This Week in Astrology July 9-15, 2023

This Week in Astrology: July 9th to 15th, 2023

July 9-15, 2023

The Last Quarter Moon phase points to a crisis of consciousness. After basking in the awareness symbolized by the whole light of the Moon at the time of last week’s Full Moon, we disperse our knowledge and come to a point when we need to sort out what works for us–and what doesn’t–in preparation for next week’s New Moon, when something new is born once again.

This is not the best time to start a significant project, as the decreasing light of the Moon symbolizes descent into unconsciousness. It’s time to begin finishing up the details of what was conceived at the last New Moon. What revelations did you have last week? What did they mean for you? What can be done now?

The following is a chart of this Last Quarter Moon in a 0-Aries (“locationless”) wheel:

Last Quarter Moon Chart: July 9th, 2023

This phase of the Moon occurs at 17 degrees and 36 minutes of Aries square the Sun at the same degree in Cancer, affecting planets at approximately 16 to 20 degrees of the Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn) the most.

Previous: Full Moon

Full Moon

The FULL MOON occurs on Monday, July 3rd, 2023, at 7:38 AM EDT.

Monday morning, a Full Moon occurs when the Sun in Cancer forms an opposition to the Moon in Capricorn. The Full Moon is a time of culmination and the promise of fulfillment of that which was started at the New Moon. It is an emotional time – a time of romance, fertilization, and relationships.

To understand this Full Moon, we need to recognize that the Cancer-Capricorn polarity concerns the balance between the private life, domesticity, the need for a home base, and nurturance (represented by Cancer) versus the public life, career, reputation, and accountability (represented by Capricorn). Attachments and love are ruled by Cancer, while achievements and rewards/punishments are ruled by Capricorn.

In some ways, this polarity deals with the balance between unconditional love and conditional love. Cancer encourages us to value our home base and our roots, while Capricorn persuades us to consider our sense of duty and responsibility along public or professional lines. While Cancer may be content to be dependent, Capricorn urges us to be grown-up and responsible.

Cancer represents the origin, and Capricorn represents the goal. Neglecting either end of the axis will surely backfire on us. Ideally, a balance should be found between the two energies, and this is what the Full Moon invites us to do.

This Full Moon is about balancing our commitment to our career and families. Something has been building inside of us, and now is the time when the energy of the cosmos fairly demands that we let it out. Over the next two weeks, we will discover what this means for us. For now, we can’t sit on our feelings. We need to express them.

The Full Moon illuminates this conflict between roots and direction. With the Moon full and bright in the sky, symbolic “illumination” occurs in our own lives. However, these new feelings and revelations are emotional ones, as there is a sense of emotions bursting forth into our consciousness. It’s time to express ourselves and to let things out of our systems. Of course, we might want to exercise some care while doing so, knowing that what is coming out of us is fresh, unrefined, and not particularly rational as yet.

This lunation connects with Mercury, Jupiter, and Saturn, and there are solid, practical ideas associated with the realizations and epiphanies occurring now.

Full Moon Chart in Capricorn on July 3, 2023

The following is a chart of this Full Moon with additional points:

Full Moon in Capricorn Chart (with additional points)

This phase of the Moon occurs at 11 degrees and 19 minutes of Capricorn, affecting planets at approximately 7 to 15 degrees of the Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn) the most.

Moon Phase Cycle: Bigger Picture

Jun 18, 2023, 12:37 AM, Sun Conjunct Moon
(New Moon)
Jun 26, 2023, 3:50 AM, Sun Square Moon (First Quarter Moon)
Jul 3, 2023, 7:38 AM, Sun Opposition Moon (Full Moon)
Jul 9, 2023, 9:48 PM, Sun Square Moon (Last Quarter Moon)
Jul 17, 2023, 2:32 PM, Sun Conjunct Moon (New Moon)

(Times are Eastern)

This week: The Sun is in Cancer; Mercury is in Cancer until the 11th, when it moves into Leo; Venus is in Leo; Mars is in Leo until the 10th, when Mars moves into Virgo.

The Sun is in Cancer from June 21-July 22. We are self-protective and insular under this influence. Our attention turns to our nest–our families, homes, and anything that makes us feel “at home,” safe, and secure.

Nurturing and caring for our loved ones and pet projects come into focus. Emotions run deep, and we easily tune in to the world of feelings. Note that we are more in tune with the Moon while the Sun is in Cancer.

We may not want to grow up and face responsibilities or the outside world during the Sun-in-Cancer cycle. We should watch for dependence when we’d do better for ourselves otherwise. However, it’s a robust transit for recognizing our needs for comfort, safety, and familiarity. We’re inclined to form strong bonds and protect our loved ones.

Mercury is in Cancer from June 26-July 11. When Mercury is in Cancer, we move from the desire for quantity with information to the need for quality. We think, speak, and take in information on a deeper, more instinctive level. We have less interest in what is universal and more interest in what affects us personally and the people close to us. Our thoughts are colored by our emotions, making it more challenging to be objective.

We have outstanding and detailed memories during this cycle. We’re more likely to absorb information about the emotional background or atmosphere/setting around us, picking up on moods and tones in addition to facts.

While we may not have great confidence in our ability to generate new or original ideas, we have a well-developed sense of humor and radiate warmth in our communications. We take great interest in (and notice of) personal issues and interactions during this period. We don’t care much for intellectual stands if they’re devoid of a personal or heartful element, and we need intimate settings to express ourselves fully.

Mercury is in Leo from July 11-28. When Mercury is in Leo, our thinking is more confident and grand. The focus is now on the goal–and the grander a goal the better! The details may not be quite as important now. We are more expressive, even theatrical and given to speech-giving and story-telling under this influence.

We are also more convincing and persuasive, as we exude confidence when we speak or write. With this transit, we may not listen as well as we normally do since we’re very focused on our own ideas.

We’re also strong about making decisions ourselves and letting our voices and input be heard. This is not a time when we’re content with letting others make all the moves or decisions–we need to be involved. We take the lead, manage, direct, and create while Mercury is in Leo. We need to relate to information or create stories about it to absorb it well. During this cycle, we should watch for being too inflexible, proud, or haughty to change course.

Venus is in Leo from June 5-October 8. [This transit is longer than usual due to the retrograde of Venus in Leo from July 22nd to September 3rd.] Love is magnificent and grand while Venus is in Leo. We take pride in love, and we are generous with our money as well. This is a warmhearted, teasing, expressive, proud, and extravagant placement for Venus. Love is a bit of a game–a game that is perpetual, as Venus in Leo is forever stuck in the romance stage of a relationship. We feed on attention, acknowledgement, validation, and adoration.

Venus in Leo loves to be adored, pampered, and admired. Pride and passion are hallmarks of this cycle. We have a strong ego investment in our love lives during this period. The negative expression of this placement is overstating our feelings simply for the effect, as well as extravagance.

The Venus-in-Leo cycle can be a strong or profitable time for contests, lotteries, parties, recreation, drama, adornment, jewelry, costumes, art dealing, and all things golden. Generosity and warmth contribute to our ability to draw in the right resources. We can have a compelling desire to stand out, be remarkable, and feel special during this period.

Mars is in Leo from May 20-July 10. In Leo, Mars is proud, self-confident, and grand. We are spirited and have grand goals. We go after what we want in a direct, self-assured manner, desiring dramatic results. We prefer not to worry about details, and take the least complicated route to our goals. The sex drive is strong, and passion for life is high.

Mars in Leo can awaken a competitive spirit or drive. We’re more willing to take risks to get what we want. We also tend to make a splash, and we want to be in the driver’s seat. This transit is passionate, ardent, and dramatic. We seek to appear strong and prefer to be in the lead or the center of attention. We can be particularly angry if we feel disrespected or in an undignified position.

Mars is in Virgo from July 10-August 27. In Virgo, Mars is somewhat of a workhorse. We have a passion for details, as well as a need to do the right thing at just the right time under this influence. The satisfaction of a job well done is one of your greatest incentives now. We are more precise and concerned about performance.

We’re more exacting and concerned with correctness and details in our work, output, or efforts. It’s a time of greater caution, skepticism, and discipline. We tend to focus on details and plans, sometimes losing sight of the bigger picture.

There can be a perfectionistic or workaholic streak. We have a greater interest in excelling or mastering a particular skill. Science and health are most appealing. This transit highlights work with details or requiring precision, such as surgery, bookkeeping, crafts, musical instruments, etc. It also spotlights attention to health and nutrition, the healing arts, and a great interest in how things work, techniques, mechanics, and systems.

It can be a time of irritability, tension, or nervousness. Attention to detail and technique is tremendous, although our vision or confidence may suffer if we limit ourselves. There can be competitive or inflamed situations with co-workers, work, routines, or healthcare.

Our standards for ourselves are high during this cycle, and we work hard to be accurate, precise, and efficient.

Jupiter is in Taurus.

Jupiter begins its transit of Taurus on May 16th, 2023, and it will continue its transit of the sign until May 25th, 2024. Read more about Jupiter’s transit of Taurus.

Saturn transits Pisces from March 7th, 2023 until May 24th, 2025, and Sep 1st, 2025, to Feb 13th, 2026. Read about Saturn’s transit of Pisces.

Uranus is in Taurus.

Uranus transits Taurus from May 15, 2018, to November 6, 2018, and then from March 6th, 2019, until 2025/6. We approach money and personal possessions in new ways and learn to free ourselves from certain material constraints. Innovative ways to make ourselves comfortable emerge. We’re less inhibited about expressing sensuality, self-love, body love, and pampering. Above all, we’re challenging what we previously valued during this cycle.

There can be abrupt changes with money, valuables, possessions, and income that lead to a reshuffling of priorities or values. Income might come from non-traditional sources or ventures. In general, we’re bringing progressive ideas to the world of business. New ways of doing business, as well as making, viewing, and handling money, are likely. Our income and the energy we put into making money can be variable.

Pluto transitions from Capricorn to Aquarius in 2023 and 2024. Read about Pluto’s transit of Aquarius. Pluto has retrograded back into Capricorn, and is in Capricorn until January 20th, 2024.

Romance & Relationships

Venus is in Leo from June 5-October 8. Love is magnificent and grand! We take pride in love, and we are generous with our money as well. This is a warmhearted, teasing, expressive, proud, and extravagant placement for Venus. Love is a bit of a game–a game that is perpetual, as Venus in Leo is forever stuck in the romance stage of a relationship. We feed on attention, acknowledgement, validation, and adoration.

This week: Sunday, the 15th, brings awkwardness as we can feel vaguely unsatisfied, especially on romantic, spiritual, and emotional levels. It’s best to treat it as a shift day rather than one to make big decisions. We’re likely to doubt someone in our lives, or happiness, in general!

Venus, the Goddess of Love: Highlights in the Coming Week:

Venus in Leo Romance becomes an end in itself as a new cycle begins for you. It marks a time when love, creativity, and self-expression satisfy a deep yearning to be appreciated and admired – needed, even. A flashy, flirty, stylish splash of color and warmth.

Venus parallel Mars July 4. Favors romantic and sexual relationships. Intense passions.

Venus parallel Jupiter July 4. We are charitable with others and have a stronger desire than usual to find meaning in our relationships. There may be some overstating or overindulgence now, however.

Venus quincunx Neptune July 15. Idealism and disappointments in love. Avoid becoming blinded by what you want to see, rather than what really is. Doubts about love.

Venus parallel Chiron July 19-20. Healing energy is brought to love relationships, and a new cycle begins. A commitment-friendly transit. Love can heal old wounds. We are open to romantic feelings, and more willing to act upon them. This is a good time to make a resolution to repair, heal, and improve relationships.

Venus semi-sextile the Sun July 21. We may feel that our quest for pleasure, affection, love, or comfort is at odds with what we think we should be doing, which can lead to mild tension or feelings of guilt, and perhaps some indecision. Seeking to fulfill both of these needs without doing so at the expense of the other makes sense, but isn’t straightforward at this time.

The Moon & Timing

The Void of Course Moon is the period of time after the Moon has made its last aspect in one sign until the Moon enters a new sign. During the Void of Course Moon periods, it is generally wise to stick to routine rather than to begin new projects.

The last aspect the Moon makes before changing signs is indicated here and is indicative of the “outcome” of the matter (whether that is a new project begun before the void period or the answer to a question in Horary Astrology).

Void of Course in Horary Astrology: If you were asking a question and making a chart to determine the answer, as you do in Horary astrology, it is said that since the Moon is not looking forward to any more aspects in this sign, you would have to say that the answer is not forthcoming; any questions asked at this time would not come to pass.

The Moon being Void is one of the Strictures against Judgment in Horary Astrology. The following tables incorporate the modern planets, but some astrologers do not count Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto in void Moon calculations.

The Void-of-Course Moon this Week:

Void-of-course Moon on Monday, July 10th, from 7:11 PM EDT, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a square to Mercury), until the Moon enters Taurus at 7:55 PM EDT.

VOC Moon on Thursday, July 13th, from 2:10 AM EDT, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a trine to Pluto), until the Moon enters Gemini at 3:26 AM EDT.

VOC Moon on Saturday, July 15th, from 8:35 AM EDT, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a square to Neptune), until the Moon enters Cancer at 1:13 PM EDT.

July 2023:

Void of Course Moon Table: Dates in July 2023

Timing with the Moon – Better Periods this Week for Electing New Initiatives

It’s important to note that there are more factors to consider in addition to the windows listed below. The following windows are starting points. For example, you generally don’t want to elect a new venture when a very challenging aspect is applying, and it’s preferable to elect a time when a particularly positive aspect hasn’t yet perfected (is applying rather than separating).

The Moon is waning this week, which is generally considered unfavorable for new beginnings, although with some exceptions. (See Best Time to Start a Business for more details).

According to principles of timing with the Moon, a window of opportunity occurs from Wednesday, the 12th, from approximately 10:25 PM EDT, until Thursday, July 13th, at approximately 2:05 AM EDT, while the Moon is in Taurus.

See also the following articles and tables: Timing with the Moon and Opportunity Periods with the Void Moon for times and techniques.

Planetary Stations & Sign Ingresses:

Jun 5,
2023, 9:46 AM, Venus enters Leo
Jun 11, 2023, 5:35 AM, Pluto Retrograde enters Capricorn
Jun 11, 2023, 6:26 AM, Mercury enters Gemini
Jun 17, 2023, 1:27 PM, Saturn Retrograde
Jun 21, 2023, 7:22 AM, Ceres enters Libra
Jun 21, 2023, 10:58 AM, Sun enters Cancer
Jun 22, 2023, 7:40 AM, Juno enters Cancer
Jun 22, 2023, 3:14 PM, Vesta enters Gemini
Jun 26, 2023, 8:24 PM, Mercury enters Cancer
Jun 30, 2023, 5:06 PM, Neptune Retrograde
Jul 10, 2023, 2:52 AM, Pallas enters Virgo
Jul 10, 2023, 7:40 AM, Mars enters Virgo
Jul 11, 2023, 12:11 AM, Mercury enters Leo
Jul 17, 2023, 3:59 PM, True Node Retrograde enters Aries
Jul 22, 2023, 9:33 PM, Venus Retrograde at 28 Leo 36
Jul 22, 2023, 9:50 PM, Sun enters Leo
Jul 23, 2023, 8:42 AM, Chiron Retrograde at 19 Ari 58
Jul 28, 2023, 5:31 PM, Mercury enters Virgo
Aug 15, 2023, 3:29 PM, Juno enters Leo
Aug 23, 2023, 5:01 AM, Sun enters Virgo
Aug 23, 2023, 3:59 PM, Mercury Retrograde at 21 Vir 51
Aug 27, 2023, 9:20 AM, Mars enters Libra
Aug 28, 2023, 10:39 PM, Uranus Retrograde at 23 Tau 05
Sep 3, 2023, 9:20 PM, Venus Direct at 12 Leo 13
Sep 4, 2023, 10:11 AM, Jupiter Retrograde at 15 Tau 35
Sep 13, 2023, 12:35 PM, Pallas enters Libra
Sep 13, 2023, 7:22 PM, Vesta enters Cancer
Sep 15, 2023, 8:47 AM, Ceres enters Scorpio
Sep 15, 2023, 4:21 PM, Mercury Direct at 8 Vir 00
Sep 23, 2023, 2:50 AM, Sun enters Libra

See also: Astrology of Today – an overview of the day (this takes you to my other site, Astrology Cafe).

Note: Times given are Eastern Time (ET).

This Week’s Calendar

This Week in Astrology Calendar: July 9th to 15th, 2023

This Week’s Aspects

Mars quincunx Pluto. A strong desire to prove ourselves may be at the root of confrontations and bull-headedness at this time. Avoid forcing issues.

Mercury trine Neptune. Imagination and intuition run high, and are involved in decisions made today. We are in the right place at the right time. We may easily sense the thoughts and feelings of others. We express ourselves with subtle flair. Favors photography, the arts, poetry, fiction, spirituality, advertising, and promotion.

Mercury opposition Pluto. This energy produces either a compulsive need to talk or a desire to withhold information. Obsessive thinking, attempts to persuade others to think like we do, insisting on knowing the “truth” or on exposing falsehoods, making mountains out of molehills–these are all possibilities now. This aspect can also represent mental anxiety or concern. On the other hand, it can suggest the ability to engage in deep, penetrating communication.

Sun square Chiron. The desire to learn and grow through experiences and through others is strong, but may be hampered by a lack of confidence or a fear of being different. We might experience a lack of faith in our own decisions. We could too easily follow others’ leads due to self-doubt, or simply to please them and out of fear of asserting our own desires.

Sun sesquiquadrate Saturn. It’s hard to satisfy the ego today. We feel blocked by circumstances or others. It’s too easy to feel discouraged, but discouragement is a time waster. Gratitude isn’t forthcoming right now, so it’s best to wait it out rather than waste energy letting it get to you.

Mercury quincunx Saturn. Communication challenges today make it hard to get a point across. Delays, “red tape”, and vague feelings of forgetting important details.

Sun sextile Uranus. We are willing to adapt to new circumstances, ideas, and unfamiliar situations. It’s a good time to join organizations and groups and to attend meetings or social events, as these can be enlightening. We can find creative solutions to problems now and effect positive changes. Flexibility is the key to success under this influence.

Venus quincunx Neptune. Under this influence, we are apt to see what we want to see, rather than what actually is, when it comes to both financial affairs and affairs of the heart. Still, we tend to doubt our perceptions of perfection. The end result is a feeling of insecurity on romantic and social levels. Avoid making large purchases and commitments at this time.

Note: Times given in the table/calendar above are Eastern Time (ET).

Daily Trends Calendar

See below for day-by-day forecasts and planets in signs. See also Transit to Transit aspects.

See also: Astrology of Today – an overview of the day – Astrology Cafe.

Astrology Chart of Today/Now in my Free Report section shows the current chart with interpretations.

What’s In Store By the Stars – Daily Astrology Trends

(as featured on the site’s main page and in our Daily Trends Calendar)

See also the Astrology Trends Calendar that includes these daily trend overviews and other astrological events such as ingresses, stations, and lunations.

JULY 9

A Mars-Pluto quincunx this morning can stir some edginess and tension. Feelings of anger or competitiveness can be challenging to manage, process, integrate, or understand, especially since they may be displaced or unresolved as they’ve built from other times. It’s best to avoid forcing issues. However, as the day advances, letting go of frustrations is natural and easy. Mercury forms a trine to Neptune, encouraging us to tap into our imagination. With this transit, we more readily tune into and respond to our hunches. We may easily sense others’ thoughts and feelings, and our words, musings, and ideas can be more imaginative, colorful, subtle, or creative. We experience a sense of knowing and understanding with minimal explanation or instruction. While we may not be direct or definite, we see the way around obstacles. This transit favors photography, the arts, poetry, fiction, spirituality, advertising, and promotion. The Last Quarter Moon occurs tonight when the Sun in Cancer forms a square to the Moon in Aries. We’re beginning to see recent events in a more mature light. The next few days are good for reassessing matters from a more experienced viewpoint. For now, we can feel tense or conflicted temporarily. The Moon transits Aries all day.

JULY 10

Mars enters Virgo today, where it will transit until August 27th, and we have a passion for details and a need to do the right thing at just the right time. The satisfaction of a job well done is one of our
greatest incentives now. We are more precise and concerned about our performance during this cycle.

Mercury will head into Leo early tomorrow, but before it goes, it opposes Pluto today. We can face some pressure to deal with problem areas but should avoid making rash decisions. There can be mental tension, paranoid thoughts, or excessive suspicion to manage. We might either feel compelled to talk and question or withhold information. We can too quickly become embroiled in power struggles. However, if we aim to learn from our resentment, it can bring us closer to understanding what we truly want.

The Moon is void from 7:11 PM EDT, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a square to Mercury), until the Moon enters Taurus at 7:55 PM EDT.

JULY 11

Mercury enters Leo early today, where it will transit until the 28th. With Mercury in Leo in the weeks ahead, our thinking is confident and grand, and clearly defined goals motivate us. We are expressive, convincing, decisive, and persuasive. We want our voices and input heard. It’s not a time when we’re content with letting others make all the moves or decisions–we must be involved. We take the lead, manage, direct, and create while Mercury is in Leo. For maximum absorption, we need to relate to information or create stories about it. During this cycle, we should watch for being too inflexible or proud to change course. A semi-sextile between Mercury and Mars this morning suggests a tendency toward either extreme of indecision or rushing decisions. We may not have an easy time putting our ideas into action temporarily. The Taurus Moon’s alignment with Jupiter this afternoon is patient, warm, and indulgent. We’re reaching for our joy and seeking to grow, develop, and improve, primarily through embracing our desire for comfort, security, and groundedness.

JULY 12

The Sun’s square to Chiron this morning can pull up insecurities and areas of vulnerability, possibly disruptively. We could too easily follow others’ leads because of self-doubt, to please them, or out of fear of asserting our desires. Alternatively, we might go to great lengths to prove ourselves or assert our individuality when a better approach would be recognizing our feelings of vulnerability that people or circumstances are stirring. Today’s Moon in Taurus is harmony-oriented, comfortable, and stubborn. While we’re not inclined to go out of our way, preferring to settle in, we enjoy some light interaction.

JULY 13

The Moon continues its transit of Taurus only until 3:26 AM EDT, after which the Moon is in Gemini, and we’re more communicative and connected. We’re inclined to play with ideas and make plans. We seek some variety and mental engagement–our need for mental stimulation is strong. While we enjoy staying busy, we prefer to keep things light with a Gemini Moon. We can feel scattered or divided this morning with the Moon’s square to Mars, but pace ourselves better as the day advances. Later today, we approach a Sun-Saturn minor square, and we can become more aware of, or frustrated by, our limitations. This transit can close us up or narrow our focus. We could feel confined or restricted regarding our plans and self-expression until we work out the tension.

The Moon is void from 2:10 AM EDT, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a trine to Pluto), until the Moon enters Gemini at 3:26 AM EDT.

JULY 14

The Sun and Mercury form minor challenging aspects to Saturn this morning, pointing to some sensitivity to how others receive us and our ideas. Mental anxiety can interfere with making good, practical choices, and there can be communication challenges or mental blocks, or the desire to enjoy ourselves can clash with our material goals. Doubts might slow down our movements and initiatives. Even so, this can be a helpful process as we take a break from pushing ahead and check in with our objectives. As the day advances, a Sun-Uranus sextile brings a theme of progress. This transit stirs our willingness to adapt to new circumstances, ideas, and unfamiliar situations. Spirits are high, and we’re excited about change. Group connections can be enlightening, and we’ll do the best for ourselves if we embrace flexibility and innovation. We might arrive at creative solutions to problems and make improvements now.

JULY 15

The Moon continues its transit of Gemini until 1:13 PM EDT, when it heads into Cancer. While we can be especially curious with the Gemini Moon, spending more time than usual in our minds, we seek more comfort and familiarity with the Cancer Moon, emphasizing our attachments and feelings. This transit encourages us to center ourselves and let go of overthinking. We favor comfort over satisfying our curiosity. With a Venus-Neptune quincunx today, we might want to see things realistically on the one hand and prefer to nurture a fantasy or look the other way on the other. Under this influence, there can be insecurity or doubts about others or our own feelings and perceptions. Indecision is possible.

The Moon is void from 8:35 AM EDT, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a square to Neptune), until the Moon enters Cancer at 1:13 PM EDT.

If it’s your birthday today, see our feature, If Today is Your Birthday Forecasts, for a free forecast for the upcoming year.

Moon Signs This Week:

When the Moon is in Aries

We're motivated by a strong desire to start fresh. A gut instinct to begin something new is with us now, as well as the gumption to do so. Our pioneering impulses are strong, and we feel energetic, spontaneous, and enthusiastic. We may also be tactless and impulsive now. Excess energy is best channeled into physical activity.

People can be more self-motivated and also self-focused while the Moon is in Aries. It's a competitive rather than cooperative time. Accidents and tempers flaring are more likely than usual. This period is one of more personal courage.

The Moon in Aries generally favors the following activities: Quick actions that yield immediate results. Undertakings that involve the self and the personality. (Staying power may be lacking). Self-assertion, taking on challenges, beginning short-term projects.

When the Moon is in Taurus

We are motivated by the desire for serenity, security, peace, and comfort. The Moon is at her most sensual and constant in Taurus. Our basic impulses are to relax, resist change, and "stop to smell the roses." Life slows down a little, and we get comfortable. We may also be inclined to stubbornness and materialism under this influence.

While the Moon is in Taurus, people can be emotionally constant but inflexible. It's a time of stronger focus on personal needs and comfort levels, and a period of more common sense and attention to practical matters.

The Moon in Taurus generally favors the following activities: Substantial and material actions that yield solid results. Financial activities, and those involving personal possessions, applying for a loan, beginning a potentially long-term relationship, music, home decor.

When the Moon is in Gemini

Our basic instinct is to communicate, think, and learn under the influence of Moon in Gemini. We are motivated by a desire for variety and by an instinctive curiosity. The Moon in Gemini is light-hearted, breezy, spirited, and curious, but it can also be restless and fickle.

The Moon in Gemini generally favors the following activities: Mental and communicative actions, and more than one activity at once. Reading, learning, letters and emails, errands, writing, teaching, making connections, cafes, light and airy meetings, short trips.

When the Moon is in Cancer

The restlessness of the Gemini Moon gives way to an instinctive need for peace and quiet. A feeling of belonging and safety is what motivates us under this influence. The Moon feels right at home in the sign of Cancer, as it rules the sign. This Moon position has much healing potential. Although insular by nature, our feelings run deep, making it an ideal time to get in touch with what motivates us.

The Moon in Cancer generally favors the following activities: Domestic activities, those that involve awareness of personal needs. Home decor, family get-togethers.

Upcoming Weeks: Calendars

: This Week in Astrology Calendar: July 9th to 15th, 2023

: This Week in Astrology Calendar: July 16th to 22nd, 2023

: This Week in Astrology Calendear: July 23rd to 29th, 2023

: This Week in Astrology Calendar: July 30th to August 5th, 2023

: This Week in Astrology Calendar: August 6th to 12th, 2023

: This Week in Astrology Calendar: August 13th to 19th, 2023

: This Week in Astrology Calendar: August 20th to 26th, 2023

: This Week in Astrology Calendar: August 27th to September 2nd, 2023

: This Week in Astrology Calendar: September 3rd to 9th, 2023

: This Week in Astrology Calendar: September 10th to 16th, 2023

: This Week in Astrology Calendar: September 17th to 23rd, 2023

: This Week in Astrology Calendar: September 24th to 30th, 2023

THIS WEEK’S PLANETARY POSITIONS BY SIGN (General Trends):

Sun in Cancer Being more in touch with your emotional roots is a keynote of the cycle that now takes hold in your life. This has to do with feelings, but it’s more than that: it’s about making the things you feel and care about a reality. At some levels, this means a greater focus on family life – parents, children, relatives, the whole domestic scene. On a somewhat broader scale, you’re likely to find that houses and other real property take on greater significance for you. Nurturing is where it’s at in your life now: making things grow and taking care of them, planting seeds that will develop and survive far into the future – that’s what it’s all about.

Mercury in Cancer Gut-level is the way you think, speak, and perceive in the cycle you have just begun. You aren’t interested in the superficial; instead, you want to get right to the root of things. You don’t care about the universal, only about how things impact you and yours. Intellect and emotion mix to the point of inseparability.

Mercury in Leo The hallmark of the cycle you have just begun is thinking, learning and communicating with style. Intellectual creativity is highlighted, and your social connections have a certain flair of drama to them. Winning the admiration of others for the things you say or write (and the way you do it) takes on more importance in your life.

Venus in Leo Romance becomes an end in itself as a new cycle begins for you. It marks a time when love, creativity, and self-expression satisfy a deep yearning to be appreciated and admired – needed, even. A flashy, flirty, stylish splash of color and warmth.

Mars in Leo The thrill of the chase, the smell of the greasepaint, the roar of the crowd: that’s what gets your juices flowing now that you’ve entered a new cycle. To be appreciated, to be admired (adored, even) – that’s what you crave. It’s a time of creativity, drama, and passion; a time when grabbing the spotlight and stealing the scene gives you a thrill. Is winning everything? No – but it’s way ahead of whatever comes in second!

Mars in Virgo As a new cycle dawns in your life, there arises a passion for details, a need to do just the right thing at just the right time, and a burning desire to have a place for everything and everything in its place. This can be hard on the digestion if taken to extremes! The satisfaction of a job well done is one of your greatest incentives now.

Jupiter in Taurus A kind of Midas touch is signaled by the new cycle now dawning in your life. Prosperity and security take center stage in your thoughts; a gentle but committed conservatism brings you all kinds of good things. Take care of the material things, and the spiritual will take care of itself: that’s your orientation now.

Saturn in Pisces Making peace with the past, coming to terms with karmic debts: these are some of the issues that confront you as a new phase begins in your life. Failure to face these things can cause setbacks and put obstacles in your path. Learn to look beyond the narrowly personal and selfish or you’ll get in over your head.

Uranus in Taurus Practicality and ingenuity combine as powerful drives in your life now that you have begun a new cycle. Taking innovative concepts and making them real and practical is your strong suit; getting stuck in the mud is to be avoided at all costs. Financial savvy, inventiveness, worldly genius.

Neptune in Pisces Things spiritual and psychic take the driver’s seat of your imagination as you begin a new cycle. The fine arts and all manner of fantasies assume a larger-than-life importance. Surrendering to fate, karma, and other powers greater than merely mortal may be seen as the ultimate liberation. If all is Maya (illusion), what is the reality that gives rise to the world of appearances?

Pluto in Capricorn As this new phase dawns for you, the pursuit of social/political power and status has a way of seeming necessary and inevitable – and let nothing stand in its way. It starts out small, but has bigger consequences than you’d think. Ambition, responsibility, a place for everyone and everyone in their place…

The interpretations in this box are from the Day Watch software.

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This Week in Astrology: July 9 to 15, 2023