General Forecast for July 2016

What the stars have in store for us in July?

On this Page:

This Month’s Highlights

Inner Planets

Horoscopes for the Month

A New Moon occurs on the 4th in the sign of Cancer and sets the tone for much of July. We can choose to tune into the more positive energies of the sign of the Crab. This is a time for feeding our foundation – all of that which we call “home”, including the foundation we have built inside of ourselves. These things need to be tended to and honored. It’s a time for recognizing the importance of our family and our personal circle of friends and the security, sense of belonging, and safety we derive from them. Jupiter forms a biquintile with Uranus exactly on the 9th, although this influence is with us throughout the first half of July. This aspect first occurred in October 2015, perfected again in April 2016, and is exact again now, stimulating inventive enterprise. This is forward-looking, uplifting energy. This month, there is a strong emphasis on the signs of Cancer and Leo. If we don’t feel something from the heart, we’re unlikely to follow its path. On the 19th, a Full Moon occurs in the sign of Capricorn, reminding us that we can’t ignore our commitments to the outside world in the process of getting in touch with our “insides”. We are reminded to take care of our responsibilities, tend to business, act maturely, and take charge. Its square to Uranus suggests some drama involved that points us in the direction of doing the right thing, or of pursuing our long-term goals; its trine to Mars suggests courage and commitment. Events and circumstances now can reveal to us the importance of our responsibilities and commitments. On the 29th, Uranus turns retrograde, and particularly after August 13th when Saturn turns direct, this is a season for a more conservative approach to pursuing our goals. While Uranus is retrograde (until December 29th), our desire to make changes in our lives can be turned inward as we get in touch with what it is that may be holding us back from living more spontaneously and authentically. This is a less rebellious time, generally speaking. At least when it comes to appearances, we tend to follow the rules. Mars, after turning direct on June 29th, spends July moving forward in Scorpio. Slowly but surely, confidence in our ability to assert ourselves and to effect change increases. Date Time (ET) Event Position Jul 4 7:01 AM New Moon 12 Can 54  12° 54′ Jul 9 4:40 PM Jupiter Biquintile Uranus  18° 21′ BQ 24° 21′ Jul 12 1:34 AM Venus enters Leo Jul 13 8:47 PM Mercury enters Leo Jul 19 6:57 PM Full Moon 27 Capricorn 40 27°40′ Jul 22 5:30 AM Sun enters Leo Jul 29 5:06 PM Uranus Retrograde  24° 30’Rx Jul 30 2:18 PM Mercury enters Virgo (See the full table for 2016) the Sun The Sun continues to transit home-loving, sentimental Cancer until the 22nd. Cancer is a receptive sign, but it’s also a Cardinal sign, and the need or desire to take action is strong. This is a time for making what we love and value a reality; for nurturing, caring for, and growing the things that matter most to us. It can also be a time of new beginnings for long-term projects. The Sun in Cancer gets support from Jupiter and Mars. Feelings, plans, and hearts are big. From the 22nd, the Sun transits Leo, and we are ready to strut our stuff. Matters of pride, appreciation, affection, and creativity figure strongly now. All month, we need to feel things from the very heart in order for us to find motivation and inspiration.

Mercury Mercury continues its transit of Cancer until the 13th. With Mercury in Cancer, we think, speak, and take in information on a deeper, more instinctive level than we did while Mercury moved through Gemini. We have less interest in what is universal, and more interest in what affects us personally and what affects the people around us. Our thoughts are more strongly colored by our emotions, and this makes it a little more difficult to be objective. However, Mercury catches up with the Sun on July 6th, and we begin to move from impulsive, creative thinking to a more objective approach to processing and communicating information. From the 13th, Mercury transits Leo, and our focus is on the goal and not necessarily the details.

Venus Venus continues its transit of Cancer until the 12th. Venus in Cancer is sentimental and affectionate, but also self-protective. We crave familiarity and security in love.  Venus enters Leo on the 12th, and we may be stimulating and/or craving drama. We are generous with our affections and our pocketbooks for the most part during this transit. We crave admiration and appreciation. A trine to Uranus on the 31st can motivate us to seek out new experiences and people.

Mars Mars is in Scorpio and turned direct in the sign on June 29th. Mars is Scorpio’s original ruler, and feels quite at home in the sign, transiting Scorpio until August 2nd, the whole while retracing the steps it took while retrograde. With Mars’ direct turn, we may be slowly but surely regaining our enthusiasm, projects that have stalled move forward, and we begin to feel more confident and assertive. Mars will only leave its shadow on August 22nd.