Welcome to your July 2018 forecast!   Click on “read article” and scroll down til you find your sign of the zodiac….

Just a word of warning: this was a hard month to write about without sounding slightly panicked because the influences are strange and unpredictable. Deep breaths, everyone! 

CANCER (JUNE 21- JULY 21) Okay, listen up. July is quite weird and you just have to roll with it…The month starts with a quick-moving Mercury-Uranus square, jangling your nerves while bringing some interesting ideas your way.   By the 5^th, Mercury in Leo catches up to the North Lunar Node and opposes Mars retrograde. This combination could make you scrappy so be watchful of any impulses to start an argument. Late on the 12^th comes the Cancer new moon and a partial solar eclipse. And as if that weren’t enough, the Sun and Moon oppose Pluto while Mercury squares Jupiter on the Earth axis. Mars retrograde continues to fall on the Lunar Nodes, stirring up relationships. The Cancer new moon is usually a delicious one but all these other aspects bring intensity, especially in regard to issues of security, boundaries, and control. And it’s a partial eclipse! The political implications are obvious, of course, and for you as a Cancer you may find yourself being more impenetrable than you actually like….The Sun enters Leo on the 22^nd and quite immediately squares Uranus in Taurus. By the 23^rd Venus in Virgo opposes Neptune for a few days. Let the craziness begin! Mercury goes retrograde on the 26^th. The 27^th has Mars retrograde opposing the Sun on the day of a Full Moon in Aquarius – which happens to be a total eclipse—while Uranus squares the whole damn business. Mars retrograde has an unexpected side, which will be exaggerated by the Uranus square and even moreso by Mercury turning retrograde. This is the unexpected on crack, so to speak. Oh, and that pesky full moon will illuminate all this weirdness. So, you sensitive little Moonchild, my advice is to take yourself to a water-immersion tank and wait till the full moon passes…. Or spend two days in a movie theater. Go on a silent retreat. Do something, anything that takes you out of interchange for a few days. Avoid traveling the 26^th and 27^th, if you can.   Keep in mind that the Mars retrograde-Uranus effect lasts through the end of the month. Stay home, stay calm, stay away from sharp objects– but at the same time allow winds of change to inspire you.   It is a delicate balance!

 LEO (JUL 22-AUG 21) Oh honey.   First of all, Mars retrograde in Aquarius is no doubt having its way with you—especially if you were born in the first 10 days of Leo. You may well be having a sense of being thwarted, of things not going according to plan. But back to the month at hand… July begins with a quick Mercury –Uranus square which has your nerves a-jangle. It passes quickly but then by the 5^th Mercury in Leo catches up to the North Lunar Node and they both oppose Mars retro. Uh-oh, your temper is short so beware of arguments with loved ones. Mars retrograde in your opposite sign has you feeling sensitive about your autonomy, and you’re ready for a fight. Then the high drama really begins with the new moon in Cancer on the 12^th which sits exactly opposite Pluto.   Watch out for power struggles, personally as well as on the global stage. The Sun enters your own sign of Leo on the 22^nd and immediately squares Uranus. But that’s the least of it! Mercury goes retrograde in Leo on the 26^th (what?!) and on the 27^th we get a trifecta of weirdness: Mars retrograde opposes the Sun on the day of a Full Moon in Aquarius – which happens to be a total eclipse—while Uranus squares the whole damn business. Almost all of this occurs either in Leo or in your opposite sign of Aquarius so you are all up in the drama.   And can I just say that I never find it easy to have Mercury retrograde in my own Sun sign… just sayin’. Things will be wild and crazy and expect a lot of unexpected dynamics on the earth and in your own life. Both Mercury and Mars retrograde will test your mettle and you will have to absolutely absolutely absolutely go with the flow, no matter how hard you worked on whatever plan of action you’re about to have to give up. Try to stay calm through the whole rest of the month because the Mars retrograde –Uranus aspects are heavy. There are many winds of change ripping through your life right now, and some of them are necessary and good and exciting… but change can be stressful, as we know. Work on that self-care thing—you know what I mean. Meditation, yoga, etc.

VIRGO (AUG 22- SEPT 21) Oh jeez! I don’t want to cause your finely tuned set of Virgo nerves to jangle but this is quite a month. Mars is retrograde in Aquarius, which is weird enough, and you may find that it is hard to get things done right now, in part because you are so distracted by what appears to the demise of democracy all over the world. Don’t lose hope—if nothing else July brings so much

unexpected change that by the end of the month you won’t know what hit you. But I’m getting ahead of myself. The start of July is nerve-wracking and tense, and by the 5^th Mars retrograde lines up with the Lunar Nodes and Mercury and you are a bit fractious and edgy. You don’t like feeling out of control and that feeling just keeps building. At least Venus enters your own sign on the 9^th and that is always fun. June 12^th brings a powerful Cancer new moon and partial eclipse which lines up exactly in opposition to Pluto. In the current political context that’s a bit grim in terms of abuses of power, and on a personal level people are throwing their weight around too. Then things get really interesting! The Sun enters Leo on the 22^nd and immediately squares Uranus for some excitement and drama. On the 26^th Mercury turns retrograde in Leo. On the 27^th Mars retrograde opposes the Leo Sun and really brings some squirrelly events to the fore. And there is an Aquarian full moon and total eclipse that day as well, all lining up with Uranus and Mars retrograde. Just writing these sentences makes my head explode! This is all about expecting the unexpected, so be very fluid and watchful over this full moon period and be sure to change your carefully made plans if there is a whiff of weirdness. If you’re traveling, there are likely to be complications and extreme weather events. Be flexible, be attentive, and also be open to inspiration and change. That is the theme of this Mars retrograde-Uranus business which takes us through the end of the month.

LIBRA (SEPT 22-OCT21) Yikes! This month is flat out crazy and there is nothing you can do about it… It begins with some Mercury-Uranus action that inspires radical thinking on your part and also perhaps some jangled nerves. Then Mercury in Leo catches up to the North Lunar Node and they oppose Mars retrograde, bringing some unexpected dynamics in relationships and perhaps some scrappiness on your part. Beware of arguments. Then on the 12^th there is a Cancer new moon and partial solar eclipse, all in an opposition to Pluto and highlighting issues of borders, security, and state power. Yes, we can see the global implications and yet this has a personal side, too, and you may find yourself uncharacteristically defensive. Then the Sun enters Leo on the 22^nd and quite immediately squares Uranus, bringing the unexpected. Mercury turns retrograde on the 26^th (!) and on the 27^th we have a full moon and total eclipse in Aquarius and a Sun-Mars retrograde opposition. Holy crap! This is more of the unexpected – but a kind of unexpected on crack. Both Mercury and Mars are retrograde so a large swath of our daily experience will be moving sideways… The Uranus influence is strong for the rest of the month, and change and resistance are in the air. There are likely to be dramatic revelations, dramatic earth changes, god knows what. Stay flexible, stay open, be ready to change your plans at the drop of a hat. As Krishna said in the Bhagavad Gita: Be not attached to outcome…Meditation might be a very good thing to do at the end of July.

SCORPIO (OCT 22-NOV 21) I expect Mars retrograde in Aquarius is messing with you already, making it hard to plan and get things done….This influence will strengthen as the month unfolds, sorry to say. July begins with some jangly Mercury-Uranus action, great for ideas and difficult for sleeping. Then Mercury catches up to Mars retrograde and the North Lunar Node and oy, people are irritable and the potential for disagreement is high. The 12^th brings a Cancer new moon and partial solar eclipse with an exact Pluto opposition.   This will be very intense both globally and personally, highlighting defensiveness and protectionism all around. Be careful about power struggles between the Pluto influence and Mars retrograde. The Sun enters Leo on the 22^nd and things really hit the fan! The Sun squares Uranus immediately and by the 26^th, Mercury goes retrograde in Leo. On the 27^th Mars retrograde opposes the Sun – a key turning point in the Mars retrograde process when the squirrelly-ness of Mars retro is in full flower. On the 27^th there is also a full moon in Aquarius and Lunar eclipse! C-cc–rrr—aa–zy! Seriously – be ready for anything, expect the unexpected in a big way, and focus on loving-kindness. We’re all gonna need it! The Uranus aspects are strong for the rest of the month – just as the Sun moves past its square to Uranus, Mars retro moves into one. Change and tumult are in the air.

 SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22- DEC 21) Jeez, what a month! Mars went retrograde June 26^th and it is already causing some strangeness in your life. You have to just go with where the energy takes you, and that should be your slogan for the month of July. You want to kick back and relax but you can’t, because too many people want a piece of you. The month begins with some edgy Mercury-Uranus action, making you a bit tense. It gets edgier when Mercury catches up to the North Lunar Node and they both oppose Mars retrograde. Be careful of your impatience and avoid arguments. Then there is a powerful new moon in Cancer on the 12^th which is also a partial solar eclipse , so its overall effect is intensified – this is an extra intense one anyway because of its exact opposition to Pluto. Oy veh! On a global scale this is all about borders, security, and state power. Personally, watch out for setting boundaries that are too firm and for heavy-handed judgments. We know you can come on strong! Then the Sun enters Leo on the 22^nd and the fun really begins (ahem) since the Sun immediately squares Uranus, bringing high tension and the unexpected. The unexpected gets moreso when Mercury in Leo turns retrograde on the 26^th and we have a whopping full moon in Aquarius on the 27^th which is a total lunar eclipse. The whole business involves an exact line up with Mars retrograde in Aquarius. This will be a wild and weird stretch, inspiring, surprising, revolutionary and possibly quite scary too. Stay calm and stay flexible.

 CAPRICORN (Dec 21-Jan19) Yowza! July is insane. The month starts with a quick-moving Mercury-Uranus square, jangling your nerves while bringing some interesting ideas your way.   By the 5^th, Mercury in Leo catches up to the North Lunar Node and opposes Mars retrograde. This combination could make you scrappy so be watchful of any impulses to start an argument. Late on the 12^th comes the Cancer new moon and a partial solar eclipse. And as if that weren’t enough, the Sun and Moon oppose Pluto while Mercury squares Jupiter on the Earth axis. Mars retrograde continues to fall on the Lunar Nodes, stirring up relationships. The Cancer new moon is usually a delicious one but all these other aspects bring intensity, especially in regard to issues of security, boundaries, and control. And it’s a partial eclipse! The political implications are obvious, of course, and for you as a Capricorn this Cancer moon is a big one for you. You may find yourself being more defensive and protective than you expect.….The Sun enters Leo on the 22^nd and quite immediately squares Uranus in Taurus.! Mercury goes retrograde on the 26^th. The 27^th has Mars retrograde opposing the Sun on the day of a Full Moon in Aquarius – which happens to be a total eclipse—while Uranus squares the whole damn business. Mars retrograde has an unexpected side, which will be exaggerated by the Uranus square and even moreso by Mercury turning retrograde. Did I say to expect the unexpected, and not fight the energy?   You cannot control a thing right now. Avoid traveling the 26^th and 27^th, if you can.   Keep in mind that the Mars retrograde-Uranus effect lasts through the end of the month. The challenge is to stay flexible and open – and calm—while also allowing change to occur.

AQUARIUS (JAN 20-FEB 19) Put on your seat belt! First of all, Mars retrograde in Aquarius is no doubt having its way with you—especially if you were born in the first 10 days of Aquarius. You may well be having a sense of being thwarted, of things not going according to plan. You absolutely have to go with the flow and that directive will be even more important as the month unfolds… July begins with a quick Mercury –Uranus square which has your nerves a-jangle. It passes quickly but then by the 5^th Mercury in Leo catches up to the North Lunar Node and they both oppose Mars retro. Uh-oh, your temper is short so beware of arguments with loved ones. Mars retrograde in your opposite sign has you feeling sensitive about your autonomy, and you’re ready for a fight. Then the high drama really begins with the new moon in Cancer on the 12^th which sits exactly opposite Pluto.   Watch out for power struggles, personally as well as on the global stage. The Sun Leo on the 22^nd and immediately squares Uranus, bringing tension and excitement. Mercury goes retrograde in Leo on the 26^th (what?!) and on the 27^th we get a trifecta of weirdness: Mars retrograde opposes the Sun on the day of a Full Moon in Aquarius – which happens to be a total eclipse—while Uranus squares the whole damn business. Can I remind you that Uranus is your ruling planet? Almost all of this planetary action occurs either in Aquarius or in your opposite sign of Leo so you are all up in the drama.. Things will be wild and crazy and expect a lot of unexpected dynamics on the earth and in your own life. Both Mercury and Mars retrograde will test your mettle and you will have to absolutely absolutely absolutely go with the flow, no matter how hard you worked on whatever plan of action you’re about to have to give up. Try to stay calm through the whole rest of the month because the Mars retrograde –Uranus aspects are heavy. There are many winds of change ripping through your life right now, and some of them are necessary and good and exciting… but change can be stressful, as we know. Work on that self-care thing—you know what I mean. Meditation, yoga, etc.

 PISCES (FEB 20-MAR 19) July is crazy and you just have to go with the strange and erratic flow of it!   Mars is retrograde in Aquarius, which is weird enough, and you may find that it is hard to get anything done right now. Mars retrograde operates on its own rhythm and surfaces the ways you don’t want to go along with the status quo.   The start of July is nerve-wracking and tense, and by the 5^th Mars retrograde lines up with the Lunar Nodes and Mercury and you are a bit fractious and edgy, perhaps feeling a desire for Martian autonomy. June 12^th brings a powerful Cancer new moon and partial eclipse which lines up exactly in opposition to Pluto. In the current political context that’s a bit grim in terms of abuses of power, and on a personal level people are throwing their weight around too. Then things get really interesting! The Sun enters Leo on the 22^nd and immediately squares Uranus for some excitement and drama. On the 26^th Mercury turns retrograde in Leo. On the 27^th Mars retrograde opposes the Leo Sun and really brings some squirrelly events to the fore. And yes, this means Mars and Mercury are both retrograde so just give up any semblance of control over anything in your life….And there is an Aquarian full moon and total eclipse that day as well, all lining up with Uranus and Mars retrograde. This is all about expecting the unexpected, so be very fluid and watchful over this full moon period . Stay close to your intuition. If you’re traveling, there are likely to be complications and extreme weather events. Be flexible, be attentive, and also be open to inspiration and change. That is the theme of this Mars retrograde-Uranus business which takes us through the end of the month.

ARIES (MAR 20-APRIL19) ) July is flat out cray-cray. Your ruling planet Mars is retrograde and messing with you big time. You have no choice but to go with the strange and somewhat unpredictable flow of it….It begins with some Mercury-Uranus action that inspires radical thinking on your part and also perhaps some jangled nerves. Then Mercury in Leo catches up to the North Lunar Node and they oppose Mars retrograde, bringing some unexpected dynamics in relationships and perhaps some scrappiness on your part. Beware of arguments. Then on the 12^th there is a Cancer new moon and partial solar eclipse, all in an opposition to Pluto and highlighting issues of borders, security, and state power. Yes, we can see the global implications and yet this has a personal side, too, and you may find yourself uncharacteristically defensive, or overprotective of yourself and loved ones. Then the Sun enters Leo on the 22^nd and quite immediately squares Uranus, bringing the unexpected. Mercury turns retrograde on the 26^th (!) and on the 27^th we have a full moon and total eclipse in Aquarius and a Sun-Mars retrograde opposition. This is more of the unexpected – but a kind of unexpected on crack. Both Mercury and Mars are retrograde so a large swath of our daily experience will be moving sideways… The Uranus influence is strong for the rest of the month, and change and resistance are in the air. There are likely to be dramatic revelations, dramatic earth changes, god knows what. Stay flexible, stay open, be ready to change your plans at the drop of a hat. Stay close to your intuition.

TAURUS (APR 20-MAY 20) ) Mars retrograde in Aquarius is messing with you already, making it hard to plan and get things done….This influence will strengthen as the month unfolds, sorry to say. July begins with some jangly Mercury-Uranus action, great for ideas and difficult for sleeping. Then Mercury catches up to Mars retrograde and the North Lunar Node and oy, people are irritable and the potential for disagreement is high. The 12^th brings a Cancer new moon and partial solar eclipse with an exact Pluto opposition.   This will be very intense both globally and personally, highlighting defensiveness and protectionism all around. Be careful about power struggles between the Pluto influence and Mars retrograde. The Sun enters Leo on the 22^nd and things really hit the fan! The Sun squares Uranus immediately and by the 26^th, Mercury goes retrograde in Leo. On the 27^th Mars retrograde opposes the Sun – a key turning point in the Mars retrograde process when the squirrelly-ness of Mars retro is in full flower. On the 27^th there is also a full moon in Aquarius and Lunar eclipse! Ay-yi-yi!! Seriously – be ready for anything, expect the unexpected in a big way, and stay grounded in loving-kindness. Do not let your meditation practice slip for a second. The Uranus aspects are strong for the rest of the month – just as the Sun moves past its square to Uranus, Mars retro moves into one. Change and tumult are in the air — some of it great and inspiring, even revolutionary.   Uranus is in Taurus, so let the change be inspired by earthy Taurean values !

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20)   Jeez, what a month! Mars went retrograde June 26^th and it is already causing some strangeness in your life. You have to just go with where the energy takes you, and that should be your slogan for the month of July. You want to kick back and relax but you can’t, because too many people want a piece of you. The month begins with some edgy Mercury-Uranus action, making you a bit tense. It gets edgier when Mercury catches up to the North Lunar Node and they both oppose Mars retrograde. Be careful of impatience and antsiness. Then there is a powerful new moon in Cancer on the 12^th which is also a partial solar eclipse, so its overall effect is intensified – this is an extra intense one anyway because of its exact opposition to Pluto. Oy veh! On a global scale this is all about borders, security, and state power. Personally, watch out for setting boundaries that are too firm. Then the Sun enters Leo on the 22^nd and the fun really begins (ahem) since the Sun immediately squares Uranus, bringing high tension and the unexpected. The unexpected gets moreso when Mercury in Leo turns retrograde on the 26^th and we have a whopping full moon in Aquarius on the 27^th which is a total lunar eclipse. The whole business involves an exact line up with Mars retrograde in Aquarius. This will be a wild and weird stretch, inspiring, surprising, revolutionary and possibly quite scary too. Stay calm and stay flexible. Let Uranus blow the winds of change into your life.