Image Credit: The Spiral North Pole of Mars. ESA/DLR/FU Berlin; NASA MGS MOLA Science Team
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Written and Narrated by Pam Younghans
Current and previous weeks astrological overviews
Astrological Overview: February 12 - 18, 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 Daylight Time. For Eastern Time, add 3 hours; For Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), add 8 hours.
Monday: Mars enters Aquarius
Tuesday: Sun sextile Eris, Venus sextile Neptune, Mars conjunct Pluto
Wednesday: No major aspects are exact today
Thursday: Mercury sextile Chiron
Friday: Venus enters Aquarius, Mercury square Uranus
Saturday: Venus conjunct Pluto
Sunday: Sun enters Pisces
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THE PARADE CONTINUES: Following in Mercury's footsteps, Mars and Venus both enter Aquarius this week and immediately conjoin Pluto. While a Mars-Pluto conjunction happens every two years and a Venus-Pluto conjunction occurs annually, this will be the first time these two planets have aligned with Pluto in Aquarius in more than 200 years. Let's take these events one at a time.
Mars, the planet of Energy, Action, and Desire. Pluto, the planet of Transformation and Power, of Death and Rebirth. Aquarius, the sign of Social Progress, Nonconformity, Radicalism, and Rebellion.
By itself, Mars in Aquarius corresponds with a need to be independent, to be free to act according to one's own will and intuition. There is a stubborn resistance to being told what to do, and strong reaction to any pressure to conform. Attempts to manipulate or coerce are likely to provoke anger and even aggression.
MARS AND PLUTO: Given the intense natures of both Mars and Pluto, it is of course fairly easy to imagine the various scenarios that could unfold when they join forces this week (exact on Tuesday, February 13). And, in truth, we may be dealing with situations that ignite our passions at this time. Displays of force, compulsive actions, a strong drive for power are all possible. But what about the other, more positive side of this planetary pairing?
In astrology, Pluto is called the "higher octave" of Mars. Whereas Mars represents the ego and personal will, Pluto symbolizes Divine Will and our alignment with a Higher Mission. When these two planets conjoin in Aquarius, the drive to be On Purpose and to contribute to societal change is heightened. Power struggles can arise, of course, when individuals have differing ideas about what that change should look like and how it should manifest. The challenge will be to channel the urge to transform and to renovate in life-affirming ways, that is supported by a higher perspective and the Aquarian ideals of individual freedom, equality, and humanitarianism.
VENUS AND PLUTO: The planet Venus is the namesake of the goddess of Love and Beauty. Her realm includes relationships and affections, values and finances, the creative arts, and the enjoyment of physical pleasures. As Venus enters Aquarius this Friday, our motivations in these areas may subtly shift. Aquarius is an unconventional sign known for its need for authenticity, independence, and freedom. While Venus transits the sign, we may become more clearly aware of what we personally need in a relationship, versus what others or society may expect of us.
Saturday's alignment between Venus and Pluto focuses our attention on what we love and what we value. It can correspond with being attracted to a new love interest or it may bring new passion into an existing relationship. The need for depth, honesty, and intimacy is heightened; we are not content with anything that is superficial or less than true, either in love or in other Venus-ruled areas of our lives.
The main cautions with this conjunction are to be aware of any tendency to be demanding, jealous, or controlling. And, with the drive to connect and to possess being exceptionally strong, it is possible to be drawn into a situation (or a purchase) that we might not otherwise become involved in, if we were "in our right mind."
THIS WEEK'S ASPECTS: Here are my brief interpretations of this week's most important planetary aspects:
Monday
Mars enters Aquarius: Mars will transit the eleventh sign for almost six weeks, from February 12 to March 22. The desire for individual rights and social freedom inspires courageous action during this time.
Tuesday
Sun sextile Eris: This energizing aspect encourages actions that are motivated by a need to be seen, respected, and accepted for exactly who we are.
Venus sextile Neptune: Sympathy for others is heightened and we are more willing to be unselfish in relationship matters.
Mars conjunct Pluto: There is a powerful urge to transform, to break free, and to rebel against situations that infringe upon personal freedoms.
Wednesday
No major aspects are exact today.
Thursday
Mercury sextile Chiron: We are more confident in our ability to express our thoughts, and willing to listen with more acceptance to another's opinions.
Friday
Venus enters Aquarius: Venus will transit the eleventh sign for less than four weeks, from February 16 to March 11.
Mercury square Uranus: New information or unconventional ideas challenge us to think in new ways. Communications and agendas may not go as planned. This influence is highly electrical, and may be felt as heightened nervous energy or anxiety. Grounding is essential.
Saturday
Venus conjunct Pluto: This alignment invites us to experience greater honesty and intimacy in our lives. We may feel especially passionate about something we feel we "love," whether that be another person, a material possession, or an ideal.
Sunday
Sun enters Pisces: While the Sun is in the sign of The Fishes, from February 18 to March 19, we may find it easier to be compassionate and selfless. Intuition and spiritual sensitivity are heightened. This is also the last month of the astrological year; in these four weeks leading up to the Aries Equinox, we are supported in a process of going within, of releasing and forgiving the past, so that we might begin the New Year feeling renewed and ready for the future.
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IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK: Self-expression and individuality are strong priorities for you this year. You may feel drawn to a cause, especially in support of those who have been ignored or have been denied their rights. Your approach to whatever you choose to focus upon must feel authentic and you must be able to contribute in your own unique way, since having to conform to rules or meet expectations will likely bring up stubborn resistance within you. Throughout this year, courage is enhanced, perhaps leading you into experiences that you once felt cautious about. There is an increased need to be unapologetically true to yourself. (Solar Return Sun sextile 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:
CLASS THIS WEEK! There's still time to register for Tuesday's class covering the Month of Pisces! This class will discuss the daily aspects for February 18 to March 19 and provide some helpful insights for navigating the planetary energies. We will explore transiting planets and their influence on our personal lives. This month, the focus is on Saturn transits and the Saturn Return, using Robert Downey Jr.'s chart as an example. part 3, I will also answer questions about your personal chart and transits, from as many people as time allows.
Please register as soon as you can, and no later than 10 a.m. PST on Tuesday, February 13, to make sure to receive all the class details and the class handouts, along with the Zoom link and passcode. After the class, all registrants will receive an email with links to the video replay. This will be sent out by the end of the day on Tuesday, February 13.
To learn more about this class or to register, please visit:
https://events.humanitix.com/solar-month-class-pisces-2024
DAILY INSTAGRAM POSTS: Please check out my 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.
