Many of us have felt extremely burnt out, overwhelmed, and utterly spent by everything that has been going on in the past few months. Thankfully, however, the alignments for the month of July indicate greater amounts of easygoingness, stillness, and contemplation quieter, more relaxed, and laid back – in brief, a much-needed respite. The hustle-and-bustle of the previous month will give way to more quietude and solace in which friendships and relationships will flourish. People will have more time and energy to spend on each other, rather than their endless to-do list.
The first transition we will experience in July is the movement of Mercury from Gemini into Cancer on July 5th, where this planet will remain until July 19th. The month of June had greatly privileged travel, the discursive, rational use of the mind, and more group-oriented tasks and projects at work. But once Mercury passes into Cancer, many of its associated topics will take a more pensive, reflective quality: people will be less verbally engaged with each other, and travel will be slower and less frequent.
This portion of July will also see less issues with technology and transportation, as Mercury is starting to increase in speed after exiting the slower period of his shadow phase.
The very next day after Mercury enters into Cancer, Mars moves into Taurus. In contrast to Mars’ previous placement in the ever-shifting dynamic inferno of Aries, Taurus privileges beauty and interpersonal harmony rather than achievement and individual agendas as Aries does. In Taurus, Mars’ lightning-swift action, will, and drive become sluggish, ponderous and plodding.
As a result, the atmosphere becomes slower and more relaxed; people become more socially minded and collectively invested. They appreciate the current state of affairs more, instead of being driven towards accomplishment. Classically considered a challenging placement, people also become much less driven and inspired to work. Additionally, Mars in Taurus can instill long-lasting grudges and resentment between people if the arguments and interpersonal conflicts it stirs up are left unchecked.
Venus, the queen of the arts, beauty, and romance will spend the first two thirds of July in Gemini. In this sign, Venus turns her topics of beauty, relationship, and love towards the realms of theory, language, and dialogue. Partnerships and relationships can become very supportive and industrious – there is in general more harmony in the workplace, especially related to group projects. This can be a good placement for people who work in design or any of the fine arts, as it encourages thinking outside of the box. She will help you find creative solutions to aesthetic quandaries.
On July 19th, she will move into the pensive sign of Cancer. At this point, the astral timbre will become quite pensive, still, and peaceful. In this watery sign, Venus’ rulership of beauty and love take a strong maternal, considerate bent. People are kinder and more sensitive to one another, happy to meet other people’s emotional and physical needs in a loving way.
The same day, Mercury enters his final stage for July in the sign of Leo. This is a return to the extroverted, buoyant, jubilant side of mercury that we saw in June with Mercury in Gemini. People are more, outspoken, talkative, and theatrical. The use of the voice and mind becomes more self-assured. People are generally more confidant in their mental capacity and surer of their perspectives and opinions. Save any summer trips for the end of July, because between Mercury and the Sun both being in Leo, the energetic will be much more lively, fun, and jubilant.
Jupiter continues his stay in the sign of Aries. Since Jupiter first moved here, people have become more expansive and dominating with their own opinions and agendas. People have more enthusiasm and confidence in their own ideals, missions, and objectives. However, while the optimism and confidence can be enjoyable and more fun than dour pessimism, this placement can make people believe in their own viewpoints so strongly that they become myopic to others. People can become militaristically naïve and self-interested, unaware that their own “truth” is only their own.
As one of the “Time Lords” of astrology alongside Saturn, Jupiter’s placement in Aries is most apparent with current events. Jupiter in Aries tends to bring on quick, sudden changes to issues in which ethics and morality are fiercely debated. A new kind of ethical order is suddenly, even violently established. Sometimes a conservative agenda wins out, sometimes a liberal one. The previous time this occurred was 2011, a few weeks before the beginning of the Arab Spring. In 1999, Jupiter’s entry into Aries coincided with the Bill Clinton impeachment and an uprising. Shortly before Jupiter moved into this Aries in May, the Roe v. Wade decision was leaked.
Jupiter will spend the month of July slowing down in speed, what is known as his “shadow period” prior to retrograde. As he slows down, the heat and volatility created this ingression will begin to subside. Not that people will change their opinions on the issue – the dust will just start to settle. A new normal will begin stabilize. When he goes retrograde at the end of July, there may be a repeal or moderating effect to the new changes that have happened, as you sometimes see retrogradation indicating “going-back-over” to revise something previously established.
The other “Time Lord,” Saturn, is in the midst of his own retrograde cycle. In Aquarius, we will continue to see the slow, plodding, civic changes that Saturn has brought since he moved into Aquarius on March 23rd 2022, one day before the CoVid lockdown was declared in the U.S. Low-grade fear around health and the virus will continue, but will slowly decline at the same rate they have been. Some places will still require masks.
Psychologically speaking, the same civic focus on how all the members of humanity can get along and treat each other best (think identity politics, political correctness, etc.) will still continue until Saturn moves into Pisces on March 7, 2023.
All in all, the month of July feel lazier and more relaxed than June. Don’t give your job any more attention than it requires while Mars in in Taurus, because you will be fighting an uphill battle– let money and work take care of themselves for now. Now is not the time for pushing limits and climbing mountains.
Instead, prioritize gentleness, ease, and relationship. You will have an opportunity to rest and restore during the warm part of the year. Take time to pull yourself away from work to be with friends and family; so long as don’t push your Jupiterian insights too hard on others, you’ll be just fine.
Aries
Jupiter is moving through your 1st house. You will continue to see growth and developments regarding your sense of self, identity, and personal power. Home life and family will also be very important for you this month as Mercury and Venus transit through your 4th house. You will find communication and relating with family members and people you live with to be much easier.
Taurus
Mars is moving into your 1st house. more anger and frustration will arise for you than you are used to feeling. Old grudges and wounds you’ve been holding onto for a while will resurface. However, Venus and Mercury in your 3rd house of community mean that you will mostly find support and success through being social and friendly with those around you.
Gemini
Friendships and communities will see more developments while Jupiter continues to move through your 11th house. You will learn a lot and grow as a person alongside friends. At the same time, your financial situation will also see some growth while Mercury and Venus move through your 2nd house. In your 12th house, Mars may provoke you towards self-sabotage, sticking your foot in your mouth, etc.
Cancer
Mercury and Venus will be moving into your 1st house of self. Expressing yourself to others will come more easily and naturally. You will find that your thoughts and ideas come to you more clearly. Venus will bring gifts regarding love, connection, and having your needs met. Jupiter is in your 10th house now, driving you to succeed with matters of work and career. The pace of growth can be uncomfortable, but well worth it.
Leo
Jupiter occupies your 9th house, and Mercury and Venus will be moving through your 12th. You will continue to find lots of developments with your studies, and travel will offer great rewards too. Solitude will be very beneficial for you while Mercury and Venus occupy your 12th house. Mars has moved into your 10th house, so you may feel a lot of agitation and stress regarding work and career issues this month.
Virgo
Mars has entered into your 9th house, bringing tension to your personal studies and travels this month. However, Mercury and Venus in your 11th ensure that you find support for these challenges and trials through your friendships and relationships to people in your greater community.
Libra
With Jupiter in your 7th house of romance and relationships, you will find more growth coming to and partnerships or close personal friendships you may have. Business partnerships will also strengthen through Jupiter’s influence. Mercury and Venus will bring clarity of communication and interpersonal relating to your career and place of work.
Scorpio
This month, Mercury and Venus will move through your 5th house of creativity, art, pleasure, and children. You will experience more clarity on projects, more pleasure in your down-time, and better success with children, if applicable. This is also a favorable placement for people who work in design or the fine arts. Mars has moved into your 7th house of partnership and relationship – be on the lookout for disagreeements and arguments with close friends and intimate partners. Resentment is a common theme with the Taurus placement.
Sagittarius
You will find growth and expansion coming to your 5th house as Jupiter moves through it – writing projects and artistic projects see a lot of development, your creative side blossoms, and children flourish. Mars has entered into your 6th house of illness and injury, so be sure not to overwork yourself or get too stressed out, as it will be much easier for you to burn yourself out on the job.
Capricorn
While Jupiter moves through your 4th house, you will see positive developments to your home and living situation. Family relationships will improve. Mercury and Venus are currently travelling through your 7th house, so you will find yourself feeling more communicative and expressive with close friendships and romantic relationships. Business partnerships can also see growth and greater cordiality and communicative capacity.
Aquarius
With Mars in Taurus, you will feel the adverse effects of tension, turbulence, and conflict within your 4th house of home and family. Unfortunately, Mars also happens to form a square to Saturn, which is currently in Aquarius conjoined your Sun in your 1st. This can bring a lot of stability to the realms of self and home life, so buckle up. But fear not – Jupiter is in your 3rd house now, so your local community, network of friends, and siblings if you have them will offer a lot of hope, support, and good fortune. Venus and Mercury in your 6th house also guarantee that any hard work you put into your lessons right now will be well worth it.
Pisces
Jupiter now occupies your 2nd house, and will bring success and growth to your financial situation. It is easier to make money and work on developing money-making enterprises. Mercury and Venus will be moving through your 5th. Your creativity and artistic inspiration will spark, and you will be more productive with any creative or work-related projects you’re currently working on.