This month the Sun transits through
Cancer and enters Leo. Mercury retrogrades in Leo July 18-August 11th.
Venus transits through Taurus and Gemini and then enters Cancer at month’s end.
Mars continues its transit through Virgo as Jupiter completes its first full
month in Cancer. Neptune and Saturn both turn retrograde and we experience a
full moon in Capricorn and a new moon in Leo.
-
The most significant transit this month/year is Uranus’s entrance into Gemini where it will remain until November 9th. This will further change the world and our personal lives as well. Now, the details.
Uranus enters Gemini July 7th-November 8th
Uranus has been in Taurus since May of 2018. Like the other outer planets we will have a preview this year of what to expect when the planet of the unexpected goes into the next sign or Gemini from July 7-November 8th. In April of 2026 Uranus will re-enter Gemini where it remains for the next 7 years.
Uranus rules technology, freedom, upheaval, explosions, aircraft, electricity and future advancements. While in Gemini it also rules all forms of communication.
While Taurus rules the 2nd house of money with Venus as its ruling planet, Gemini rules the 3rd house of communication, speech and thinking, and its planetary ruler is Mercury the planet of communication. Uranus has not been comfortable in the sign of Taurus and is considered at its fall here which means the energy is not smooth, and the benefits Uranus are not so strong. You might even say the planet can ‘misbehave’ if they are not comfortable in their sign. Uranus is comfortable in Gemini and neither at its fall or exaltation so the energy of the planet will operate in an easier manner.
Communication and the ability to communicate will change dramatically under this aspect and we will make huge advancements in technology, travel, communication and new ideas. Gemini is about reason, and is always taking in new information. Thinking independently and creatively as individuals will be enhanced. Certainly a large part of this transit will concern AI and the transitions this will cause and create.
Uranus returns to Gemini every 84 years and spends about 7 years in each sign. Uranus was in Gemini during the following periods;
-1939-1945
-1861-1865
-1775-1783
Some astrologers associate Uranus/Gemini with the US entering a period of war, and you can see from the last and only 3 periods since the birth of the US this has been the case. The conflict this transit will bring will be a conflict of ideas as shown by the symbol that represents Gemini; the twins.
The upside to Uranus entering Gemini this time is the fact that it will sextile Saturn, trine Pluto and sextile Neptune. This is not a combination we have seen before and can only be beneficial and bring good results in the world. This combination does not inspire me to think of war. Perhaps humanity has advanced enough to avoid this after watching years of devastation in Ukraine and the decimation of Gaza. While this positive configuration begins this summer it is very powerful in 2026. The late, great astrologer Andre Barbault has described it as a 'reset' for the world. Let's hope he is correct.
The full moon in Capricorn July 10th
Capricorn is the sign that rules the 10th house of career, business and reputation. Its ruling planet is Saturn or the planet that gives us stability. This moon will oppose the Sun as it does on every full moon and this can sometimes make people more emotional so it is important to stay grounded. The moon also trines Mars making it the perfect time to take action that perhaps you have waited for. I would call this aspect forward movement. This moon makes no negative aspects.
The sign Capricorn is about building things. This can be a literal project or metaphorical. Capricorn is also strongly connected with the earth and nature.
Mercury retrogrades July 18-August 11th
This time Mercury retrogrades in Leo at 15 degrees. As I have written many times the stationary periods of Mercury as usually the most difficult and when we see Mercurial energy change. These periods are the beginning and end of the cycle or July 18-21st and August 11th-14th.
Leo is the sign that rules the 5th house of love, friends and children so these are significant areas to be aware of this time.
Mercury is about re-doing things, re-accessing and basically cleaning out closets both literally and metaphorically. It is an important (if not irritating) cycle when new information can be revealed that allows us to correct or change things that needed to be changed.
Retrograde planets are often associated with ‘fate’ or changing something that needs to be changed; sometimes we can be unaware we are actually dodging a bullet even if the situation is stressful in the moment.
Retrograde Mercury has a strong connection to the past; old lovers and friends sometimes return or we are flooded with memories of the past. Now is the time to reach out to old friends, clients or anyone else you would like to reconnect with.
Venus enters Gemini July 4th-July 30
When Venus enters Gemini love energies change once again and this will be completely different from Venus in Taurus that we have just experienced. Venus is now in Mercury’s sign which rules all communication and the written word. Of course, the drive to communicate may take many different forms and you don’t have to write a novel to make the most of this placement…although you could!
Venus in Gemini is concerned with ideas, truths, and she is not interested in being bored. Manners count as does intelligence, the ability to think quickly and interact with all kind of people.
Venus in Gemini enjoys many different types of people and can flit from one group to another with little notice, and often expect their partner to be able to travel with them at the speed of light if necessary.
Gemini is associated with the third house of the zodiac which rules communications, sales, writing ability, media, advertising, publicity, short journeys, neighbors, and siblings.
Venus in Gemini has a reputation of being fickle and changeable. Gemini can come across like this but the fact is it is their nature to take in information from all sources. As the information changes or another viewpoint comes to light they may change their mind about something. In the end it’s not about being fickle, it’s more about being able to see many things from many different vantage points.
Neptune turns retrograde July 4th-December 10th
During this retrograde cycle Neptune will leave the sign of Aries and re-enter Pisces on October 23rd for 4 final months in the sign. In February 2026 it re-enters Aries where it will remain until March 2039.
Neptune rules psychic ability, religion, compassion, creativity and dreams. It also rules drugs, illusion, delusion and confusion and even the oceans to name only a few of the most important things it represents. Neptune also rules the collective consciousness.
Neptune’s retrograde will bring about more sensitivity and we may be able to pick up on things we don't perceive while Neptune is direct.
Neptune can represent the part of you that likes to escape from day to day activities into fantasy, music, substances, romantic love (or other ways) and in some cases impossible romantic situations. During its retrograde events can happen that bring about a much needed reality check. Neptune isn’t trying to destroy your dreams; it’s more like trying to point you in a direction where real dreams can actually come to fruition.
If transiting Neptune makes a hard aspect in your chart, during this period we tend to become self deluding or depressed. Hard Neptune transits often coincide with over idealized relationships, only to wake up and find things were not as we had believed.
If you do not have a hard Neptune transit Neptune’s retrograde may pass will little notice.
Saturn retrogrades July 13th-November 29th
This year Saturn, like Neptune, will retrograde through two signs. It begins the retrograde in Aries and on September 1st it re-enters Pisces for the final stretch of its stay in this sign which ends on February 14th, 2026,
Saturn's retrograde can be a pivotal time when many changes occur, especially if it is aspecting something in your personal chart.
When you experience a Saturn transit, you generally get three passes and the retrograde pass is always the most challenging. Hard Saturn transits are associated with delays, slowdowns, endings and various difficulties depending on what it is aspecting in your personal chart. During Saturn’s retrograde you may have to work harder to get what you want.
As Saturn deals with our structures in life we may be concerned with basic security issues while Saturn is retrograde both individually and collectively. Retrograde Saturn is a period where some things may slow down a bit and like any retrograde planet is time to reconsider and sometimes back up to take a good luck at what we are working on and where we are going in life.
During the retrograde cycle we may receive new information about something significant or find a solution to a problem that has been plaguing us which is the benefit of the retrograde. Retrograde Saturn is a time of working out issues especially in terms of business but could include any area of life depending on where it is in your chart. This is a time of doing the hard work to accomplish what you want, and at times it can bring personal and spiritual growth as a result of dealing with hard to solve problems.
The Sun enters Leo July 22-August 22
Leo is ruled by the Sun which gives us life and warmth and at this time of the year is impossible to ignore. Leo energy is confident and bold and this can be a positive time of friendship, fun and summer romance. Leo is an upbeat sign and now is the time to enjoy this part of the summer because when the Sun moves into Virgo later in August things will become much more work oriented.
Leo is a fire sign and fire signs are prone to action, movement and creation, and they seldom let grass grow under their feet. When the Sun is in Leo we often want to shine, be in the spotlight and receive attention, or even come across as dramatic. Leo energy is not afraid to be front and center or larger than normal life and extraordinary. Even those who like to typically remain behind the scenes could start to desire more recognition and praise for what they do.
Leo is a regal sign that rules royalty, theatre and acting. With the Sun in a fire element and the power of the sign Leo behind it, this becomes a take charge kind of energy. At best this energy can help you take command of your life, express yourself your way in an adventurous and striking way, and inspire more confidence. At worst its worst, Leo can be overly dramatic and too demanding of attention.
The new moon in Leo July 24th
This will be a significant new moon. Of course Leo rules the 5th house of love, children and friends so we may see events occurring in these areas.
Both the Sun and the new moon oppose Pluto. Pluto rules power and control and this moon may bring certain things to light in our lives and the world. Pluto is also connected with decay, money sex and death and in particular sex and money.
Under this aspect some may become obsessive in nature or find ourselves digging for information. Sometimes a Moon-Pluto aspect can be associated with emotional breakdowns or skeletons coming out of the closet.
While Pluto has the power to transform something, it’s not easy and Pluto frequently deals with situations or things that have broken down.
We will however have certain aspects that will help us overcome the more difficult aspect the moon makes.
-The moon trines Saturn giving us grounding
-The moon sextile Uranus awakening us to new possibilities and ways of approaching things.
-The moon trines Neptune providing compassion and creativity.
With a moon like this it is importantly to focus the energy on something and make it work for you as against you. No doubt under this moon we will see significant world events and grandstanding.
Venus enters Cancer July 30th-Agust 25th
When Venus enters Cancer it will join Jupiter in Cancer making this an auspicious time for water signs in particular. For the first several days of the transit it will square Saturn and Neptune creating confusion, blocks and slowing things down. After this however, we will begin to see the benefits.
Venus, the planet of love, values will create an energetic change but is in a pleasant sign for the planet ruling love. This will bring deeper emotions to the surface and cause us all to think more about our emotional ties and commitments. Cancer is the nurturer of the zodiac and always there when a friend or loved one needs her. She is also one of the most intuitive and sensitive signs of the zodiac so don’t be surprised if you feel more tuned in to your feelings and those of others, and find yourself feeling more of a desire to comfort and be comforted by those you love.
Venus-Cancer is not interested in casual flings and will have a greater desire for long term relationships and all of the security that typically comes with this type of relationship. Cancer is about home, family, relationships and security, both financial and otherwise.
Cancer is a Cardinal sign or a mover and a shaker and a born leader. You may lean toward more emotional decisions regarding your finances, investments, work projects and other important areas of life as Cancer is best described by the words, “I feel.”
You may also feel far more nostalgic over these three weeks and indulge in pleasant memories of the past, as Cancer has their own personal fountain of memories, good or bad.
