Image credit: The Galactic Center in Radio from MeerKAT. Image Credit: Ian Heywood (Oxford U.), SARAO.
Watch video version on YouTube
Current and previous weeks astrological overviews
Astrological Overview: December 18-24, 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.
Monday: Mercury trine Jupiter
Tuesday: Mercury sesquiquadrate Uranus
Wednesday: Venus opposite Uranus
Thursday: Mercury sextile Saturn, Mars quincunx Uranus, Sun enters Capricorn
Friday: Sun conjunct Mercury, Mars sesquiquadrate Jupiter, Mercury retrogrades into Sagittarius
Saturday: No major aspects are exact today
Sunday: Sun sextile Saturn, Mars trine North Node
*****
GALACTIC CENTER: At the heart of our Milky Way galaxy lies a supermassive black hole called the Galactic Center. Our solar system revolves around that galactic core, even as our entire galaxy – along with other nearby galaxies in our Local Group – also moves through the vastness of intergalactic space, drawn toward a massive galactic anomaly known as the Great Attractor.
From Earth's perspective, when our Sun reaches 27 degrees Sagittarius, it aligns its solar energies with the Galactic Center (GC). During this alignment, which occurs each year in the days leading up to the Capricorn Solstice, the Sun highlights the influence of the GC and acts a conduit to more directly channel its energies toward our planet. This year, the Sun is exactly aligned with the GC on Monday, December 18, but the influence of the alignment is strong for at least a day before and a day after that date.
We can use a meditative state to more directly and consciously experience the GC frequencies. These energies vibrate at a high level and thus may not be readily available to our consciousness when we are in our usual waking Beta brain wave state. As we resonate with and open to the GC frequencies, we gain access to a download of high-level information and insights. We may want to pose specific questions in this meditation, or we can just enjoy the experience of the energies and ask to receive the information and energies that will best serve our spiritual growth at this time.
CAPRICORN SOLSTICE: The Sun enters Capricorn this Thursday, December 21, at 7:27 p.m. PST. This ingress marks the day of the Solstice, a time when "the sun stands still" in the sky. The December Solstice has been a day of festival since ancient times: in the Northern Hemisphere, we honor the Sacred Darkness and celebrate the gradual return of the Light; in lands south of the Equator, we honor the fullness of the Light in the sky and celebrate the potentials that have been dormant but are now ready to blossom.
Wherever we reside on this beautiful planet Earth, we can use the Solstice energies to reflect on the past but also to renew hope in the future. A change of seasons is upon us once again, reflecting and bringing awareness to the growth cycles of our own individual lives.
DAILY ASPECTS: Here are my brief interpretations of this week's most important planetary aspects:
Monday
Mercury trine Jupiter: This harmonious aspect between two retrograde planets encourages us to go within to clarify our goals and how we can best create a life of meaning and purpose.
Sun conjunct the Galactic Center: The Sun highlights and augments the transmission of high-frequency energies and information as it aligns with the Galactic Center. This download is best received when in a meditative state.
Tuesday
Mercury sesquiquadrate Uranus: Nervous energy may be heightened today. We may find it hard to focus as our consciousness assimilates the new ideas and insights we are receiving.
Wednesday
Venus opposite Uranus: The need for space and freedom may arise in relationships, especially if one party is feeling stifled or controlled in any way. This aspect tests the flexibility of a relationship and our ability to allow each person to be and express their own, unique self.
Thursday
Mercury sextile Saturn: It may be easier to think and communicate rationally today, but with Mercury currently retrograde, long-term decisions or commitments may best be postponed.
Mars quincunx Uranus: Reactivity is heightened and people may act impulsively or in surprising ways.
Sun enters Capricorn: The Sun will journey through disciplined Capricorn from December 21 to January 20. During these weeks, the focus is on fulfilling longer-term ambitions. We are willing to do the practical work necessary and to postpone immediate gratification in an effort to meet our goals.
Friday
Sun conjunct Mercury: Our attention is on serious matters with this alignment in Capricorn. But with Mercury currently retrograde, this influence may best be used for gathering information and reviewing our plans rather than taking action.
Mars sesquiquadrate Jupiter: Over-confidence could be a problem today, or perhaps trying to fit too many activities into a short span of time. This aspect increases excitability and impulsive action.
Mercury retrogrades into Sagittarius: We are given the opportunity to review what holds the greatest meaning for us as Mercury returns to the sign of The Archer. The insights we gain through the end of the year, until Mercury stations direct on January 1, will be essential to incorporate into our plans for the future.
Saturday
No major aspects are exact today.
Sunday
Sun sextile Saturn: Patience and compassion are easier to access today. This aspect increases spiritual discipline and our ability to "walk our talk."
Mars trine North Node: This aspect helps us be true to self and also tolerant of others' needs for independence and autonomy.
*****
IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK: There is great benefit in introspection this year, especially when considering your long-term goals. Overall, you should feel a good balance between realism and optimism. However, you may also have a sense that certain elements of your life are fading away, dissolving, or becoming less tangible or important to you. Certain projects may seem to be "on hold" while you do your inner spiritual work. It is tempting to try to hold onto what is familiar, but you are encouraged to surrender to the process and to have faith that once the process of dissolution is complete, you will have access to greater levels of personal fulfillment. (Solar Return Sun conjunct retrograde Mercury, trine Jupiter, sextile Saturn, square Neptune)
*****
SEE YOU IN CLASS THIS WEEK! My class covering the Month of Capricorn is this Wednesday, December 20. This class will cover planetary influences from December 21 to January 20, including the uplifting energies of the Full Moon and Jupiter's station in late December, but also the challenges that could arise with Mercury and Mars in hard aspect to Neptune as we complete the year. We'll talk about what to expect as 2024 begins. There's still time to register! If you can't attend live, you'll be able to watch the replay at your leisure. Here's the link: https://events.humanitix.com/solar-month-class-capricorn-2023
"BREAKTHROUGHS & AWAKENINGS": My webinar covering the first four months of 2024 will air live on Wednesday, January 10! Visit: https://PamJan-April2024.eventbrite.com
INSTAGRAM: I invite you to check out my daily astrological updates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pamyounghans/
*****
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.
*****
For previous weeks of the Astrological Journal, click here.
*****
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.
