Written By Ruby Warrington
Illustrations Seana Redmond

July brings the second Mercury Retrograde cycle of 2019 (July 7th—31st), and a welcome pause for reflection and integration. With Jupiter in Sagittarius all year the emphasis has been on growth and expansion, and now we get to sit back, take a breather, and decide what’s actually working. Paired with eclipses on July 2nd and 17th, the emphasis is on private vs. public life. Where have you been sacrificing your emotional needs to make a good impression? Use these powerful lunations to get back in the driving seat of your own life.

Cancer (June 21st - July 22nd)
The Cancer New Moon eclipse on July 2nd is more than a personal new year—it’s a permission slip to press reset on the way you express yourself in the world. Where have you been playing small, and what part of yourself are you ready to bring boldly to the table? With Venus in your sign for most of July too, you’re a magnet for admirers. 

Leo (July 23rd - Aug 22nd) 
You’ve been wading through deep subconscious waters the past few weeks, as the Cosmos has shown you visions of how your generational history has shaped you. Mars in your sign all month gives you the confidence to act on what you’ve learned—just in time for the powerful Leo New Moon on July 31st, which is here to kick-start your next evolution.

Virgo (Aug 23rd - Sept 22nd)
The coming weeks bring an opportunity to tend to unfinished business, especially after Mercury goes retrograde on July 7th. Let your intuition guide you and take steps to forgive and forget once and for all. With the July 17th Full Moon highlighting fun, creativity, and romance, the last thing you need is old emotional baggage weighing you down.

Libra (Sept 23rd - Oct 22nd)
The focus this month is on how your work life impacts your relationships, both in your romantic and business partnerships. Is it possible to keep everybody happy? This is Libra’s perpetual conundrum, and a question you get to confront head on after Chiron goes retrograde on July 8th. Focus on your needs first, act with integrity, and the rest will follow.

Scorpio (Oct 23rd - Nov 21st)
You’ve spent the past few weeks seeking new teachings and philosophies to help inform your next moves. Now, as the focus shifts to the legacy you are creating with your career, you have the energy and the focus to put it all into play. Mars, the Sun and Venus will all be cheering you on by the time the July 31st New Moon sparks the ignition.

Sagittarius (Nov 22nd - Dec 21st)
The whole of 2019 has felt like a magical mystery tour for you already, bringing twists and turns of every flavor—and the coming weeks bring many more opportunities to travel and explore. The July 2 New Moon is a powerful and emotional one for you. Use it to set intentions around what you’re ready to transform at soul level before you hit the open road once more.

Capricorn (Dec 22nd - Jan 19th)
How can you do relationships differently? You get to play with a new mindset in the area of partnership this month, and with Venus in the part of your chart that rules communication, lovers and coworkers alike will be open to what you have to say. Meanwhile, the July 17th Full Moon in your sign brings a project you’ve been working on for the past six months to fruition.

Aquarius (Jan 20th - Feb 18th)
You’ve been working hard on revamping your work life, and the past few weeks have seen you putting new systems in place to maximize your output and streamline your days. You get to press “go” on all this with the July 2nd New Moon, freeing up your energy to focus on any key relationships you may have let slide.

Pisces (Feb 19th - March 20th)
The Cosmos has been urging you to lighten up and tap back into the creative WHY at the heart of what it means to be you. What “shoulds” have you been busy replacing with what feels really GOOD? The theme continues throughout the month, with the July 17th Full Moon shining its light on the ways this shift in mindset has been radicalizing your world.

Aries (March 21st - April 19th)
If you’ve been contemplating a move or change to your current living situation, matters may come to a head with the July 2nd Cancer New Moon. Begin any renovations by setting an intention for how you want your home life to FEEL. It’s also a month to get creative with what fun looks like for you. Find time to take yourself on your own dream date.

Taurus (April 20th - May 20th) 
The month begins with intense mental activity as you’re presented with multiple options for which way to move forward next. It’s not an energy you’re particularly comfortable with, so hang tight until the July 17th Full Moon when the path ahead should become clear. By the end of the month, the focus shifts to your emotional self-care and you’ll have time to take a breath.

Gemini (May 21st - June 20th) 
You live and breathe ideas, and the possibilities being discussed in July could set your heart on fire. With your ruler Mercury in retrograde from July 7th through the end of the month, there’s also an opportunity to dust off any gems of genius that never got their chance to shine. Ready for a wardrobe upgrade? Treat yourself with the July 31st New Moon.