This Month in Astrology – July 2017

Focus on your home or family life continues for the first three weeks of July, dear Aries. Extra activity and energy are with you in your personal life. There can be increased family activities or more animation to your domestic world. Additional involvement with family members, more traffic through the home, reorganization or renovation and other such endeavors can figure strongly now. Even so, around the 9th, a career matter or project can come to fruition, stimulating much activity surrounding responsibilities or professional life, particularly if you've been so deeply involved in your personal life that you've had less time for responsibilities to the outside world.

There can certainly be some hectic moments at home this month. Perhaps your responsibilities to family increase or you want or need to take charge and take the lead. You are not content with only thinking about what you'd like to do; you want to be proactive and get things done. These are not lazy days of summer! It can be a great time for taking action on repairs and improvements around the home, as well as for active family involvement or organized activities and reunions with family. Underlying tensions with family can indeed emerge, and the good news is that you're more assertive and direct in your dealings and can solve problems quickly and courageously. This is not the best time for sensitivity, however. Your priority seems to be to get the job done and take care of business.

Venus spends most of the month in your communications sector -- from the 4-31 -- an excellent influence for expressing yourself through your words more charmingly. You thoroughly enjoy your personal studies or interests and daily life. Good feedback is likely to arrive now and incoming communications or news can be pleasantly motivating. Particularly around the 18th, you're learning a lot about and through others, and you're in great shape for partnering and negotiating. There can be a nice sense that you're growing and that your future looks bright. People appreciate you, so be sure to allow for opportunities to mingle. Pleasant contact, friendly exchanges, or improved relations with classmates, siblings, neighbors, a partner, or a good friend can headline in your social life. Your attitude and mindset attract positive attention your way.

Mercury in your creative sector from the 5-25 is also excellent for communication success this month. If you don't already do it, consider writing about something you love and sharing it with others. Mars, your ruler, and the Sun move into your creativity and romance sector on the 20th and 22nd, after which a New Moon occurs on the 23rd and the Sun and Mars align officially on the 26th. You can expect a power-packed few days! Sudden and compelling motivation to pursue romance, fun, pleasure, hobbies, or recreation can figure strongly now. Children also come under the rule of this sector of your chart such that the desire to procreate, if applicable, or to enjoy activities with kids can emerge now for some of you. You are particularly bold about expressing your creativity or feelings now. This can be a highly-charged and animated time. You can be impatient and impulsive, however, but preferably confident and in charge rather than reckless. Inhibitions fall away. Tune into your energy and motivation, but tune out, as much as possible, egocentric or reckless inclinations now, as the former can bring you to the finishing line a winner, and the latter can lead to regret.

One of the things that sticks out and distinguishes this month as different than others is that you're absolutely not interested in repeating the same old patterns or in being tied to lifeless routines. Dealing with long-standing problems and even childhood issues can be successful as a result -- you are no longer comfortable with your comfort zone!

Your projects, studies, and personal interests continue to gather momentum this month, dear Taurus. July can be a busy, communicative, and connected month for you, and while the focus changes to home and family life later this month, it remains an energetic period. This is largely because the Sun and Mars are traveling rather closely together throughout July, riling things up! Assorted activities, work, and errands, studies, communications, getting around the neighborhood figure strongly in the first three weeks, and not very much rest or predictability.

Aim to manage your energy so that you avoid a hectic environment. Make lists and plans so that you avoid a haphazard approach -- something that happens all too frequently when Mars moves through your solar third house as it does now until the 20th. Watch for impulsive movements and communications -- you can be quick on the trigger, and you can have so very much on your mind this month! Impatience or unexpressed anger can lead to mistakes or missteps. However, if you need the courage to push a project forward, express your ideas, or initiate a connection, this is the time for doing so.

A period of heavier expense ends, and you feel a little less weighed down by material concerns this month. In fact, Venus spends the 4-31 in your solar second house, lightening the load and reminding you of the comforts and pleasures of simple, earthy activities. July is less about making money and more about enjoying what you have. It's a good month for income, bonuses, or gifts. Attracting rather than chasing resources is most successful now. While your daily life can be hectic, there is something very comfortable and pleasant about your work and practical affairs in July. Especially around the 18th, you're likely to take particular pleasure in solving problems and making plans. The social side of working through a problem or your job is of great appeal now. Social opportunities surrounding work are possible now.

The Full Moon on the 9th is loaded, but it falls in harmony with your sign, suggesting that the discoveries and lessons of this lunation are easier on you than many others. It can be a time for awakening to true feelings about a course of study or project, which can propel you in a new direction or reinforce your commitment to a path you're already on.

Mars and the Sun move to the bottom of your solar chart on the 20th and 22nd, respectively. A New Moon occurs here on the 23rd, and the Sun and Mars finally reach alignment on the 26th. These influences point to an exceptionally busy, animated, and active time for home and family matters. The trick is to channel and manage this additional energy well and to your advantage! Irritations or long-term problems that have been brewing under the surface things are now in your face, ready for resolution. Be direct but also sensitive to others' feelings. Take charge, but if someone wants to take the lead more than you do, know when to step aside. Egos can get in the way now. You may be coming to a loved one's aid or defense, working on home improvement or repairs, or spending more time with family.

Mercury's move into your romance and creativity sector on the 26th brings more attention to fun and games, romance, and recreational pursuits - a theme that grows in August.

The desire for action and ambition surrounding business affairs, material concerns, and finances figures strongly in July, dear Gemini. You're more inclined to go after what you want, and you expect more from others as well. With Mars and the Sun's continued presence in your solar second house for the first three weeks of July (since later June), money or resources come into your life, particularly if you actively pursue them. However, they might also seep through the cracks if you're tuning into the impulsive energy of this combination in this sector of your chart.

Regardless, you have the power to make a giant leap forward with income or security in your life. Your initiative and courage enhance your earning power in direct, obvious ways. You're impatient at times now, and this may work to your advantage if you need the motivation to finally deal with a long-standing problem, but try not to take shortcuts for the most benefits now. Get-rich-quick schemes, for example, should be avoided.

Jointly-held assets and intimacy may be in sharp focus around the 9th when a Full Moon pushes you to get in touch with your true feelings about a relationship or a situation. You may need to straighten out matters of support, ownership, dependency, or debt at this time. However, your income and natural talents get top billing now. It's an excellent time for actively pursuing what you deserve. There is a stronger focus in your life on money matters, valuables, comfort levels, and security.

Fortunately, Venus spends almost all of July gracing your sign -- from July 4-31. This transit is fantastic for personal appeal and magnetism. Attention turns to your gracious qualities. Opportunities for cooperation, loving and personal gestures, and shared happiness emerge, particularly around the 18th. Creativity and romance can blossom. It's an indulgent time when you more frequently pamper yourself. You might discover new ways of having fun or opportunities to express yourself. You're turning heads in July!

The pace of your everyday life slips into high gear from the 20-22 forward. You actively seek out information and contacts now. You're bolder about expressing your ideas, or you take the lead in your projects or studies with the Sun and Mars animating your communications sector now. This can be the start of a brand new initiative, particularly after the New Moon on the 23rd. While you should certainly be on the lookout for impatient or egocentric communications, this is a good time for the confidence and courage to say what you want to say and for expressing your ideas and stating your opinion. Venus in your sign helps out on this level, as Mars in your communications sector can lead to impatient or aggressive self-expression, and Venus softens this tendency. Be more cautious than usual en route since you have a tendency to rush things. Otherwise, this can be a fabulous period for new and innovative ideas, energetic work on your studies or a personal project, and following through on a missed connection or gaining the courage to reach out to someone. Verbal conflicts are possible now, but some mindful clearing of the air may be just what you need.

July continues the personally busy theme that began in the last week of June, dear Cancer, at least for a spell. Mars and the Sun stay in your sign until the 20th and 22nd, respectively, pointing to three weeks of personal dynamism and energy. Mercury is in Cancer until the 5th, continuing a theme of speaking up more often, after which your thinking is especially practical.

From the 4-31, you can be a little more past-focused, reflective, or private about your feelings, love life, and pleasures. You may be very giving of your time and energy, caring for someone, or playing a waiting game in love. You are attracted to the hidden elements of life, finding inner beauty most magical. You appreciate some level of solitude now.

Even so, around the Full Moon on the 9th, any frustrations related to dependence on others or irritations in relationships can come to a head. Aim to purge, release, and work on letting go of negative attachments or behaviors, but be mindful as you do so, fully owning your part in any exchange or interaction. Ideally, you see exactly what you need to let go of so that you can move more freely. You could feel blocked and vetoed, but from this, the drive to improve your life emerges strongly.

The first three weeks of the month find you more assertive and active than usual, as you take less time thinking about what you want to do and more time doing it!

But there are some sweet, quiet moments, too. Particularly around the 18th, the comforts of home and family draw you in. It's a good time for casual entertaining at home, or for simply kicking back and enjoying low-key activities. Bringing an open mind and heart into your close personal relationships can bring rewards. Good feelings in or about relationships can figure strongly now. There can be some tendency to indulge and possibly go over the top when it comes to spending, comfort foods, expressing affection, and pleasures, but this can also be a good time for learning more about yourself, your heart, and the people closest to you.

In fact, as July advances, you're increasingly interested in matters related to comfort, security, money, and stability. This can be a time of enjoying the moment but also building your nest. Whatever you're building now, whether it's a business, home, or relationship, you are in a good position to pay special attention to it. You're bringing muscle to current projects, and after the 23rd, to brand-new ventures.

The last week of July can be particularly suitable for launching money-making projects, starting savings programs, or committing to developing your talents. Aim to be as self-aware as possible now to avoid letting impatience driving your decisions. Business matters can suddenly move forward or require action. You might have the courage to ask for a raise or pursue a business deal. The last week of the month is also excellent for test-taking, sharing ideas, and information gathering.

July can be an in like a lamb, out like a lion month for you, dear Leo. You begin the month with several personal planets in the sign behind yours, and two of these, Mars and the Sun, stay there until July 20th and 22nd, respectively. This points to a low-key, under the radar period for the most. There may be a lot going on behind the scenes, but you tend to be wrapping something up or keeping something under wraps!

However, by the 22nd, you're in a personally powerful, active, energetic, and effective period. The New Moon on the 23rd and Sun-Mars alignment on the 26th add more power and muscle. You're in a fabulous position to turn over a new leaf in the last week of July.

In the first three weeks of the month, you need extra time to sort things out and avoid overload or burnout. This is a natural time of year for some level of repose, and this year, you have both the Sun and Mars needing a timeout, so the need to take things easy is even more prominent than usual. It's not an ideal time for brand new beginnings, but it's beneficial for healing and peaceful activities.

While there is quite a bit of attention to your private life or inner world, you're speaking a lot more from the 5-25, and social engagements or invitations are not absent, either, from the 4th forward. In fact, friends and group associations can be highly beneficial from the 4-31. Camaraderie is important to your frame of mind and well-being now. This is also a good time for instinctively knowing when to relax and enjoy yourself -- something that is often missing from your life these days with Pluto in your work and health sector. Some particularly happy moments with friends can be enjoyed this month. As such, you tend to move in and out of a need for outside contact in July.

Around the 9th, issues surrounding work, service, or health matters reach a head. There can be a new piece of information that gets your heart racing. Pay attention to what seems to push your buttons now as these can be very revealing. This is true on some level in the first ten days of July. Aim to let go and heal, particularly if it's clear that you've been holding on too tightly to something that's been causing you so much stress that it interferes with your work-life balance.

Many times this month but particularly around the 18th, you can have some fantastic brainstorming sessions and enjoy cooperative activities. You might be bringing a past project back to life or finding ways of making something old brand new, and this can be a project or even a friendship. Your openness and generosity attract positive attention.

Energetic Mars enters your sign on the 20th, the Sun joins in on the 22nd, and both assertive, fiery bodies join forces on the 26th. In between all of this, a New Moon occurs in Leo, too. This is a power period for reinventing yourself -- you're coming on strong. You are considerably more energetic, willful, and assertive. Certainly, you may need to watch for excessive yang energy now, but with impatience kept in check, you can have an easy time going after what you want. Your confident, direct approach to the world now is winning. Solo efforts can be formidable and projects that require independence, initiative, and a pioneering spirit can benefit most now.

July continues a theme from the last week of June in which you've had a busy social life or a stronger focus on personal happiness goals, dear Virgo. Some of you have found yourselves very much in demand, and this theme continues during the first three weeks of July. This month also adds a growing theme of more attention to rest, recuperation, and downtime.

Virtually all of July (from the 4th forward), your appeal on professional or public levels is excellent. Social standing or appeal and personality can play a significant role in your bottom line, as well! Venus at the top of your solar chart enhances your reputation and may bring social opportunities through your work. Venus, besides her role as goddess of love and pleasure, is also your financial sector ruler, and there can be a peak of sorts occurring for you with money or personal comfort now. This is not as much a personally popular transit as it is a professional one, but you have other planets gunning for you personally this month. It doesn't hurt, though, to pay extra attention to your sensitivity and warmth meters in your personal relationships since the planets pushing for you are quite assertive and sometimes a little overbearing.

You might also come across as a little unavailable even when you are physically present this month since your ruler, Mercury, is in your privacy sector from the 5-25, suggesting some rumination or indecision. This influence can also point to making some personal sacrifices to help others or to working on projects behind the scenes and wrapping up certain studies or ventures.

Possible themes this month include conflicts with friends or an emphasis on leading a group. Extra energy poured into networking and connecting or initiating in your social or love life is another expression of the Sun and Mars in your solar eleventh house in the first three weeks of July. For some, there may be increased interactions with male friends. Relying on or seeking support from a friend can be a theme, although it's also possible you're the one taking on the supportive role.

Generosity with others is beneficial during this transit and especially around the 18th. You could be feeling more comfortable than usual with your position in life at this time and, by extension, others have more confidence in you. Opportunities to make more money could emerge for some of you.

From the 20-23, you have Mars and the Sun moving into your privacy sector and a New Moon occurring in this area of your solar chart. These influences can pack quite a punch, and it's all happening behind the scenes or inside you. It's an important time for getting extra rest and laying low. You're going within for answers and support more often now. It's an important time for physical and spiritual replenishment -- when others may find you a little distant at times, but they'll simply have to understand that you've earned some time to focus on your emotional needs and digest or process the events of the year behind you.

Do your best not to push yourself hard as this is a natural time of year for backing up or pulling back a little to gain some perspective and focus on physical and mental health with particular attention to the latter. Themes now and continuing into the first half of August are renewal, healing, release, and preparation for new beginnings. Even so, around the 26th especially, take the opportunity to put a long-standing problem behind you. Because the Sun and Mars align in your sector of secrets, anonymity, privacy, service to others, and endings, you might boldly pursue a secret relationship or desire, or gain the courage to end a frustrating problem, drawing upon your considerable inner strength as you do. You now have little tolerance for things you've put up with for some time. Because this house of your chart is also connected with self-undoing, be careful that you don't act too quickly on matters that may need more processing.

From the 25th, Mercury, your ruler, moves into your sign and you find your voice and feel more in charge of your life. Your opinion or know-how is in higher demand. You're making your own choices and executive decisions. You're still working behind the scenes on many levels, and you should watch for talking ahead of yourself now, but you're also in excellent shape for mental and professional pursuits.

Growing themes of social and cultural focus move into your life this month, dear Libra. With Venus in your solar ninth house most of the month (from the 4-31), you're in a great position to enjoy new, non-routine experiences, information, places, and faces in July. You have a taste for something different and exotic, particularly when it comes to love, your social life, pleasures, and pastimes now. Cultural events may satisfy more than usual and connecting with groups or like-minded people can invigorate you.

An influence on your solar chart from the 5-25 is also excellent for your social life and ability to learn and innovate. There is a great openness to new ideas and methods now. Even so, the Sun and Mars at the top of your chart until the 20-22 suggest particular attention to responsibilities, duties, management or leadership, career, public life, and reputation. Ambitious themes dominate. Your desire to win and succeed comes to the fore. You're on display or under scrutiny now, but you're also ready to take charge of the direction your life is moving. The possible downside to this is that you are more accountable than usual, but the plus side is that it's one of the stronger times of the year for reward, visibility, and recognition.

There is a nice combination or balance between work and play influences on your chart this month. Even so, personal and home life forces are not very strong -- the outside world and larger goals seem to be priorities in your life right now. In fact, partnerships and ambition can clash here and there this month, particularly around the 17th and 20th. You don't always agree with others on your life path or bigger goals and ambitions, and these themes can be stressful at these times.

Your more philosophical side comes to the fore in July, particularly around the 18th. Sharing a broader vision with others can be exciting and beneficial. A sense that you're growing and moving forward with studies and friends is motivating. Others are finding you especially attractive and magnetic. You experience high hopes and enthusiasm, and others are attracted to your unique self-expression and vision. Aim to put grudges behind you, not so much for others but for yourself. Releasing emotional weight and burdens can be invigorating now.

From the 20-22 forward, your social life picks up even more pace. There can be an increased focus on humanitarian activities and personal happiness goals. Around the 26th especially, ambitions and competitiveness in your social life can be themes. The need to lead is high but you also depend on others to reach your goals or teamwork is essential to your success. For some of you, this can be a time of taking a courageous step in your social life. Collaborations can work well, but there is a definite need for more than just talk -- you need activity and movement and say about how to achieve your goals. Alternatively, you experience a sudden rush of courage and motivation to work on an ambitious venture or ready a project for a launch. All month and especially in the last week of July, developing skills and gaining knowledge are highly favored.

From the 26th forward, be sure to look within for some answers and consider projects or attitudes that may have run their course.

An adventurous theme that began later in June continues for three weeks in July, dear Scorpio. You want to be free to explore, discover, and be spontaneous now. Leaving your options open makes sense now. It's a good time for willful actions - taking the initiative, innovating, and getting going - without too many obstacles in your path. You feel freer to assert your desires and go after what you want now. This can be a time for a change of routine, of being outside your usual comfort zones, and for doing something you usually don't do.

Venus, however, spends much of the month (the 4-31) in your intimacy sector, and this suggests that when it comes to matters of the heart and personal pleasures, you're taking things to heart or more seriously. While you're seeking more freedom in general, love matters are different! This can be a time of greater attachment, whether this is a person or a memory of a relationship, or a project you are in love with! For many of you, there can be good energy for negotiating a deal, a fairer agreement, or a loan this month. People are reaching out and offering you support in July if you need it.

There can be a pleasant feeling of being at peace with the past when Venus in your intimacy sector forms pleasing aspects to other planets, most notably on the 7th, 18th, and 29th. This can also manifest as peace with the "darker" elements of yourself and others. This is not to say that you accept poor behavior, but that you are more accepting of the idea of taking the bad with the good and seeing flaws or imperfections as beautiful. There can be a strong focus on the past, emotions, and inner desires, particularly around the 18th. Something can surface now, such as an unusual coincidence, that brings joy to your life or sets you on a healing path. Putting your trust in someone can feel invigorating. Charity, giving anonymously, volunteering, and helping others is fulfilling.

The Full Moon on the 9th can have a way of pulling up all sorts of unusual feelings and perhaps big news about travel, education, or a project. It's a time for epiphanies and getting in touch with your true feelings on a matter, or for projects turning a corner. From the 5-25, you're in a good position to plan out your goals, work, or long-term propositions. You're heard now - your words have added punch so use this energy wisely!

Mars and the Sun enter your career and reputation sector on the 20th and 22nd, respectively, and a New Moon occurs here on the 23rd. The Sun and Mars meet in this sector on the 26th, pointing to a real rush of activity and attention to your career, life path, ambition, public standing, or reputation. You're not content to simply think about or plan out these matters -- you want to take action and take charge now! This sector also rules your relationships with parents, bosses, or other authority figures. This can be a time when you're sticking up for someone or yourself, asking for a better position or raise, or taking action that requires more confidence or boldness than usual. Aim to be courageous and commanding, but watch for blind impulsiveness now. Ego issues can get in the way of perfectly good opportunities to grow and advance. This can be a very good time for tackling ambitious projects, for working tirelessly towards a project launch, or for showing a braver or bolder face to others.

An increase in contact with friends and networks figures strongly in the last few days of July. You're in particularly good shape for teamwork, clubs, collaboration, or simply enjoying time spent with acquaintances.

Relationships with loved ones continue to have extra heat or edginess to them this month, dear Sagittarius, or you can find yourself working on or pursuing certain projects with extra dedication and passion. You're in a great position to look within for answers. It's not until later in the month when you're ready to jump into action in most life departments. For the first three weeks of July, you're inclined to plan and strategize, and this is good for you right now, as there is a natural ebb and flow to astrology. You can have the courage or necessary push to handle tricky intimacy, ownership, or debt problems now.

An influence from the 4-31 is excellent for attracting helpful or happy people into your life. It's a little easier than usual to find good company. You're not only more companionable, you find it more enjoyable to have someone along for the ride, and you seek out company for things you normally do solo. The 18th is particularly suitable for cooperation, partnership, and teamwork or negotiations. Someone might turn to you as a confidante this month, and their faith in you can brighten your life. You can feel especially hopeful about friendships, partnerships, and your future in general. Others extend kindnesses to you. Group activities and associations could be avenues for fulfilling your own goals.

The Full Moon on the 9th can stir up issues of debts or support. This can also be a time of getting in touch with your feelings about a person or project. Aim to rid yourself of burdens or excess now.

Places of higher learning or around the world and the internet may hold stronger appeal from the 20-22 forward, although you'll feel this theme building earlier in the month. These could be the backdrop for interesting developments in your life, or there can be an emphasis on pulling yourself out of your usual routines and enjoying a change of scenery. You'll have the courage or the motivation to pull yourself out of your comfort zone now!

With a New Moon and a Sun-Mars connection in your sector of spirit and adventure, you are seeking out more spirited, interactive life experiences. Routines can feel more limiting than usual. You may feel the need or desire to stand up for yourself or your beliefs. Competitive activities can thrive. Some of you might enjoy a new adventure of sorts, or otherwise experience a sudden detour from the routine. There is a strong tendency towards impatience and a desire for instant gratification, so do watch for this. Also, your ego can be very present in debates, which can lead to some problems. Otherwise, you thoroughly enjoy a more active, assertive, direct, and spontaneous approach to your life. Since Saturn has been in your sign for several years, the dropping of some inhibitions now can feel particularly beautiful!

From the 26th, you become more focused on worldly matters, your career, and being heard. July is strong for sharing your ideas and gaining an audience for them in general, and these things come together more solidly as the month wraps up.

There is a strong focus on partnerships and close relationships continuing this month, dear Capricorn, and it would benefit you greatly to be creative and dynamic as well as ready to take action. While the Full Moon on the 9th brings your emotional needs and personal epiphanies to the surface, most of the first three weeks of July are about better relating. Be careful, however, because as you follow your drive to make positive changes in your life, your heart and sometimes sensitivity may be left behind.

While there can be competitive feelings and frustration if others are not always taking your plans seriously, it's an important time to work with others instead of against them, and for getting to the point of more equality, particularly when it comes to the effort put forth, in a partnership or significant friendship.

Venus spends most of the month, from the 4-31, in your work and health sector, and this can reinforce the theme of working for your relationships, but it can also help you improve the environment you work in and increase your enjoyment and appreciation of your work and routines. Relationships with people you spend time with on a daily basis or as you pursue your daily routines and health goals can be extra special now. Social opportunities might arise at the office or the gym, or even at the health food store! Your work efforts and your ability to meet responsibilities outside of work as well are especially noticeable to others around the 18th. Coming to someone's aid can lead to good feelings and energy. This is a great time for offering your services. While this is not necessarily a standout month for explicit recognition, there can be very optimistic feelings about your career or social standing. You feel more motivated the more meaning you find in what you're doing now, so use this period to discover what you love doing, and aim to do it more often!

The Full Moon in your sign on the 9th is a loaded one, possessing the power to really motivate you to make a personal change for the better. Your feelings are undeniable now! Relationship problems are unavoidable, but this also means you have the chance to handle them.

The 20-26 is a period of a dramatic shift in your focus. With the Sun and Mars moving into alignment, together these bodies stimulate courage and impulse, although sometimes recklessness as well. This activity is happening in your solar eighth house, which rules intimacy, sharing, finances shared with others or received through others, and self-empowerment and can play out in many different ways. You can experience an impulse or push to pursue these things, or there can be an argument stimulated now revolving around power dynamics. The Sun rules your intimacy sector and Mars rules your home and family sector so the impulses you experience now may be emotionally driven, internal, or relationship-focused. This can be a time for drumming up support. You can be hungry for emotional stimulation, making this a good opportunity to pour energy into or seek out a passion project or self-improvement program. This is a time when you refuse to accept the ordinary or static and strive to make long-lasting changes that empower you so that quitting a bad habit can be particularly successful now.

This month continues a theme in which work or services are in strong focus, dear Aquarius, and these things benefit from the increased dose of energy and confidence with you now. You're learning new skills, organizing, tidying, and taking care of business, and you can be especially self-motivated. This applies to health and fitness or self-care, as well. You are taking more pride in the work you do or in your ability to manage the details of your life. If you need to get back on track when it comes to managing routines or pursuing health programs, this is a stellar time to do so, as long as you don't push yourself too hard or bring too much ego into your work (the Full Moon on the 9th will help keep this in check!). Close relationships, partnering, and negotiating come into stronger focus as the month advances.

Conflicts with others this month tend to revolve around impatience as they are unlikely to be working at the same pace as you. Fortunately, Venus spends most of the month in harmony with your sign. Creative and romantic feelings blossom and pursuits thrive. Particularly around the 18th, you're appreciated by others, and you're ready to share your good feelings. It's a good time for creative communications, romance, and adventure. You'll find pleasure and social or romantic opportunities through different places and faces. Connecting with people who share similar or complementary interests to yours can figure strongly now. Freedom of movement is of particular importance to you right now, as any feeling of being tied to a place or routine can leave you feeling stifled. Relationships with others can be strengthened through sharing personal philosophies and beliefs, ideas, and interests. Love and affection are both easier to give and receive.

From the 5-25, Mercury moves into opposition with your sign, and this is another strong influence for pleasures and benefits through and with others. It's an incredible period for collaborating or simply enjoying more interaction and fun exchanges with someone special. It's not the easiest time to arrive at decisions quickly, but the reason for this is also the beauty of this transit: you are seeing things from a new perspective and considering the other side of the coin. Others have something to teach you now. This doesn't have to take the form of direct lessons. In fact, you're likely to learn more about your own feelings, tastes, and ideas through exchanges with others, which really get you thinking this month.

The Sun, the powerful leader, and Mars, the planet of action, align in your relationship sector on the 26th. This happens at the heels of a New Moon in this same sector on the 23rd, pushing you to take action, make a fresh start, or reach out of your comfort zone to make something happen. It can bring stimulation to a relationship, possibly through a partner taking the lead in your life, or your own motivation to pursue a relationship can increase sharply. Alternatively, more shared activities with others can be in strong focus now. Conflicts can certainly ensue, but getting problems out into the open helps you find the right tools to resolve them. A fresh start in the relationship department is a theme in the last week of July.

July is an active month for personal charisma and enjoyment, dear Pisces. It extends a theme that began in the latter part of June that brings you into greater touch with your need to entertain or be entertained and to create and enjoy extra play time. You could be spending time and money on entertainment, recreation, hobbies, dating, or children but should watch for taking risks or acting too impulsively now, particularly around the 2, 4-7, 15, 17, and 20. Otherwise, this is a beautiful period for approaching the world of creativity and self-expression with more boldness. You might embrace a new hobby or share your creative work with others courageously now. You could also feel that you often act a little out of character when it comes to courage this month.

Throughout July, it's important to keep in mind that you run the risk of jumping into new situations or ventures before you know what's in your heart. This was the case in June and is likely to continue in July. Before saying "yes," think about whether you truly want this for yourself - get in touch! There is a tendency to bury feelings now. A work and health or "take care of business" theme emerges quite powerfully three weeks into July. As hard as you've been going with play time, you're likely to do the same with work now.

Venus spends most of the month, from the 4-31, at the bottom of your solar chart, pointing to the need for extra pampering and a period of reminding yourself of the comforts of familiarity. Home life can improve, or you seek out quieter times. Throughout this time, but particularly around the 18th, your senses are heightened, and you feel inspired, particularly through your deeper connections, intimacy, family connections, and realizations about psychological matters. Understanding your inner motivations or those of a special person in your life can be enlightening now. Aim to let go of resentment as much as possible. Joy comes from honesty with yourself. Attracting support, if needed, comes naturally. For some, a loan or support could come through, mainly related to home or family ventures. Redecorating or making the home more comfortable and friendly can be a theme now.

The Full Moon on the 9th can bring feelings, a connection, friendship, or a project to a turning point or point of blossoming. This is a time for putting something negative behind you.

Mars and the Sun enter your sector of work, health, and routines on the 20th and 22nd, joining forces on the 26th, and a New Moon occurs in this same sector of your chart in between these events! This points to extra muscle or punch, and perhaps powerful motivation, when it comes to taking action on and improving your work, health, daily routines, habits, and self-care programs. It's an especially busy and active period for taking care of business, organizing, seeking out work or improving work, and becoming more active or proactive with your health. The Sun and Mars are powerful, action-oriented, Yang energies, and their presence in this area of your solar chart can help supply you with added energy, initiative, and courage, which are things to nurture, but you should also watch for impatience and shortness with others, or impulsive actions.