On July 2, hazy Neptune will turn retrograde (backward) in Pisces and your third house of communication for its annual five-month reversal. With Neptune now joining Saturn and Pluto in the outer planet retrograde brigade, you might want to reconsider or be conscious about the content or opinions you take in—does your master plan still line up with your inner vision, or has your perspective been overly influenced by others’ projections?

While Neptune turns inward, a break from social media could be just what the cosmos ordered, especially if you’re feeling fatigued by all the Insta-fabulous photos of people’s “perfect” Italian summer or endless doomsday clips about world affairs. The average person spends about two and a half hours a day scrolling through social media—that’s a lot of time! Instead of picking up your phone, reach for a paintbrush or pen. Neptune’s backstroke through your curious third house helps you channel your emotions into a creative outlet. 

Until early December, you might be mulling a major decision, like whether to move to a new neighborhood or find an agent for your erotic fiction manuscript. Are you opinion-polling too many friends and family members—and getting more confused in the process? Quit asking for advice and tune in to your own heart now. Journaling and meditation can be especially helpful for clearing any blocked mental channels. Slow down, get quiet and listen to the universe instead of all the anxious chatter in your head!

It’s more important than ever that you’re clear with people since foggy Neptune could muddle messages. Used correctly, retrogrades can be ideal times to rehash the past. Have you misread someone’s intentions? Slow down and talk it through, listening to each other compassionately. If you’ve had tension with a neighbor, sibling or colleague, Neptune’s backspin can present an olive branch.

The July 5 Cancer new moon is a perfect date for launching these discussions or taking the next big step as it kicks off a six-month cycle of growth in your partnership zone. Between now and the Cancer full moon in January 2025, pour some extra energy into the relationships that are mutually fulfilling and have an even give-and-take. This date could magnetize someone with amazing long-term potential for romance, business or both! 

On a deeper level, the Cancer new moon will herald a fresh start around your self-love and ability to be vulnerable about your needs. While you’re usually great at playing the parent to your friend group, it’s important to recognize where you habitually lean in to caregiver mode at the expense of your own energetic reserves. This new moon can encourage you to draw better boundaries with your inner circle, facilitating more time for you, your interests, and more aligned relationships in the process.

You’re going to definitely need more “me time,” especially with spicy Mars and changemaker Uranus making an ultra-rare connection in Taurus and your self-focused fifth house this July 15. This cosmic meetup echoes back to August 2022, the last Mars-Uranus mashup. Did things get a bit dramatic then—or perhaps you felt an irrepressible urge to break out of the box? Uranus has been plodding through Taurus and your self-focused fifth house since May 2018, stimulating your creativity, sparking attractions and breaking you out of friendships that, frankly, bore you. This will be their last-ever meetup here in our lifetime, making this a significant turning point around your passion projects and legacy.

Since the fifth house rules romance, this combustible planetary cocktail might have you locked in the throes of a passionate love affair (or two). Lusty Mars in sensual Taurus tends to turn up the heat in and out of the bedroom while spontaneous Uranus loves to act on impulse. Work hard, play hard, Capricorn! A reminder, however, that the fifth house is associated with children, and Uranus is associated with the unexpected. Tap into that elder sensibility and ensure the necessary precautions are in place if starting a family is NOT on the immediate agenda. 

For Capricorn parents, hotheaded Mars and angsty Uranus might have you entangled in a struggle for control with your babies. Except…they might not be babies anymore and are looking to claim some independence! Rather than try to control their behavior or meddle in their self-exploration, it’s an opportunity to recognize the evolved nature of your relationship and build a new bridge of trust. That begins with letting go, which isn’t easy!

The fifth house also rules passion, self-expression and fame. With ambitious Mars and breakthrough Uranus linking up, you could start blowing up out of the blue—and we mean that in every sense. Your popularity could make a sudden spike like pop artist Chappell Roan, so stay ready for your spotlight moment! But note: Your temper and emotions could also be explosive.

Step away from the crowds and focus on numero uno on July 21. Summer’s rare second Capricorn full moon—part of a rare back-to-back duo in this sign—puts the spotlight on YOU and your prized personal dreams. Consider this a powerful second act to events that transpired at the first Capricorn full moon on June 21. A solo endeavor you’ve been working toward all year could come together with a flourish. If you’ve been biting your tongue, this self-assured moon helps you voice your truth. Thinking of changing your hairstyle, getting a tattoo or adding more color to your wardrobe? A bold change to your appearance gets the cosmic thumbs-up today.

On June 20, just a day before the full moon, ambitious Mars joins Jupiter in fast-paced Gemini and your hardworking sixth house, turning up the intensity on your day-to-day schedule. The sixth house also rules health and wellness, and Mars will inspire you to rev up yours between now and September 4.

For the rest of summer, watch out for the “too much of a good thing” syndrome. You may find yourself overwhelmed with the bombardment of ideas and detailed projects coming your way—especially when energetic Mars forms a fast-moving 120-degree trine with Pluto in Aquarius and your financial sector shortly after switching signs. One of your original ideas could turn out to be highly profitable! Follow your curiosity and talk to a heavy-hitting connection about where it might go.

On July 22, the Sun moves into Leo for a month, activating your eighth house of intimacy and investments. Privacy please! El Sol is shining its spotlight on your closest emotional bonds as well as your long-term finances. Anything and everything that you share with someone else—be it money, space, energy or love—is up for review. This is an excellent time for focused work and research. Tune out distractions and dive in. This could also be one of the most sizzling, sensual times of year while the Sun is in your erotic eighth house. 

Just watch out for an intense face-off between the Sun and Pluto on July 23, a once-a-year standoff that can trigger egos, tempers and fireworks. Fights over money and power could erupt, and someone could act in a bullying way. If you sense that a person is baiting you, you might be tempted to confront them directly. Doing so could leave you even more entrenched in politics and drama.

Be careful with financial dealings and negotiations; there could be (and probably is) more to the story than meets the eye. If you get a nagging feeling that you shouldn’t go forward with a deal or project, trust your intuition and ask for more time to think it over. Then conduct your due diligence. With underhanded Pluto here, this is a good time to change your online passwords. Feeling financially blocked? Dig deep to identify limiting beliefs, possibly ones that are unconsciously driving up fear and anxiety around finances.

Overall, Leo season (despite its reputation as flashy and attention-seeking) is a more introspective time for you, Capricorn. This need for quiet coincides with healing Chiron’s retrograde in your domestic fourth house on July 26, making it an opportune moment to nurture your inner child. Experiences from your early life may be informing your choices as an adult in ways that aren’t benefiting you. Between now and December 29, find healthy methods to process those experiences so they no longer hold you back. 

Although treading the emotional waters of late July may be outside of your comfort zone, remind yourself that you’ve got this—and that you don’t have to figure this out alone! Lean on your trusted people this month and allow them to lend their support. Even if you don’t “need” it, accept it anyway.

Love could blossom into something serious this month—or you could just have a whole lot of sexy fun. On the more serious side, romantic Venus is in Cancer and your partnership zone until July 11, getting a boost from the July 5 Cancer new moon. This could set the stage for a potential long-term romance or commitment to bloom. Whatever your status, pour your intentions into a relationship that prioritizes meaningful give-and-take. Couples could take a serious next step, from engagement to pursuing a shared bucket-list dream together while single Sea Goats might be looking to make things official and more willing to filter out the less-than-stellar candidates. 

If there’s trouble brewing in paradise, stop sticking your head in the sand and dive deeper into your feelings, especially when Venus sashays into self-focused Leo and your intimate eighth house on July 11 and then forms an opposition to intense Pluto the day after. Harmonizer Venus can help you face the issues with diplomacy and tenderness as you advocate for your needs.

Meantime, lusty Mars is in Taurus and your passionate fifth house until July 20, dialing up your randiness. My, my! Divert from drama by flirting, refreshing your dating app profile pics or confessing your raw desires to a partner. The fifth house is an active zone, so moving your body—whether that’s dancing with abandon under the summer stars or at your local salsa meetup—will turn up the temperatures even more.

Getting physical in every sense is great for your love life now—especially when Mars moves into Gemini and your health-conscious sixth house on July 20. Working out will boost your life-force energy (and you never know who you might meet at the gym smoothie bar or hiking the trail). If you happen to bring your partner along to crush those summer fitness goals together, all the better. Even mundane missions like a shared cleanup project or planting a summer garden can cement your bond. The sixth house is all about being supportive, so focus on the “acts of service” love language now.

Dynamic duos are heating up! This month, Sun is in Cancer and Leo, activating the most partnership-driven zones of your chart. Forget about that lone wolf routine, Capricorn. Joining forces with compatible collaborators can take your efforts so much further. 

The July 21 Capricorn full moon (the second of a rare back-to-back duo this summer) is your moment to share and shine. Let the world know about a passion project you’ve been developing. Put some energy into a goal that lights you up, especially if you’ve been busy taking care of everyone else all year. Expect la luna to build on materialized events from the first full moon back on June 21 that can help you reclaim your sense of vitality and self-importance.

But really, the whole month of July is yours to make a splash (and let the cameras roll). With magnetic and motivating Mars in Taurus through July 20, your creative fifth house is on fire. Watch the July 15 link-up between ambitious Mars and disruptor Uranus for a boost in your popularity! (Hint: You’ll turn more heads doing something a little risky or unconventional.)

Midmonth, share your artistic talents and post a few more personal and heartfelt stories on your social media feeds. It’s your moment to stand out! Get some glam new headshots and a few summer wardrobe upgrades—with Mars in your sector of fame, you’ll be attracting attention without much effort. Might as well make the most of it! When Mars moves into Gemini on July 20 and immediately forms a harmonious and powerful trine to magnetic Pluto across your money axis, everyone is going to want to be in business with you. 

But wait…do YOU want to be in business with everyone? Discernment will be key, especially as you engage in financial or contract negotiations or sort through an arrangement with a potential collaborator. Field the offers, listen to pitches, then ponder. Really think through how each opportunity could give you both the joy AND the stability you need. As our friend Jackie says, if it’s not a fountain, it’s a drain. Let that be your guiding mantra.

Love Days: 28, 5

Money Days: 13, 22

Luck Days: 10, 21

Off Days: 3, 7, 17

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