Power nap, anyone? Under normal circumstances, this would be a restful month for you, with the Sun traveling through Cancer and your homey fourth house until July 22. Frolicking on the beach, sipping an iced drink and devouring a juicy novel? Yes, please. But this July, you might have to sneak in some siestas amid the cacophony of cosmic action. Your domestic downtime could be disrupted often, so seize every opportunity you can find to rest, nest and chill.
What’s all this heavenly hubbub about? For starters, July kicks off eclipse season, with two of this summer’s three scene-shifting lunar events sparking radical change. Eclipses sweep in four to six times a year and recalibrate business as usual, removing anything that’s past its expiration date and flinging open the doors for a fresh start.
The first, a partial solar (new moon) eclipse, lands in Cancer on July 12, activating your fourth house of home and family. Are you ready to move, redecorate or turn to a fresh page with family? Solar eclipses mark bold beginnings and can set us on a whole new (and unexpected) path. This one is the inaugural eclipse in a series that will fall on the Cancer/Capricorn axis between now and July 2020, initiating a wave of changes around your career, ambitions, living situation, family and closest ties.
Over the next two years, the meaning of “work-life balance” could be radically revamped by these eclipses. You’ll strive to create a life that has room for your lofty goals AND time to forge meaningful bonds. You could make a long-distance move in the coming months, perhaps for a job. Or, you’ll restructure your life to accommodate family changes, from a relative moving in to a new baby joining the clan. Some Aries will buy or sell property between now and 2020. If you have unresolved issues with a parent, these eclipses will help you deal and heal.
Whatever happens, get ready for some plot twists in both your personal and professional lives, Aries. This singular Cancer eclipse of 2018 is a preview of changes that will really take off in 2019. Still, it will be an intense start! On July 12, the Sun and new moon lock into a tense opposition to power-tripping Pluto in Capricorn and your tenth house of career. Any eclipse-driven changes might receive pushback from a coworker or a family member. Since Pluto rules the unconscious, someone could act out in an aggressive or bullying manner. The annual Sun-Pluto opposition awakens egos and domineering behavior, and paired with an eclipse, that tension can be heightened. Watch out for authority figures who abuse their position of power, and while you’re at it, be careful not to mount your own high horse. Do yourself a favor and don’t try to mediate conflict between family members or coworkers. They could all end up turning on you!
Don’t be surprised if the emotional floodgates open up near the eclipse, too. On July 10, boundless Jupiter ends a four-month retrograde in Scorpio, which rules your eighth house of intimacy and merging. An intense connection may have been put on hold since March 8, or you could have bottled up a lot of potent feelings. Those could come rushing out when outspoken Jupiter hurtles into direct (forward) motion today and continues barreling through Scorpio until November 8.
Take a deep breath and sort through your feelings before you unleash and unload on anyone, Aries. You don’t want to burn an important bridge. Besides, if you play your cards strategically, the next four months could bring a huge spike in your power and influence. Financially, an investment or joint venture could yield an exciting payoff (early holiday bonus, anyone?). The eighth house rules wealth and windfalls, and with lucky Jupiter here, there’s a great opportunity to earn passive income or land a large lump sum. You could also pay down debt or shell out a chunk of change for a major investment before the holidays arrive.
For single Rams, Jupiter’s direct turn could bring sizzling sexual chemistry or a soulmate connection. If you’re in a relationship, you could make things official with an engagement, pregnancy or some other gesture of “permanence.” If you’ve been on the fence about whether to stay or go, consider hashing it out with a couple’s therapist. Between now and November, you’ll either commit to trying again or part ways amicably. Since the eighth house rules shared assets, you may have to divide up property or settle a custody matter. With fortuitous Jupiter on your side, legal settlements should go your way.
Summer lovin’ could be on the agenda starting July 22, when the Sun moves into Leo and your passionate, expressive fifth house. The next four weeks are all about play and pleasure—perfect timing for the peak of summer—so try not to lock yourself into any huge obligations. Spontaneous adventures await! Dive into a creative project, or let your inner performer take the stage. Book your unused vacation days for a romantic getaway, or just slip off with a budding love interest for some sizzling escapades. This glamazon transit sounds the call for a style overhaul. Get a fresh cut and color and pull together some bold, head-turning outfits. Your efforts won’t go unnoticed.
But careful where you aim those amorous arrows! From July 26 until August 19, expressive Mercury will be retrograde in Leo and this feisty fifth house of your chart. In addition to scrambling signals with communication, travel and technology, Mercury retrograde is notorious for bringing people and unresolved issues back from the past. With the messenger planet reversing through your house of love, an ex-flame could reappear on the scene, with tempting promises or a repentant mea culpa. Proceed with the utmost caution before you accept any olive branches. Remember, Aries: There’s a reason it didn’t work out the first time. You need solid proof that you won’t have to go through the same chaotic drama again.
Speaking of theatrical events, July 27 will feature the month’s second eclipse, this one is a MAJOR total lunar (full moon) eclipse in Aquarius and your eleventh house of teamwork and technology. There could be a changing of the guard in one of your circles—friends, colleagues, a group you belong to—or you might decide to cut ties with a frenemy. On the upside, a social media post could go viral, or a collaborative project can gain major buzz. Aries, you’re a natural born leader, and after today, you might step into a powerful role. With the eleventh house’s emphasis on social justice and humanitarian issues, you could become a community advocate or a formidable “voice of the people.” (Do we spy your name on the ballot for those upcoming midterm elections…?)
This eclipse will be conjunct with fiery Mars, which is retrograde in Aquarius from June 27 to August 12. Warning: If you have buried resentments or frustrations, those could all come pouring out. In our opinion, lunar eclipses feel more radical than solar ones, because full moons bring endings, transitions and full-circle events. You might be grateful, at least in some small way, that five planets are retrograde by the end of July. (Mercury will join Mars, Saturn, Neptune and Pluto in this powered-down position.) The slower pace will give you a chance to digest anything the eclipses churn up. There may simply be no more avoiding issues you haven’t wanted to deal with, so brace yourself.
This is the final Aquarius eclipse in a series that’s been touching down on the Leo/Aquarius axis since February 2017, bringing moments of solo stardom as well as exciting opportunities to join forces with a cutting-edge crew. Your love life, friendships and social circles have all been reshuffled at times. Look back to the prior two Aquarius eclipses on August 7, 2017, and February 15, 2018, for clues of what might fully come together now. There will be one last Leo eclipse on January 21, 2019. Until then, you’ll continue to learn to “play well with others” without sacrificing your own star power. Choose your teammates wisely!
LOVE & ROMANCE:
With amorous Venus in Leo and your flirtatious fifth house until July 9, your month will get off to a seductive and romantic start. For single Rams, it’s a good time to sample from the buffet table before settling on one main course. If you’re in a new or solid union, lighten up and focus more on having fun together than worrying about where things are (or aren’t) going.
When Venus enters Virgo and your practical sixth house on July 9 (until August 6), your thoughts may gravitate toward bringing healthier habits into your lifestyle. If you’re attached, this is something you can do with your S.O., like cooking veggie meals and working out together, or organizing a cluttered part of your home. And because the sixth house is the “do-gooder” realm of your chart, your love language may become “acts of service.” Whether that means supporting each other’s dreams or meeting someone through volunteer work, acts of good karma could have romantic returns!
Venus will form flowing trines to innovative Uranus (on July 11), structured Saturn (on July 14) and transformational Pluto (on July 27), all in the ambitious and earthiest houses of your chart. You could surprise yourself by getting super-serious about the future and making concrete plans. Longtime couples might consider going into business together or supporting each other on accomplishing a big goal.
But careful: Mercury will turn retrograde in Leo and your fifth house of love from July 26 to August 19, which could wreak romantic havoc—anything from the unexpected return of an old flame to a flare-up of excessive drama. Couples might be fighting more or making mountains out of molehills. Set an intention to ease up on the nitpicking and find ways to put more fun back in your union!
Passionate Mars is also retrograde in Aquarius and your tech zone all month (June 26 to August 27), you might want to stay away from online dating—or hmm, maybe it’s the time to go back in and reply to someone you left hanging. True story: A friend of ours is now married to and expecting a first child with a guy she initially turned down blind date offers with THREE times. Intuitively she decided to give him a chance, and the rest is happily-ever-after history. If that cute old friend pops up on Facebook messenger or slides into your DMs, indulge them in a chat. You never know where it could lead.
Key Dates:
July 9: Mercury-Jupiter square
Don’t rush to gush! While you may be tempted to pour your heart out, it’s better to preserve a little sexy mystery. You’re not playing games—you’re making them earn your devotion. Before you allow yourself to fall head over heels for someone, be sure they’re trustworthy.
MONEY & CAREER:
Is your team losing steam? All month, energizer Mars is retrograde (backward) in Aquarius and your collaborative eleventh house, which can provoke extra tension with coworkers. People could feel frustrated and burnt out. And while you need to meet your deadline, pushing ahead while ignoring people’s emotions is a recipe for disgruntlement! Pause and clear the air or do a team-building exercise to get everyone back on track with a shared mission.
The eleventh house rules technology, and this Mars mania could bring some snafus with digital ventures, a risk that’s heightened by communicator Mercury turning retrograde on July 26 (until August 19). If you can, hold off on any big launches and use this time to beta-test or tweak behind the scenes. You can make your big social media or “Internet-famous” debuts once Mars ends its retrograde on August 27. That said, a powerful total lunar eclipse on July 27 lands in Aquarius and might shine the webcam ring light directly on you. Be mindful of what you post and publish, as this potent eclipse could take a Tweet or video viral.
On July 10, expansive Jupiter will end a four-month retrograde in Scorpio and your eighth house of joint ventures and shared wealth. If you’ve been waiting for word on a lucrative deal or a big payout, the stalled progress could pick up speed. Jupiter is here until November 8, so sharpen your plans and be as strategic as possible. Although you may be eager to sign a contract, if you haven’t inked it before Mercury turns retrograde on July 26, try to hold off until August 19. At the very least, read the fine print and consult an attorney to review all important documents.
Got an idea for a new business endeavor or an inspired project? With Jupiter in this laser-focused zone, it’s a great time to research and build a business plan. When the red-spotted planet moves into Sagittarius and your visionary ninth house in November, your careful calculations could swiftly be put into action—and the hard work you’ve already done will finally pay off!
Key Dates:
July 12: Sun-Pluto opposition
Try not to take things personally today. If you’re feeling resentful or underappreciated, consider that this might just be projection. Under this evasive starmap, it will be hard to have a direct conversation or get a straight answer from anyone. Instead of seething, indulge in extra self-care.
Love Days: 14, 18
Money Days: 8, 25
Luck Days: 6, 23
Off Days: 16, 19, 30