Moon will form hard aspects with both Jupiter and Pluto this week, so will be activating the energies of the planets. Luna will be in Sagittarius and opposing Jupiter on Tuesday, October 8 (10:09 a.m. PDT) and then will be conjunct Pluto in Capricorn on Friday, October 11 (8:52 a.m. PDT) — just a few hours before Pluto stations direct.
ONE MORE NOTE: It is also important to note that with Jupiter in Gemini and Pluto squaring Mercury (the planetary ruler of Gemini), all areas ruled by the sign are likely to dominate our awareness this week. These areas include communications, the media and the airwaves, transportation and travel, technology and networking, mental health, and the nervous system.
A COMET: Comet C/2023 A3, more familiarly known as Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS Choo-cheen-shahn At-less, is making its first visit to Earth in 80,000 years. The comet, which was discovered in early 2023, will be at its closest proximity to our planet on October 12. This week, those in the Northern Hemisphere may be able to see the comet with the naked eye before sunrise.
Ancient cultures have differing interpretations of the meaning of a comet. Some considered them to be divine messengers, while others saw comets as being omens of natural disasters or other cataclysmic events. The general agreement is that comets bring with them a powerful energy and information from the far reaches of the solar system. They are associated with times of significant change, much like an eclipse.
THIS WEEK'S ASPECTS: Here are my brief interpretations of this week's most important planetary aspects, day by day:
Monday
No major aspects are exact today.
Tuesday
Venus trine Mars: Relationships are supported by this trine, which enables us to be honest and courageous yet also sensitive and empathic.
Mercury trine Jupiter and opposite Chiron: The Messenger Planet activates the influence of this week's Jupiter-Chiron sextile. While we may be aware of insecurities and initially have trouble expressing our thoughts, if we take the time and move into our hearts before speaking, the words will flow more easily.
Wednesday
Jupiter stations retrograde: Jupiter will travel backwards through Gemini from October 9 until February 4, 2025. During this time, the planet reminds us of the importance of introspection and personal reflection. It teaches us to seek our answers from within rather than relying on external information sources. We have better access to insights while Jupiter is retrograde, since wisdom flows more easily from the superconscious to our conscious minds.
Thursday
Venus quincunx Jupiter and quincunx Chiron: The goddess of Love and Beauty forms a yod, or "finger of god" configuration as it quincunxes both Jupiter and Chiron today. While this formation could reveal problems in our relating skills (both personal and social), values, and finances, it also activates the healing qualities of the Jupiter-Chiron sextile, helping us improve conditions in these areas. With both outer planets now retrograde, this may be a time for reflection instead of action.
Mercury opposite Eris: We could feel argumentative and be easily irritated today. A tendency to be hard-headed and opinionated makes it hard to reach agreement.
Friday
Mercury quincunx Uranus: Nervous energy is heightened today and plans may be disrupted.
Pluto stations direct: Pluto is now completing its final weeks in Capricorn. It will enter Aquarius and begin its almost 20-year transit of the sign on November 19.
Saturday
Jupiter sextile Chiron: Introspection enables us to become aware of old beliefs that have been the source of fear in our lives. This awareness can be the first step in the release and healing process.
Mercury quincunx Neptune and sesquiquadrate Saturn: Our minds may be a bit foggy today and it could be hard to concentrate. Our inner critic may also be more active than we would like.
Sunday
Mercury square Pluto: People are temperamental and argumentative. Words are used forcefully or to manipulate or coerce.
Saturn sextile Ceres: This aspect can help us feel more grounded in times of uncertainty. It also represents practical support for families and in stabilizing the home environment.
Mercury enters Scorpio: As the Messenger Planet transits Scorpio, from October 13 to November 2, it encourages us to be honest with ourselves and with others. It also supports an exploration of the mysteries of life, and a deeper understanding of the human psyche.
Mars square Chiron and Sun opposite Chiron: These three planets form a tension-filled cardinal T-square today. People may be especially reactive, angry, and defensive.
Sun trine Jupiter: This aspect between the harmony-seeking Libra Sun and optimistic Jupiter can help us find a more positive perspective. It enables us to consider the bigger picture rather than focusing only on current problems.
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IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK (Oct. 7-13):
Your communication skills are in focus this year. You are learning how to be honest and direct without needing to resort to anger to get your point across. When we don't speak our truth on a regular basis, perhaps because we want to keep the peace, the energy builds up over time, until expressing even "minor" wants or needs comes out more forcefully than we might expect. If this pattern is apparent, make the agreement with yourself to calmly state your needs and desires when they arise, rather than holding them within. This may take practice for those who are used to being overly accommodating of others' needs. (Solar Return Sun conjunct Mercury, square Mars, trine Jupiter, opposite Chiron, opposite Eris)
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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:
LAST CHANCE FOR "THE FINAL FOUR": If you would like to purchase the replay of my recent webinar, covering the planetary aspects we're working with through the rest of this calendar year, please let me know this week! Just send an email with the subject "Webinar Replay" to
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.
