July’s tone is completely different from June. The month is overwhelming and brings drama and sensitivity to the forefront. Starting off with a rare Mars-Uranus conjunction in Gemini, July brings innovative and abrasive communication, new technology and restlessness. Gemini is ruled by Mercury, one of the fastest moving planets – demonstrating, for example, how fast AI is taking over all communication at an overwhelming pace. Mercury is also retrograde for most of the month in Cancer, which brings along the typical technological delays and miscommunication, this time with a Cancerian lens highlighting the home, family and emotions.

Sensitivity is heightened mid-month with the Sun conjunct Mercury Retrograde and the New Moon in Cancer. You are called to look at your emotional work beyond face value. This transit is the general tone of this month. During this time, assess what it means to be a good member of an intimate group. When you show up authentically in every space with all your feelings, you have a responsibility for yourself and others to have compassion and care. That is what makes spaces safe. This time brings opportunities to be honest where we may have been too scared, not trusting that we can’t sit in the uncomfortableness of real feelings. Everyone has a right to own their emotions, and the most beautiful spaces are endowed with acknowledgement, healthy boundaries and sympathy.

The Sun enters Leo on July 22, bringing in the tendency to dramatize for the sake of dramatizing. Leo season always feels like the last leg of the race where everyone is sprinting to the finish line, trying to catch the last drips of long, sunny days. You can also just keep it cute and focus on yourself, your creativity and your inner circle. It’s a great time to work on passion projects that focus on self-expression or even tend beautifying aspects of your daily life - such as bringing colour into your garden and making jams out of seasonal fruit.

On July 26, Saturn goes Retrograde in Aries. The Aries part in your chart has been re-evaluating its relationship with autonomy and willpower since February 13. This July retrograde introduces introspection to the events that occurred relating to this transit. For example, if Saturn is transiting your 11th house, you may have had a big fall out of your friend group. Around the Full Moon in Aquarius on July 29th, you will have the opportunity to reassess the events with a renewed perspective and actions that better align with you who are becoming. Maybe you reconcile with what happened and recognize that friendships are like butterflies and relationships have seasons, some longer than others.

Instead of creating a packed schedule, it’s a good month to sit back more and engage in simple pleasures. Taking time to bask in the summer can be done through everyday rituals such as sleeping earlier and getting up with the sun, cooking and baking for your friends, up-cycling, or choosing to bike to work. It’s a “protect your peace” kind of month, but it wants you to do it the right way, not through avoidance, but showing up wholeheartedly and liberating yourself.

Glossary / Legend:

Transit: The ongoing movement of any given planet through the zodiac.

Retrograde: When a planet moves backwards. In astrology, the energy of a retrograde planet turns inwards.

Conjunction: In astrology, a conjunction is when two planets meet and work on a project together. Just like people, the planets may or may not work well together. When a conjunction is exact, it points to a climax of the relationship between the two planets.

House: An astrological chart is divided by 12 houses that each rule different subjects such as the self, home, relationships, and career.

Zodiac:

Aries: A Fire sign ruled by Mars, Aries is known as a natural leader, instinctual, and courageous. This sign naturally rules the 1st house, representing the body, approach to life, and how you came into this world.

Gemini: An air sign ruled by Mercury, Gemini is known for their versatility, curiosity, and need for movement. This sign naturally rules the 3rd house, representing siblings, early education, and intellect.

Cancer: A water sign ruled by the Moon, Cancer is known as being family-oriented, emotional, and nurturing. This sign naturally rules the 4th house, representing fertility, childhood and the home.

Leo: A Fire sign ruled by the Sun, Leo is known for their generosity, pride, and loudness. While they can be self-centered, their intention is to be the most reliable person in the room to show up wholeheartedly.

Aquarius: An Air sign and ruled by Saturn, Aquarius is known for their collective mindset, progressive thinking, and being innovative. The unique dichotomy of this sign is having a natural capacity to pour energy into the collective, while keeping their individualism. Freedom goes both ways.

Planets:

Moon: This planet governs matters related to the home, the mother, childhood, and emotions. It is also the fastest moving planet in astrology, changing signs after about two days, which is why her movements are felt on a more personal level, especially on new moons, full moons, and eclipses.

Mercury: This planet governs the mind, including how we think, speak, write and process. Its placement in one’s astrological chart reveals one’s unique style of communication.

Mars: This planet governs your drive and conflict style. This influences how you assert yourself, how you act when you are angry, and how ambitious you are.

Sun: This planet represents the part of your identity you aim to embody in life and it is most connected with your ego. In contrast to the Moon and Ascendant in your natal chart, whose energies show up more naturally, the Sun shows up in more intentional, effortful expressions of self.

Uranus: This planet governs change and disruption. Like a shock of cold water to the face, this planet is all about unexpected shakeups and creative innovation. It governs revolution, rebellion, and a general sense of breakthrough!

Author Bio:

Carmela (she/they) is a writer, artist and astrologer. She is a second-generation Filipino-Canadian currently settled on "Vancouver, BC." Her interests lie across the intersections of art, technology and astrology. You can check out her website to book an astrology consultation and follow her @ohtheblooming on Substack and many social media platforms.

Artist Bio:

Monica (she/her) is an illustrator and graphic designer born and raised in Vancouver, BC. Her work spans multiple mediums and is rooted in nature and emotional storytelling. By toying with surrealism and realism, she creates imagery that captures mood, feeling and quiet moments of reflection. Follow her on Instagram @moninthemaking and www.monicadiaz.ca

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Cosmic Forecast: July 2026