MONTH OF July
Putting the pieces into place! That’s what you’ll be busy doing until July 22, while the Sun is in Cancer and your sixth house of work, wellness and organization. After a fun and (hopefully) hedonistic June, you’re in the mood to streamline and systematize your life. From adding more summer produce to your plate to sorting your paperwork into folders, you’re on a mission to optimize your life this month.
But take a break for the July Fourth holiday, whether you observe it or not. On July 3, the annual Capricorn full moon illuminates your twelfth house of rest, healing and closure. Forget about fireworks. It’s a moment to release something that no longer serves you, to let go of the illusion of control. Surrendering struggle will reconnect you to your magic, Aquarius. Listen to the universe’s guidance and stop swimming upstream!
Mid-month, the tides turn again as the lunar nodes end an 18-month trip across the Taurus/Scorpio axis, a time that seriously reconfigured your career and home life. From where you live to how you make a living, you’ve been guided to explore new avenues since January 2022.
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Now the nodes are coming to transform the way you communicate, travel and socialize. From July 17, 2023, until January 11, 2025, the lunar nodes will touch down on the Aries/Libra axis, widening your horizons both locally and in far-flung places. From bucket list travel to exploring new neighborhoods, adventures await! Your naturally nomadic soul will be up for all of it.
Relationships may come with a warning label starting July 22. On the plus side, the confident Sun moves into Leo and your partnership house for a month. But that same day (womp womp), love planet Venus will turn retrograde (backward) in Leo until September 3. Venus retrograde is notorious for testing even the strongest ties. Its reversal through this part of your chart will make you stop and evaluate where your bonds need repair work. While it may be uncomfortable and even disheartening at moments, find the courage to “go there.” The relationships that are meant to stand the test of time will emerge stronger than ever.
It’s Cancer season until July 22
One galactic glow-up please! With the Sun in Cancer and your orderly sixth house, this month puts the spotlight on your overall well-being. Getting healthy, organized and streamlined is your main mission. Where have things sprawled into excess, lapsed into disrepair or veered into hedonism? No guilt necessary, Aquarius. Here’s hoping you enjoyed every bit of that nostalgic waffle cone, had some passionate bedside encounters or danced under the stars until the first streaks of sunlight appeared!
Now, even your freewheeling sign could be suffering from a case of “too much of a good thing.” So roll up your sleeves and get busy decluttering and systematizing. Tackle any major projects or start a fitness routine in earnest. You’ll get support later in the month from the Cancer new moon, but there’s no reason to wait until then to start making small substitutions (matcha instead of that third coffee?) and getting your body moving in a way that feels supportive.
The Capricorn full moon is on July 3
The urge to purge—or just to submerge—could hit hard this July 3, when the Capricorn full moon dives into your twelfth house of healing, closure and release. Is it time to let something go or make a transition? Both full moons AND the twelfth house representing endings or turning points. They reveal where you’ve reached a natural conclusion—whether that means moving in a new direction or “graduating” to the next phase.
An eye-opening epiphany could arrive, revealing the good, the bad AND the ugly of a situation that’s been brewing all year. This could be one incredibly spiritual day, that’s for sure. The twelfth house also rules surrender. Don’t be embarrassed if those vulnerable and hidden parts of your psyche come out for public display. Your humanity—not your so-called “perfect” life—is what makes you most loveable, Aquarius!
Looking for a place to call home? This full moon will form a harmonious trine to growth-driven Jupiter in Taurus and your domestic fourth house. If you’re thinking about moving, doing a space clearing or making a big change to your living situation, these moonbeams will energize your mission. You might check on your pipes and plumbing if you’re a homeowner since a moon-Jupiter trine in these watery sectors can suggest flooding. One of your family members or an inspiring woman could offer incredible support—financial, emotional or both.
The north node enters Aries on July 17
Say it with conviction, Aquarius! From July 17, 2023, until January 11, 2025, the lunar nodes will shift into Aries and Libra, rippling across your communication axis. Ready for a fresh message, mindset or social circle? The Aries north node in your third house of ideas, expression and community could find you moving to a new neighborhood or joining a cutting-edge crew.
Why go it alone? The north node in your third house of kindred spirits could attract someone who complements you to a tee. You might even get a bit more involved in your ‘hood since the dialed-down south node is in Libra and your long-distance travel zone. For the next 18 months, you might be more interested in finding a place to settle rather than being a nonstop nomad.
The north node only visits Aries every 18.5 years; it was last here from December 27, 2004, to June 22, 2006. If you can remember back to that time, you may see similar themes repeating. Pay special attention to areas of media, writing, teaching and study. If you have a business, this will be a crucial time to market yourself and focus on powerful messaging.
The July 17 Cancer new moon gives your wellness a boost
French fries, frose, fro-yo…whatever summertime delights you’ve indulged in, we hope you enjoyed them thoroughly. Midmonth, you could feel the urge for more moderation, swapping a few sundaes and Sancerres for a superfood smoothie. And hey, why not enjoy a midsummer glow-up, Aquarius? This July 17, the annual Cancer new moon beams into your sixth house of wellness and organization, delivering a surge of motivation to give your body some healthy love. Pin a few no-fuss recipes and have fun buying produce from the local farm stand.
An overall cleanup mission might follow, from weeding the garden to organizing your chaotic computer desktop to a massive home decluttering. Research any apps, gadgets and new habits that can make your life run more efficiently.
Is it time to delegate a few items to a capable service provider? Start by outsourcing your least favorite tasks, the ones that suck up hours of your day figuring out or tempting you to procrastinate and avoid them. Thinking of adopting a furry critter? Pets are ruled by the sixth house, and this new moon could lead you to your animal soul companion.
Whiplash! The July 20 Mars-Saturn opposition
Tap those budgetary brakes, Water Bearer. Energizing Mars in your eighth house of wealth may have upleveled you into a new tax bracket recently, or at least has you dreaming of that possibility. But have your expenses inflated along with your new status? Censuring Saturn locks into a harsh opposition with the red planet this July 20, putting the kibosh on excessive spending.
When impatient Mars and cautious Saturn are opposite each other, it’s like having one foot on the gas and the other on the brake. To avoid a case of cosmic whiplash, slow down! Look for ways to trim costs and create a timeline to pay off debts. You’ll snap back into the black in due time, with a growing margin for your future too.
The Sun enters Leo July 22—and Venus turns retrograde in Leo
On July 22, the Sun will shift into Leo and your seventh house of one-on-one connections, amping up the partnership potential for the next four weeks. But put on the brakes, because things could get bumpy, Aquarius! Also on July 22, diplomatic Venus will make a U-turn and enter its retrograde phase, reversing through Leo the whole time. That means that everything under this planet’s jurisdiction will either slow down or go a bit haywire. Venus is retrograde until September 3.
As Venus backtracks through the intimate and committed-relationship zone of your chart, you could second-guess a key person’s intentions—or perhaps get a case of cold feet for the next six weeks. You may need to take a step back and either do some work to improve this bond or possibly go your separate ways. Be warned that Venus retrograde can really have you acting irrationally, lashing out at the people closest to you, feeling misunderstood and struggling to create compromise. Any knee-jerk decisions to cut ties could be regrettable. Slow down and think it over.
Did you end things prematurely with a great person or let a good one get away? Venus retrograde could offer you a second chance. Retrogrades bring back the past, and that can also mean giving us a window to apply the wisdom we gained through time and mistakes. If you feel strongly that someone special slipped by, what have you got to lose by reaching out? Remain as unattached to the outcome as humanly possible, and at the very least, if they’re a “no,” you’ll have the gift of closure.
Chiron turns retrograde July 23
Time to change your mindset? On July 23, “wounded healer” comet Chiron turns retrograde in trailblazing Aries and your communication house until December 6. You don’t hear a lot about Chiron, but when it makes a major move like this, its influence can be significant. Consider this a chance to evaluate how confident you are authentically expressing yourself. Do you feel like you have to dim your brilliant, eclectic light around certain people? And if so, why? These next five months are a perfect time to explore this—and to practice speaking only from your heart.
Relationships could take a turn for the serious this month, but the strength of your bonds may also be tested—a trend that will stretch through the summer. Love planets Venus and Mars are both in Leo as July begins, heating up your seventh house of committed relationships. Venus is here on an extended tour of Leo from June 5 to October 8, while Mars is rounding out a seven-month visit to Leo on July 10.
Even something that begins as no-strings fun could surprise you by revealing long-term potential. For couples, edgy Mars can turn up the heat AND the stress. You may argue more, but making up will also be twice as hot.
On July 10, the temperature and intensity crank up another notch. Mars blazes into earthily sensual Virgo and your erotic eighth house until August 27, turning your seductive and sizzling superpowers up to full blast. The red-hot planet hasn’t visited this chart sector for two years, and some Aquarians are making up for lost time! Caution: Mars ratchets up passion but also increases competition, jealousy, tension and paranoia. Monitor your emotions as they arise and catch yourself before you go on the attack or lob accusations.
You might be feeling ready to make things permanent—or possibly you’re having the exact opposite sense, like it’s time to go your separate ways. This, too, deserves compassion and respectful conversations (e.g., do NOT send a breakup text!). Unattached? Lust might override your need for trust, and while there’s nothing wrong with following your desires, know what you’re getting yourself into because getting OUT of it might be trickier.
Starting July 22, further evaluation of your love life could be underway when Venus begins a six-week retrograde. This cycle, which happens every 18 months, can test even the strongest ties. Venus will backtrack through the intimate and committed relationship zones of your chart, making you second-guess a key person’s intentions—or rethink how serious you want to get with each other. You may need to take a step back and either do some work to improve this bond or perhaps even go your separate ways.
Be warned that Venus retrograde can really have you acting irrationally, lashing out at the people closest to you, feeling misunderstood, and struggling to create compromise. Any knee-jerk decisions to cut ties could be regrettable. Slow down and think it over. Better to take a time-out now if you’re not certain either way.
Turn up the efficiency! Until July 22, the Sun is in Cancer, sweeping through your sixth house of systems and administrative tasks, pushing you to streamline your processes. Less is more now, so before you dive into a project, make sure you have a proper plan and, if need be, the right support team to delegate to if you get overwhelmed. Need some extra hands? The July 17 Cancer new moon is a great day to hire or start your search. The sixth house rules helpful people, so put the call out for a trusty wing-person with the ideal skill set.
Partnerships are also energized by go-getter Mars, which will spend the month heating up your dynamic duo zones. Prepare to negotiate and lay out your terms—and it’s okay to ask for a little more than you think you can get. From July 10 to August 27, Mars will be in Virgo and your eighth house of joint ventures, passive income and long-term wealth. While you may have some stressful expenses, you’ll also be motivated to go after a bigger windfall. And with courageous Mars here, you’ll have the confidence and charisma to attract it!
Love Days: 16, 21
Money Days: 1, 10
Luck Days: 26, 8
Off Days: 18, 24, 5
Identical twin sisters Ophira and Tali Edut (a.k.a. The AstroTwins) are ELLE.com’s resident astrologers. They have written several astrology books, including Momstrology and Supercouple, and star as the astrological matchmakers for Prime Video’s Cosmic Love. The Eduts have read charts for celebrities the likes of Beyoncé, Karlie Kloss, and Emma Roberts. For their spot-on predictions, books, and online courses, check out our horoscopes coverage or visit astrostyle.com.
