Written and Narrated by Pam Younghans.
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Astrological Overview: September 25 - October 1, 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 7 hours.
Monday: Mercury trine Jupiter
Tuesday: No major aspects are exact today
Wednesday: Mercury quincunx Chiron
Thursday: No major aspects are exact today
Friday: Full Moon/Supermoon at 2:57 a.m. PDT, Venus square Uranus
Saturday: Mercury trine Uranus, Sun sesquiquadrate Uranus, Mars quincunx Uranus
Sunday: No major aspects are exact today
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HARVEST MOON: Our Full Moon this Friday, September 29, is notable for several reasons. Most obvious to the eye, it is the last Supermoon of 2023, occurring when the Moon is at the point of its orbit when it is nearest to the Earth (perigee). This proximity makes Luna appear even brighter and larger in the sky and also amplifies its effects on our emotions.
The Aries Moon and the Libra Sun will be positioned at 06°00´ of their respective signs when they oppose each other at 2:57 a.m. PDT on Friday. Both luminaries are in close hard aspect to Venus and Uranus at the time of the lunation, with these two planets exactly square only eight hours after the Moon reaches fullness. This strong link between the Full Moon and the Venus-Uranus square activates a need for freedom and indicates possible changes in relationship and financial matters.
And, since this is the last lunation before an eclipse, Friday's Full Moon also marks the beginning of Eclipse Season. As we enter the two-week period before the Solar Eclipse on October 14, we will want to take a broader view regarding the completion and release process that always accompanies the waning cycle of the Moon. We may find ourselves dealing with issues that have been with us since the most recent pair of eclipses last April-May; we might also be aware of longer-term, seemingly "karmic" themes that require resolution.
A BALANCE POINT: Friday's Full Moon invites us to consider the balance between self and other. Aries is an independent sign, with the courage to follow where its desires lead it; it flourishes when it has the opportunity to express and assert itself. Libra, at the opposite end of the zodiac, is a collaborative sign, concerned with relationships and balance, and thriving when there is harmony and equality. Neither sign is more or less "enlightened" than the other. Each has both positive qualities and a shadow side.
With this Full Moon, we are called to consider both our personal desires and the needs of others. We benefit by being both honest and tactful, true to ourselves but also cooperative. If we have been expressing the shadow qualities of either sign — whether selfishly disregarding the needs of others when pursuing personal desires (Aries) or acting codependently or manipulatively in order to ensure harmony (Libra) — this lunation brings that imbalance to light so that we can find a better "middle way."
VENUS-URANUS SQUARE: The square aspect between Venus and Uranus that perfects on Friday is actually the third square between these two planets in the past few months. This repetition has been made possible because of Venus going retrograde (backward) at the beginning of July and crisscrossing paths with Uranus.
When the goddess of Love and Beauty is in challenging aspect to the god of Chaos, there can be sudden or surprising developments in relationships or in financial situations. This square may trigger a need to rebel against restrictions in these areas, whether those controls be internalized or from outside pressure. The Venus-Uranus square represents a restlessness with the status quo, and a strong desire to bring in new energy.
This can be a very exciting time for some, but challenging for others, depending on what level of rebellion is activated or needed. The drive to break the rules and the urge to experience something new are heightened, leading people to act impulsively or in unexpected ways. Some could decide to end a relationship, while others might decide to elope; both actions represent a need to assert independence and to break free from expectations or traditions.
The influence of the Venus-Uranus square was strong in late June/early July (exact July 2), during the first half of August (exact August 9), and now, during the last week of September and the first week of October (exact September 29). Based on this timeline, relationship or financial issues that came into our awareness around the time of the Cancer Solstice may now be reaching a culmination.
DAILY ASPECTS: Here are my brief interpretations of this week's most important planetary aspects:
Monday
Mercury trine Jupiter: This aspect increases our capacity to analyze and diagnose. It encourages us to seek the higher meanings of events, to understand signs and symbols, and also invites us to share our ideas and insights in some way. Writing and communications may flow more easily today.
Tuesday
No major aspects are exact today.
Wednesday
Mercury quincunx Chiron: It may be hard not to slip into self-criticism with this aspect. We might also, unconsciously, speak words that others find hurtful. An underlying insecurity about our ideas or our ability to share them can impact our interactions.
Thursday
No major aspects are exact today.
Friday
Full Moon/Supermoon: The Sun and Moon are exactly opposite in the sky at 2:57 a.m. PDT.
Venus square Uranus: The influence of this square is long-term due to Venus going retrograde in early July. It activates an urge to break free from limitations, and to follow our heart's desire.
Saturday
Mercury trine Uranus, Sun sesquiquadrate Uranus, Mars quincunx Uranus: With eccentric Uranus centerstage today, we are cautioned to "expect the unexpected." New ideas and insights are possible (Mercury aspect), but others may not appreciate our unique perspective (Sun aspect). As a result, we may deal with irritations, restlessness, and impulsive or surprising actions (Mars aspect).
Sunday
No major aspects are exact today.
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IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK: There is an underlying restlessness to this coming year, Libra, which may inspire you to make some unexpected choices. Overall, there is a need for new experiences and to break out of any box you may have been living in. You may be drawn to unusual people or activities that you have not felt open to before. With your Solar Return Sun conjunct the asteroid Pallas Athene, you might be interested in exploring new methods of energy balancing and healing, new outlets that utilize your abilities to create forms of beauty and balance, or perhaps a new cause through which you can contribute to the growth of peace, harmony, and equality on our planet. (Solar Return Sun semisquare Venus, sesquiquadrate Uranus, conjunct Pallas Athene)
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WEBINAR REPLAY: If you missed my recent "Cosmic Initiation" webinar and would like to hear my insights about the energies we'll be working with for the rest of 2023, please let me know! The replay and materials are available for purchase. Just send an email with "Webinar Replay" in the subject to
INSTAGRAM POSTS: If you frequent Instagram, please check out my daily astrological updates: https://www.instagram.com/pamyounghans/
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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.
