Whitetail doe in the trees. Image by 16081684 from Pixabay
Narrated by Pam Younghans.
Current week's astrological overview
Astrological Overview: January 3 - 9, 2022
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, add 8 hours.)
MON: Jupiter square nodal axis
TUE: No major aspects are exact today
WED: Venus sextile Neptune
THU: Mercury semisquare Neptune, Sun semisquare Jupiter
FRI: No major aspects are exact today
SAT: Mars square Pallas Athene, Sun sextile Pallas Athene, Sun conjunct Venus, Venus sextile Pallas Athene
SUN: Mercury sextile Chiron
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THE BEGINNING of a new calendar year is usually a time when we expect to feel excitement and anticipation about what lies ahead. This year, however, we may feel a bit cautious, unsure what to expect, perhaps based on how the past two years have unfolded. While it is true that every day is a new day, and that the first day of January symbolizes an opportunity to begin anew, life itself is a continuous thread.
As 2022 begins, we are still navigating the lingering effects of recent planetary events. In particular, the influence of the Saturn-Uranus square that perfected on December 23 is still very strong. We see this effect in the return of physical/social restrictions (Saturn) that limit individual freedoms (Uranus), as well as in the unpredictable weather and chaotic events (Uranus) that are disrupting life's routines (Saturn).
THE CURRENT TIMELINE is also complicated by Mercury and Venus being in "traveling conjunctions" with Pluto. Although these two planets rendezvous with Pluto every year, the effects of their alignments usually last for just a few days. This year, however, Mercury and Venus are both within "orb" of Pluto for a much longer period due to their retrograde (backward motion) phases.
True to its namesake, the mythical god of the underworld, Pluto acts as a catalyst for profound transformation. When it interacts with other planets, we can find ourselves drawn into darker emotional realms that feel very uncomfortable. The deep feelings that arise – and our choice of how to respond to them – reveal much about what lies behind our personality "mask."
DURING PLUTO TRANSITS, that mask is often torn away. People tend to be more reactive, compulsive, and impulsive as they react to the fears and other emotions that have been triggered. The task, ultimately, is for us to become more self-aware. Instead of blaming another person or the situation for how we feel, our job is to realize that our responses are fueled by deep fears that need our attention.
As we acknowledge the deeper emotion behind a reaction, find its originating source, and work to heal the root cause, that emotion no longer has the power to control us. We become in charge of our reactions to life’s circumstances. Thus it is that we achieve personal empowerment, one of the primary purposes of a Pluto transit.
AS MERCURY AND VENUS interact with Pluto over the course of several weeks, we can be drawn into complex situations in the areas ruled by the two planets: relationships, finances, values, and self-worth (Venus); and communications, travel, education, and our overall mental state (Mercury).
The Venus-Pluto conjunction can be considered active from early December through early March. The effects may be strongest around the days that Venus exactly conjoins Pluto, on December 11 and 25, 2021, and on March 3, 2022.
We can expect the Mercury-Pluto conjunction to be active from late December through late February. Mercury exactly conjoins Pluto on December 30, 2021, and on January 28 and February 11, 2022. These dates are times when we are likely to see specific developments related to the aspect themes.
I'LL TALK MORE about these two "traveling conjunctions" – and much more – in my "Finding Ground" webinar, airing live on January 12! Please see the full description here.
HERE is a list of the most significant aspects we'll be working with this week, with my brief interpretations:
Monday
Jupiter square nodal axis: Outdated belief systems prove counterproductive. Old judgments, self-righteousness, fanaticism, and dogmatic beliefs can get in the way of establishing new lines of communication. We are challenged to listen in addition to speaking with clarity and honesty.
Tuesday
No major aspects are exact today.
Wednesday
Venus sextile Neptune: It is easier to access compassion and forgiveness today. With Venus currently retrograde, this is a good time to review and release relationships from our past.
Thursday
Mercury semisquare Neptune: A tendency to daydream makes concrete thinking difficult.
Sun semisquare Jupiter: A conflict between a part of us that is ready to take a risk and another part wants to stay with what is familiar so that we can feel in control of a situation.
Friday
No major aspects are exact today.
Saturday
Pallas Athene square Mars, sextile Sun, sextile Venus: After dealing with some lingering self-righteousness, we are able to access a deeper level of empathy today that helps us accept the oneness of all.
Sun conjunct Venus: Relationship themes are highlighted today, but with Venus retrograde, we may still be reviewing the past. Or, a person from earlier in our this-life or past-life experience may come again into our awareness.
Sunday
Mercury sextile Chiron: This is a good day to mend bridges, as we are more able to be tolerant and openminded.
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IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK: This year, relationships and personal values are highlighted. You may even reconnect with someone from your past, either from earlier in this life or from another lifetime. While caution is to be advised, due to a tendency to over-idealize the situation, there is much support for creating new relationships that represent a breakthrough in some way. You are more comfortable being your authentic self this year, and also more allowing of others' idiosyncrasies. This new flexibility allows you to let go of needing to be in control and encourages you to follow your intuition in all areas of life. (Solar Return Sun conjunct Venus, semisquare Jupiter, trine Uranus)
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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.
