Are you ready for July? I’m not going to lie – July 2019 is perhaps the most challenging month of the year. We have two eclipses, several tense oppositions in Cancer-Capricorn, and Mercury Retrograde conjunct Mars for two weeks! 

But does this mean you have to lock yourself in the house until the end of July? Of course not.

When astrologers say “Don’t do this now…“, “Don’t make any decision at the Eclipse“, “Don’t sign contracts when Mercury is retrograde”, “Don’t fight with your spouse when Mercury is conjunct Mars…”, etc – they are missing the point.

It is exactly when we have eclipses, oppositions, and retrogrades that we DO have to do stuff. That’s the whole point of challenging aspects, to DO stuff, NOT to not do stuff. 

An eclipse, an opposition or a square is a time of action – by definition. You can wait a lifetime and chase your trine transits and you’ll notice that nothing happens anyway – because things happen when we have tense aspects, such as squares and oppositions or when eclipses hit your chart. 

A planet is more active when retrograde (because it is at its closest to the Earth) so you can’t ignore its energy even if you try.

Yes, you may have to redo stuff when Mercury is retrograde. Yes, some things might get delayed. But that’s what Mercury retrograde is here for. To push us to deal with stuff we didn’t deal with when Mercury was direct. 

If you try to avoid the energy of a planet or aspect, things only get worse (not better). When we refuse to work with the energy of a planet, we either deny it or project it onto other people.

And this is exactly when the planet ends up overpowering us. But when we invite it, work with it, this is when we get the best out of it. You’re better off if you swim with the current – rather than against it. 

You can lock yourself in the house when you have a Mars transit (to avoid accidents) OR you can go to the gym (Mars rules physical action). You can run away from an eclipse OR embrace what happens – because it was supposed to happen anyway. You can freak out when Mercury goes retrograde OR you can finally deal with whatever you’ve been avoiding.

Trying to shut down the energy of the planets is not going to work. Inviting the energy in and co-creating with it, with awareness and intention – that is what works. 

But let’s have a look at the most important aspects of the month:

July 2nd, 2019 – Total Solar Eclipse In Cancer

July starts with a BANG. On July 2nd, 2019 we have a Solar Eclipse at 10° Cancer.

This is a Total Eclipse, meaning it’s more powerful than a regular eclipse, and it is a North Node eclipse – meaning it’s about embracing the new (rather than dealing with the old).

Have a look to see if you have a personal planet or angle around 10° Cancer or 10° Capricorn. If you do, then this Eclipse will be very important for you and will bring new things into your life.

The Solar Eclipse in Cancer is conjunct Julian Assange’s Sun, Pope Francis Ascendant, and Angela Merkel’s Mercury. They can expect too, new developments in their lives.  

July 3rd, 2019 – Venus Enters Cancer

On July 3rd, 2019 Venus enters Cancer. Venus is what we value. Cancer is the sign of home, family, nurturing, comfort and security.

In the coming weeks, these themes will become more important. Venus is also the planet of relationships, so Venus’ transit in Cancer is a good time to get closer to your partner and re-establish that sense of trust and intimacy.

If your Venus is in Cancer, then in July you will have your Venus return – a new beginning in “Venus” topics: personal values, relationships, love, money, and beauty. 

July 8th, 2019 – Mercury Goes Retrograde And Conjuncts Mars 

On July 8th, 2019 Mars is conjunct Mercury, and then a few hours later, Mercury goes retrograde.

What is interesting is that this time it is Mars applying to Mercury. Usually, Mercury is applying to Mars, because Mercury moves much faster than Mars. But because Mercury is now stationary, Mars takes him over.

If we normally think (Mercury) before we act (Mars), this time around, we will act (Mars) before we think (Mercury). And as a result of this action, we will decide to go back (Mercury goes retrograde) and make some changes.

Confusing? There is much more to this story. Everything will become clear two months later, around September 3rd, when Mercury will finally apply to Mars.

July 9th, 2019 – Chiron Goes Retrograde

On July 9th, 2019 Chiron goes retrograde at 5° Aries. Chiron is where we feel broken and inadequate.

Now that Chiron is in Aries, these feelings of brokenness and inadequacy are about the very foundation of who we are (Aries is the sign of identity). Basically, with Chiron in Aries, we feel that something is wrong with us.

But these feelings are a symptom of a healing crisis. Healing is about to come, but for that to happen, we have to feel the pain first. If we stuff it down, it doesn’t go away, it just “works” in the background, and becomes even more problematic.

If you want to heal, there is no other way around. You have to face the pain. When Chiron goes retrograde, this search for integration moves inwards.

When Chiron is direct we look for answers outside. When Chiron is retrograde, we look for answers inside. 

July 9th, 2019 – Sun Conjunct North Node And Opposite Saturn And South Node 

On July 9th, 2019 Sun is conjunct the North Node. North Node is our soul purpose, what we aim for in this lifetime. The Sun and the North Node are now in Cancer.

No matter what your sign is, there is a part of you who is Cancer. There is a part of you who needs roots, who needs a place to call home, who needs to nurture and be nurtured.

However, Sun and the North Node are exactly opposite Saturn – now at 17° Capricorn, which is of course, also conjunct the South Node of the past (the North Node and the South Node are always opposite each other).

The pull to stay where we are is stronger than ever. Saturn is a very stable, solid, material planet.

Imagine trying to pull a weed out of the ground. But the weed has very strong roots. You soon realize that it is impossible to pull it out. What do you do? You water it. This may sound counterintuitive, but that’s the only thing that is going to work.

If you have a bad habit, something you want to get rid of, don’t fight it. Make friends with it. Thank it for what it has given you. And then let it go by itself.  

July 11th, 2019 – Mars Square Uranus

On July 11th, 2019 Mars (at 6° Leo) is square Uranus (at 6° Taurus). Mars-Uranus squares are very unpredictable. Mars is the planet of action, and Uranus is the planet of change and unpredictability. With Uranus, you never know what you’re going to get.

Mars square Uranus means that our actions (or other people’s actions) will take us by surprise.

Mars and Uranus are in fixed signs, so we will resist change until the very last minute. Until we will eventually blow off, just like a volcano.

Because Uranus aspects are almost impossible to predict – or to prevent – the best course of action is to reflect AFTER the event has happened.

At some level – whether you were aware of it or not – you were not happy with that specific situation. Something had to happen. What needs to change – about yourself, or about your life, so you can live more authentically? 

July 14th, 2019 – Sun Opposite Pluto 

On July 14th, 2019 Sun in Cancer is opposite Pluto, now at 21° Capricorn. The Sun is our identity, our center of gravity, it’s who we are. Pluto is the planet of power and the insurmountable forces of nature.

Tense Sun-Pluto aspects always bring power struggles and ego wars. There is something you want to prove – to the world, or to yourself, and you will not take no for an answer.

Sun opposite Pluto ultimately brings the opportunity to expand your identity. You are much more than you think you are.  

July 16th, 2019 – Lunar Eclipse In Capricorn

On July 16th, 2019 we have the 2nd eclipse of the month. This time we have a South Node Lunar Eclipse at 24° Capricorn. If North Node Eclipses are about embracing the new, South Node Eclipses are about releasing the old.

“Releasing” doesn’t mean we have to get rid of something. Perhaps you have a hidden talent, but you’re not aware of it. A South Node Eclipse will bring it to the surface. ‘Releasing’ means that something is now ripe. All our work has bear fruits and now we have the ‘outcome’. 

That’s why South Node Eclipses are associated with karma. Indeed, what goes around, comes around, and a South Node Eclipse is just that – a time of adjustment and reconciliation. 

July 19 – Mercury Retrograde Re-enters Cancer

Mercury Retrograde is about RE. Re-doing, re-searching, re-viewing, re-examining, re-inventing, re-thinking, re-scheduling, anything that starts with RE. RE means you need to pay closer attention to something.

When Mercury retrograde changes signs, its modus operandi changes. The “look at me” Leo vibe changes. Mercury in Cancer is not anymore about getting validation from others, but about coming to terms with its own identity.

Mercury retrograde in Cancer is an invitation to retreat into your shell and look for answers within. 

July 21st, 2019 – Venus Opposite Pluto

On July 21nd, 2019 Venus (at 21° Cancer) is opposite Pluto (at 21° Capricorn). This is a “femme fatale” aspect. Cancer and Capricorn are feminine sings. Venus is the planet of love and values. Pluto is the planet of power.

When Venus is opposite Pluto we can completely lose our head. Venus follows her heart, not her head. But Pluto says “I don’t care what you want, there is a larger perspective and the world will not change to accommodate your wishes and desires”.

Venus opposite Pluto will show the tension between what we want and what is possible. You can either accept that you can’t have everything you want, or you can choose to fight even more for what you want. 

July 21st, 2019 – Mercury Conjunct Sun

Mercury is retrograde and is conjunct the Sun. This means that we are about to begin one of the three yearly Mercury cycles.

The Sun-Mercury conjunction takes place at 28° Cancer – so if you have a planet or an angle around there, make sure you take this opportunity to start something new. You don’t have any planets there? Then find the house in your natal chart where the transit takes place. 

July 22 – Sun Enters Leo

There is a reason why almost everyone goes on holidays in July and August. It might have to do with the weather too (especially if you live in the Northern Hemisphere), but it certainly has to do with the #leoseason.

Leo is all about fun, adventure, and joy. Why wouldn’t you go on a holiday when all you want is to have some fun?

Even if you have to work, the coming month is your opportunity to put your heart into everything you do. You will discover you are much more creative and fun than you think you are. 

July 28th, 2019 – Venus Enters Leo 

Drumroll and fanfare, please! The Goddess of love enters Leo. Venus in Leo loves to be seen and admired, so if you’re modest and shy… this is not a time to be modest and shy. You can be modest and shy three weeks later when Venus enters Virgo.

Now that Venus is in Leo, it’s the best time to shine and honor your beauty. Venus in Leo will feel much better than Venus in Cancer because in Leo she doesn’t make any challenging aspects (apart from a square to Uranus), on the contrary, Venus makes a positive aspect to Jupiter.

If July was difficult for you, there is hope. Venus in Leo is the light at the end of the tunnel. 

July 29th, 2019 – Sun Square Uranus 

Sun (at 6° Leo) is square Uranus (at 6° Taurus) on July 29th, 2019. Sun is the planet of identity and Uranus is the planet of sudden change. When our lives turn upside down, the last thing to change is OURSELVES.

Yes, July was not easy. But you’ve made it. You are not the same person you used to be. Now you’re ready for a whole new world of opportunities. 

PS: the Eclipse Season will officially start on July 2nd. It’s the Nodes of the Moon that cause Eclipses to happen. Read more about the North Node in Cancer and the South Node in Capricorn here North Node In Cancer – How It Will Affect You

• Astrology transits
• Solar Eclipse