July 2023 Astro-Highlights: Upgrades and New Beginnings!
Jun 30, 2023July is a BUSY month full of shakeups and significant energetic change! However, we ease into the new month with an absolutely beautiful and harmonious Full Moon in Capricorn on July 3. This rewarding Full Moon culminates hard work from past efforts that began in the previous New Moon cycle or something that began all the way back in December of 2022.
Things start heating up on the 10th when Mercury enters FIERY and dramatic Leo! It's also time to get BACK TO WORK as Mars enters efficient and hardworking Virgo! So much can be accomplished with Mars in this laser-focused sign, and it's a great time to initiate any projects of importance or make serious headway on essential deadlines.
Major shifts in the collective energies occur on the 17th when we have a super-psychic New Moon in Cancer; the SAME DAY the Lunar Nodes shift from Taurus and Scorpio into Aries and Libra, where they will remain for another 18 months! The Lunar Nodes changing signs are always an important focus because they show us where the eclipses are set to occur and, with that, shakeups and fated change.
On July 22, another palpable shift in the energies begins as the Sun enters its domicile of Leo and Venus stations retrograde in Leo! During this 3-month retrograde, we focus on all things Venusian–love, money, & worth.
Finally, on July 28, Mercury makes its way into its exaltation and home sign of Virgo, bringing its mental sharpness and intense focus! But this is also where Mercury stations retrograde in a few weeks!
Energy Most Challenging for Sun/Moon/Rising in: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces
Energy Most Positive for Sun/Moon/Rising in: Taurus, Scorpio, Aquarius
Mixed Energy for Sun/Moon/Rising in: Aries, Cancer, Leo, Libra, Capricorn
Maximum Intensity for Sun/Moon/Rising in: Taurus, Leo, Virgo
July 3rd, 2023: Full Moon in Capricorn
July 10, 2023: Mars Enters Virgo
July 10, 2023: Mercury Enters Leo
July 17, 2023: New Moon in Cancer
July 17, 2023: North Node Enters Aries, South Node Enters Libra
July 22, 2023: Venus Stations Retrograde in Leo
July 22, 2023: Sun Enters Leo
July 28, 2023: Mercury Enters Virgo
Full Moon at 11° Capricorn
Exact on July 3, 2023 at 5:38 am MDT
Most active from June 28th through July 8th, 2023
The Full Moon in Capricorn is BEAUTIFUL! This Full Moon has several positive influences converging at once, creating a stabilizing, optimistic, and rewarding culmination in the area of our lives ruled by Capricorn. Capricorn energy speaks to our biggest goals and highest earthly ambitions. This Full Moon is full of good energy and is just what is needed to inspire us and invigorate us to climb a little higher!
The Full Moon in Capricorn trines Jupiter in Taurus! It doesn't get much better than a trine to Jupiter in the abundant sign of Taurus. This is an energy of hard work paying off better than we could have planned. With Jupiter in Taurus, coming into hard-earned money is a definite possibility for many! Earth trines are all about practical, tangible blessings, and the Capricorn Moon trine Jupiter brings something we've been working on into full physical manifestation. Whatever unfolds in our lives at this time brings a renewed sense of optimism and stability and reignites our drive to pursue our goals!
The Full Moon is opposite Mercury in Cancer! That means what is manifesting may come first in the form of GOOD NEWS. Whether we are the bearers of this good news ourselves or the receivers of it, information around this time brings a sense of emotional contentment.
Additionally, the Capricorn Full Moon sextiles its ruler, Saturn, retrograde in Pisces! Saturn transiting the sign of Pisces is about helping us pull our dreams and fantasies from the ethers and bring them into 3D reality. This Full Moon may bring about assistance or opportunities that move us closer to those goals in some way, whether it be clarity on an existing idea or the financial support we need to take our ideas to the next level.
Overall the Capricorn Full Moon brings beautiful blessings that take our lives to new heights!
Mars Enters Virgo
Exact on July 10, 2023, at 5:40 am MDT
Active from July 10 through August 27, 2023
When ambitious Mars enters the hardworking sign of Virgo, it's time to get to work! As with all planetary transits, this energy has benefits and challenges. On the positive side, Mars in Virgo is incredibly focused and productive! This is one of your classic "workaholic" energies. People with this placement tend to do quite well in their chosen endeavors due to a hyper-charged work ethic and drive to be efficient physically and mentally. However, with Mars in Virgo, knowing when to stop and rest can be challenging! There is also a focus on wellness when Mars is in Virgo, making this an excellent time to initiate new exercise and health routines.
Mars is the planet that creates conflict, and one of the challenges with Mars in Virgo is a tendency toward criticism. Virgo is a perfectionistic sign that is oriented toward service. Although our desire may be to help others improve, the way we go about it may come across as a bit harsh or overly critical.
We should all be mindful under this transit that criticism in itself is not destructive and is, in fact, needed to improve! Because Virgo has such great attention to detail, we can greatly improve during this time if we can set our egos aside, receive constructive criticism, and apply it. However, the delivery of criticism is the key, and there are ways to be productive with our criticism without being cruel. On that note, should we be on the receiving end of this criticism, we must be able to distinguish constructive criticism from unnecessary nit-picking.
Mars in Virgo will make a powerful opposition to Saturn in Pisces on July 20. Mars opposite Saturn is an energy that can bring about a lot of frustration and add a layer of intensity to the already critical nature of this transit. Saturn demands that we do better, work harder, and for the brief period that this energy is active, micro-managing is a strong possibility in certain environments. However, if we move through this opposition with awareness, this energy can take whatever goals we are working toward to the next level.
Mercury Enters Leo
Exact on July 10, 2023, at 10:11 pm MDT
Active from July 10 through July 28, 2023
Mercury in Leo wants to express itself boldly and with confidence. Those with this placement like to be seen and are typically quite warm and gregarious. They command the "lead" wherever they go, making them excellent storytellers and performers because of their natural flair when speaking or communicating in any way. During this transit, what is "on our mind" may turn to our more creative pursuits, opportunities to take the lead, or making progress on the things we do to express ourselves.
Mercury in Leo is another quick but potent transit for Mercury since it will only be in Leo for 18 days. We could be in for some shocking and fated change-ups during this time! As Mercury transits Leo, it will square the Lunar Nodes, Jupiter, and Uranus in Taurus, just as it enters this fixed fire sign! Mercury rules our communications and day-to-day activities, and this transit is when we could receive news that forces an unexpected change in our day-to-day lives. However, the Lunar Nodes and Uranus indicate that it's all in the name of progress, though it may feel chaotic. The square to Jupiter suggests that while it's time to expand our awareness and learn something new, it may be challenging at the moment. However, the result is likely to be quite good!
New Moon at 25° Cancer
Exact on July 17, 2023, at 12:32 pm MDT
Most active from July 12 through July 22, 2023
There is no other word for it—the Cancer New Moon is PSYCHIC! In the sign of Cancer, our knowledge comes through feeling and emotions, imagination, and creativity. Cancer is a nurturing and compassionate energy highly in tune with their own emotional experience and the emotional experience of others. The Moon in Cancer is naturally intuitive and always a time when we can gain much information through feeling. However, this New Moon, the intuition that comes with Cancer is amplified with helpful connections to psychic Pluto and mystical Neptune!
This New Moon marks a new beginning in the area of our lives ruled by Cancer, and it's the kind of beginning that may not necessarily make logical sense! The Cancer New Moon trines Neptune in Pisces, deepening our compassion and heightening our senses and energetic awareness. We are more open to receiving spiritual insight with a trine to Neptune, but the psychic power doesn't stop there!
This New Moon also opposes Pluto in Capricorn, which will bring on straight-up psychic HITS! There is a piercing nature to Pluto, and the messages that come through have an undeniable sense of certainty. While Neptune can provide psychic impressions, Pluto brings a tangible, clear psychic experience. Many of us may even have paranormal experiences!
This New Moon also sextiles Uranus in Taurus, which activates the higher mind through cosmic wisdom, breakthroughs, or out-of-the-box ideas.
These three outer planets working harmoniously bring holistic and confident psychic insight, and overall, there is power in our sense of knowing at this New Moon.
Whatever is being initiated at the New Moon in Cancer, the key to success is to TRUST yourself, follow the signs, and act on the whims, ideas, and feelings that arise out of nowhere throughout this time! These intentions will no doubt unfold MAGICALLY throughout the next couple of weeks as we build toward the next full moon energy.
North Node Enters Aries/South Node Enters Libra
Exact on July 17 at 1:59 pm MDT
Active from July 17, 2023, through January 11, 2025
The Lunar Nodes changing sign is an exciting and fated energy shift that will help us continue to move our lives forward and align more closely with our destiny! Today, the North Node will leave the sign of Taurus and move into Aries, while the South Node leaves Scorpio and moves into Libra!
The area of our lives ruled by Aries is ready for a MAJOR upgrade! With the insatiable North Node in fiery Aries, we will likely find ourselves seeking more and more independence and diving headfirst into what we want and need for ourselves! This transit brings about fated twists and turns that turn this area of our lives upside down. However, it is all in the name of discovering more FREEDOM! The area of our lives ruled by Aries is always seeking to blaze a new trail; we want to do things our own way here and explore the meaning of PASSION. This can often mean doing things the hard way, but that's what makes this such a strong and capable sign. As always with Aries, throughout this transit, we'll want to be mindful not to get so self-involved that we step on other people's toes or become hurtful!
The South Node is an energy of release and surrender, and in Libra, we will be releasing karmic ties that keep us from experiencing a true sense of harmony and balance! Relationships will be the main focus, and any commitments, contracts, or agreements that no longer align with us will end. However, bonds that are meant to last will grow even stronger throughout this transit.
The Lunar Nodes shift into Aries and Libra also make an exact square to Pluto in Capricorn. Major transformations are bound to occur on a personal AND global scale within the first six months of this transit. However, Pluto indicates that something has been brewing under the surface for a while and is about to bubble over the top. The Lunar Nodes will be in the orb of Pluto for the remainder of this year, so pay attention to the Cardinal areas of your life because Pluto indicates that change is long overdue.
Although the nature of the Lunar Nodes is fated, the shift from Fixed to Cardinal signs will feel more exciting than chaotic! This is because Cardinal energy is all about initiation and newness, especially in Aries, whereas the Fixed signs tend to resist change.
Venus Stations Retrograde at 28° Leo
Exact on July 22, 2023, at 7:33 pm MDT
Active from July 22 through September 3, 2023
Venus is ready for her closeup! That's because it's time for another Venus retrograde, and this time, in the passionate sign of Leo! Venus has been in Leo since June 5, slowly making its way to 28 degrees of Leo, where she will station and retrograde back to 12 degrees of Leo.
During this time, Venus' energies are inwardly focused, which makes this a time of internal work addressing our sense of worth, satisfaction within our relationships, the flow of our resources, the things we value, and what we regard as beautiful.
Venus is a personal planet; therefore, its retrograde is an energy that we all feel in some way. This is a time when circumstances unfold that have us reflecting upon our financial situations and the things we can do to enhance our resources moving forward. During this time, we may question our self-worth and the value we bring to the table, especially in the area of our life ruled by Leo.
Retrograde periods of reflection are crucial to refine ourselves and bring about the upgrades that are ready to surface. Because Venus represents the Divine Feminine, the women in our lives, or women in general, will come into focus in some way. This is a great time to do healing work on the feminine energies that reside within us all.
Venus retrograde is an energy that puts the focus on our love life. This is a time when we reflect on our priorities and what we want and need from our lives, including our relationships. Although there is work to be done, solid and steady relationships deepen and mature during Venus retrograde. Unfortunately, in less stable relationships, if one or both parties are not ready to do the work, this is a time when things can come to an end. Beginning new relationships during a Venus retrograde is often challenging because, often after Venus has stationed direct, we realize we are incompatible in some way due to misaligned values and priorities.
A more light-hearted and practical tip for using the Venus retrograde energy is often re-purposing old items, shopping second-hand, or finishing art projects that have already been initiated. However, this is not a time when making drastic changes to your aesthetic is advisable! You're likely to change your mind once Venus has gone direct!
Sun Enters Leo
Exact on July 22, 2023, at 7:50 pm MDT
Active from July 22 through August 23, 2023
Happy Solar Return to the Leos out there! The Sun comes home to its fiery domain of Leo, where it reminds us to LIVE LARGE! The Sun in Leo illuminates the energy of courage, passion, and creative self-expression! Those with this placement are gregarious, dramatic, larger-than-life, and generous with their innate warmth. Those with strong Leo placements command the spotlight, which makes them natural leaders.
This year, the Sun in Leo will square Jupiter and Uranus in the sign of Taurus. The square to Jupiter is an energy of great confidence; however, with the Sun in Leo, there could be an overconfidence that comes with this transit. Be mindful during this time not to bite off more than you can chew or to put too many eggs in one basket. When the Sun squares Leo, we can feel very optimistic, which is beautiful; we just want to ensure we're still being realistic.
The Sun's square to Uranus is also quite powerful, indicating a desire to break free in some way, shape, or form. Regardless of whatever may be unfolding in our lives at this time, it can make us feel trapped, stuck, or unseen. We want to stand out under this energy, making the desire to rebel stronger when the Sun squares Uranus. We may find that if we cannot have the spaciousness we desire, we are more willing to act out to break up the monotony, no matter the repercussions! However, this brief and disruptive transit can bring breakthroughs and illuminate a new path forward by doing things differently.
Mercury Enters Virgo
Exact on July 28, 2023, at 3:31pm MDT
Active from July 28 through October 4, 2023
Practicality rules the day with Mercury transiting the sign of Virgo, and Mercury entering Virgo is always a good thing! Virgo is where Mercury is both in its domicile and its exaltation! This means our mental faculties become a LOT sharper and more efficient! However, Mercury will station retrograde in Virgo on August 23 and remain in this Mutable Earth sign until October 4!
Mercury in Virgo is among Mercury's most, if not the most, highly intelligent placements! Those with Mercury in Virgo are sharp as tacks and incredibly observant, rational, and logical! This energy is excellent for getting down to the nitty-gritty, problem-solving, and working out kinks that have kept us stuck. We may all be extra blessed with clearer communications and solutions to any problems that have kept us stuck during this transit.
During this long transit, Mercury will oppose Saturn in Pisces and trine Jupiter and Uranus in Taurus! These energies will add another layer of efficiency and clarity to whatever tasks we handle throughout this transit.
Mercury opposite Saturn helps us focus on what needs to be done to achieve our goals. The trine to Jupiter will bring renewed optimism and help us grasp the big picture! The trine to Uranus is always exciting as it indicates genius-level breakthroughs!
Overall, this is a nice transit, even with the upcoming retrograde, which we will discuss further in next month's Astro-highlight report!
Written by Stephanie Weiss, edited by Heather and the Astrology with Heather team
