Much of this July has a murky astrological feel. It’s not bad, per se, but it isn’t great for practical matters – not that summer should be all that practical. Let serendipity rule as much as possible, and accept that plans may need to change.
Mercury is retrograde as the month begins, and continues to backpedal until the 23rd. That puts the entire month either within the retrograde or deep in the shadow. As the Cosmic Messenger is reversing through Cancer, we may find this retrograde to be especially irksome. In Water signs, Mercury retrograde tends to bring up issues with power sources, like batteries, as well as home appliances. Plus all the usual caveats about communication, transportation, and technology.
Adding to the nebulous energy, Neptune stations to retrograde on the 7th. Neptune stations are especially challenging times for making important decisions, and in fact it’s hard to view anything in correct proportion – things are likely to look much better or worse than they really should between the 5th and the 8th. It’s a great time for fantasy, imagination, and meditation, and a day (or two) at the beach would be an excellent choice for this time.
Revolutionary Uranus is quite powerful this month. Look for sparks to fly around the 4th, when Mars meets up with him. On the 18th, the trine between Uranus and Pluto is exact, signaling a major shift in the vibe that began when the two squared in the last decade. Expect rapid changes in technology, particularly related to AI, to be apparent throughout July.
Jupiter has just arrived in Leo, where he’ll spend the rest of this year and the first half of 2027. In the sign of the lion, Jupiter makes things more dramatic, with either playful or regal overtones. We should really get a look at what this will bring at the end of the month, as the Sun and Jupiter meet on the 29th at the Aquarius Full Moon – very close to an opposition to Pluto.
Around the same time, the Moon’s nodes move onto the Leo/Aquarius axis. There’s a lot to say about this, but in the context of the Jupiter/Pluto aspect on the 20th (see below), we can say that this is another indication of shifting priorities. We’re likely to be seeing the tides turning this month – although perhaps subtly.
A somewhat heavy vibe might prevail just prior to this meeting, as Saturn stations to retrograde on the 26th as the Sun forms an exact opposition to Pluto. The end of July will have tension followed by release, and that release will either be a relief or an explosion (hopefully not literally).
The Goddess of Love, Venus, is in Virgo from the 9th through the beginning of August. That’s a suggestion to get your partying done early in the month, but it also indicates that creative projects might proceed slowly. In all social activities, watch for perfectionism to be a potential drag on the festivities.
The New Moon in Cancer is on the 14th, and the energy at mid-month will be at a general low point. That might not be a bad thing, and at least we should have a chance to rest before the heightened tensions later in the month.
Jupiter opposes Pluto on the 20th, marking the midpoint in their cycle that began in November of 2020. The Jupiter-Pluto cycle is associated with radical politics, and this opposition may mark a turning point in our polarized political situation. Jupiter in Leo represents royal (or royal-like) power, while Pluto in Aquarius is about ‘power to the people.’
The Sun returns home to Leo on the 22nd, preparing to meet his houseguest Jupiter.
Finally, Chiron has entered Taurus, where he’ll stay until 2033/34. Those born between 1976 and 1983/84 will be having their Chiron return, and this energy may be especially important for them. In Taurus, Chiron suggests doubts about values and valuables, and can drag us into (and potentially out of) a poverty mindset.
Image by sdmacdonaldmiller, via Pixabay