Image by Annette Meyer
Written and Narrated by Pam Younghans
Current and previous weeks astrological overviews
Astrological Overview: Dec. 23 to 29, 2024
Astrologer Pam Younghans writes this weekly astrological overvuew 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 Standard Time. For Eastern Time, add 3 hours; Add 8 hours for Universal Time (UT).
MONDAY: Sun square nodal axis, Venus sextile Chiron
TUESDAY: Jupiter square Saturn, Sun quincunx Mars
WEDNESDAY: No major aspects are exact today
THURSDAY: Mercury opposite Jupiter, Mercury square Saturn
FRIDAY: Venus square Uranus
SATURDAY: Mercury semisquare Pluto, Venus sextile Eris
SUNDAY: Chiron stations direct, Sun sesquiquadrate Uranus, Mercury sesquiquadrate Mars
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JUPITER-SATURN FOR THE HOLIDAYS: We've been working with the challenges related to a hard aspect between Jupiter and Saturn for several months now. The two planets were exactly square (90 degrees apart) on August 19, but due to retrogrades will be precisely square two more times: this week, on December 24, and again on June 15, 2025.
Jupiter represents the principles of growth and expansion, while Saturn symbolizes consolidation and stabilization. Idealistic Jupiter promotes faith, but realistic Saturn requires certainty. The square between the two planets manifests in each of us, and in society, as a conflict between Jupiter's openness to new ideas and experiences and Saturn's preference for what appears most reliable because it is familiar.
The Jupiter-Saturn square is the first hard aspect between the two planets since they conjoined for "The Great Conjunction" in Aquarius on December 21, 2020. During the period from August 2024 through June 2025, humanity is facing its first test of our commitment to the ideals that we felt so strongly in late 2020: a respect for individual rights and freedoms; a desire for cooperation and community; a willingness to be openminded and accepting of differences; and an understanding of our interconnectedness with each other and with all life.
ASPECTS THIS WEEK: Here are my brief interpretations of this week's most important planetary aspects, day by day:
Monday
Sun square nodal axis: A resistance to facing emotional issues can interfere with our coming to terms with our true needs and desires.
Venus sextile Chiron: A willingness to be authentic can open the door to healing in our relationships.
Tuesday
Jupiter square Saturn: Obligations can feel like burdens and the old ways can feel restrictive now. We could be especially bored with "life as usual," even if we are uncertain as to what else is possible or we are fearful of change.
Sun quincunx Mars: People can be short-tempered today, or demanding of attention. We may experience an inner conflict between our responsible self and the part of us that simply wants to have fun.
Wednesday
No major aspects are exact today.
Thursday
Mercury opposite Jupiter and square Saturn: Conversations are intense, as some exaggerate to make a point while others are critical and controlling. Political and religious topics are the source of strong confrontations. We may feel that we are at an impasse. There could be obstacles and delays in communications, technology, and travel. It is not advised to make important decisions today, since thinking may be too idealistic or overly pessimistic.
Friday
Venus square Uranus: There is a need for freedom and space even in healthy relationships under this influence. Some may act in surprising ways as they rebel against the restraints of commitment. Impulse purchases are another symptom of this aspect, representing a desire to experience the excitement of something new.
Saturday
Mercury semisquare Pluto: Conversations could be intense. There is a need to get to the heart of the matter, even if it is uncomfortable.
Venus sextile Eris: We are eager for new experiences in relationship and are willing to take risks.
Sunday
Chiron stations direct: With Chiron at a standstill this week and next, old wounds and hurt feelings may come to the surface. We could feel insecure and lack our usual confidence, or perhaps have trouble knowing what we truly want. Chiron always offers the opportunity for healing, if we take the time to express love and understanding for the part of ourselves that is fearful, rather than ignoring its presence or telling it to be quiet so that we can get "more important things" done.
Sun sesquiquadrate Uranus and Mercury sesquiquadrate Mars: We may be especially restless and easily irritated with these aspects in effect. Conversations could quickly become argumentative due to the underlying stress that everyone is feeling.
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IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK (Dec. 23-29):
This year brings you into alignment with some of your innate gifts and higher wisdom, encouraging you to express them through your career or the other ways in which you manifest your purpose. These gifts support you in taking on an authority role, and may particularly benefit those who are drawn to social or political involvement. Minor relationship issues could arise this year, requiring you to reassess your commitments based on what is truly of greatest value to you. (Solar Return Sun semisquare Venus, conjunct Pallas Athene)
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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:
THE JOURNEY AHEAD: I'm looking forward to our first webinar of 2025! "A Dark Night's Journey Into Day: From Conflict and Chaos to Clarity and Healing" will air live (and be recorded) on Wednesday, January 8.
In the first half of the class, I will share my perspectives on the astrological events for the entire year. I'll then focus on the planetary events that will occur in the first three months of the year, and what we may expect. To learn more, please see below, or register at https://events.humanitix.com/pamjan-mar2025.
DAILY ASTROLOGY: For my daily astrological insights, including lunar aspects not covered in this Journal, please follow me 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.
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