July 2023 - Transformation Ahead

July is a busy month, and the cosmic energy creates a turning point in the energy of our year. We may find ourselves needing more patience, and the desire to pause and reflect may grow.

The biggest transit this month is Venus in retrograde. Matters of the heart may rise to our attention, and we may feel a spotlight shone on the relationships in our lives. There may be some challenging things that come into view, but we are also offered the opportunity for a deeper heart awakening. There is the chance that July could feel a little heavy because of this, however, the Universe is here to lend its support and does offer some lighter vibrations too.

Your key astrology dates for July are as follows:

On July 3, the Capricorn Full Moon reminds us that we can do hard things! This Full Moon will give us the motivation, determination, and drive to meet any challenges that we are currently facing. While there is some heavy energy around this Full Moon, we have the support of the Universe on our side to take any heaviness and overcome it. There is the opportunity here for great success if we rise to any challenges that may come our way. The grounding vibrations of Capricorn will also remind us to bring stability into our lives, whether that is through creating boundaries, honoring a schedule, or just stepping up and taking more responsibility for our actions. If you are facing some hard challenges or struggles in your life, this Full Moon will light a path, you just have to show up.

We have a supportive trine between Saturn and the Sun on July 4, the 247th birthday of the United States of America. For the next 45 days, recognition for your hard work is likely to come to you now. As a result, you may advance your social standing in some way. Objectives you set out for yourself years ago tend to come to successful completion now. You know what you want, and your position is very stable. It is very important that you use this energy to work even harder during this transit. Otherwise, there will be backlash in a few years.

The fiery planet of action, energy, and motivation moves into earthy, grounded, and healing Virgo on July 10. Mars in Virgo is fantastic for getting inspired about your health and well-being. This is a good time to nurture yourself, practice a lot of self-care, and to take action steps when it comes to improving your health. Mars in Virgo can be incredibly driven and independent, and while this is great, it is a good reminder that it is ok to ask for help. You don’t have to do it all alone. 

On July 11, Mercury moves into Leo bringing the focus of communication on getting attention.  Being in a fire sign now and for the next few weeks, Mercury suggests that we are more likely than usual to speak up and need to express ourselves.  With Leo being a fixed sign, it seems that we are more likely to stick to our guns, but also be more stubborn and less likely to compromise.  This can be a good thing, but also create difficulties if we take it too far. 

The Cancer New Moon on July 17 is a time to nourish our soul and to remember what is truly important to us. Cancer is a sensitive energy, but it is also an incredibly brave and courageous energy too. It takes courage to stand up for ourselves, to listen to our hearts, and to follow what feels good and pure to us. Under this Cancer New Moon, we may also feel a sense of fresh energy flowing in. This will be heightened due to the Lunar Nodes changing signs on the same day. (I will have a separate blog post about this at a later date.) We may feel a culmination of the lessons of the Lunar Nodes and a welcoming to a new beginning as they reach new signs of the zodiac. The Cancer New Moon also holds strong healing energy, allowing us to feel a little more at peace with whatever troubles are manifesting in our lives. 

This is another big cosmic event of the year! Venus stations retrograde in the sign of Leo from July 22 until September 3. Venus is the planet of love, relationships, beauty, money, and the things we value. As it stations retrograde, all of these topics rise up to the surface to be looked at and dealt with, especially if there are issues that need attending to. Venus in Leo is a fun, playful, and social energy, so while there is some hard work involved here, it hopefully will feel a little more lighthearted! Leo is a very heart-centered placement, so we can be almost certain that all of us will go through some sort of heart awakening during this period. In order to awaken and open our hearts on a deeper level, something will have to be cleansed and removed. We may have to make some hard decisions, or perhaps we may find ourselves moving through some painful realizations, especially when it comes to our relationships and how we choose to operate within them. There will be more information in the coming weeks. 

The Sun moves out of watery, sensitive Cancer into fiery, heart-driven Leo on July 22 as well. As the Sun moves into Leo, we can expect to feel a little more energized and vibrant. We may feel more sociable and encouraged to lead with our hearts. While Leo Season does bring some fiery passion and inspiration our way, with Venus Retrograde on the same day, we may also be feeling a little sensitive, especially when it comes to our relationships. Our self-esteem may not feel the best, or we may find ourselves struggling with how we feel about someone. A conflict may even arise with another person that we find uncomfortable to deal with. Leo Season will light the way for us however, and will be a reminder to follow our own inner compass. Leo is connected to the light, and as long as we keep showing up for ourselves with our light burning bright, we will find our way. 

Mercury enters Virgo on July 28. This is one of the home-turf positions for Mercury, where he operates at his efficient-and-speedy best. It’s time to get down to brass tacks because efficiency is key. This is a flexible-but-grounded position for Mercury, where only sensible and clean solutions are favored. Virgo is known for its ability to analyze and yes, criticize. Sure, there is the perfectionist tendency when Mercury is back in his home sign. Expect tons of analysis, perhaps to the point of obsession and problem-solving overkill. The downside of this transit is to get so caught in the details that we overlook the big picture. The best part about this transit is it brings our brains into sharp focus, providing the ability to truly refine our craft. If you have projects that require serious focus, now is the time to take advantage of Mercury in Virgo’s precision. 

With all of the cosmic energies flowing this month and the growing number of retrograde planets in our sky, July is a perfect time to go with the flow. Keep your expectations in check and try to just show up as your best self on any given day. Things may feel a little rocky, but if we allow ourselves to flow, we may just find that we arrive on territory that is perfect for where we need to be.

Read your July Horoscopes here.