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Written and Narrated by Pam Younghans.
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Current and previous weeks astrological overviews
Astrological Overview: January 9 - 15, 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: Venus semisquare Neptune, Venus trine Mars
TUE: No major aspects are exact today
WED: Mercury square Chiron, Eris stations direct
THU: Venus sextile Chiron, Mars stations direct
FRI: Sun sextile Neptune, Sun sesquiquadrate Mars
SAT: Sun square Eris, Venus square Uranus, Mercury semisquare Saturn
SUN: No major aspects are exact today
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MARS AT STATION: The planet Mars reaches the end of its retrograde period this week. Mars first went retrograde on October 30, and since then has been moving backward through the middle degrees of Gemini. During these many weeks, we have been learning a lot about how we use our vital energies, perhaps experiencing an increase in irritations, frustrations, and even anger when things haven't gone exactly according to plan (Gemini). We may also have found ourselves exceptionally impatient when agendas, communications, or travels have been delayed or interrupted. And a blatant manifestation of retrograde Mars in Gemini — verbal disagreements that stymie progress — have certainly been in the news headlines.
The higher purpose of these uncomfortable moments is to help us become more aware of when our own energies are not aligned in some way, when we are proceeding from a place of ego "need" rather than an intuitive knowing of best timing. Gemini is a mutable sign, known for the ability to adapt and be flexible. Any lacks of these qualities in ourselves have been immediately noticeable while Mars has been retrograde.
On a physical level, some may have been dealing with inflammations, scrapes and cuts, burns, or minor accidents since the end of October. These are outer manifestations of the need to alter patterned behaviors of impatience and impulsiveness and become more aware of the subtle energies at work.
Mars will station direct on Thursday, January 12, at 12:56 p.m. PST. As it begins to move forward over the coming days and weeks, if we have done the personal growth work required, we should have more success in moving forward with our desires and intentions, since we will be partnering with the subtle flow of energies rather than trying to force our actions.
SOLAR ACTIVITY: In addition to watching astrological aspects, I also closely monitor solar flare and geomagnetic activity, due to our growing sensitivity to these events. In just this past week, there have been two X-class flares (the highest magnitude), four or five M-class events (moderate level), and numerous C-class flares (minor).
If you are sensitive to these energies, you may have experienced a variety of physical, emotional, and mental symptoms over the last few days. At times, it can feel like we're going through a detoxification process, which is essentially true. As we move into a higher-vibrational expression, we often need to purge outdated or lower-frequency energies. For many people, old injuries or surgical sites can be reactivated, due to a need to clear emotional trauma from the cells that was not fully processed at the time of the event.
One specific symptom, felt by many in the past 24 to 48 hours, was a dizziness or lightheadedness. This corresponded with a long-duration M-class event that seemed to be working with the head chakras.
Whether or not you have a personal experience of these energies, please drink extra fluids/electrolytes today, since the physical body and the brain itself require extra fluids when working with these higher frequencies. And if you’ve been feeling lightheaded or dizzy, try adding root vegetables to your meals, spending more time in nature, or doing grounding meditations.
If you are on facebook and want to keep informed in this area, please bookmark my page, since I post regularly about solar flare and geomagnetic activity.
DAILY ASPECTS: Here are this week's most important planetary aspects, with my brief interpretations of each.
Monday
Venus semisquare Neptune and trine Mars: Although we may have unanswered questions about something or someone that we love, there's a strong willingness to take risks, either in relationship or in financial investments. However, with both Mars and Mercury still retrograde, it may be best to put off major decisions for another week to 10 days.
Tuesday
No major aspects are exact today.
Wednesday
Mercury square Chiron: We may doubt our ability to express our ideas, or be overly sensitive to not feeling heard or understood.
Eris stations direct: Eris' influence is very strong throughout this week, stirring controversies and a sense of urgency or impulsiveness.
Thursday
Venus sextile Chiron: There are opportunities to rebuild bridges with loved ones or allies, due to an increased sensitivity to each one's vulnerabilities.
Mars stations direct: Mars will move forward in Gemini for several more weeks, retracing territory it originally covered in September and October. During this time, we may find ourselves revisiting themes or issues we were dealing with during those months. On March 15, Mars will cross the degree at which it went retrograde, providing better support for new initiatives.
Friday
Sun sextile Neptune and sesquiquadrate Mars: Although idealism is heightened, we may still need to deal with residual irritations and frustrations that interfere with the ability to listen to the calm, still voice within.
Saturday
Sun square Eris: Frustrations and irritations are possible, and people may be especially reactive or impulsive.
Venus square Uranus: The need for personal freedom is strong, and attempts to control or contain can cause distance to grow.
Mercury semisquare Saturn: Conversations do not flow easily, leaving us feeling that not much has been resolved.
Sunday
No major aspects are exact today.
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IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK: You are emerging from a time of considerable and profound personal change, and may still be dealing with some of the fallout or cleanup. In essence, your core identity has gone through a process of death and rebirth, and you are now rising from the ashes. Access to your intuition is enhanced this year, but the main challenge is likely to be slowing down long enough and quieting your mind enough to hear what your inner guidance is saying. Remember that while this inner voice may inspire and enliven you, it will never speak to you with words that elicit fear or anger. (Solar Return Sun sesquiquadrate Mars, sextile Neptune, conjunct Pluto, square Eris)
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IT'S THIS WEDNESDAY! January 11, 2023. I'm very excited to be with you for our "Quantum Shift" webinar this week! The class will take a deep dive into the energies we'll be working with for the next four months, with a special focus on the two major "quantum shift" events in March — Saturn's ingress into Pisces and Pluto's first steps into Aquarius. I hope you are able to join us! If you're not able to attend the live event, no worries! You will receive the replay links shortly afterward, so that you may enjoy the class at your leisure.
If you haven't yet registered or want to learn more: Please visit: https://quantumshift2023.eventbrite.com
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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.
