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Written and Narrated by Pam Younghans
Current and previous weeks astrological overviews
Astrological Overview: January 29 - February 4, 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 Daylight Time. For Eastern Time, add 3 hours; For Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), add 8 hours.
Monday: Mars trine Uranus
Tuesday: Mercury semisquare Saturn, Sun semisquare Neptune
Wednesday: No major aspects are exact today
Thursday: Mercury square Eris, Mars semisquare Saturn
Friday: Mercury sextile Neptune
Saturday: No major aspects are exact today
Sunday: Mercury enters Aquarius
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FEBRUARY OVERVIEW: A new calendar month begins this week, initiating a period in which we will see increasing evidence of the transformational and, at times, seemingly deconstructive effects of Pluto's transit of Aquarius. As a powerful catalyst for change, the mighty dwarf planet often takes on the role of The Psychotherapist, revealing the darker side of the human psyche so that it might be transmuted.
Over the course of the next four weeks, as Mercury, Mars, and Venus enter Aquarius and align with Pluto, this psychotherapeutic process is likely to intensify. Dysfunctional mindsets, desires, and values are revealed and may even seem to strengthen as they try to retain control and power. However, we also have the opportunity to realize profound insights that will lead us forward on our evolutionary path and open our lives to new possibilities. (Pluto exactly conjoins Mercury on February 5, Mars on February 13, and Venus on February 17.)
Events around the time of the Aquarius New Moon (February 9) may be especially surprising, due to its tight square to eccentric Uranus. This lunation sets the theme for the new lunar cycle, bringing unexpected changes and requiring great flexibility and open-mindedness throughout the next four weeks. Adding to the potential for breakthroughs and breakups, a Venus-Mars alignment in Aquarius (February 21) unites the two "relationship planets" in the sign noted for its nonconformity and need to remain independent and free.
In the last week of February, after the Sun and Mercury have entered idealistic Pisces (on February 19 and 22, respectively), we may feel a subtle shift as the themes of compassion and charity begin to dominate. Still, a practical approach to problems is needed; solutions hopefully come to light around the time of the Virgo Full Moon (February 24), especially with the Pisces Sun conjunct wise Saturn (exact on February 28). We will benefit from remaining calm when an overly-zealous Mars-Jupiter square (February 27) tempts some to leap without looking.
THIS WEEK'S ASPECTS: Here are my brief interpretations of this week's most important planetary aspects:
Monday
Mars trine Uranus: This energizing influence provides the courage needed to make changes and to take risks, in accordance with our longer-term goals and a desire to see concrete results for our efforts. We may feel a strong or sudden urge to take independent action, or may resist following the rules or the example set by others.
Tuesday
Mercury semisquare Saturn: This aspect provides a reality check and requires that we slow the pace somewhat. Temporary delays or detours provide the time needed to more seriously consider the practicality of our ideas.
Sun semisquare Neptune: We may have a tendency to misinterpret information or to miss important details, especially if we believe we already "know it all."
Wednesday
No major aspects are exact today.
Thursday
Mercury square Eris: Disagreements and miscommunications are possible with this influence. It will be important to take our time when speaking or making decisions, since the tendency is to act impulsively. (This aspect perfects at 12:52 a.m. PST on Thursday, so will also be strong on Wednesday evening.)
Mars semisquare Saturn: This aspect tests self-control and patience when our desires and goals are not met in a timely fashion.
Friday
Mercury sextile Neptune: Intuition and empathy guide our communications today. This is also a helpful influence for writing poetry or flow-of-consciousness prose.
Saturday
No major aspects are exact today.
Sunday
Mercury enters Aquarius: The Messenger Planet will transit the eleventh sign from February 4 to 22. Over the next nineteen days, we may find ourselves being drawn to new knowledge, inventive ideas, or unique sources of information. In general, the mind is more open to intuitive insights and higher-level guidance now. However, since Mercury rules the nervous system, we may have a feeling similar to taking in too much caffeine, and normal sleep patterns could be disrupted.
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IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK: Although the urge to expand and take risks may be strong this year, you may also need to take the time to get clear on your expectations before taking that leap of faith. There could be surprises in store, or you might discover that your true needs are different than you originally thought. It would be wise to objectively assess where your view of reality might be too set in stone, and to be open to changing your mind and your vision. (Solar Return Sun square Jupiter, sextile Chiron, square Uranus)
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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 REPLAY: If you missed my "Breakthroughs & Awakenings" webinar covering January-April 2024, no worries! The replay and class materials are available for purchase. Just send an email with "Webinar Replay" in the subject line to
MONTH OF PISCES: My class covering the Month of Pisces (February 18 to March 19) will air live on Tuesday, February 13! During this class, you will gain helpful insights into the daily aspects for the month ahead. If you cannot attend the class live, the replay will be available for you to watch at your leisure. To learn more about this class or to register, please click this link.
DAILY INSTAGRAM POSTS: Please check out my daily astrological updates on Instagram!
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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.
