In the Stars July 16-23, 2023 . . . Shining Light on the Astrology of the Week

The Sun is its last days in the sign of Cancer, and will ingress into Leo on July 22. This is the last week of the summer focus on home and family. When the Sun moves into Leo it is time to play and vacation before school resumes for a new year and the summer's bounty is harvested.

In the coming week Eris, Venus, and Chiron join the planets already in retrograde: Saturn, Pluto, and Neptune. We are drawn into a more interior, reflective, intuitive focus with many planets retrograde.

Venus is nearing its station to turn retrograde on July 22nd until September 3. This is somewhat unusual, as Venus turns retrograde only once in every 32 months.

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Take advantage of the Moon-Jupiter sextile on Sunday, July 16th. Lightness, ease, and optimism support family attention and activities. The Moon is dark, so take some time and space for yourself.

A New Moon forms on Monday, July 17th at 24:56 degrees of Cancer tropically. The Nodal Axis changes signs from Taurus/Scorpio to Aries/Libra with the North Node moving into Aries. The day is volatile with the New Moon squaring Eris and opposite Pluto. This could be a day of sweeping changes and big transformations.

We still feel the rumbling and tumbling of yesterday’s intense alignments on Tuesday, July 18th. The energetic, playful Leo Moon squares Jupiter, and may generate enthusiasm as well as drama. Use the exuberant energy to work on a creative project.

The Leo Moon and Mercury align Wednesday morning, July 19, making problem solving easy. The Moon’s trine to Chiron offers fresh perspectives on personal issues. When the Moon squares Uranus later in the evening we may take off in a different direction than planned.

Thursday morning, July 20, is loosely defined, beginning with a Moon-Neptune opposition. A Moon-Venus conjunction at 7:08 a.m. PDT begins a void of course Moon period until 10: 13 a.m. PDT when the Moon ingresses into Virgo tropically. During this time it is best to focus on routing tasks. As the day wears on the Moon ignites the demanding, work-oriented Saturn-Mars opposition. The afternoon and evening call for productivity, as well as grace, as your expectations for accomplishment are not likely to be met as fully as you would prefer.

Friday, July 21, holds a load of significant planetary aspects. The mighty Sun opposes powerful Pluto and both square the nodal axis. We may be confronted with the question of our sense of purpose and other deep, significant matters. The planet of discord, Eris, stations, moving retrograde, amplifying impatience. On the other hand, the Moon trines Jupiter, giving confidence and optimism. Mercury’s trine to Chiron energizes our thinking with maverick ideas. Heed the messages of this day and make it count.

Saturday, July 22, is another full day of significant planetary activity. The tension of the Sun-Pluto opposition square to the nodes from yesterday is still at play, with Pluto making an exact square. These powerful aspects may signal evolutionary changes in relationships or circumstances. The Virgo Moon aims to invite us to do some cleaning and get things organized, but a trine to Uranus may sidetrack us with diversions. A Moon-Neptune opposition expands our imagination and vision, and softens our focus. The Moon connects with the third outer planet in a trine to Pluto at the end of the day, adding power and resolve to the full potential of this day. The Sun moves ingresses into Leo. Venus stations a7 28:36 degrees of Leo, and begins its 42-day retrograde cycle back through Leo.

Chiron, the archetype of the wounded healer, stations retrograde on Sunday, July 23, at 19:57 degrees of Aries. The Chiron station invites us to honor the warrior and the wounding within us. Mercury squares Uranus, a brilliant, edgy combination that invites us to think differently and break old thought patterns. Evening conversations will be harmonious and supportive, as the Libra Moon conjuncts nurturing Ceres.

Monday’s Libra Moon draws us to harmonious social encounters, and invites us to surround ourselves with grace and beauty. The day is framed by somewhat challenging aspects: a Moon-Chiron opposition in the wee hours of the morning, and a Moon-Eris opposition after midnight on Tuesday, July 25, after midnight Pacific Time. Otherwise, the day is light on planetary activity.

The Week in Short:

Sunday: Emotionally buoyant day to focus on family.

Monday: New Moon. Volatile day that invites big changes.

Tuesday: Energetic, dramatic day. Engage in a creative project.

Wednesday: Fresh perspectives and ideas help solve problems. Plans may be disrupted later in the day.

Thursday: Easy, undefined morning. As the day wears on expectations for productivity mount. You could be easily frustrated by high expectations.

Friday: Productive, though discordant day. Ponder your life’s purpose and consider if you are on track.

Saturday: Powerful day with much planetary activity. Venus stations to turn retrograde. Resolve to get your life organized. Step into evolutionary change and go with the flow.

Sunday: Honor the warrior and the wounding within you. Break old thought patterns. Express harmony and congeniality.

Monday: Surround yourself by beauty, and engage in socially copacetic encounters.

Ten Things to Do with the Venus in Leo (June 5-July 20)

1. Play with your children or grandchildren.

2. Wear a smile and be joyful!

3. Express appreciation.

4. Adorn yourself with gold jewelry.

5. Make a greeting card—and send it.

6. Dance joyfully!

7. Make life a game.

8. Be generous.

9. Update your wardrobe with bright colors.

10. Enjoy a picnic that includes children, games, and fun!

Moon Void-of-Course: This is the time when the Moon makes its last major angular aspect with a planet before it moves into the next zodiacal sign tropically. This void time, when the Moon is not aspecting a planet, but rather floating on its own, is a time when things don’t come together and it is difficult to make good decisions. Purchases made during void Moons often turn out to be unsatisfactory and not work out. Appointments often don’t come together, and meetings don’t result in progress or sound, lasting decisions. We more easily get lost or meander in trying to get somewhere. The VoC Moon times for the next month are listed below so that you can plan meetings, decisions, and purchases at times when the Moon is not VoC; and use the void times for gardening, reading, and routine task work. Void-of-Course Moon times for the month ahead (one lunar cycle): Pacific Standard Time:

June 17: 8:05 p.m.-9:39 p.m. (Moon into Leo)

July 20: 7:08 a.m.-10:12 a.m. (Moon into Virgo)

July 22: 9:05 p.m.-10:53 p.m. (Moon into Libra)

July 25: 8:05 a.m.-9:55 a.m. (Moon into Scorpio)

July 27: 3:35 p.m.-5:23 p.m. (Moon into Sagittarius)

July 29: 4:51 p.m.-8:43 p.m. (Moon into Capricorn)

July 31: 7:12 p.m.-8:57 p.m. (Moon into Aquarius)

August 2: 2:15 p.m.-8:05 p.m. (Moon into Pisces)

August 4: 6:20 p.m.-8:19 p.m. (Moon into Aries)

August 6: 9:12 p.m. -11:24 p.m. (Moon into Taurus)

August 9: 3:38 a.m.-6:04 a.m. (Moon into Gemini)

August 11: 10:27 a.m.-3:51 p.m. (Moon into Cancer)