Photo: A tree of plasma on the sun. Copyright 2023 Andre Cassese.
Written and Narrated by Pam Younghans.
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Current and previous weeks astrological overviews
Astrological Overview: February 13 - 19, 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 8 hours.
MON: No major aspects are exact today
TUE: Mars sesquiquadrate Pluto
WED: Venus conjunct Neptune, Mercury trine Ceres
THU: Sun conjunct Saturn, Sun semisquare Chiron
FRI: Mercury semisquare Neptune, Mercury sextile Jupiter
SAT: Sun enters Pisces
SUN: Venus sextile Pluto, Venus enters Aries
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SOLAR ACTIVITY: Solar Cycle 25 is heating up! The Sun has become very active this past week, erupting with more than twenty-six M-class (moderate) solar flares in the past five days alone. It also erupted with a powerful X-class (strong) flare yesterday, and has released four more M-class flares already this morning (February 12).
The Sun has cycles that last about 11 years, starting with Solar Minimum — when there are very few sunspots and minimal flare activity — and building to Solar Maximum, when sunspots and flares are at their most numerous. Our current cycle, Solar Cycle 25, began in December 2019 and is expected to peak in July 2025. According to models, we will then return to Solar Minimum by 2030, when the next solar cycle will begin.
Forecasts anticipated that this cycle would be rather minor as compared to past cycles, but so far, it is far outperforming the predictions.
METAPHYSICAL EFFECTS: Scientific studies by the National Institutes of Health, the Journal of Biomedical Science, and others have proven the effects of solar flares and geomagnetic storms on our physical, emotional, and mental states. Metaphysical knowing informs us that solar and geomagnetic activity also affects us on spiritual and karmic levels.
What is most interesting about the current surge in solar flare activity is not that it is occurring — because the increase is expected as we move toward Solar Maximum — but that many of us are much more sensitive to these events than we were in past solar cycles. This is strong evidence of how humanity is evolving, becoming more conscious of energy, and gaining a deeper understanding our own spiritual growth process.
There are many articles on the internet discussing the physical and metaphysical effects of solar and geomagnetic activity. My favorite thus far is entitled "Solar Flares and Consciousness," by Raelene Byrne. To read it, please click here.
TURNING POINT: Pluto enters the 30th degree of Capricorn today. The last degree of any sign is called the "anaretic" degree; as an outer planet moves through the final degree of a sign, we can feel a sense of urgency, as if the planet is trying to wrap up all old business quickly, before moving into the next sign of the zodiac.
Pluto will travel through the last degree of Capricorn from today until it enters Aquarius on March 23. This means that the next five or six weeks will be a critical period, when we may see an increase in the dismantling (Pluto) of old governmental structures, financial systems, and social constructs (Capricorn) that no longer serve the greater good.
This will not be our last opportunity to clean up issues in these areas, however. Pluto will retrograde back into the sign of the Seagoat two more times before entering Aquarius for the long-term. Pluto will again be in the anaretic degree of Capricorn from June 11 to July 27, 2023; from December 20, 2023 to January 20, 2024; and from September 1 to November 19, 2024.
DAILY ASPECTS: Here are this week's most important planetary aspects, with my brief interpretations of each.
Monday
No major aspects are exact today.
Tuesday
Mars sesquiquadrate Pluto: This is impulsive energy, when people tend to act more on instinct than on reason. For some, the need to be in control can result in antagonism or power struggles.
Wednesday
Venus conjunct Neptune: Forgiveness comes more readily today, as the goddess of Love aligns with the god of Compassion. This can also be a good day for creative projects that utilize the imagination or the ability to visualize.
Mercury trine Ceres: Open conversations can help bridge relationship rifts, as we are inclined to accept another's perspective, even if we don't agree with it.
Thursday
Sun conjunct Saturn: This annual alignment gives a serious tone to the day's activities. We are more aware than usual of the importance of discipline and focus, if we want to accomplish our long-term objectives.
Sun semisquare Chiron: A need to be alone to sort through goals can bring up hurt feelings if others are wishing for attention.
Friday
Mercury semisquare Neptune: Mental clarity is not as sharp as we might hope today, as the mind can tend to wander.
Mercury sextile Jupiter: Social activities and restlessness can distract us from work, but these provide an opportunity to meet new people and to bring more variety into our lives.
Saturday
Sun enters Pisces: The Sun travels through the final sign of the zodiac from February 18 to March 20 this year. During this time, we are drawn to spiritual or creative experiences and may feel more altruistic than usual. But, it is important to be cautious about over-idealizing someone or something, and there can be a tendency to play rescuer or martyr roles, resulting in disillusionment. This month is also a time of release and completion, in preparation for the astrological New Year that begins at the equinox, when the Sun enters Aries.
Sunday
Venus sextile Pluto: Intimate relationships are a priority today, as the desire to deeply bond with a loved one is highlighted. For those who are creatively inspired, their relationship with an artistic Muse may provide new depths of experience.
Venus enters Aries: Venus will travel through Aries from February 19 to March 16. During this time, there is a need for excitement and adventure in relationships and creative activities. An inner restlessness enables us to be open to new experiences in these areas.
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IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK: There is a serious tone to your life at this time, as you are more aware than usual of your responsibilities, your goals, and the need to be self-reliant. You are completing a 29-year cycle of Saturn to your Sun and beginning a new cycle of the same length. This crossroads may lead you to reconsider how you are fulfilling your purposes in life, and whether you are ready to make some changes. It can be a good time to prune the tree of excess branches and root suckers, so that vital energies can flow up the trunk of the tree and support the branches you are wishing to have grow. A lack of self-confidence, if it arises, reminds you to take time for self-care, as you may have overcommitted your energies and are in need of down time. (Solar Return Sun conjunct Saturn, semisquare Chiron)
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LAST CHANCE! The replay of my "Quantum Shift" webinar, covering planetary activity January through April 2023, is still available for purchase! Please let me know this week if are interested. Just send an email with "Webinar Replay" in the subject line to
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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.
