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Written and Narrated by Pam Younghans
Current and previous weeks astrological overviews
Astrological Overview: June 17-23, 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: Mercury square Neptune, Mercury enters Cancer,
Mercury conjunct Venus, Mercury quincunx Pluto
Tuesday: Venus quincunx Pluto
Wednesday: No major aspects are exact today
Thursday: Sun square Neptune, Sun enters Cancer
Friday: Mercury sextile Mars, Mercury semisquare Uranus,
Full Moon 6:07 p.m. PDT 01°07' Capricorn
Saturday: Sun quincunx Pluto
Sunday: No major aspects are exact today
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CAPRICORN FULL MOON: The Sun enters empathetic Cancer at 1:50 p.m. PDT this Thursday, June 20. Our Central Star's change of signs marks the day of the Solstice and the start of a new season — summer in the Northern Hemisphere and winter in lands south of the equator. Planetary influences in effect at the turn of the season indicate themes that will unfold over the next three months; with the Full Moon peaking just a day after the Solstice, its energies are strongly active at the Solstice and therefore will impact our collective experience now through the September Equinox.
The Full Moon peaks at 6:07 p.m. PDT on Friday, June 21, when the Moon is at 01°07' Capricorn and the Sun is exactly opposite, at the same degree of Cancer. This lunation invites us to find a healthy balance between the qualities associated with the two opposing signs: between objectivity and subjectivity, between capability and vulnerability, between outer accomplishment and inner nourishment, between fulfilling a sense of purpose and meeting our emotional needs.
T-SQUARE EFFECT: At the time of the lunation, the Sun and the Moon are both closely square idealistic Neptune in the last degree of Pisces. The three planets create a "T-square" formation, where the luminaries are positioned at the ends of the crossbar at the top of the letter "T" and Neptune is located at the base of the stem.
A T-square configuration usually indicates tension and frustrations, often due to a lack of objectivity, that require us to grow in some way. With sensitizing Neptune at the very important "apex" position of the T-square, we will want to be mindful of any ways in which we tend to withdraw from stressful situations instead of facing them directly. And, since Neptune in hard aspect can create a certain amount of confusion or fog, it will be important to gain clarity on our emotions (Cancer) and on our goals (Capricorn) before taking action.
Another challenge of this T-square Full Moon is not to lapse into wishful thinking or to wait to be "rescued," when taking responsibility is a more appropriate response. At the same time, we will want to put as much time and intention into self-care as we do into taking charge of the situation.
THIS WEEK'S ASPECTS: Here are my brief interpretations of this week's most important planetary aspects, day by day:
Monday
Mercury square Neptune: We walk through a hall of mirrors with this aspect, not sure what is real and what is reflection. Thinking and communications can be somewhat rambling and confusing.
Mercury enters Cancer: Mercury will travel through sentimental Cancer from June 17 to July 2. During this time, our thinking and communications are strongly influenced by our emotional state. Intuition and empathy are heightened but it can be harder to maintain objectivity. There may also be a tendency to be defensive, to take another's words personally.
Mercury conjunct Venus: Communications are highlighted, with a strong need to share feelings. We may be drawn into an emotional conversation with a friend or loved one, or we might prefer to journal our feelings.
Mercury quincunx Pluto: Care must be taken when in conversation, since people can react strongly to what is spoken. Words can sting, or be used to manipulate or control.
Tuesday
Venus quincunx Pluto: Fears and insecurities in relationships may be triggered, resulting in jealousy and suspicion. Trust could be undermined if there is a feeling that something is being hidden.
Wednesday
No major aspects are exact today.
Thursday
Sun square Neptune: We may feel disillusioned or disappointed by a lack of communication today, or by the feeling that we are not truly being heard.
Sun enters Cancer (Solstice): The Sun is in Cancer from June 20 to July 22 this year. People tend to be more nostalgic and sentimental this month, drawn to home and family or whatever creates a feeling of being emotionally secure and supported. There is also a protectiveness about Cancer, due to its deep feelings of vulnerability. Because of this, people can more readily go into fight-or-flight mode when under stress.
Friday
Mercury sextile Mars, Mercury semisquare Uranus: New ideas and insights are possible today, inspiring us into action. However, there is also some nervousness involved as we encounter unexpected situations.
Full Moon: The Full Moon is at its brightest at 6:07 p.m. PDT, when the Moon is at 01°07' Capricorn and the Sun is at the same degree of Cancer.
Saturday
Sun quincunx Pluto: Insecurities can arise as we manage our emotional responses to circumstances that are beyond our control.
Sunday
No major aspects are exact today.
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IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK (June 17-23):
There are likely to be shifts in your personal values, creative outlets, and relationships this year. Your old identity is, in a sense, washing away. This means you may start to feel disappointed and disillusioned with material possessions and relationships that are not an energetic match for who you are becoming. Your imagination and intuition are heightened this year, and you are more sensitive in general to other people and the energies around you. This increased impressionability could require that you spend more time on your own. Being in your own space will help you identify what emotions and thoughts are yours, and which ones you may have picked up from other people or from the collective. (Solar Return Sun conjunct Venus, square Neptune)
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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.
