Photo: Noctilucent clouds over Treviso, Italy, on July 6, 2023, by Fabrizio Marchi
Written and Narrated by Pam Younghans.
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Current and previous weeks astrological overviews
Astrological Overview: July 10 - 16, 2023
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 Daylight Time. For Eastern Time, add 3 hours; For Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), add 7 hours.
Monday: Mars enters Virgo, Mercury opposite Pluto, Mercury enters Leo
Tuesday: Mercury square nodal axis, Mars trine North Node
Wednesday: Sun square Chiron
Thursday: No major aspects are exact today
Friday: Sun sesquiquadrate Saturn, Mercury quincunx Saturn, Sun sextile Uranus
Saturday: Venus quincunx Neptune
Sunday: Uranus sesquiquadrate Ceres
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MARS IN VIRGO: As the planet Mars transits through each of the twelve signs of the zodiac, it influences how we take action and how we express Martian qualities such as assertiveness and anger. Mars changes signs this week, entering Virgo on Monday, July 10.
Virgo is known for its efficiency, precision, and effectiveness. It knows what needs to be done to bring greater order to all areas of life. With its analytical abilities, it is an excellent diagnostician and can also prescribe detailed steps that need to be taken to facilitate healing. The sign of The Virgin is also service-oriented, highly moral and ethical, and wants always to do the "right" thing.
While Mars is in Virgo, we may be more strongly motivated to pay attention to details, to learn new skills, to improve methods, and to do our best work. Our standards are very high, both for ourselves and for others. Actions are taken to improve health and to bring physical systems into a more perfect form.
THE SHADOW: All signs have a shadow side, and Virgo is no exception. While Mars, the god of War, is in the sixth sign, we will need to watch a tendency to be overly critical, to be controlling, and to get angry when small details are not done exactly as we prefer. Those who are already prone to overwork will need to be especially careful, and make sure that their schedules leave plenty of time for relaxation and renewal.
Nervous energy is often higher while Mars is in Virgo. We can get easily irritated when there are distractions that interrupt our focus on a task. We may be competitive, to feel that we need to prove our worth, or to show that we are in some way "better" than another. We will need to be aware of offering advice too quickly or too adamantly. We will want to avoid taking over a task out of impatience, when the better response would be to allow another person to slowly make — and learn from — their own mistakes.
In the physical body, Virgo rules the nervous system, the small intestine, and the gallbladder. While Mars is in Virgo, it will be especially important to eat slowly, to make each meal — each bite — a pleasant experience instead of just another task to be completed and checked off the list. Holding an "attitude of gratitude" can be very helpful during this time, as it interrupts the usual Virgo focus on finding what is wrong and needs to be fixed. Acknowledging what is going very well and what we appreciate, even minor things, can help nourish the body and the soul.
DAILY ASPECTS: Here are this week's most important planetary aspects, with my brief interpretations.
Monday
Mars enters Virgo: Mars will spend about seven weeks in Virgo until it enters Libra on August 27.
Mercury opposite Pluto: Opinions are expressed forcefully, and a war of words may ensue due to a strong need to make another see our point of view. We may speak compulsively or instinctively. People may quickly become defensive and a fight-or-flight urge is strong.
Mercury enters Leo: Mercury will be in expressive Leo for a relatively short time, from July 10 to July 28. While the Messenger Planet transits the sign of The Lion, words can be quite colorful and creative. They may be spoken (or written) for their dramatic effect. Leo is the sign of The Performer, and thus we may see grand orations during this time; there could also be a tendency to roar rather loudly, in an effort to establish a leadership position.
Tuesday
Mercury square the nodal axis, Mars trine the North Node: We benefit from being patient and taking things a step at a time today. It will be helpful to watch our thoughts and our spoken words, to observe whether they are contributing to peace or if they are stirring the pot.
Wednesday
Sun square Chiron: People may take offense easily today, due to old insecurities that are triggered.
Thursday:
No major aspects are exact today.
Friday
Sun sesquiquadrate Saturn and Mercury quincunx Saturn: An underlying lack of trust and need for attention or approval may interfere with finding solutions for current issues. It will be important to take responsibility for our reactions, while not becoming self-critical.
Sun sextile Uranus: This aspect helps us break free from old patterns of defensiveness that do not serve us.
Saturday
Venus quincunx Neptune: There may be some disillusionment in relationships today, due to expectations not being met. Problems can arise if we were hoping for more attention or respect than we actual receive.
Sunday
Uranus sesquiquadrate Ceres: A loved one's need for space and freedom can cause problems in the home environment. Those who have been overly accommodating and have thus downplayed their own needs could feel rejected or abandoned.
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IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK: You may feel restless this year, Cancer, eager to try new experiences and to move beyond your usual comfort zone. Creative pursuits or a spiritual practice could be central to your personal development. Intuition, insights, and psychic perceptions are especially enhanced. However, you may also become aware of old insecurities that interfere with your ability to trust the new world that is opening before you. If you find yourself withdrawing out of fear, be sure to take the time to give loving attention to your inner child, who is in need of your hugs and support. Healing on this level will bear wonderful fruit, enabling you to feel more confident as you move out into the world. (Solar Return Sun sextile Uranus, trine Neptune, square Chiron)
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NEW "SOLAR MONTH" CLASS: I'm excited about the new monthly class I'm planning! This class is in addition to the three webinars I offer each year, which cover overall trends and larger themes for a four-month period.
During the class, we'll take a closer look at the planetary events for the new solar month and how their energies may affect us individually. Participants will receive a copy of their birth charts and each class will include time for a few people to ask about current transits to their charts. Since this is a teaching opportunity for everyone to learn about transits, anyone who wants to ask a personal question must also give permission for me to share their natal chart onscreen with the other class members.
The hour-long class will meet a few days before the Sun changes signs (around the 20th of each month). It will be held on Zoom and recorded for those who cannot attend live. I'll do my best to offer it at a time that will work for as many folks as possible (I've already received requests from the US, the UK, mainland Europe, and Australia!). The first class will likely be in August. The fee will be $22 USD per Single Class or $60 USD for a Season Pass (3 classes in a row, starting in September).
Thanks to everyone who has already contacted me! Please send me an email at
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TRANSLATION and AUDIO/VIDEO VERSION: This weekly Journal is now 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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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.
