This week brings intense planetary energies as Mars squares Pluto on Monday, creating potential power struggles and battles of will between progressive forces and traditional resistance. The energy builds toward Sunday's powerful Full Moon in Sagittarius, aligned with the warrior star Antares, calling for self-mastery and wise use of our personal power. Navigate these unstable times with awareness as the Great Unraveling continues to accelerate.
In This Week's Astrological Overview:
- Mars squares Pluto on Monday, igniting confrontations between progressive change and stubborn resistance to transformation
- A powerful Full Moon in Sagittarius on Sunday aligns with the legendary fixed star Antares, the warrior star of ancient Persia
- Venus squares Saturn on Thursday, bringing reality checks in relationships and financial matters
- The week's aspects call for self-mastery and wise channeling of intense energies rather than domination or control
- This lunation supports releasing outdated beliefs while strategizing courageously for new creative directions
Previous weeks' astrological overviews
Astrological Overview:
May 25 to 31, 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 Daylight Time (PDT). For other time zones, add 3 hours for EDT, 8 hours for GMT.
MONDAY: Sun square nodal axis, Mars square Pluto
TUESDAY: Sun trine Pluto, Mercury sesquiquadrate Pluto
WEDNESDAY: Mercury semisquare Mars
THURSDAY: Venus square Saturn
FRIDAY: Mercury sextile Eris, Sun semisquare Jupiter
SATURDAY: No major aspects are exact today
SUNDAY: Full Moon 1:44 a.m. PDT, Sun sextile Pallas Athena, Mercury sextile Chiron, Sun semisquare Eris
Overview: May 25 to 31, 2026
UNSTABLE TIMES:
The ground beneath our feet may be feeling very unstable now; Mars, the planet of personal Will and Desire, is in challenging aspect to Pluto, the transpersonal planet of Divine Will and Transformation. The Mars-Pluto square perfects on Monday, May 25, but its impact will be felt for a few days before and after that date.
Pluto always brings passion to whatever it touches, and Mars ignites a fire that is not easily quenched. This tension-filled aspect between two implacable planets can manifest as irritability and ego-driven actions for some, and dramatic power struggles and battles of will for others.
Pluto in progressive, airy Aquarius is determined to reveal and also to tear down social structures that do not ultimately serve the people. On the other hand, Mars in traditional, earthy Taurus is ready to fight in order to preserve the status quo. Since Aquarius and Taurus are both fixed signs, one of the primary manifestations of this Mars-Pluto square is stubborn resistance to seeing a situation from another's point of view.
This is the first major challenging aspect between Mars and Pluto since they conjoined in Aquarius on January 27. Events that occurred around that date may be revisited now, or there could be new developments related to issues that were initiated at that time.
SAGITTARIUS FULL MOON:
The current lunar cycle reaches its climax next Sunday, May 31. The Full Moon will perfect at 1:44 a.m. PDT on that day, when the Moon is at 09°14' Sagittarius and exactly opposes the Sun at the same degree of Gemini.
The Full Moon is in close quincunx aspect to Mars in Taurus, indicating the need for an attitude adjustment if we are overly attached to beliefs that no longer serve us. Luna is also closely sesquiquadrate Jupiter in Cancer, so people could be very self-righteous, judgmental, and protective of their beliefs.
However, the Moon will be in harmonious trine aspect to both Saturn and Neptune at the time of the lunation; while these aspects tell us that more of the Great Unraveling will be underway, we will find it easier to release what needs to go and will also have the internal strength to initiate the new. And, Luna's close trine to the asteroid Pallas Athena in Aries will help us to brainstorm new creative ideas and to courageously strategize our next steps.
FIXED STAR ANTARES:
Next Sunday's Full Moon will be tightly aligned with the fixed star Antares. This bright red binary star, located at 09°47' Sagittarius, is one of the four Royal Stars of ancient Persia. The power of Antares is legendary; astrological lore reveals that the star is courageous, intense, impulsive, militant, and temperamental. However, its influence can be used productively, if channeled wisely.
Here are some insights from astrologer Roderick Kidston on Antares and its effects, shared in his book The Magic of the Stars:
"Antares is certainly a warrior star—driving, ambitious, and masterful, capable of destruction when in negative mode. But the issue with this star is not ill will, rather in the way it impels an urge for mastery. When this is directed toward self-mastery and the personal gifts cultivated as a result, it is very fine. If it stimulates unskillful behaviors and rouses the temptation to dominate or control, there can be problems. As with all power stars, Antares asks you to be very self-aware and to be mindful of how you treat people."
DAILY ASPECTS THIS WEEK (May 25 to 31, 2026):
Monday
Sun square nodal axis: The mind is very active. Overthinking an issue, or the need to gather more and more information, could interfere with our ability to listen to and follow our intuition.
Mars square Pluto: Confrontations and conflicts could be ignited under this influence. People are likely to be stubbornly entrenched in their positions and seek to wield control over a situation. Anger that has been suppressed comes to the surface.
Tuesday
Sun trine Pluto: This aspect helps us see truth more clearly, to understand what is occurring behind the scenes. We express our thoughts and ideas with passion and could be very decisive.
Mercury sesquiquadrate Pluto: The mind could be suspicious and distrustful. The urge to know the truth can be compelling.
Wednesday
Mercury semisquare Mars: Conversations can become confrontational if we are too eager to speak and mostly want to convince another of our point of view.
Thursday
Venus square Saturn: This aspect represents a reality check in relationship and financial matters. It asks us to seriously reassess what we believe we love or value, to ascertain its validity in our lives. With Venus in sensitive Cancer, there could be hurt feelings due to someone needing alone time or emotional distance.
Friday
Mercury sextile Eris: We are supported in courageously speaking our minds today, and in advocating for ourselves or others.
Sun semisquare Jupiter: This is a restless influence, where we may feel nostalgic for the "good old days."
Saturday
No major aspects are exact today.
Sunday
Full Moon: The peak of the current lunar cycle occurs today at 1:44 a.m. PDT, when the Moon is at 09°14' Sagittarius.
Sun sextile Pallas Athena: Insights and ideas flow more easily, making this a good day for brainstorming and planning.
Mercury sextile Chiron: We are more sensitive to our own and others' need to be heard today.
Sun semisquare Eris: Some may be easily irritated today, especially if they feel that their ideas are not being respected.
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If Your Birthday Is This Week (May 25 to 31, 2026):
This is an exciting year of change, in which you may feel the urge to completely renovate or reinvent some area of your life. At the heart of this need is the realization that you are a different person than you used to be, and that your outer circumstances must also change if they are continue to be fulfilling. For some, this could be a year of rebellion and breaking free, if situations or relationships have become too restrictive and are not able to adapt to the new, more authentic you that is emerging. Ultimately, there are opportunities to release the old stories that once defined you and to step into a more empowered version of yourself. (Solar Return Sun conjunct Uranus, trine Pluto, conjunct Sedna)
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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
Article Recap:
This week's astrological climate features a challenging Mars-Pluto square that could trigger power struggles between forces of change and traditional resistance. The energy culminates in Sunday's Full Moon in Sagittarius, aligned with the powerful fixed star Antares, calling for self-mastery and conscious use of warrior energy for positive transformation rather than destructive control.
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