With two major planets just turned to rewind – Saturn and Neptune – one might expect the pace of events to slow a little, though perhaps not just yet, since the conjunction of Mars and Prometheus – exact on July 16 – has a disruptive character. But this is an aspect that happens every couple of years, unlike the Jupiter/Prometheus meeting we witnessed in April, which comes round only every 14 years.
Talking of retrogrades, Mercury enters one of its three week retrogrades in August, meaning that whatever happens in the second half of July comes up for re-evaluation next month.
The new Moon arrives on July 5, which seems appropriate for the UK’s imminent change of government, especially since it closely replicates the Moon’s position in the UK chart set for 1801 (there are other contenders for the UK chart, including that for 1922, which also has a Moon in Cancer).
Forecasts are shorter this month, in an effort to get them out closer to the first of the month, and to give your astrologer a shot at updating his astrology book for a reprint.
Happy holidays to all, if you can get them.
Celestial events
July 2 – Mercury moves into Leo.
July 5 – New Moon in Cancer at 5.22 GMT
July 11 Venus moves into Leo.
July 20 – Mars moves into Gemini.
July 21 – Full Moon in Capricorn at 10.17 GMT
July 22 Sun moves into Leo at 07.44 GMT
July 25 – Mercury moves into Virgo.
Mercury goes retrograde in early August when it returns to Leo and goes forwards on 28 August.
Jupiter spends the month in Gemini.
Saturn is retrograde in Pisces.
Prometheus is moving forwards in Taurus.
Neptune is retrograde in Pisces.
Pluto is retrograde in Aquarius and arrives back in Capricorn early in September.
Cancer and Cancer rising
July is not the moment to retreat into your shell. A new Moon in your skies on the 10th, with Venus in attendance, makes your heart’s needs primary. A full Moon in opposition on July 21 (the second of the year) makes for a giddy weekend and, perhaps, waving a certain someone sayonara. Saturn favours long term plans and long-distance travel. Sometimes it’s good to leave home! Happy Birthday.
Leo and Leo rising
Stay busy, stay focussed. Mercury in your sign lends your words and ideas unusual power, but detail is required, especially since the comms planet will be retrograde in Leo next month. Venus, from the 12th adds Leo’s special charm – “I’m here everybody!” – while from the 22nd your Sun ruler puts you on top of the world, king or queen, just for a bit. Happy birthday.
Virgo and Virgo rising
Your personal team is a major asset just now – which is just as well, since with Saturn frowning in opposition, many Virgos face pressure from officialdom, even (or especially) if you are in a moment of triumph. With Jupiter atop your ‘scope, you should be. Careful what you promise after the 26th, as your Mercury ruler goes retrograde next month and words may come back to haunt you.
Libra and Libra rising
It needn’t be ‘a clear plan’ as the saying goes, but July’s new Moon, on the 5th, calls for maximum resolve about your career path. Find some kind of plan then! You are at a couple of other transition points. Jupiter (and Mars from the 21st) push you to travel further, maybe literally, and with bigger ideas. At the full Moon of the 21st some scheme or relationship may have to be abandoned…for something better!
Scorpio and Scorpio rising
Planets in the zodiac’s other two water signs are working hard to bring you inspiration, joy and success. Respond in kind, even if events at mid-month, when Saturn and Prometheus meet – demand an uncomfortable change of direction and attitude. A new path for a partnership or your work, should become clearer once ruler Mars changes sign (on the 21st) and a new Moon tops your ‘scope (August 4).
Sagittarius and Sagittarius rising
Ruler Jupiter in opposition for a year is a game changer, but these are early days. A special partnership – business or romantic – is one possibility, but woe betide anyone who you sense is crowding you out. With Jupiter being joined by Mars from the 21st, you likely get both ends of the lollipop. The season of fiery Leo is, as ever a winner for Centaurs.
Capricorn and Capricorn rising
A month when planets in water and earth signs are dominant is good news for the earthy Goat. Affairs of the heart dominate, with a new Moon and Venus rekindling a partnership or bring something new. The conjunction of Mars and Prometheus at mid-month can stir you to adventure or confront you with the unexpected. The second full Moon of summer in your skies, on July 21, is the trickiest moment; a weekend in the limelight maybe, or a time when change is forced on you.
Aquarius and Aquarius rising
Up close and personal is where your horoscope wants you to be this summer. And/or beavering away on your latest sci-fi opus. Jupiter’s new residence in your zone of creativity and longing is amplified by Mars’ arrival there on the 21st, while Venus in your zone of significant others is all set for a love-in. The month of Leo just turns up the volume. Downsides? keep you arrangements with others unambiguous ahead of a pesky Mercury retrograde next month.
Pisces and Pisces rising
Saturn is offering you a few months’ breather, and the new Moon in Cancer, plus Venus, on the 5th is a splendid omen for days of tea and cucumber sandwiches on your lawn of choice. Disruption and sudden flare-ups cannot be ruled out – especially around the 14th, but this looks like a calmer spell, though you must handle an especially complex spell of Mercury retrograde that kicks in around the 26th.
Aries and Aries rising
Hold steady. The season of Cancer is likely to keep you on your toes, while Mercury entering a retrograde cycle requires you maintain scrupulous diary arrangements. That said, you are about to enter an especially rewarding patch of the year, with ruler Mars joining Jupiter to bring big shots and big ideas into your orbit. Plus, once the Sun arrives in fiery Leo, la dolce vita looks like yours for the taking. The full Moon of July 20/21 may prove the most challenging weekend; Beware the red mist.
Taurus and Taurus rising
The first half of July looks cosy, with a new Moon and ruler Venus emphasising the joys of friendship and family. The fulcrum of the month is the conjunction of Mars and Prometheus in your sign on the 15th, which represents challenge, rash decisions and unexpected arrivals, especially for May 16 birthdays. After the 21st things look more grounded, and, with ruler Venus joining Jupiter, more prosperous.
Gemini and Gemini rising
It’s time to turn the page. The arrival of Jupiter in June may already have made as much clear, whether it’s a major holiday booked, a new car or a new sidekick. Everything is to play for, and once Mars arrives in your skies, on the 24th, you are set up for the summer. Even some unavoidable pressures – hacking your way through the professional jungle, are about to ease, while with the full Moon of the 21st, you can cast off a deeply emotional issue that’s been dragging you down for an age.
Want to know the Key Astrology Dates 2024 to help you plan ahead?
My webmaster, fellow astrologer and friend Pam Carruthers has compiled 2 FREE REPORTS. The New and Full Moons in 2024, followed by the Mercury Retrograde and Eclipses Report.
The most important days in the entire year to avoid launching any new projects are the days of the Solar and Lunar eclipses and the days when Mercury goes Retrograde.
The Karmic Axis
Eclipses are major turning points in the year. In astrology they are indicated by the nodes of the Moon. The Lunar nodes aren’t planets. Eclipses happen when there is an alignment with the Sun, the Moon and the Earth. When these are aligned eclipses occur, which happen twice a year.
The Moon’s Nodes form an axis in astrology, which in our birth chart is said to represent one’s destiny or spiritual quest in life. The North Node points to a key lesson in our lives. It represents new experiences towards which we must aim during this life. We have already learnt the skills of its opposite point, the South Node, in the past. Now we must grow and stretch ourselves through the North Node.
In the birth chart this polarity indicates your past life (south node) and destiny (north node). This is known as the Karmic Axis. So the people born in that time span are our Soul group. In approx. 19 years the cycle repeats, so people born 19 years apart from us share the same lunar node sign, and are also aligned to our Soul group.
Eclipses 2024 are times for a major reboot
In 2024 the transiting North node is in Aries, the south node is in Libra. The theme will focus us on our relationships.
To sum up, eclipses are powerful new or full moons. Ideal for rituals and meditation but not good for parties, weddings, or any celebrations.