Written and Narrated by Pam Younghans.
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This weekly astrology forecast marks a turning point as Neptune enters Aries, igniting a long cycle of spiritual action and renewed purpose. Combined with a Mars–Pluto conjunction and a Leo Full Moon, the week highlights power, pressure, and choice. Subtle shifts beneath the surface invite reflection, restraint, and a deeper awareness of how individual actions shape collective outcomes.
In This Week's Astrological Overview:
• Why Neptune entering Aries marks a long-term shift
• How Mars–Pluto intensifies emotional and social pressure
• What the Leo Full Moon reveals about leadership and freedom
• Why eclipse season begins with tension and opportunity
• How small choices quietly influence collective outcomes
Previous weeks' astrological overviews
Astrological Overview:
January 26 - February 1, 2026
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 8 hours for Universal Time (UT).
MONDAY: Neptune enters Aries
TUESDAY: Mars conjunct Pluto, Venus semisquare Saturn
WEDNESDAY: Mercury semisquare Saturn
THURSDAY: Mercury conjunct Venus, Mercury semisquare Neptune,
Venus semisquare Neptune
FRIDAY: Mercury quincunx Jupiter
SATURDAY: Venus quincunx Jupiter
SUNDAY: Full Moon 2:08 p.m. PST 13°03' Leo
Overview: January 26 - February 1, 2026
POWERFUL CURRENTS: Two dynamic currents of change intersect and comingle in this final week of January 2026. We are already feeling the effects of the turbulent Mars-Pluto conjunction that perfects on the 27th, while also being aware of the profound shift that is underway as high vibrational Neptune departs Pisces and enters Aries on the 26th.
Not to be ignored, a dramatic Leo Full Moon occurs next Sunday, February 1; this influence will be affecting our world for at least a few days before and after the event. Adding to the significance of the lunation, it marks the beginning of our first eclipse season of 2026, with an Aquarius Solar Eclipse occurring on February 17 and a Total Lunar Eclipse in Virgo on March 3.
MARS-PLUTO: It's hard to ignore the intensity of interactions between Mars and Pluto. Mars is the planet of assertive action, while Pluto is a catalyst for major transformation. Together, these planets can initiate events that have the potential to alter our individual and collective course in impactful ways.
Our reactions under a Mars-Pluto alignment can be visceral. Deep fear and anger may be triggered, tempting us to act more on instinct than on reason. This is why, as we work with the pressures of current events, it is important to feel and process the emotions that arise, but then to make sure we are grounded and in alignment with our higher wisdom before initiating any actions.
I appreciate this quote from astrologer Bryan Colter about this week's Mars-Pluto conjunction:
"This is when the soul gets tested. Because here's the hard truth: if you mirror the violence you claim to oppose, you become its continuation, just wearing a different costume. This Mars-Pluto alignment will force many people to ask: 'Is this the soul speaking, or is this the unprocessed pain speaking?' The invitation is simple but not easy: Don't become a weapon. Become the warrior with a conscience, the kind of person who can hold intensity without being possessed by it. Because coherence is contagious. And if you can stay coherent, the world stabilizes around you."
PLUTO AT WORK: With this week's Mars-Pluto conjunction, we see the many facets of the dwarf planet's persona being activated. As Psychotherapist, Pluto delves into the darker side of the human psyche, exposing all that has been suppressed or repressed. As God of the Underworld, it takes us on a journey of death and rebirth—most times figuratively, but sometimes literally.
As an agent of Purification, Pluto brings to the surface the toxins that have been poisoning the system. In its role as an agent of Empowerment, Pluto shows us where we have given our power away to an external force, so that we might claim back our sovereignty. And as the transpersonal planet of Divine Will, it radiates a powerful evolutionary force that drives change on the level of the soul.
NEPTUNE IN ARIES: Although Neptune briefly entered Aries in 2025 (March 30 to October 22), there is a strong sense that NOW is the time we will begin to fully experience the impact of its presence in the sign. The mysterious planet makes ingress into Aries on January 26 and will travel through the sign of the Ram for the next 12 years.
We will thus have plenty of time to work with the themes that Neptune in Aries will elicit; however, with Saturn also entering the sign in mid-February and aligning with Neptune on February 20, manifestations will likely be very obvious, very quickly.
There are both opportunities and challenges associated with any planetary transit. Here are some of what we may experience as Neptune transits Aries, taken from my recent webinar:
Opportunities: Enlightened ethical action; new approaches to spirituality; the courage to follow our intuition and act on our vision; leaders who are visionary, idealistic, and compassionate
Potential Challenges: Avoidance, escapism; deceptive, meaningless, or ill-advised actions; leaders who are weak, ineffective, or delusional; inability to see oneself clearly
I'll be writing more about the effects of the Saturn-Neptune alignment in the next couple of issues of this Journal.
FULL MOON: Next Sunday, we will still be working with the grand stellium of planets in Aquarius—Pluto, Mars, the asteroid Vesta, the Sun, Venus, and Mercury. As the current lunar cycle reaches its crescendo, all of these planets will be opposite the Leo Full Moon. This is likely to create a very strong polarity between those in leadership roles or in the spotlight (Leo) and the freedoms of individuals or the collective society (Aquarius).
With Mercury involved, freedoms of expression and speech are highlighted; with Venus, relationship or financial freedoms; with Mars, freedom of action; with Pluto, the freedom to protest; with the Sun, the freedom to assemble; and with Vesta, the freedom to be dedicated to a cause.
The Full Moon is also closely sesquiquadrate both Saturn and Neptune, so we will be seeing the beginning of the "great unraveling" that is represented by their coming alignment in February. This is likely to correspond with feelings of instability and yet a knowing that a necessary evolutionary process is underway.
DAILY ASPECTS THIS WEEK (January 26 - February 1, 2026):
Here are my brief interpretations of this week's most important aspects, day by day:
Monday
Neptune enters Aries: Neptune entered Aries for a seven-month journey on March 30, 2025, but its ingress today will provide much clearer evidence of the changes its transit of the sign will evoke. Neptune will travel through the sign of the Ram for the next 12 years.
Tuesday
Mars conjunct Pluto: Emotions that have been building since Mars entered Aquarius on January 23 are likely to intensify. The courage to be true to self is exceptionally strong. Passions run deep, and some may be obsessed with gaining power and exerting control.
Venus semisquare Saturn: Relationships and alliances are tested at this time.
Wednesday
Mercury semisquare Saturn: Communications could be blocked or delayed.
Thursday
Mercury conjunct Venus, Mercury semisquare Neptune, Venus semisquare Neptune: We are supported in connecting with others of like mind today. However, our thinking could be cloudy or idealistic, leading to miscommunications and not seeing a situation clearly.
Friday
Mercury quincunx Jupiter: Emotions affect our thoughts and decisions. There can be a tendency to exaggerate or be judgmental.
Saturday
Venus quincunx Jupiter: The desire for reward after a stressful week can lead to overindulgence.
Sunday
Full Moon: The current lunar cycle peaks at 2:08 p.m. PST today, when the Moon is at 13°03' Leo, opposite the Sun at the same degree of Aquarius. The Moon will be aligned with the Leo Point of Avatar at the time of the lunation. This galactic point in space supports us in holding a sacred space and an enlightened vision of the future. It enables us to lead by example, helping others by demonstrating what it means to connect deeply with the true spiritual self.
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If Your Birthday Is This Week (January 26 - February 1):
The desire to connect with others in community is likely to be strong this year. The focus is on creating relationships that are based in equality, and on communicating or teaching what you know. You could feel very passionate about a humanitarian or social cause; your convictions will likely compel you to take action. You have the courage to take risks and the determination to follow through. (Solar Return Sun conjunct Mercury, conjunct Venus, conjunct Mars, conjunct Pluto, conjunct Vesta)
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EVENTS AND WEBINARS by Pam Younghans:
UNRAVELING & REWEAVING: If you missed my class on the astrology of 2026, with a spotlight on the first three months of the year, no worries! The video replay, slideshow, and calendars for "A Great Unraveling and a Cosmic Reweaving" are available for purchase. Just send an email with "Webinar Replay" in the subject line to
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:
This weekly astrology overview highlights Neptune Aries as the start of a new cycle emphasizing conscious action and responsibility. Alongside a Mars–Pluto conjunction and Leo Full Moon, the astrology encourages awareness over reaction, showing how individual restraint and clarity can quietly influence broader collective patterns.
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