July is notably spicier than June. We cannot help but feel the elevated energy arising at the beginning of the month now that three planets have shifted gears. As we enter July, Messenger Mercury is retrograde, Motivating Mars joins Uranus in Gemini and Generous Jupiter turns into festive Leo.
July is known to be the hottest month of the year in the
Northern Hemisphere; and July 2026 will be one of the hottest months
cosmically. The whiz-bang effects are already
on a roll now. Let’s look at why:
At first glance, July seems to be a vibrant month, full of
festivities and frivolity. Especially
with Jupiter, planet of abundance and growth, in the first phase of creative,
expressive Leo. Where Jupiter nurtured and nourished in Cancer the Crab over
the past year, it now roars in
Leo the Lion. We find
ourselves less reserved and instead, ready to take a leap or two.
All five of the outer planets boost our eagerness to dive
into life as they helpfully align to each other, Jupiter, Neptune and Saturn in
fire signs, Pluto and Uranus in air signs. The outer planets mark our
collective shift. As the individual goes, so goes the group. Each
planet moving further into these respective energies underscores the brand-new
template experienced by humanity. In
other words, we’ve tested the cosmic temperature and are getting used to it. We are becoming more comfortable with continual
changes and are willing to step in deeper now.
While the outer planets are on a mission, have us feeling
there is absolutely nothing we cannot do, Messenger Mercury reversed gear in
cautious Cancer is not so sure. Enjoy
invitations to play and indulge in revelry this July; all the while keeping a
firm eye on the end game. Mercury rules how we think and speak. Retrograde, it slows our efforts, reminds us
to take our time before we commit to anything.
This Mercury retrograde lasts until Thursday, July 23rd. Use the time to practice the RE words: rest, restore, review, research, relax, etc.
The first three weeks of July are perfect for vacation, whether a full-blown
journey or a long weekend.
Retrograde, Mercury seeks to protect our best interests, to
read the fine print before signing significant documents or buying big-ticket
items. We will need every bit of
cautious reserve Mercury can muster since Mars is now operating at warp speed
as it joins Radical Uranus, aligning to the outer planets.
Think of a brake pedal and gas pedal, and you get the
picture. Mercury retrograde is the only
cosmic force encouraging us to take it easy, slow down a bit. Gemini Mars connecting to fast-paced outer
planets is the proverbial lead foot, heedless of speed limit signs. Any planet conjoined to Uranus ramps up the
energy exponentially. Then there is
Mars. The action planet is always ready
to leap tall buildings in a single bound, committing to projects and people
without understanding the long-term impacts.
Tightly joined to Uranus during July, Mars bends and bowls
over our best intentions. Think
Tasmanian Devil meets Whirling Dervish. In talkative Gemini, our minds and mouths will
play fast and loose with words. Mercury may very well be overwhelmed and
overruled by the sheer dominant cosmic CAN DO, WILL DO of the
Uranus-Mars duo.
Before you become a cautionary tale of epic
proportions: watch what you say. Words
once out of your mouth can never be retracted.
Even with the most sincere apology, the damage is done. So: take a
breath. I cannot emphasize the
importance of hitting the pause button now during July before agreeing to
anything of consequence.
Just after the Fourth of July holiday, Neptune turns
retrograde on Monday, July 6th.
We typically do not feel the gear shifts of outer planets as easily as
those cycling closer to earth, such as Mercury, Venus and Mars. But any cosmic brake pedal is welcome now.
Retrograde in Aries, Neptune slows down its mission-from-god effect. The lead foot on the gas pedal eases up a
bit; or at least goes underground for the next few months.
Only a few days later, Valuable Venus turns into practical
Virgo on Friday, July 10th, offering additional stability and
grounding energy. Over the next week,
through July 15th, Venus gut checks the rambunctious and rowdy
Mars-Uranus in Gemini. Meticulous and precise
Venus in Virgo asks whether we really want to go there, into the danger zone of
language stirred up by Gemini Mars-Uranus.
Bear in mind, Mars and Venus go head-to-head for the rest of July, like
two disagreeable siblings or an argumentative couple; so better to keep lips
sealed rather than digging ourselves into deep trouble by uttering something
better left unsaid.
Sensitivities are
running especially high at mid-month under the light of the New Moon in Cancer
the Crab on Tuesday, July 14th. Our emotions hover close to the
surface and feelings are very easily hurt.
So, mind your mouth. You never
regret the things you do not say.
Awareness of the impact we create on others and our world is
heightened by Jupiter’s opposition to Pluto from July 18-23rd.
Creativity and innovation are ours for the asking now. Craft your image and message carefully. You will be especially seen and heard on or
after Thursday, July 23rd when Messenger Mercury turns direct
motion.
Go ahead now and sign the key documents, book travel plans
and purchase pricey items.
As we move toward the Full Moon at the end of July, watch
for the lunar nodes to change signs. Their
shift is significant. The nodes are
directional markers, pulling us toward and pushing us away from certain
energies. Think of the lunar nodes as a
GPS point of origin and destination. The nodes only change signs every 18
months. For the last year and a half,
our directional calling has pulled us toward Pisces and away from Virgo
energies; in short, we have been drawn toward surrender, rest, dreaming,
illusion/delusion/disillusionment, the non-profit and charitable realm,
hospitals, prisons, film, photography/video, music, and water.
Our efforts in the Pisces realm are realized through Virgo
qualities such as service, daily routines, habits, health and wellness
practices, day-to day work and lifestyle, and animals. So perhaps you found yourself volunteering at
an animal shelter, taking up a water-related exercise, or listening to music throughout
your day, just a few examples of the Pisces-Virgo node effect.
Now, through Spring 2028, the lunar nodes move from
Pisces-Virgo into Aquarius and Leo. We
are increasingly drawn toward inventive, unique, and yes, rebellious qualities.
The Lunar North node calls our name. From July 27th until March
2028, the North Node will cycle through Aquarius. Individuality, marching to our own drum,
innovation, repeatedly speak to us. Do
not fence me in will be our theme song.
This is particularly relevant since the July 29th
Full Moon occurs in Aquarius, opposite the Sun in Leo. The energy during the final days of July is
incredibly potent. In fact, the impact of this Full Moon is difficult to
overestimate.
First, the Sun is tightly conjoined to Jupiter in Leo. This combination is immense and grand. Think go big or go home. Exactly opposite the Sun-Jupiter are Powerful
Pluto and the Moon in unpredictable Aquarius.
The Pluto-Jupiter opposition exacerbates already heightened Full Moon
energies. Voices will be heard; those
feeling undermined and oppressed rise up now en masse. This is not energy to mess with. Shock
and surprise are the watchwords. Add the
upcoming eclipses in August to the mix and we are staring down the barrel of a
cannon. Lay low as much as possible from
July 26-31st.
In an ideal world, beautiful events will unfold at the end
of July. For some, they will. However, given the current global state of
affairs, expect the completely unexpected. Forewarned is forearmed.
