Perhaps, with planets starting to go into retrograde, the furious pace of this year’s political events will slow down, but I am not counting on it. The outer planets – Pluto, Neptune, Prometheus, plus Saturn, which behave as if they are the engines of change on planet earth – are moving more or less in tandem, whether they’re in 29 degrees of a sign – say Neptune in Pisces – or the early degree of the next. Come early 2026 they will be occupying their new positions for between three and 20 years. Welcome to the new dispensation.
In July a more low event kicks in – three weeks of Mercury going into retrograde, which should hopefully help slow down the various onslaughts under way, while an exalted Jupiter may provide the all-important antidote to despair: hope.
Celestial Timetable
- The Sun moves from Cancer to Leo on July 22
- Full Moon in Capricorn on July 10 at 20.37 GMT
- New Moon in Leo on July 24 at 19.11 GMT
- Mercury spends all July in Leo, turning retrograde on July 18
- Venus is direct in Taurus until July 4 when it moves into Gemini. It moves into Cancer on July 31.
- Mars spends the month moving forwards in Virgo.
- Jupiter is in Cancer all month.
- Saturn is in Aries and retrograde from July 13
- Prometheus is moving into Gemini on July 7
- Neptune is Aries turning retrograde on July 4th.
- Pluto is retrograde in Aquarius all month.
Cancer and Cancer rising
The phases of your totem celestial body Luna are, of course, especially important to Cancerians. The new Moon of June 25, being conjunct Jupiter, was as good as it gets, and the full Moon of July 10 is likewise a moment for celebration. With the Sun on side until the 23rd, and Jupiter coursing through your skies into Autumn, maximise your opportunities – you have the rub of the green as sporting types say.
With Saturn and Neptune still atop your solar chart, there is clearly work to be done establishing and polishing your career path, and if there’s a little more gloss than substance just now, accept it as your due. The real graft in terms of name-making comes in 2026 – when this pair are again on the front foot – but you can lay the groundwork now.
The new Moon of July 24, which is opposite Pluto, is the cue for the transformation of a financial situation and/or a relationship – the two blue into each other just now.
Leo and Leo rising
There are two ways to look at Mercury occupying your skies for nine long weeks. The first: treasure your cognitive power, your organisational skills, your way with words. Write your book. Catch up with some old chums. The second: as above but realise that with the comms planet retrograde for three tiresome weeks (July 18-August 10), even the best laid plans can go awry and have unexpected outcomes. Have a plan ‘b’. In both instances, accentuate the positive as that wise old song advises.
A chunk of good news comes from Venus, in Gemini throughout July, and keeping you in touch with old pals, new acquaintances and fresh ideas. Unless you have good reason to be a solo act, be among the throng.
You won’t be able to see the Leo new Moon of July 24 but it is intense and purposeful, being precisely opposite Pluto. That may translate in several ways; an encounter with a powerful (and possibly unpleasant) person, an overwhelming emotional experience, or a strangely transformational one. Clearly birthdays at the start of your sign are first in line but the full Moon of August 9 means all Leos are included in what is a six-month cycle that ends early in 2026.
Virgo and Virgo rising
Hup two three four! With militant Mars in your skies, you can set a crunching pace for the first half of July, but once ruler Mercury turns retrograde (18th) you will need to slow down and take the errands and missions one at a time. If a job is easy to do, then do it, but given the complicated astrological scenario you face just now, postpone what doesn’t deliver immediate results. In any case, Mercury in your twelfth house spells retreat and downtime.
On the 7th Prometheus (“The Awakener” – Holst) moves to the peak of your ‘scope for the first time in 84 years. Its presence will be very much on August birthdays for the next couple of months, but since this coincides with your incoming birthday season, all of you might get a flavour of the abrupt and almost ruthless manner in which the planet brings change.
Libra and Libra rising
Off abroad? If you are after the best that is on offer from July’s stars you would be wooing under the moonlight on an idyllic, fragrant beach (Bridlington for example). Ruler Venus in Gemini is a peachy transit, especially for singletons, and at the least implies a merry high summer. With a dash of luck, you may be able to milk the other ‘beneficent’ planet, Jupiter, for some professional glory, especially around the 11th, though there is plenty of time available on that score (three months going on nine).
At the awkward end of the lollipop come Saturn and Neptune in opposition from Aries, leaving on September birthdays. Saturn is not always easy but straightforward whereas Neptune, now in retreat, is seductive and wily.
Scorpio and Scorpio rising
Your ruler, Mars, is a high energy planet and spends all month splendidly placed in the sign that most likes staying busy, Virgo. Industrial levels of activity are therefore called for, the only problem being the imminent retrograde of Mercury on the 18th, which will put a stick in everyone’s wheel, so to speak.
While you move from Full Ahead to Slow Ahead (and sometimes slow astern) you can pay attention to other facets of your solar chart, emotional matters primarily. Nothing too untoward here but with Venus in your eighth your reputation as a demon lover precedes you and may call for secrecy. You will be hearing plenty about Prometheus moving into Gemini in coming months, a shift that does not affect you directly, unless you have a birthday (or planet) at the end of your sign, say November 21, in which case you the jangling, up-ending quality of Prometheus falls directly onto you.
At the other end of you sign, around October 25, comes the new Moon of July 24, bang opposite Pluto; a very intense aspect and one that bears on either your home or career; could be time for an overhaul on both.
Sagittarius and Sagittarius rising
Here’s a hands-full month for you, the easiest part likely being your career, where Mars dominates and you are obliged to work hard to keep pace with the whims of the boss or worse, fellow underlings. It looks difficult to maintain this pace after Mercury flips to retrograde on the 18th, but bosses do not habitually pay much attention to astrology. Hang in there.
The grittier action lies with you emotional life and the business of relating. The presence of Prometheus in your partnership sign of Gemini often signals the disruption of a relationship and/or the arrival of someone new and electrifying, but such an eventuality is at this point focused firmly on birthdays at the start of your sign, 22-23 November. However, the same birthdays are already under pressure from Saturn and Neptune, making a pattern that blows hot and cold over coming months. Look upon it as your emotional life being scoured ready for new growth come the new year.
That might be overly drastic, since Venus remains securely in opposition this month, more likely to enhance and deepen a relationship than bust it up.
Capricorn And Capricorn Rising
The Sun’s shift into Cancer means you are halfway through your personal year – six months since last birthday, another six before the next. Normally that might mean you are somewhat under the weather, and on the back foot. That is much less the case this year with Jupiter opposite and conjunct the new Moon of June 25.
Jupiter brings wide screen vision, inner confidence and good vibes to partnerships (though see below).
Jupiter also means that the annual Capricorn full Moon carries more joy than usual, a time for celebration and, should you choose, clearing the decks of emotional baggage – that may even extend to your main squeeze, though any endings are likely to be not of your choosing.
Aquarius and Aquarius rising
Clear you chores and errands in the first half of the month; before Mercury turns retrograde, the 18th. The little comms planet is in opposition all month, meaning many dialogues are possible and/or necessary but assuredly after the 18th they will take up more of your time to less effect.
July looks like a month when mundane chores some jumbled with exciting, even seductive developments in your social life, Venus remains in Gemini and your fifth solar house throughout the month, the place where you find parties, prizes, and attractive people. In this same zone planet Prometheus lands on July 7 for a four month visit prior to a full seven-year stay beginning in 2026. both of which are big news for early Aquarians circa 29-23 January.
Just to add frisson to the times comes the month of Leo, your opposite but complementary sign, and a new Moon here on the 24th. The Moon won’t be visible for a few days but it remains a potential soul-shaker, being opposite Pluto in your own skies, quite enough to transform at least one partnership.
Pisces and Pisces rising
To have both the Sun and ruler Jupiter rolling through your house of recreation is every stargazer’s idea of a good thing, a boost to self-esteem, to creativity, to happy windfalls, a ticket to a hot party. The full Moon of the 10th should prove especially joyous, and even afterwards with Luna in your skies on the 14th, you look quite the proposition.
Jupiter maintain its momentum after the Sun has left Cancer – in fact, with Venus arriving here in late August this looks like the summer that keeps on giving. In July, however, you also have to handle Mars in opposition on one or more people who seem intent on having a spat with you, or who need your healing touch (quite a meeting of opposites). From the 7th planet Prometheus reaches the root of your horoscope for a three month stay before a seven-year residency from 2026. No big shakes for most of you, but birthdays circa February 19-21 may find themselves having conversations about moving home.
Aries and Aries rising
It’s summer and Jupiter is reminding you that if you have a home and family then most other matters take care of themselves. There are other concerns, of course; a full Moon at the peak of your chart on the 10th may bring a career issue to solve, but most practical issues call mainly for time – with Mercury going backwards from mid-month, old problems may need another look.
There are exceptions. Those of you born close to the spring equinox are still learning what delights/mayhem can be brought by a combination of Saturn and Neptune. You get a break from this pair come autumn before a resumption of their occupation early in 2026. With Saturn the rules are simple enough; you put in the effort required and get the job done no matter what. Property is often in the mix. Not so simple with Neptune; inspirational on occasion, the planet is also prone to bring delusion. If you feel confused, get objective advice,
The new Moon of the 24th ushers in the month of Leo , usually a favourite of yours but with Pluto involved this year, relationships are prone to get intense as we head into August.
Taurus and Taurus rising
In the money? Your boss planet, Venus, spends all of July in your zone of ready cash and income – a money planet in a money house, which should help bring an increase in your personal circumstances. Feel free to duck, dive and be tricky (this is a Gemini house).
Your horoscope has a helpful glow in other departments. Jupiter in Cancer alongside the Sun keeps everyday matters humming along while Mars in fellow earth sign Virgo should keep your social, and romantic life eventful…in a good way.
In the longer term, the month’s big development of planet Prometheus slipping out of your sign after a seven year sojourn, though said planet will be back briefly in early 2026 and leaning on Taureans born at the very end of your sign – say birthdays 19-20 May, who just now may be breathing a sigh of relief that a period of disruption is over. Almost, but not quite.
Gemini and Gemini rising
Steady as she goes! Your sign seems to be at the heart of much business in July, thanks to Venus passing through your skies and the romance planet making multiple aspects along the way. That’s you – Mr or Ms Multiple Aspect, very busy, possibly with more than one crush going on, helping others to enjoy themselves. It’s a job someone has to do, after all.
Your multiple aspects extend to more serious discussion about your career, where Saturn is emphasising the need to be one of the team, while Neptune; s presence means you need to be wary of anyone promising too much. You also have the Sun and Jupiter in your cash zone, just to keep your coffers looking respectable.
The big news is the arrival of planet Prometheus in your skies on the 7th, an omen of uproar and change, but in this first phase of its presence until October, as much is confined to birthdays 21-23 May. Sometimes, change is just too overpowering to resist.
Astrology Consultations from Pam Carruthers
Readers often ask if I give personal readings. I don’t. My primary jobs remain journalist and writer. By contrast, Pam Carruthers, webmaster, fellow astrologer and long time friend, is a professional astrologer who uses both western and vedic systems for individual clients.
Pam, who is now based in Eastbourne in the UK, has an international clientele. She is a gifted astrologer and teacher and offers Astrology Life Coaching based on your birth chart. One service she offers is Business Astrology helping clients choose the most auspicious dates to start a new project, get married or relaunch a website.
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Her website is www.healingstars.com
Want to know the Key Astrology Dates 2025 to help you plan ahead?
Pam Carruthers has compiled 2 FREE REPORTS. The New and Full Moons in 2025, 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.