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Written and Narrated by Pam Younghans.
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Current and previous weeks astrological overviews
Astrological Overview: October 17 - 23, 2022
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, add 7 hours.)
MON: Mars sextile Eris, Sun opposite Eris, Venus quincunx Neptune, Sun trine Mars
TUE: Venus opposite Eris, Venus trine Mars
WED: Sun square Pluto, Mercury opposite Chiron, Venus square Pluto, Moon in Leo square Uranus and opposite Saturn
THU: No major aspects are exact today
FRI: No major aspects are exact today
SAT: Mercury quincunx Uranus, Sun conjunct Venus, Mercury trine Saturn, Saturn stations direct
SUN: Venus enters Scorpio, Sun enters Scorpio, Venus quincunx Jupiter, Sun quincunx Jupiter
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KARMIC DETOX: If you've ever tried a detox program, perhaps through fasting or taking certain supplements, you're no doubt well aware of the discomfort, mood swings, brain fog, and other physical, emotional, and mental symptoms that usually occur when the body is releasing toxins.
Humanity is currently going through what might be called a "karmic detox." This process is being orchestrated by the cosmos and is meant to help us clear away the toxins that have interfered with our evolution into higher states of being. Interestingly, this process can activate symptoms that are very much like those we experience when doing a physical detox.
The effects of this karmic detox process are especially strong right now: We are already engaged with the effects of the upcoming eclipses in Scorpio, the sign that represents the process of purging and transmutation. And, this coming week, we are navigating some powerful aspects involving Pluto, the planet that is affiliated with Scorpio and named for the god of Death and Rebirth.
PLUTO, THE SUN, AND VENUS: The Sun and Venus are traveling side by side, within four degrees of each other, from mid-October through mid-November. This planetary pairing shines a light on all the issues associated with the goddess of Love and Beauty: personal relationships and partnerships, alliances and treaties, the economy and resources, and artists and the creative arts.
(The next two paragraphs have corrections from the original posting.)
This week, as Pluto in Capricorn squares Venus and the Sun in Libra, we could experience significant changes in these areas. The Sun-Venus conjunction, which occurs on Saturday, October 22, occurs when both planets are in the critical "anaretic" degree of Libra, and both are still square Pluto. This increases the impact of the square aspect, since the anaretic degree represents an opportunity to complete issues. This degree is said to bring about experiences that test how well we have learned the lessons of the sign.
With the Sun and Venus in the thirtieth degree of Libra, we are being tested on our ability to stay in balance, to cooperate, to be just and equitable, and to bring harmony to situations where there is discord. Meanwhile, with Pluto in Capricorn, we are challenged to act with integrity, to align with our higher purpose, and to be conscientious, self-reliant, humble, and responsible.
In essence, we will be challenged to maintain a higher perspective while experiencing situations that awaken our personal inner demons that we may have been working with for lifetimes. Can we handle the "detox symptoms" that occur as these toxins come to the surface to be released? Collectively, can we purge the poisonous attitudes that have shaped humanity's values and social or political constructs for generations?
SATURN DIRECT: Another significant planetary event this week is that Saturn comes to a standstill on Saturday, October 22, ready to go direct after having been retrograde since June 4. When a planet comes to its station, we are more aware of its influence and its teachings.
Saturn's primary lesson plan is to teach us to be more patient, self-sufficient, reasonable, and reliable. To help us develop these qualities, Saturn transits often involve delays, extra responsibilities, and the realization that we have ultimate authority in our lives, that no one else is going to rescue us.
For the past four months, while Saturn has been retrograde, our collective and individual tasks have involved taking stock of ourselves, our goals, and our strengths. This may not have been the opportune time to begin a major project or make a career transition. However, now that Saturn is going direct, if we have done our inner work, the energies are more supportive of building long-lasting structures that are in alignment with our ethics.
When it stations on Saturday, Saturn will be at 18° Aquarius 35?. If you have planets or points in your natal astrology chart from about 15 to 22 degrees of a fixed sign (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, or Aquarius), this week could be a significant time to reassess your course or your attitude, and to make corrective decisions as needed.
DAILY ASPECTS: Here are this week's important planetary aspects, along with my brief interpretations of each. I am including the Moon's hard aspects to Saturn, Uranus, Pluto, and Eris since the Moon can act as a "trigger" for the energies of the longer-term Saturn-Uranus and Pluto-Eris squares.
Monday
Mars sextile Eris, Sun opposite Eris, Sun trine Mars: Some may act impulsively under these influences, not taking the time to consider the ramifications of their choices, or their impact on others. Frustrations and anger may arise, fueling a more assertive attitude or a tendency to take unmeditated risks.
Venus quincunx Neptune: It can be hard to understand a loved one today. Some may feel disillusioned in a relationship or confused about how to proceed.
Tuesday
Venus opposite Eris, Venus trine Mars: The balance between fulfilling personal needs and meeting the requirements of a relationship is challenged today. It may be helpful to find an activity to do together that both people fully enjoy, since simply accommodating another's needs ultimately causes resentment.
Wednesday
Sun square Pluto, Venus square Pluto: Any imbalance of power between loved ones may emerge today. This is an opportunity for each person to be honest about their motivations, if shared with the purpose of establishing greater intimacy and a more honest relationship. However, issues of possessiveness, jealousy, and suspicion could arise. Attempts to control or manipulate the other person will tend to backfire.
Mercury opposite Chiron: It may be hard to adequately express our thoughts, due to an underlying lack of self-confidence or a fear of not being understood. Conversations may be unsatisfying, but will give us an indicator of where personal healing is needed, where we haven't been listening to our own inner voice of truth.
Moon in Leo square Uranus and opposite Saturn: The desire for appreciation or accolades may go unmet today. There is a strong, perhaps unconscious, need to liberate ourselves from relying on outside approval and to take more responsibility for our own creative fulfillment.
Thursday & Friday
No major aspects are exact on these two days.
Saturday
Mercury quincunx Uranus, Mercury trine Saturn: Communications may not go as planned, but if we have patience, a meeting of the minds is possible.
Sun conjunct Venus: Relationships and financial matters are strongly highlighted today. This is an opportunity to "begin anew," based on a deeper knowing of what we truly value.
Saturn stations direct: Saturn's energy is very strong this week, turning our focus to our long-term goals and what we need to do to achieve them.
Sunday
Venus enters Scorpio, Venus quincunx Jupiter: Venus will be in Scorpio from October 23 to November 16. During this time, there is a need to go deeper in personal relationships. Superficial interactions feel very unfulfilling. Today, especially, we may need to reveal more about our desires, even if it means adjusting the course of a relationship.
Sun enters Scorpio, Sun quincunx Jupiter: The Sun will be in Scorpio from October 23 to November 22. This solar month is likely to involve deep, long-lasting changes due to the two eclipses that occur. With Scorpio, we are reminded that endings are always followed by beginnings. Death is followed by rebirth; leaves that fall from the tree now will nourish the soil and support new growth in the months to come. Today we may be especially aware of where we need to make adjustments to allow necessary changes to occur.
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IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK: Themes of relationships, values, and resources are in the spotlight for you this year. You may become aware of the need to make significant changes in these areas, based on revelations that invite you to more fully align with your personal truth. You are impatient with any attempts to control you, and may need to watch the temptation to try to manipulate others. Be aware of a tendency to act impulsively; while you do have the courage and self-confidence to take new risks and can accomplish a great deal, you may find yourself regretting actions that are taken without a deeper consideration of their long-term ramifications. (Solar Return Sun conjunct Venus, trine Mars, square Pluto, opposite Eris)
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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.
