July 1, 2023 — July is a powerful month astrologically, offering us practical yet deep-seated opportunities for lasting change and growth. Venus is already in her shadow and about to retrograde in Leo, presenting a period of reflection on our values and relationships. At the same time, the lunar nodes are ready to change signs in one of the most important transits of the year, moving onto the Aries-Libra axis. Pluto squares the nodes all month, making this extra potent, beckoning us into profound healing and transformation. We’re facing our shadows as we enter an eighteen-month cycle of recalibrating relational patterns, strengthening our confidence, and clarifying our direction forward.

Chiron stations retrograde later in the month as Pluto opposes the Sun. This will intensify our healing journeys even further, plunging us into the cauldron of transmutation. We’re healing longstanding wounds from childhood, ancestors, and even past lives. What previously felt impossible to shift is now within reach. We are diligently rectifying harmful impulses by meeting our fears and integrating them with compassion. This way, we can return to that childlike pleasure and the joy that Venus in Leo represents, experiencing versions of love and creativity that are more meaningful and fulfilling. 

With Pluto retrograde back on the anoretic degree of Capricorn, the world stage is showing concerning signs of painful conservatism and regression. But we can trust that the collective is evolving alongside our independent hearts. We are shifting into a new paradigm, marked by Aquarian ideals—progress, egalitarianism, innovation, and humanitarianism. Whatever glitches occur now, we are joining together to reinvent society, without fail. This begins with our own self-love and interpersonal dynamics. The universe, after all, lives inside each of us. If we can love each other more—repairing our relationships by increasing our depth, courage, and kindness—the world will follow suit.

JuLY 2023 TRANSITS

PLUTO SQUARE THE NODES

Pluto squares the lunar nodes from June 30 to September 3, helping us release old ruts and evolve into our highest potentials. This requires us to meet our Plutonian shadows, transforming traumas and crises into wisdom and liberation. If we look our demons in the eye, they transform. What have we been afraid to see? At first we may feel like our worst pain is rising to the surface, but the idea is to keep our hearts open no matter what, trusting this opportunity for deeper healing and transmutation.

CAPRICORN FULL MOON

A beautiful Capricorn Full Moon arrives on July 3, trining Jupiter, planet of gold light, expansion, and good fortune, while sextiling stabilizing Saturn. We have the chance to move into steady growth and practical hope. We may notice that we are gradually shedding old versions of ourselves and that our patterns are slowly but surely improving. Balancing optimism and realism is key as we observe that our work is finally paying off. If we’ve been feeling frustrated or held back while undergoing arduous work to no avail, we may now find relief. Long-term success is in sight.

CANCER NEW MOON

The New Moon in Cancer forms on July 17, opposite Pluto. We may feel a swell of emotions as we yearn to feel safe. This lunation is an invitation to become less codependent and touchy. We are delving into family traumas and attachment wounds, finding ways to heal and transform our selves, our sense of belonging, and how we perceive home—even the one inside of us. We are also learning to become more secure within ourselves and our relationships. With support from Uranus and Neptune, newfound spiritual awakening and freedom are possible as long as we sit upright and allow ourselves to feel.

THE LUNAR NODES CHANGE SIGNS

The lunar nodes change signs on July 17, moving from the Taurus-Scorpio axis onto Aries-Libra, where they remain for the next year and a half. This is one of the most important transits of the year, shifting our collective emphasis. With the south node in Libra, we are purifying our impulses to placate and please, while releasing obstacles to justice, fairness, and internal balance. We’re improving our relationships by becoming more confident and direct in our expressions, clearer about what we desire and want to commit to. The north node is pointing to truth and independent courage as we speak our minds without the fear of displeasing others. We’re finding equlibrium between supporting one another and being true to ourselves. In doing so, our connections are ready to improve and become more honest, functional, and simpler—unobstructed by white lies, ambivalence, codependence, and empty charm.

SUN ENTERS LEO

The Sun enters Leo on July 22, sign of the regal Lion. We’re moving from our Cancerian emotionalism into playfulness, joy, and fun. How can we apply our sensitivity and deep feelings toward creative self-expression? What sparks our hearts to grow and beam with light?

GRAND CROSS - SUN, PLUTO, LUNAR NODES

On July 20, the Sun opposes Pluto, and on July 22, Pluto and the Sun form a grand cross with the lunar nodes. A major story is playing out on the world stage. We are ready for epic transformation, first sparked by crises that push us to release old destructive patterns and resistance to change. On a personal level, we’re alchemizing traumas from early life, ancestors, and even past lives. We can evolve rapidly if we’re willing to face our fears and shadows with honesty. We’re reclaiming our true power, lost because we’ve been too afraid of ourselves and each other. With Neptune trining the Sun also on July 20, forgiveness, grace, and compassion are available to us as we undergo this difficult but important karmic work.

VENUS RETROGRADE IN LEO

Venus retrogrades in Leo from July 22 until September 3. The shadow period began on June 19. We can think back to the themes that have been arising since then to see where the emphasis of this retrograde lies. Venus Retrograde dips us into reflection, review, and recalibration around all things Venus in Leo. We are looking at our relational patterns, creativity, self-worth, and what brings us pleasure. Where have we become too ensnared by societal narcissism, superficiality, and vanity? What is true inner beauty? We can decide what’s in the way of our joy, fulfillment, and free-flowing expressions of our hearts. We’re remembering why we love the world, and why it’s worth fighting for the liberation of ourselves and the collective to begin with. It’s time to prioritize play, romance, wild creative inspiration, and genuine fulfillment.

CHIRON RETROGRADE IN ARIES

Chiron stations retrograde in Aries on July 23, encouraging us to examine our wounds and vulnerability. True confidence comes when we integrate our uncertainty, making conscious the pain and insecurity that’s affected us since childhood. Are we afraid of abandonment, rejection, or being laughed at? Are we scared of being our true selves? With the north node in Aries, sign of self, and Chiron retrograding in the same sign, we are becoming more whole. We’re recognizing that vulnerability is strength, and that owning our struggles and healing our trauma are powerful expressions of true warriorship.

JuLY 2023 Aspiration

In the heat of summer, may we feel the warmth of our hearts, inspiring us to love the world as we undergo epic healing. May we surrender to the fires of transformation as we deepen our love, creativity, and true confidence, in ourselves and the viability of our desires.

My book, The Stars Within You: A Modern Guide to Astrology, is available for purchase. Check it out!

Sign up for a personal astrology reading here.

I post astrology videos, talks, and classes regularly to my Patreon page. Sign up here to join!