Birds During a Total Solar Eclipse. Image Credit & Copyright: Leonardo Caldas.
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Written and Narrated by Pam Younghans
Current and previous weeks astrological overviews
Astrological Overview: April 8 - 14, 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: New Moon 11:20 a.m. PDT, Sun conjunct Chiron, Mercury (R) conjunct Eris
Tuesday: No major aspects are exact today
Wednesday: Mars conjunct Saturn
Thursday: Sun conjunct Mercury (R)
Friday: No major aspects are exact today
Saturday: Mars semisquare Pluto, Sun conjunct Eris
Sunday: No major aspects are exact today
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TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE: The Total Solar Eclipse on April 8 is a powerful one, with potentially major effects on our individual lives and also on our collective evolution. Visually, eclipses such as this are always thrilling, since the Moon completely blocks the Sun's light from reaching the Earth, causing "day to turn to night."
This eclipse is of particular note because its path of totality (where it will appear as a total eclipse) crosses highly populated areas of the U.S., allowing it to be seen by many more people than usual. Those who are outside the path of totality will view it as only a partial eclipse; however, everyone on the planet will experience the energies of the event, whether or not they are in the path of totality and whether or not they can physically see the eclipse.
This event is also rare in that it is occurring quite soon after the last North American Total Solar Eclipse. That one occurred only seven years ago, in August 2017, and its path of totality crossed the entire width of the U.S. Prior to that event, we have to go back almost 40 years, to 1979, to find another Total Solar Eclipse that was visible in the U.S. The next Total Solar Eclipse that will be seen in this country will occur about 20 years from now, in August 2044.
THE COSMIC INTENTION: At the time of this week's eclipse, the Sun and Moon are in close proximity (within four degrees) to the Aries North Node, the point in space that represents humanity's current path of evolutionary progress. Thus, Monday's eclipse is acting like a magnet, drawing each of us – and all of us – into alignment with our path of highest personal and spiritual growth. As a catalyst in this process, external events may occur around the time of the eclipse that impact us, individually or collectively.
Chiron, the Wounded Healer, plays a pivotal role in the intentions of the eclipse, being positioned at the exact same degree and minute as the Sun and Moon (19°24´ Aries). Chiron's involvement indicates that it is time to attend to the source of the fears and insecurities that often masquerade as anger and violence. Until the thorn is removed from its paw, a lion in pain will attack whomever comes near.
On an individual level, it is very important to attend to self-care needs as this eclipse intensifies, on both physical and emotional levels. It is time for each of us to acknowledge, accept, and open our hearts to the part of us that feels fearful or angry; suppressing or judging this part of us merely drives the thorn in deeper.
As we prioritize this self-care, and also approach our relationships with similar understanding, we can take advantage of the healing potentials of Chiron. The result is a stronger sense of personal sovereignty and a knowing that we are of value because of who we are at our core, not based on any externals.
MERCURY AND ERIS: Mercury and Eris also play significant roles in the eclipse energies, being exactly conjunct each other on Monday and also within orb of being conjunct the Sun, Moon, and Chiron. (Mercury is at 24°47´ and Eris is at 24°44´ Aries at the time of the eclipse.) When the Messenger God and the Goddess of Discontent align, we can expect that people will be especially assertive in expressing their needs and may be somewhat self-absorbed.
Our thoughts and our words are strongly influenced by our emotional state with this eclipse, which could make it hard to reach consensus. Opinions are voiced loudly and with zeal and the skill of listening could be lacking. While some may feel great courage in their convictions, they may not have the wisdom to act in ways that will ultimately lead to success.
We may receive important insights and information this week, but with Mercury currently retrograde, we will want to reserve judgment and action for a later date, perhaps after the planet goes direct on April 25. Be aware of knee-jerk reactions, since impulsive responses are likely to cause problems down the road.
If we are able to harness the positive potentials of this Aries New Moon and Total Solar Eclipse – the healing, the courage, and the sovereignty – this lunation provides great inspiration and energy, which will benefit us for many months to come. The area of our personal lives where this will likely manifest is shown by the house placement of 19° Aries in our natal astrology charts.
THE NEXT SIX MONTHS: The impact of an eclipse is usually strongest for a week or two on either side of the event, but its effects linger for the next six months at least, until the next pair of eclipses occurs. As we look at the potential longer-term indications of this New Moon eclipse, we want especially to consider the influence of Chiron and Eris.
With the Wounded Healer energy activated, we could see new developments in the fields of mental and emotional health over the next six months, especially related to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). And, knowing that Eris' influence was a major factor as the #MeToo movement began, those who have been ignored or disenfranchised may gain a stronger voice in the weeks ahead.
THIS WEEK'S ASPECTS: Here are my brief interpretations of this week's most important planetary aspects:
Monday
New Moon: The Sun and Moon align at 11:20 a.m. PDT, when both planets are at 19°24´ Aries. The lunation is accompanied by a Total Solar Eclipse that will be visible along a path starting in the Pacific Ocean west of Central America, crossing the coast of Mexico and into Texas, and then traveling northeast across the U.S., ending up in Maine and extending into eastern Canada.
Sun conjunct Chiron: The focus is on self-care and self-acceptance as the Wounded Healer and the Sun conjoin.
Mercury (R) conjunct Eris: People may be impulsive or demanding in their speech and actions. It is wise to take our time today, to consider all the consequences and results before speaking.
Tuesday
No major aspects are exact today.
Wednesday
Mars conjunct Saturn: The alignment between the God of War and the Lord of Karma occurs about every two years. In the positive, the joining of these planets supports slow and steady progress. But if we are to benefit from this conjunction, we must be patient and thorough in our efforts. Pushing against resistance or acting impulsively can result in frustration due to feeling that our desires are blocked in some way.
Thursday
Sun conjunct Mercury (R): With Mercury moving backward, this influence is best used to review plans and processes, rather than initiating anything new. Reevaluation now supports better success once Mercury goes direct.
Friday
No major aspects are exact today.
Saturday
Mars semisquare Pluto: People may be manipulative or act passive-aggressively. We could feel distrustful of someone's true motivations, leading to power struggles.
Sun conjunct Eris: There is a sense of urgency today, leading some to take unexpected risks, or to act willfully and impulsively.
Sunday
No major aspects are exact today.
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IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK (April 8 - 14):
Your personal path this year involves some inner work, which may not be comfortable at first. You are getting in touch with underlying insecurities that may have inhibited your ability to take action in some area of your life. Along the way, you may realize how anger or assertiveness has enabled you to avoid a deeper and necessary process of self-care. As you move through these powerful healing experiences, you ultimately build personal courage and gain greater sovereignty. (Solar Return Sun conjunct Mercury (R), conjunct Chiron, conjunct 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:
NEW CLASSES: I'm pleased to announce two new offerings! My transits class covering the Month of Taurus will be on Thursday, April 18. And, my webinar covering May through August 2024 is set for Wednesday, May 1. Both classes will be recorded for those who cannot attend live. Here are some details:
ߎ禬t;/strong> "Month of Taurus" Class: This class has three parts: First, a preview of the energies we all will be working with from April 19 to May 20. Next, a short teaching on how planetary transits to our birth charts can affect our individual lives. And last, I answer questions from participants about their personal charts and transits.
For this month's class, I'll be sharing Oprah Winfrey's chart and talking about the transits that are involved in her recent personal and professional changes. For more information and to register: https://events.humanitix.com/solar-month-class-taurus-2024
ߎ禬t;/strong> "Dances with Fireflies: Personal Illuminations & Collective Empowerment": My webinar on May 1 will cover the planetary influences we'll be working with from May through August 2024. It's another exciting few months ahead! I'll include more complete information in next week's Journal.
DAILY INSTAGRAM POSTS: Please check out my daily astrological updates 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.
