Category Archives: Transits

Virgo Season: Time to Work

The sun moves into Virgo on August 23rd, and for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, thus begins the summer’s denouement.

Virgo is a mutable earth sign. Mutable and earth may not seem compatible, but I think of Virgo as a sign that reacts to change pragmatically, working through the nitty gritty of what needs to be done to adapt. Virgos can roll with the punches because they’re quick-thinking and practical.

Some of my favorite people are Virgos. Virgos know better than you, but sometimes they will let you think you are right. Virgos can sometimes be critical and judgmental, but they are prepared and detail-focused. Virgos are girls of 100 lists. Virgo is about routines and regimens. It’s about the beauty and the joy in the details.

Virgos are also very nurturing. Cancer is often thought of as the most mothering sign of the zodiac, but Virgos are also major caretakers. Virgos often look out for others. Sometimes they come across as nitpicky buttinskies, but when they are looking over your shoulder, it’s out of a place of concern. Did you remember your scarf and gloves? Did you put on sunscreen? Virgos care. I always feel safe with Virgos.

In the Bravo universe, Lisa Vanderpump is a Virgo and embodies many quintessential Virgo qualities. She’s always hyper aware of how she appears, she’s big- hearted and nurturing of her menagerie of pets and her ne’er-do-well band of SURvers and their partners, and she’s canny enough to know what makes for good business and compelling TV.

Virgo season is about getting to work. It’s about making our to-do lists, recalibrating when necessary, and taking pride in a job well done. This Virgo season may feel a little more stressful than usual because Mercury, also in Virgo, will be retrograde for most of it. This means that the activities we associate with Virgo—organizing, taking care of ourselves, acts of service, editing, studying, practicing, and cleaning—are likely to need a couple or more tries before they are executed as we want. As with all Mercury retrogrades, but especially with it being in Virgo, double check everything. Dot the i. Cross the t. Make sure you receive the confirmation email. But the Mercury retrograde shouldn’t stop you from project managing whatever it is you want to get done. 

Read below for the topics most likely to be of focus for you over the next month, as the sun and Mercury move through the area of your chart ruled by Virgo. Of course, your full horoscope for the next month depends on your individual birth chart and how the transiting planets interact with your natal placements, but these are the broad brushstroke themes you can expect to arise. My suggestion is to read for your rising sign first if you know it, then for your sun as the secondary focus.

Virgo & Virgo Rising: For Virgo risings, this next month focuses the warmth of the sun on you. For Virgo suns, it’s your solar return. You may have been feeling unsettled and more in your feelings than usual since Venus went retrograde in July, but this period should embolden you with some much needed vitality. Focus on you, your wants and needs, and what gives you life this month.

Libra & Libra Rising: Virgo rules your 12th house, and with the Sun and Mercury transiting there, this month will have you plumbing the depths of your psyche. Your dreams may be more potent than usual. You’d be well served by journaling about them and examining them. Take extra care with your sleep routine during this time; it’s important to rest. Keep your therapy appointments. This is an opportune time for working through any subconscious sludge.

Scorpio & Scorpio Rising: During Virgo season, the sun is in your house of friendships and community. Get out there in the world. If new friendships present themselves, be open to them, and nurture existing friendships. You may feel your sense of community deepen during this time and enrich you. This area of your chart also relates to hopes and dreams, so this is a good time to start thinking through and charting out a path to what you really want.

Sagittarius & Sag Rising: The sun is in your 10th house of career and legacy. You may be getting more attention and praise than usual this month, especially related to whatever you do in your public life, and/or you may be feeling renewed focus on your career. It’s a good time for reviewing your resume, editing it, and reviewing it again to ensure it truly captures your essence and what you want to present to the world.

Capricorn & Cap Rising: With Virgo season here, the sun is transiting through the part of your chart dealing with education, spirituality, and foreign cultures, so these themes are illuminated. It’s a great time to hit the books, sign up for classes, or to take a long-distance trip to another country. With Mercury retrograde, though, triple check all registrations and itineraries.

Aquarius & Aquarius Rising: The sun will be highlighting the part of your chart that deals with others’ resources and baggage. You may find yourself acting as counselor more than usual this month as people seek your level-headed advice. It’s also a good time for assessing your investments and debts, if you have any, and/or those of your partner, to see if there are better payment plans, interest rates, etc. Be on the lookout for unexpected fees and bills this month and confirm that those are correct before you actually pay them. With Mercury retrograde, everyone is more prone to mistakes.

Pisces & Pisces Rising: There is a focus and energy around one-on-one relationships for you when the sun is in Virgo. All of us have likely been feeling the effects of the Venus retrograde in our relationships. This gives you the boost you need to spend quality time with your partner if you have one and work on your communication with them. The same goes for other non-romantic partnerships. If you aren’t in a relationship, this month may have you thinking on what you do want out of a relationship and partner.

Aries & Aries Rising: Your focus will be drawn toward work and routines–the perfect manifestation of Virgo season and Mercury retrograde in Virgo. You are really great at starting new projects, but this is the month to work slowly and steadily through what you have already begun, paying extra attention to the details, to see things through to completion. On August 24th, Mars, your ruler, makes a trine to Pluto, so this can give you the stamina and focus you need to delve deep and get into the nitty gritty of the tasks you need to do.

Taurus & Taurus Rising: This is a time for joy, for fun, and for creative pursuits. If you have been contemplating a new artistic endeavor or have already started one, Virgo season and the Mercury rx offer a chance to reassess your routines to build in more time for your creativity. Write your morning pages and let your hair down. Get high by the beach.

Gemini & Gemini Rising: Your focus during this time likely will be largely on home and family. You may be feeling the urge to nest. With Mercury in this part of your chart and retrograde, it’s a great time for surveying your home and assessing what needs to be repaired or reinforced. What needs resealing and recaulking to prevent future leaks? Are your window blinds about to come loose from their brackets and need to be tightened? As the cooler weather comes (we hope), there’s a batten-down-the-hatches vibe that you can make good use of now.

Cancer & Cancer Rising: There’s going to be even more of a focus on your communications this month than there would be anyway with just Mercury retrograde. Examine how you can improve your communication style to better express what you are truly trying to convey to others. This Virgo season could mean you’re presenting at work or you’re emailing and coordinating something with neighbors. It’s an opportunity to take stock of your words and edit. This is also a time for focusing on your daily routines and making improvements, e.g., finding ways to alter your commute to make it faster or less crowded.

Leo & Leo Rising: Virgo season lights up the area of your chart focused on your resources and income. This could be an excellent time to ask for a raise, but in using Virgo’s influence, you’ll want to make sure you do your due diligence first and get all the necessary details and arguments lined up before pitching anything (especially with Mercury retrograde). It’s also a time to assess how you make and manage your money and tweak anything that isn’t paying off. 

As with all astrological content, this is intended to be taken with a grain of salt and is for entertainment. These are my interpretations of the planetary placements and transits, not fact or fortune telling.  

Mercury Retrograde in Virgo

For the past two weeks, Mercury has been slowing, gearing up for its retrograde, and on Wednesday, August 23rd, it begins its retrograde journey through Virgo. This will last until September 15th, when it will once again station and start moving direct. 

The Mercury retrogrades this year have all been in earth signs, which has made them a little more grounded than they would be in the other elements. Mercury is the ruler of Virgo and it’s also exalted there, which means that not only is Mercury not answering to another planet during this time, it’s in the sign it loves to be in. So while the typical Mercury retrograde is very annoying, this one should be a little less so (one hopes). 

The start of it may be rocky, as Mercury stations retrograde while approaching a conjunction with Mars, which is still in Virgo and a day prior (August 22nd) formed an exact opposition to Neptune in Pisces. Mars wants action, and Neptune represents delusions and doubts, so when tough Mars-Neptune aspects hit, we feel irritable and unsure. This is the state of things at the start of this particular Mercury retrograde. However, as Mercury backs away from Mars and Mars continues to head toward Libra, that should dissipate. 

When Mercury is retrograde, as always, it makes for a time of reflection and reconsideration. Is that stuff that’s going haywire totally out of the blue, or can we make it easier for ourselves in the future by, say, leaving a little earlier before we’re scheduled to be somewhere, or by cleaning out the gunk in our sink drains before everything backs up? I use those two examples because Virgo is a sign generally associated with punctuality and cleanliness, so Mercury’s lessons during this retrograde may manifest in those two areas.

Virgo is all about routine, so it’s time to rethink your everyday routines to mitigate future snafus. 

On September 4th, Mercury makes a nice aspect to Jupiter, the planet of growth and expansion, which will be at 15 degrees of Taurus. Then right around 7 am EDT on September 6th, Mercury is exactly conjunct the Sun (in cazimi). Those are the only major aspects it makes during the retrograde, and those are generally pretty pleasant. 

The rule of Mercury retrograde is patience. Frustrations may present themselves, but you knew they were coming. Be patient and remember that Mercury retrogrades don’t last that long.

Venus Cazimi

We are nearing the halfway point of the Venus retrograde period, and a Venus cazimi will occur on Sunday, August 13th, at about 7:10am EDT. “Cazimi” is an astrology term that refers to the configuration formed when a planet is conjunct the Sun, or “in the heart of the Sun.”

Cazimis happen fairly regularly, but this Sun-Venus alignment, which will occur at 20 degrees of Leo, is noteworthy because it marks Venus’s transition from evening star to morning star, as it crosses the sun in its retrograde journey.

It’s also an opportune time for reflection, clarification, and manifestation. This is because of the combination of energies that will be present with the Sun and Venus meeting up. 

The Sun, which represents the true self and our purpose, meets up with the planet that rules relationships, love, beauty, money, wealth, and that which we value. This conjunction will assist us in sussing out our hearts’ true desires from what we don’t actually want. Venus will still be retrograde until September 3rd, but this second phase of that trajectory should feel a little easier than the first and should offer more clarity on anything Venus-ruled you have been feeling confused about over the last 3 weeks. Use this cazimi’s influence to reflect on what you really, truly want in your life and put that out into the universe.

Full Moon in Aquarius: Self-Assessment

Leo season always brings with it an Aquarius full moon. This year’s Aquarius full moon falls on August 1st, at 2:32 pm EDT. The full moon occurs when the moon is opposite the sun, which will be at 9 degrees of Leo.

Leo is hot fire and Aquarius is cold air. The Aquarius full moon acts as a cooling agent, offering a chill in the midst of this extra heightened Leo season.

At the same time, Jupiter is at 13 degrees of Taurus, so it’s broadly forming a t-square with the sun and the moon, meaning that it’s close to 90 degrees (give or take) away from both. Jupiter is the planet of expansion, and squares are angles that cause tension but ultimately usher things along. With Jupiter forming squares with both the sun and the moon, there’s friction, potential conflict, and momentum with the expansion of both our egos and our emotions. Full moons typically bring about cathartic releases and often they’re accompanied by acting out because emotions are boiling over, so with Jupiter in the mix, we may feel a greater emotional need to break out of any sort of repression we’re feeling.

However, with the moon in Aquarius, this should be a little more tempered. And Mars, which is still in Virgo, is making a helpful aspect to Jupiter, both in earth signs, lending some additional pragmatism to the moment. 

This full moon is an opportune time for a self-assessment. Using the Aquarian lens of cool detachment, you can take a step back and assess your ego and your emotions. What are you feeling, how are your needs being met, and what needs to be realigned so that you’re feeling emotionally fulfilled? It also allows us to take a step back from the ME!-ness of Leo season to consider how our needs and desires fit with the greater collective, which is Aquarius’s concern. 

Also on August 1st, Mercury, which is now in Virgo, the sign it rules and loves, is making an exact opposition to Saturn in Pisces. A Mercury-Saturn opposition creates some tension between our communication and the structures of our lives. We may feel like the rules or the systems within which we’re forced to operate are oppressing our expression of ourselves. However, there’s some helpfulness here in relation to the full moon. You can work with Mercury and Mars both being in Virgo to edit, declutter, and clean house, to ultimately move forward in a way that fills the gaps you’ve taken stock of. A word of caution is that Virgo can sometimes pedantically be focused on details, but Aquarius wants us to pull back and see the forest for the trees, so be conscious of not getting too micro and try to be a bit more macro in your thinking.

(“See the forest for the trees” always makes me think of the song Different Drum, written by Michael Nesmith of the Monkees and performed by Linda Ronstadt and the Stone Poneys, which, if you haven’t heard it, is great, and has a song ever been more appropriate for Venus retrograde?)

Another thing to note about a Mercury-Saturn opposition is that this can also see some technological roadblocks and clamp downs. Don’t be surprised if you reach your iCloud storage limit or get suspended from Twitter or whatever it’s called now this week.

This full moon will be felt more impactfully if you have any personal planets (the sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars) or sensitive angles (your ascendant, descendant, Midheaven, or IC) near 9 degrees of Leo, Aquarius, Scorpio, or Taurus. But even if you don’t, given the multiple planetary aspects in the sky at this time, you’ll likely be feeling a lot around this full moon. As always, try to rest up as best you can and take care of yourself in the midst of all the activity.

It’s Leo Season

This past week was wild, astrologically. There was a new moon in Cancer that was followed by the nodes shifting signs, going from Taurus and Scorpio to Aries and Libra (where they will be initiating the start of a new story in our lives over the next couple years), then a Mars opposition to Saturn, the Sun opposing Pluto, and Venus stationing retrograde. So if this past week has felt intense for you, you’re not alone! Big shifts, stops and starts, power struggles, relationship drama, and deep introspection are all afoot. 

Pluto is in Capricorn at 29 degrees, so as the Sun ingresses into Leo, it’s also pushing past its opposition to Pluto, so between that and the transition out of Cancer season, we should feel a little bit of an emotional catharsis now. As of the evening of July 22nd, we are out of the moon-ruled, emotional territory, and we have entered the realm of the sun. It’s daylight.

Leo is the only zodiac sign ruled by the sun. The sun is the life-giver of the solar system, with the planets all revolving around it. Similarly, Leos are often the center of attention. Leo is a fixed fire sign. It’s like a campfire or a fire burning in the hearth. And Leos attract others, who bask in their warmth. 

Leos are confident, and they are natural leaders. They got this. The tarot card associated with Leo is Strength, and it usually depicts a woman taming a lion. Tame a lion? Step aside, non-Leos, and let a Leo handle this.

With the sun in Leo, it is in its domicile, the place it feels most comfortable. With Venus also in Leo the entire time the sun is here, it’s a potent combination. The Leo energy will be strong. This will be especially true on August 13th and the couple days before and after, when the sun and Venus form a conjunction. Both will also be making a square to Uranus at that time, so we may be compelled to push forward with changes we’ve been considering during this Venus retrograde, or forces outside of ourselves may take care of that for us. If you have been feeling the effects of the Venus retrograde in a way that’s been draining, this may bring a bit of relief. An oasis in the midst of the Lawrence-of-Arabia-esque journey that Venus is undertaking in the sign of the sun over the next few months. (Not surprisingly, T.E. Lawrence was a Leo.)

Read below to see the themes this Leo season is illuminating for you. I recommend reading for your rising sign first, if you know it, because those themes will resonate during the month. Then read for your sun sign, because those themes will likely play out for a briefer period of time, as the transiting sun aspects your natal sun.    

Leo  – It’s your season, but you already knew that, I’m sure. For Leo suns, your solar return is coming, so happy birthday (month). For Leo risings, the sun is moving through your first house, lighting you up, illuminating you and making you even more radiant than usual. Use the vitality you feel over the next month to think about your goals and go after what you want.

Cancer – The sun is going into the area of your chart that deals with money, values, and resources, so you’ll find your attention focused there at this time, especially with Venus, the planet that rules those same things, in this part of your chart. With Leo as the ruler of this area for you, it means that you can make money by being yourself, so you may find yourself curating a successful Poshmark or Depop closet or leveling up one of your hobbies or interests to earn an income off of it.

Gemini – Leo rules your 3rd house of socializing, communications, siblings, and neighbors, so you’ll feel rejuvenated in this area. It’s the time of year for you to be out and about. You are a social person generally, but at this time of year, that’s what really fortifies you. You’ll also feel more inclined toward self-expression than usual, so this is a productive time for putting your thoughts and your projects out into the world. 

Taurus – This part of the summer usually pulls focus on your home and your family. You may be traveling to see family now, and you’ll likely be thinking about putting down roots as Venus is retrograding through this area of your chart. The sun gives you some extra energy, so this is a great time for doing stuff to make your home feel like a source of vitality for you.

Aries – Aries is a fellow fire sign, and the sun also loves Aries (it’s exalted there). So Aries risings and suns may be feeling a boost when the sun is in another sign it relishes. With the sun moving through your 5th house of creativity, fun, and joy, this is a time to live your bliss. It truly could be the summer of love for you, with a new romance blossoming or your sex life getting energized. Get out of the house and have fun.

Pisces – It’s time to work. For most, the dog days of summer are a time of relaxing and taking vacation, but especially for Pisces risings, it’s a natural time to focus on your routines. While others are off and disconnected from work, you may be feeling an enhanced ability to get stuff done and improve your work habits and productivity in the quiet times. This is also a great time to commit or recommit to a health routine, which will in turn give you more energy.

Aquarius – This will be a time of focus on your relationships. Aquarians have some natural resistance to Leo qualities. Leo is about the self, Aquarius is about the collective. For example, many Aquarians find the concept of a birthday month absurd. However, this is a good time to embody some of those Leo qualities in your relationships. Focus on you. What do you want to get out of a relationship, and what do you need to feel emotionally fulfilled and vital? The Venus retrograde will have you thinking through these issues. Use the sun in Leo to lean in to the “me” of “me and you.”

Capricorn – With the sun in your 8th house, you will likely be seeing a focus on the resources of others during this period. It could be that your partner has some change to their finances during this time, or that investments of yours begin to pay dividends for you. You may also be considering refinancing or realigning your portfolio in some way. With Venus retrograde, it’s an auspicious time to take stock of your investments and your obligations, but you’ll likely want to hold off on actually making changes or taking action until Venus goes direct in September. 

Sagittarius – The sun will be lighting up themes that are already very resonant for your sense of self: study, adventure, and travel. With Venus retrograding through this area of your chart, you may be thinking about how what you learn (and/or teach) matters to you. It may be a time to sign up for classes or lay the groundwork to go back to school. You’ll also feel energized by planning some travel. It’s a great time, especially during the earlier part of Leo season, to think about taking a trip to a country or continent you’ve never been to before. 

Scorpio – You’ll be feeling some extra energy in your area of career or how you want to leave your mark on the world. You’re likely contemplating what is important to you in this area of your life as Venus is retrograde here, but the sun gives some extra boost to these considerations. This is a good time for putting yourself out there, on display, and trumpeting your own talents and experience, to make strides in your career or your legacy. 

Libra – For Libra risings, you’ll feel strengthened through your friendship groups and communities this month. This is a time for being social. The Leo sun and Venus will both be making helpful aspects to your ascendant, if you’re a Libra rising, or sun, if you’re a Libra sun, giving you some extra shine and energy this month. People will want to offer help if you need anything, so don’t hesitate to put out feelers. This is also a good time for focusing energy on your longer term goals and discussing them with friends and acquaintances, because they may be able to help set those wheels in motion. 

Virgo – You may be thinking more introspectively than most during the next month, as Leo rules your 12th house of inner thoughts, the subconscious, and things that are hidden. It’s a very good time to pay attention to the dreams you have. Especially as your ruler, Mercury, moves into Virgo at the end of July, you should write down what you can remember of your dreams and plumb their meanings, as they will likely give you some insights on your deepest feelings and fears. 

As always, take these horoscopes with a grain of salt. These are based on my interpretation; astrology is not fortune telling. Also, the transitory impact of the sun and other planets depends on your entire birth chart, so some of the above may or may not hold true for you depending on what else is going on. (If you’d like a full birth chart reading, email me at dreamlogicastrology@gmail.com!)

Mars in Virgo

Mars moves into Virgo on July 10th and will be moving through Virgo until August 27th. Mars has been in fire sign Leo, where it’s been acting out and doing the most. Mars is the planet of action and aggression, assertiveness and drive. In Leo, it’s about the self and getting ours. In Virgo, a mutable earth sign, it’s about ruthless prioritization. 

Mars in Virgo is cutting. Mars rules needles and sharp objects, and I think of Mars in Virgo as scissors (or maybe a machete). While Mars is in Virgo, it’s wise to assertively embody the more evolved Virgo qualities of preparedness, organization, efficiency, critical thinking, and discernment, but try not to lean into the less evolved Virgo qualities of being hypercritical and a perfectionist. It’s a good time for focusing our drives and energy on getting organized, making to-do lists, editing anything that needs it, and weeding out the superfluous stuff in our lives.

I think of Mars in Virgo sort of like Tracy Flick, the main character of Election. She knows she’s right, knows she’s the most qualified, and is singularly focused on her goals, but she alienates even the teachers (Saturn) in her pursuits. (I also recommend reading the sequel from last year, Tracy Flick Can’t Win, in which life has tempered her most abrasive qualities and she’s operating from a more evolved Virgo energy but of course still chafing against a misogynist society, people who aren’t as smart as her, and her own inability to get out of her own way.)

Transit-wise, Mars makes an opposition to Saturn later this month. That’s then followed by some more pleasant aspects in August and then finally an opposition to Neptune on August 22nd. Since it’s coming up, I want to focus on the Mars-Saturn opposition for now. 

Mars opposes Saturn on July 20th. In traditional astrology, Mars and Saturn are the two malefic planets, meaning that they bring with them some difficulty, and you have to learn how to work with them instead of just letting them do their thing. The way they will be situated, in opposition to one another, lends to culminations but also conflict. It’s a push-and-pull energy. Mars and Saturn were conjunct in Aquarius back in early April 2022. This opposition is another phase of that cycle, which would mean there’s a climax or wrapping up of whatever narrative began when Mars and Saturn aligned back in early April last year. 

Mars rules drive, and Saturn rules structure. Mars in Virgo is the car, Saturn in Pisces in the bascule bridge that lifts for the boat on the river below, causing you to be late on your way to an appointment. The way to avoid the situation is to have left earlier in the first place. So the second week of July, leave lots of extra time. Be prepared for obstructions of your efforts.

These obstructions then can lead to pushing boundaries. That can manifest literally, mentally, and physically, like with endurance. I was listening to The Astrology Podcast’s July forecast, and on it, the hosts agreed that while it’s OK to push yourself mentally during this time, physically you probably only want to push 80% because with Mars and Saturn, there’s a risk of injury. (The Astrology Podcast, if you aren’t familiar with it, is the gold standard of astrology podcasts, so if you’re interested in learning a lot more about astrology, it’s my first recommendation.) So please be cognizant to not overdo it in the days around July 20th!

Mars then moves on to form a trine with Jupiter in Taurus on August 1st. A trine is formed when planets are at a 120-degree angle from one another, and generally they are considered to be a helpful aspect, with the better parts of the planets’ energies in harmonious communication with one another. The best parts of Mars in Virgo will be given an expansiveness that comes from Jupiter. Mars also makes a trine with Uranus in Taurus on August 16th, which can bring disruptions. During this time, Mercury will be following closely behind Mars. Mercury never quite catches Mars, though, because it stations retrograde on August 22nd, then moves backwards through Virgo until September 15th. 

Finally, Mars will oppose Neptune on August 22nd. I’ve written about Mars-Neptune aspects before. With Neptune in Pisces, for all of Mars in Virgo’s ruthless efficiency and clear-eyed discernment, Neptune will be doing its best to make things murky and throw the to-do lists and mission statements into question. You may find yourself looking back at the plans you’ve laid out over the few weeks and thinking, “Do I really want to do this?” Best to let the Neptune fog burn off and wait a few days before making any adjustments. 

So that’s that on Mars in Virgo, which will take us through most of the summer. I’ll say more about Virgo (I love Virgos!) when it’s actually Virgo season. 

Full Moon in Capricorn

There is a full moon in Capricorn on July 3rd at 7:38 am EDT. Full moons in Capricorn are about balancing our pragmatism and our feelings. They occur in the midst of emo Cancer reason, and the moon is the ruler of Cancer. Capricorn, a cardinal earth sign, is all about getting shit done, so there’s a push and pull between the Saturnian urge to get down to brass tacks and forge ahead and the moon’s desire to honor our deepest feelings. Full moons are always about culmination and release, and this full moon encourages us to release the pessimism we may have been harboring about our goals and to use our wise minds (the intersection of our reasonable and our emotional minds).

Mercury, which is currently in Cancer and close to the sun, will influence this full moon, so communication is important, even if it’s just journaling or making lists for yourself. The day before the moon is full, Venus in Leo forms a square with Uranus in Taurus, so there could be twists, turns, and surprises in Venus-ruled areas (finances, relationships, resources) of your life. This full moon brings some grounding energy, though, because of its Saturnian earthiness. Also, the sun and moon are forming nice aspects with both Jupiter in Taurus and Saturn in Pisces, which lends a particularly helpful practicality. 

The full moon is taking place at 11 degrees of Capricorn, so you’ll feel it more intensely if you’re a Capricorn or Cancer rising or if you have an personal planets (the sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, or Mars) and/or sensitive angles (your ascendant, descendent, midheaven, or IC) between 7 and 15 degrees of Capricorn, Cancer, Aries, or Libra. 

I was going to write horoscopes for each sign, but I’m doing this late (sorry!) and if you’re feeling this moon, you already know how it’s unfolding for you, because its energy is already very present. For all signs, though, it’s a good time for making a concerted effort to balance emotions with rationality and proceeding accordingly.

Cancer Season: That Summer Feeling

On June 21st, the day of the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun moved into Cancer, where it will be until late on July 22nd. Cancer is a cardinal sign, representing the beginning of a new season, and it’s a water sign, symbolized by the crab. Cancer is ruled by the moon, so when the sun is in Cancer, it’s answering to the fast-moving moon. The moon changes signs every couple days, which makes Cancer season super moody. 

Cancer is associated with home, family, and feeling rooted. It’s sentimental and nostalgic, concerned with memory and the way we feel or felt. Jonathan Richman’s song “That Summer Feeling” perfectly encapsulates the Cancerian vibe. (His natal Venus is in Cancer.) 

Venus’s current journey through Leo is encouraging us to be social this summer, but Cancer can be a bit of a homebody. The best way to merge these energies is to socialize with those that feel like home to you. Cancer season brings about a desire to visit our hometowns or reunite with family or old friends, which is a good way to recharge. It offers some respite after the chaos and buzziness of Gemini season. 

This year, Cancer season brings with it some bumpy transits. Mars squares off with Uranus on June 26th, which can bring sudden, unexpected shocks. And Mars opposes Saturn on July 20th, which means there will be a push-and-pull between action and will (Mars) and structure and systems (Saturn). So those dates are ones to pay attention to and try to be patient and take it easy. However, with Saturn and Neptune both in another water sign, Pisces, the sun will make trines, or positive aspects, with each of these planets as it moves through Cancer over the next few weeks, which will be helpful. 

Regarding people with Cancer placements in their birth charts, they are often moody, sensitive, intuitive, and empathetic. Like crabs, they wear armor, so they may come off as hard, but inside they are soft and vulnerable. Cancers are thought to be conflict avoidant, shifting side to side to avoid head-on impact. However, they feel deeply and can be fiercely protective and loyal, so if you come for a Cancer’s loved one, the pinchers will come out. This protective quality contributes to the nurturing nature of Cancers, which is considered to be the mothering sign of the zodiac. Ruled by the moon, those with Cancer placements, even if they themselves don’t become mothers, are often cast in mothering roles by others. (Cancer men especially can have mother issues, which is why they can sometimes get a bad rap.)

For Bravo watchers, Vanderpump Rules is teeming with Cancers: Ariana, Sandoval, Stassi, and Jax are all Cancer suns, and those four actually have quite a bit in common. They are all extremely sensitive, even though they present as tough. 

They’re all very intuitive and can read other people and situations really well, which, as a shadow quality, can make Cancers good at manipulating others. Even Jax of all people has been weirdly right about a lot of things, especially looking back in the wake of Scandoval, and of course, he has used his intuition to his advantage, continually playing upon the sympathy of others and finding easy scapegoats in order to ingratiate himself back into the group after his truly terrible behavior time and time again. Sandoval has done the same thing, just in a very different way, but it will be interesting to see how that works or doesn’t work now.

Ariana’s diehard loyalty to Tom, despite his shortcomings and repeated mistakes in their relationship, is pure Cancer. I recently rewatched part of season 3 of VPR because Bravo was showing a marathon, and the way that Ariana staunchly defended Sandoval in the whole Miami girl situation, confronting Miami girl and excoriating Kristen (to a somewhat cruel degree) even though she knew Tom had, in fact, slept with Miami girl, is very Cancerian, for better or worse. 

Cancer season is a great time for spending a Sunday in and binge watching, so if you haven’t seen Vanderpump Rules, who even are you? I highly recommend it. It’s up there with Mad Men for the greatest show of our time and astrological archetypes are on full display. 

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Venus in Leo, with a Retrograde

Venus, the planet associated with love, beauty, femininity, relationships, money, assets, and that which we value, is currently in Leo, just a few degrees behind Mars. Venus has been tagging along closely behind Mars in Leo for a couple weeks now, but Venus will be stationing and then going retrograde on July 22nd, so Venus will be slowing and Mars will be forging ahead, on into Virgo. 

Here are the key Venus in Leo dates: 

  • Entered Leo on June 5th
  • Goes retrograde in Leo on July 22nd
  • Retrograde until it stations direct on Sept 3rd
  • Moves forward through Leo until October 8th

This is a long time for Venus to be in one sign. What is Venus in Leo all about? Venus in Leo is showy. Leo is a fixed fire sign ruled by the sun, the giver of life, the main source of our vitality, so Venus is fiery in Leo. There’s an external quality to it, so the things that Venus rules are on display when Venus is in Leo. It’s big and bold. We’re showing our hearts on our sleeves. It’s about ostentatious displays of wealth and love, even if we’re just convincing ourselves. It’s “She’s Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina” vibes, where the song’s main character can’t really afford to go anywhere to show off her fancy hat, but she wears it regardless.

Thinking about Venus in Leo, the other thing that came to mind immediately was Jeff Bezos taking those posed photos of Lauren Sanchez on their mega yacht and also literally having a bust of her created. I’m rooting for the orcas, but that is a pure distillation of Venus in Leo vibes.

When Venus goes retrograde in July, it will be a reality check. Sometimes Venus retrograde can feel a little harsh. You may have to deal with external factors that pose a conflict or confront you in one or more of the Venusian areas of your life, such as relationships or finances, and that may be tough. Leo is one of the “me” signs; ruled by the sun, it’s about the self, so the issues that may arise during the retrograde will likely feel very personal.

However, in traditional astrology, Venus is a benefic, so it’s a planet that is considered helpful. Use the retrograde period (July 22 – Sept 8th) to reconsider things and revise if necessary, and then you’ll be ready to move forward in those areas when Venus is direct again. The planetary retrogrades represent times to reassess and reevaluate, and those words are particularly key when Venus goes retrograde because Venus is about our assets and values.

In my interpretation, regardless of your sun or rising sign and even with the retrograde, Venus in Leo is a great time for socializing and being out and about. It’s a good time for pleasurable pursuits. I wouldn’t do anything big in terms of changing your appearance, though during the retrograde period, though, and maybe wait to schedule cosmetic procedures until after the retrograde ends.

Below is a bit about how the long transit of Venus in Leo could play out based on your sun and rising sign. My advice is to read for your rising sign first, as that’s where you’ll see these themes unfold over the course of the transit, but also read for your sun sign, because you’ll also likely experience those themes as well at some point during the Venus in Leo period. (For some reason, I also wrote these in reverse order of the zodiac? Maybe I did it subconsciously because of the retrograde. But that’s why these seem out of order.)

Leo & Leo Rising – This is a significant time for you. Venus in the 1st house and/or passing over your sun makes this transit even more about the self, even more about you. Go with it. This is a time for thinking about yourself (which you’re already inclined to do as a Leo rising or with the sun in Leo). A productive use of this long Venus in Leo period is to think about what you want, revise during the retrograde, and when Venus goes direct, lay out the long term plan. 

Cancer & Cancer Rising – This is occurring in your 2nd house of money and resources, which has a cross-over with the things Venus rules, so you’ll likely be experiencing some money stuff during this period. That could mean a career opportunity, since the second house is about how you make your money. Or you could be in a situation where you’re compelled to reevaluate your finances and realign them in a way that really pays dividends later. 

Gemini & Gemini Rising – Venus is moving through the area of your chart dealing with communications, short trips, and your neighborhood, so you’ll likely be feeling even more social than usual during this time. You may find yourself building some new relationships during this period, which could potentially feel a little one-step-forward-two-steps-back due to the retrograde, but could ultimately be long-lasting. It’s a great time to take weekend trips away to recharge and to bop around town. This part of your chart also deals with siblings, so this Venus in Leo period may feel particularly sibling-focused if you have one/them.

Taurus & Taurus Rising – Venus will be going through the area of your chart that is associated with home. You may be taking a lot of care with your living space and zhuzhing it up during this time. You can use the retrograde period to take into account the different needs you have, and then once Venus goes direct, start the redecorating. You may also experience an increased focus on your family as well.

Aries & Aries Rising – With Venus in another fire sign, it will be making a trine to your ascendant or sun, so unless you have some other mitigating factors in your chart, overall, this should generally be a nice, fun time for you. Venus is going through the part of your chart that deals with creativity and joy, so it’s a great time to really embrace and reconsider whatever creative practices you have and to lean into what makes you truly happy. It also has the potential to be a really sexy time for you, so if you don’t want to get pregnant (or get someone else pregnant), practice safe sex! 

Pisces & Pisces Rising – With Venus in your 6th house of work, health, and daily routines, it’s a good time to try out new fitness routines, commit to a health regimen or make changes to your diet, and go to the doctor. It’s also an auspicious time work-wise; you may be able to find ways to bring more pleasure to the everyday grind. Venus retrograde can also bring back some relationships from the past, so in your house of work, it could mean that you hear from or get in touch with old work colleagues. 

Aquarius & Aquarius Rising – When Venus is in Leo, the focus will be on your partnerships. If you’re in a committed partnership with someone, you may be feeling a little stressed or emotional about the relationship while Venus is in retrograde. Exes can also come back into your life during Venus rx, and with Venus in this part of your chart, this is more likely for Aquarius rising people. It may cause you to reevaluate your current relationship and/or recommit to that relationship in a more passionate way.

Capricorn & Cap Rising – Venus will be moving through your 8th house. The 8th house is about the stuff we get or inherit from others (everything from wealth to trauma). With Venus in this area of your chart, it could indicate a time when whatever you are getting from others is positive, or it could be that the person you are in a relationship with comes into more money or builds their assets. It could be that the taxes you filed are corrected and your refund is bigger than you anticipated, or that some debt you owed gets canceled.

Sagittarius & Sag Rising – You will likely be thinking about applying your time and money to some long-distance travel or cultural pursuits. It’s a great time to sign up for a language course or to go abroad, especially if traveling and/or learning are activities that are important to you. You will likely feel even more enriched by the experience than you normally would, and it could mean meeting people and building new relationships through that travel or study.

Scorpio & Scorpio Rising – You may be feeling extra focused on your career these next few months. If you are looking for a new job or opportunity, this is a fortuitous time to make connections and work on your resume. If you’re happy where you are, you may think about how you can invest in yourself in a way that will continue to grow your professional life and help you get to the next step in your career further in the future.

Libra & Libra Rising – Venus rules Libra, so you will feel the Venus transits more acutely than other signs (other than Taureans). This is a time to be out with your friend groups. It’s a great time for socializing for everyone, but this will recharge Libras especially. You cast a wide net, so take advantage of your extensive networks and see people. Get out in the community and commit to causes you feel passionate about. It’s a good time to form coalitions or support groups; they may end up serving as resources for you down the road. 

Virgo & Virgo Rising – This may be a subtler transit for you than it is for most. Venus will be moving through the area of your chart that is associated with the realm of the subconscious. This will likely be a time of some introspection for you, and you may be well served by doing some shadow work and developing or strengthening a meditation practice. Virgos and Virgo risings often devote a lot (or most) of their time to others and act as caregivers, but during these next few months, your focus can be on your innermost feelings. 

Disclaimer: astrology is for fun; it’s not fortune telling. The above horoscopes are my interpretation of the Venus transit, but as usual, take everything with a grain of salt.

New Moon in Gemini: Sleepytime

There’s a new moon in mutable air sign Gemini shortly after midnight (on the East Coast of the US) on Sunday, June 18th. In Gemini, this new moon is about flexibility and versatility. The main aspect this moon is making is a square to Neptune in Pisces.

Neptune makes things foggy, and with hard aspects to Neptune, such as the square (90-degree angle) the moon and sun are making to it, there are often disappointments or things don’t turn out as you had planned or hoped. So with this new moon, best not to manifest or lay out concrete plans but instead to focus on Neptunian things: our emotions, our vibes, our literal dreams, and our visions.

The new moon phase is often a time when we may feel more tired (vs. full moons, when many feel wired). With the sun squaring Neptune, this is especially true of this new moon. If you can, rest. Try to get a longer night’s sleep than usual on Saturday, and again, pay attention to the dreams you have and what your subconscious is telling you, but focus more on the feelings than making sense of them and planning action based on your interpretations.

Elsewhere in the sky, there have recently been some sign changes.

On Sunday, June 11th, Pluto, which is currently retrograde, went back into Capricorn. Since Pluto moved into Aquarius in March, we’ve seen increased focus on AI and technology. Now, with Pluto back in Capricorn, some of the major stories of the past 15 years will be revisited, so things may seem less future-oriented. In the news, the AI stuff may take a back seat to politics and the economy. With Capricorn representing the patriarchy and systems, and Pluto about power, we’re going to see more events where those who have power try whatever they can to hang on to it.

Pluto’s in Capricorn until January 2024, then it goes back into Aquarius. However, it moves retrograde back into Capricorn again later in 2024 and will be in Capricorn until Nov 2024 (where it will be during the next US presidential election–yikes!), when it makes its full transition in Aquarius. Unfortunately, there’s the Tr*mp of it all. The efforts to hold him accountable and the fights over whether he has executive privilege or is subject to the laws that apply to the non-rich and non-powerful are extremely Pluto-in-Capricorn and USA-Pluto-return vibes, almost a little too on-the-nose, if you ask me. 

Mercury also changed signs this past week, going into Gemini on June 11th. Mercury rules Gemini, so with Mercury there, Gemini season is really in full swing. Lots of talk, lots of communication, lots of movement, lots of duality and versatility and options and choices to make.

Venus is now in Leo, where it will be for a few months because it’s going to go retrograde in July. Venus in Leo is fiery and vibrant. I’ll write more about Venus in Leo and its upcoming retrograde next week.

Until then, get some sleep!