Photo: Ring of fire Solar Eclipse over the Rub al-Khali desert, December 2019.Taken by Maxime Daviron.
Written and Narrated by Pam Younghans.
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Current and previous weeks astrological overviews
Astrological Overview: October 9 - 15, 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: Sun sesquiquadrate Saturn, Venus opposite Saturn
Tuesday: Pluto stations direct, Sun opposite Chiron
Wednesday: Venus sesquiquadrate Chiron, Mars enters Scorpio
Thursday: Mercury quincunx Jupiter
Friday: Mars trine Saturn, Mercury sesquiquadrate Saturn
Saturday: New Moon/Solar Eclipse, Mercury opposite Chiron
Sunday: Sun quincunx Uranus, Jupiter opposite Ceres
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RING OF FIRE ECLIPSE: October's New Moon, which occurs this coming Saturday, will be accompanied by an annular Solar Eclipse. This type of partial eclipse is known as a "ring of fire" eclipse because, although the Moon is passing in front of the Sun, it does not completely cover the Sun's disk. Instead of seeing the darkened circle of a total eclipse, with an annular eclipse we see a band of bright light blazing like a burning magician's hoop in the sky.
As with all Solar Eclipses, this event carries with it the energy of profound change, of major endings and beginnings. It is a time of karmic completion; as we release and forgive the past, we evolve into a new version of ourselves and begin to realize our untapped potentials.
Eclipses often repeat by zodiac degree every nineteen years. Next Saturday's eclipse, which occurs when the Sun and Moon align at 21°07´ Libra, is at the same degree as the partial Solar Eclipse that occurred on October 14, 2004. This means that the 2023 eclipse is located in the same house of our natal charts as was the 2004 eclipse. Knowing the house location of the eclipse shows us what area of life it is activating, where we are likely to experience a shift of direction or an evolutionary push.
In essence, we are completing a cycle that began in late 2004, and preparing to begin a new cycle in the same area of our lives. Please know, however, that we will not exactly repeat events in 2023 that we experienced in 2004. For one thing, there were no doubt other personal transits we were dealing with nineteen years ago, that may have had a strong impact. And, most importantly, we are no longer the same people we were in 2004; we hopefully are more conscious, more enlightened, and more able to make positive use of the energies we are working with now.
CARDINAL T-SQUARE: Most notable about this week's New Moon Solar Eclipse is that it forms a configuration called a "T-square." The Sun, Moon, Mercury, Pallas Athene, and the South Node are all huddled together in Libra and are opposite Eris and the North Node in Aries, with everyone just mentioned in hard square aspect to Pluto in Capricorn.
A T-square indicates tense situations and a buildup of pressure that needs a release point. The energy can be invigorating, but also excitable, impulsive, and confrontational. With catalytic Pluto at the "apex" of the configuration (at the base of the "T" formation), this eclipse could bring about a crisis situation that triggers profound changes. To successfully navigate this transformational time, we must, collectively, call upon hidden strengths and inner power reserves.
A T-square in cardinal signs is a test of how we use our personal will, courage, and assertive nature. Through events that occur, we hopefully learn greater self-discipline, self-awareness, right timing, and patience.
PLUTO EFFECT: Pluto's influence is especially strong this week, due to the dwarf planet stationing direct on Tuesday and also because it is at the critical apex point of the eclipse T-square. Pluto is the god of the Underworld, facilitating a process of alchemical transformation, of death and rebirth, of metamorphosis.
As we work with Pluto, which acts something like a psychotherapist, we often experience and must transmute strong feelings, emotions that we have been holding deep within. But it is in our willingness to acknowledge those feelings, to realize that they dwell within us and are not simply activated by circumstances, that we start to rise above them. Once we see how fears and other emotions have been controlling us from behind the scenes — "the little man pulling the levers" — we begin to take back our power.
One more note about Pluto: Although now designated as a "dwarf," Pluto could be considered the mightiest of the planets in its effects. In my work, I often observe that people who will have Pluto transits to their personal chart in the coming year begin to feel the effects of that transit as soon as Pluto goes direct. So, if you are anticipating a Pluto transit in 2024, you might expect to start working with that influence in the coming weeks.
DAILY ASPECTS: Here are my brief interpretations of this week's most important planetary aspects:
Monday
Sun sesquiquadrate Saturn, Venus opposite Saturn: A feeling of inadequacy may cast a shadow on Monday, as we struggle with how to maintain our balance under stressful conditions. Work partnerships, personal relationships, and financial matters are under the microscope as well. A "reality check" reveals what is and isn't working well in these areas, perhaps precipitating change if we decide the rewards are minimal and not worth our continued investment.
Tuesday
Pluto stations direct: Dwarf planet Pluto comes to a standstill at 27°53´ Capricorn today. This can be a very transformational and ultimately empowering time for anyone with personal planets or points between 26° and 30° of the cardinal signs: Aries, Cancer, Libra, or Capricorn. Also feeling Pluto's influence, but in a less "pushy" way, are those with personal planets or points at those same degrees of Taurus, Virgo, Scorpio, or Pisces.
Sun opposite Chiron: We may be easily irritated with this aspect, as unexpressed fear or anger rises to the surface. Chiron aspects always call for us to notice when we are responding from a wounded place, and to plan self-care accordingly.
Wednesday
Venus sesquiquadrate Chiron: Relationship issues continue, with some people reacting defensively or judgmentally.
Mars enters Scorpio: As the Red Planet travels through the sign of The Scorpion and The Eagle from October 11 to November 24, people are often more direct and instinctive in their actions. The desire to get to the truth of a matter, to solve the mystery, to reveal the secret, can be highly motivating.
Thursday
Mercury quincunx Jupiter: We can tend to exaggerate with this aspect, or spend too much time trying to explain or justify our ideas and perspectives.
Friday
Mars trine Saturn, Mercury sesquiquadrate Saturn: Willpower and discipline work well together today, and we have a greater capacity for patience and self-control. However, we may also have to deal with "monkey mind" — worries or uncertainties that hamper our progress.
Saturday
New Moon/Solar Eclipse: The lunation occurs at 10:54 a.m. PDT today. The path of the Solar Eclipse, where it will be most visible, crosses the western United States and then passes through Mexico, Costa Rica, and Brazil.
Mercury opposite Chiron: We may doubt our ideas or our ability to adequately express them today.
Sunday
Sun quincunx Uranus: This aspect requires an adjustment as we become aware of what we truly want as compared to what we believe will be pleasing to others.
Jupiter opposite Ceres: With this aspect, we can become aware of how our upbringing and the beliefs of our family of origin are affecting our health and well-being. Ceres, especially, can help us see how certain behaviors such as overeating could be an attempt to establish boundaries or to self-nurture in ways that were not possible in childhood.
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IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK: The ability to clearly and directly communicate your needs is a significant theme for this coming year, Libra. You may need to make minor changes in how you typically relate to others, and you could feel very uneasy in situations and relationships where you do not feel you can be authentically yourself. For some, there will be the opportunity to do some important and much-needed inner work to heal the aspect of self that feels unheard, ignored, or disrespected. Episodes of strong anger, defensiveness, and resentment will be the keys that open the door to your recovery process. (Solar Return Sun conjunct Mercury, semisquare Venus, quincunx Uranus, opposite Chiron, opposite Eris)
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SOLAR MONTH CLASS: My next class, covering the Month of Scorpio (October 23 to November 22) will be on Monday, October 23 (and recorded for those who cannot attend live). This monthly class takes a closer look at the daily aspects for the next four weeks, and includes time for people to ask questions about transits to their charts. Each class also offers teaching to help you understand your own chart and upcoming transits. In October's class, we'll be focusing on how the Lunar Eclipse on October 28 will affect each of our charts and our personal experience. If you'd like to learn more or to register, please visit: https://events.humanitix.com/solar-month-class-scorpio-2023
LAST CHANCE! If you missed my recent "Cosmic Initiation" webinar and want to learn about the energies we'll be working with for the rest of 2023, please let me know this week! Just send an email with "Webinar Replay" in the subject to
INSTAGRAM POSTS: If you frequent Instagram, please check out my daily astrological updates: https://www.instagram.com/pamyounghans/
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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.
