Written and Narrated by Pam Younghans.
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This week’s astrology highlights Mars entering Scorpio and clashing with Pluto, sparking emotional intensity and power struggles. With Scorpio energy at the forefront, hidden truths may surface and suppressed emotions erupt. The Mars-Pluto square reveals deeper motives, while a fated yod configuration offers a chance to redirect toward renewal. This is a week to channel Scorpio’s transformative power into courage, insight, and cooperative growth.
In This Week's Astrological Overview:
- What makes this week’s astrology so emotionally charged?
- How does Mars in Scorpio shape our reactions?
- Why is the Mars-Pluto square so powerful?
- What does the Scorpio Moon add to the mix?
- How can we transform tension into empowerment?
Previous weeks' astrological overview
Astrological Overview:
September 22 - 28, 2025
Each week, astrologer Pam Younghans offers perspectives on the planetary influences currently at play. Consider this overview a compass to help you navigate both opportunities and challenges as they arise. Her insights are intended as guidance for reflection and empowerment, not as predictions. Your personal experiences will always be uniquely shaped by your birth chart and current transits.
Aspects of Note this Week:
All times listed are Pacific Standard Time. For Eastern Time, add 3 hours;
Add 7 hours for Universal Time (UT).
MONDAY: Mars enters Scorpio, Sun enters Libra
TUESDAY: Mars quincunx Neptune, Sun opposite Neptune,
Sun trine Uranus, Sun trine Pluto
WEDNESDAY: Mars quincunx Uranus, Mars square Pluto,
Sun trine Sedna, Moon in Scorpio square Pluto, conjunct Mars
THURSDAY: No major aspects are exact today
FRIDAY: No major aspects are exact today
SATURDAY: Mercury sesquiquadrate Uranus, Venus sesquiquadrate Eris
SUNDAY: Venus sesquiquadrate Chiron
September 22 - 28, 2025
TRUE COLORS: It has been said that we are mostly likely to see someone's true colors when they are under stress. According to an online dictionary: "Seeing someone's true colors means realizing a person's authentic character or personality—especially under stress, pressure, or in situations involving power or money. This often involves observing their actions and how they treat others, rather than just their words, to understand their deeper motives and behavior."
We have that sort of stressful situation this week, as assertive Mars enters emotionally intense Scorpio and immediately forms hard aspects with the three transpersonal planets (Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto). The strongest of these three aspects is no doubt Wednesday's powerful, revelatory Mars-Pluto square—but the Red Planet is also in the apex position of a challenging yod configuration with Uranus and Neptune on Monday and Tuesday.
MARS-URANUS-NEPTUNE YOD: A yod is formed when one planet is quincunx (150 degrees away from) two other planets that are sextile each other (separated by 60 degrees). In appearance, a yod looks like an elongated (isosceles) triangle. Astrologer Bil Tierney offers this interpretation of the configuration in his book Dynamics of Aspect Analysis:
"A yod is like arriving at a fork in the road and having to proceed in one direction or the other, without knowing where either road is going to lead. This change of course is not really a matter of conscious, deliberate decision-making, but instead is one due to unrecognized necessity. This new direction, once embarked upon, may appear abrupt or unaccounted for."
A yod configuration is also called the "Finger of God" or the "Finger of Fate." Thus, events that unfold this week could feel fated or karmic in nature.
In this week's yod, Mars is at the point of the finger, and thus holds the position of power. Mars in Scorpio can be emotionally reactive and impulsive, and is driven by a deep desire for control. Still, with Uranus and Neptune in harmonious sextile with each other, we have the benefits of heightened intuition and visionary insights. These outer planets will hopefully help turn Mars' willfulness into courage, and guide us to take action in accordance with our higher knowing and spiritual ideals.
MARS-PLUTO SQUARE: The energies of the confrontational Mars-Pluto square that perfects on Wednesday are woven into our experience of the yod, and will no doubt exacerbate the intensity of our emotional responses throughout the first half of the week. But it might make it easier to describe the Mars-Pluto aspect as a separate event, just as a way to help us wrap our brains around it all.
There is usually great tension when the Planet of War and the Planet of Transformation are in hard aspect. Each of the planets by itself is forceful, assertive, wants to be in control, and doesn't shy away from battle. Bullying behaviors are possible when Mars squares Pluto, and power struggles could be exacerbated. With both planets being in fixed signs (Scorpio and Aquarius), a stubborn resistance to change might be a root cause of stress.
Other manifestations of the Mars-Pluto square could include revelations of subversive or secret activities, which feed already existing conflicts. On an individual level, we could experience an eruption of emotions that have been suppressed or repressed up to this point.
MOON ACTIVATION: Although I don't usually include lunar aspects other than lunations in this Journal, I want to give you a heads-up that the Scorpio Moon will be adding its intensity to the emotional landscape early on Wednesday. The Moon is exactly square Pluto and conjunct Mars at 4:55 a.m. PDT on September 24, just four minutes after the Mars-Pluto square perfects at 4:51 a.m. PDT.
The Sabian symbol for the second degree of Scorpio, where the Moon and Mars align, underscores the powerful changes and endings we are currently navigating—both with Eclipse Season and with this week's powerful aspects: "A delicate bottle of perfume lies broken, releasing its fragrance; The accidental nature of opportunities that impel one to break away from the past, the remembrance of which is still poignant and cherished."
The explanation of this symbol by astrologer Dane Rudhyar reads: "A new and greater realization usually demands the sacrifice of something which has brought fragrance to a lesser form of living and feeling. Old feelings and relationships are poignantly remembered, even as one moves into a new and wider sphere of experience."
DAILY ASPECTS THIS WEEK (September 22 - 28, 2025):
Here are my brief interpretations of this week's most important aspects, day by day:
Monday
Mars enters Scorpio: While Mars is in Scorpio, from September 22 to November 4, we tend to be passionate about what we want and determined or forceful in getting our needs met. We are less likely to shy away from conflict and may even be drawn to drama, perhaps due to an unconscious need to experience intensity. Actions can be impulsive and are based on emotional desires rather than rational thought.
Sun enters Libra: The Sun enters Libra at 11:19 a.m. PDT today. This ingress marks the Equinox, when the hours of daylight and darkness are virtually equal in most places on Earth. A chart drawn for an Equinox provides clues as to how the next three months will unfold; since this event occurs within 24 hours of the Solar Eclipse (on September 21), the effects of that eclipse are underscored (see last week's Journal for my eclipse interpretation).
Tuesday
Mars quincunx Neptune: This aspect is one leg of the yod. As a stand-alone influence, it represents some confusion about our right course of action. It indicates a need to adjust our desires based on a better alignment with our spiritual values.
Sun opposite Neptune: As we let go of old identities, we could feel some confusion about how to proceed and what decisions to make.
Sun trine Uranus/Sedna, Sun trine Pluto: These aspects help adapt to the deep and yet rapid changes that are occurring within us and in the world around us. We are open to new ideas, and are eager to step into our personal power.
Wednesday
Mars quincunx Uranus: This aspect is the other leg of the yod. As a stand-alone influence, it represents restlessness and a tendency to act independently. It indicates a need to be aware of our deeper motivations, and to access our higher intuition in all decision-making.
Mars square Pluto: Emotions are intensified. People could be impulsive, reactive, controlling, and combative.
Thursday & Friday
No major aspects are exact on these two days.
Saturday
Mercury sesquiquadrate Uranus: The mind is restless today and we may have trouble focusing on specific tasks.
Venus sesquiquadrate Eris: A need for autonomy and to be seen as an individual can disrupt the status quo in a relationship.
Sunday
Venus sesquiquadrate Chiron: Some may be more sensitive or defensive today, especially in response to perceived criticism.
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If Your Birthday Is This Week (September 22 - 28):
You are supported in making significant shifts in some area of your life this year. At times, it may seem that these changes happen magically and synchronistically. A greater sense of personal empowerment and heightened intuition are your allies now. The main challenge could be knowing when to take practical, concrete action, and when to surrender to the flow and trust in the universe. (Solar Return Sun opposite Saturn, trine Uranus, opposite Neptune, trine Pluto)
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EVENTS AND WEBINARS by Pam Younghans:
LOOKING TOWARD THE HORIZON: My final webinar of 2025 is next week! The class, entitled "Sailing Out of Bounds, with a Final Look Back," will cover planetary events during the final three months of this calendar year. The Zoom event will air (and be recorded for those who can't attend live) on Wednesday, October 1. During the class, I'll talk about Pluto being "out of bounds" until November 23, the recurring water grand trines we'll be experiencing from mid-November through early December, and more.
I hope to see you there! To register or to learn more, please visit events.humanitix.com/oct-dec2025.
DAILY ASTROLOGY: For my daily astrological insights, including lunar aspects not covered in this Journal, please follow me on Instagram: 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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Article Recap:
The Mars Pluto square and Scorpio energy bring a week of intensity, revelations, and transformation. By channeling Scorpio’s emotional depth into courage and cooperation, we can navigate stress and uncover renewal. This is a time to align with higher intuition and embrace change rather than resist it.
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