Astrology Forecast for July 2023

A Powerful Supermoon, Opening of the Sirius Stargate, Venus Retrograde, and Other Important Cosmic Events of the Month

Hello friends! July is going to be a busy month that will be filled with powerful planetary shifts and other significant cosmic changes. Here are the main events that will occur in July:

July 1: Mercury’s Superior Conjunction at 15 degrees Gemini - New Insights and Inspiration

We will begin the month of July with Mercury’s Superior Conjunction at 15 degrees of Gemini. This means that Mercury will be moving very fast on the far side of the Sun, and exactly conjunct (in the heart of) the Sun. This is known as Cazimi, which is not mentioned in Vedic astrology but comes from the ancient Arabic/Persian, Greek and Medieval European traditions of astrology.

Cazimi occurs when a planet’s longitude is within 17 minutes of the Sun’s longitude. Some traditions extend the orb and consider it when a planet is within one degree of the Sun. Cazimi makes a planet stronger, and its positive qualities more pronounced. It happens for Mercury several times a year. In 2023 it will occur seven times, but the way it manifests also depends on Mercury’s motion, whether it is moving retrograde or direct, what it is aspecting, and the sign it is in.

In this case, Mercury is in its own brilliant sign of Gemini, and in a trine with Saturn in Aquarius which stabilizes any potential tendencies for restlessness, indecisiveness, or erratic behavior. Mercury is Cazimi in its Superior Conjunction, meaning it is moving in direct motion. This represents a new phase in the Mercury cycle, when we can access fresh new insights and inspiration. Mercury and the Sun will come together in conjunction with the fixed star known as Alhena (Gamma Geminorum). This conjunction may be associated with wounds to the feet, but also represents artistic skill and diplomacy.

July 2: Uranus at 27 Degrees Aries in Exact Square with Venus at 27 degrees Cancer - Potential for Unforeseen Circumstances to Develop

On July 2, Uranus at 27 degrees of Aries will be in an exact square with Venus at 27 degrees of Cancer. This transit occurs annually but changes its zodiacal position each year, which modifies the flavor of the aspect.

Please refer to my previous article in which I discussed the square aspects between Mars and Uranus (exact on June 26) and Venus and Uranus (exact on July 2). Both will be within an effective orb of influence for about a week on either side of these dates. These transits can trigger anxiety, irritability, accidents, violence, riots, fires, and other troublesome events.

Venus and Uranus will square like this three times in the coming two months due to the retrograde cycle of Venus. These dates are July 2, August 9, and September 29. Because of these repeating transits, any related events that develop around July 2 may not come to a full conclusion until early October.

Historically, this particular square aspect between Uranus in late Aries and Venus in late Cancer has been a trigger for shocking international incidents. When it activates a natal or mundane chart, this square can point to unforeseen circumstances and upsets in relationships, finances, or other such matters.

July 3: Guru Purnima and Full Thunder Supermoon - Blessings Abound

The very special Vedic holy day known as Guru Purnima will occur on July 3. It marks the most auspicious Full Moon of the year, a time when the whole world is blessed with Divine Light. This is the perfect day to begin a new writing project, or a spiritual or healing practice. This is also an ideal time to honor and propitiate our preceptors, or to commune with the divine teacher—the guru, dispeller of darkness—who exists inside of us and all of nature.

The Full Thunder Supermoon will occur at 7:39 AM Eastern Daylight Time on July 3. (Use the World Time Buddy to convert this to your time zone if it is different). The night before (July 2) will be the most opportune time for Guru Purnima/Full Moon rituals and practices.

The Full Moon will occur in the optimistic, aspiring, and adventurous sign of Sagittarius, and in the nakshatra of invigoration known as Purva Ashadha. This will be the first Supermoon of 2023. Three more Supermoons will occur in 2023, on August 1, August 30/31, and September 29.

Supermoons have a stronger than usual lunar effect, which means the potential for higher-than-normal tides, strong storms, seismic events, as well as emotional intensity. It is called a Thunder Moon in Native American tradition as the summer heat and intense summer storms begin around this time.

July 4: Happy Birthday to the United States - And a Word of Caution

On America’s Independence Day, Pluto and the Moon will conjoin in conjunction with natal Pluto in the United States chart. This transit occurs monthly, but throughout 2023 it also happens to activate a T-square involving the transiting lunar nodes (Rahu and Ketu). This can trigger dramatic events that tie in with the significant uncertainty and upheaval already underway in the United States. In addition, whenever the Moon conjoins Pluto, we should take care to manage strong emotions and avoid engaging in power struggles.

July 4 to July 8: Annual Opening of the Sirius Stargate - Attune with Divine Light

From July 4 to 8, our Sun will conjoin the fixed Star Sirius. Sirius is described in esoteric literature as “the Sun behind our Sun” and a source of spiritual light for our Earth. During these days, you should try to spend time in nature and meditate on the cosmic light that streams through the Sirius portal into our higher energy centers at this time. It will help you enhance your insight, activate your creativity, gain a new perspective, and recharge your body, mind, and spirit.

July 6: Aphelion Will Occur - Time to Slow Down and Have a Rest

Aphelion will occur on July 6 at 4:06 PM Eastern Daylight Time. This annual astronomical event occurs when the Earth is furthermost from the Sun (as opposed to Perihelion that occurs in early January when Earth is closest to the Sun). At Aphelion, the Earth will move slower in its orbit around the Sun than at any other time of the year, so it’s important for all of us to slow down and have a rest now. It’s also interesting to note that Aphelion always occurs when the Earth is exactly aligned with the Sun and Sirius.

July 6: Venus Will Transit into Leo - Joy, Creativity, and Passion

Venus will enter Leo at 6:33 PM Eastern Daylight Time on July 6, and will remain here until August 7. Because of its extended retrograde cycle, Venus will come back into Leo on October 1. When Venus transits in dignified and warm-hearted Leo, it can manifest as more joy, creativity, and passion in our lives. (I will say more about the meaning of the Venus retrograde cycle in a future article).

Please be aware that Venus will transit in the gandanta/ one-degree sensitive edge between a water sign (Cancer) and fire sign (Leo) from July 4 to 8, during the time of the opening of the Sirius Stargate. For some, this may be a sensitive time when insecurities are heightened.

July 8: Mercury Will Transit into Cancer – Intuition and Strong Emotions and Storms

Mercury will transit into Cancer on July 8 at 2:44 AM Eastern Standard Time, and will remain in Cancer until July 24. This transit may sensitize the mind with deep feeling, and can bring buried memories to the surface, which could be either pleasant, painful, or neutral. Although this transit can spur intuitive insights, it can also lead to intense emotional reactions and slower than usual intellectual functioning.

Mercury rules rains and floods (weather), so heavy rains and floods might be a concern in some locales during the transit of Mercury in a water sign (Cancer) while Mercury is also in a tense square aspect with the lunar nodes Rahu and Ketu, in a challenging 6/8 (quincunx) with retrograde Saturn in Shatabisha nakshatra (ruled by Varuna, Vedic god of water), and in opposition to Pluto, planet of destruction.

July 13 to July 17: Balsamic Moon Phase – Time to Tune in and Let Go!

From July 13 to 17, the Moon will be in its Balsamic phase, the time of the month for cleaning, clearing, resting, meditating, healing, and renewal. During these days, we should dream about and envision what we want to manifest more of in the near future as we near the New Moon of July 17.

July 16 to August 17: The Sun Will Transit in Cancer - A Generally Peaceful Time of the Year

On July 16 at 7:36 PM Eastern Daylight Time, the Sun will transit into Cancer, where it will remain until August 17. The day that it moves into Cancer is known as Karka Sankranti in Vedic tradition, and according to some schools of thought, this date rather than the summer solstice marks the transition into the second half of the year.

When the Sun transits in Cancer, we will generally have a (relatively) peaceful period that tends to be a pleasant time for socializing or for family-oriented activities. As the ever-fluctuating Moon rules Cancer, the Sun’s passage here can be a time when our moods, vitality, and self-assurance waver, but on the plus side, our intuitive faculties can become stronger. We could also experience digestive issues, swelling in the body, or need more sleep that usual when the Sun transits in Cancer.

July 17: New Moon in Cancer and Punarvasu Nakshatra - A Very Blessed Time for New Beginnings

On July 17 at 2:32 PM Eastern Daylight Time, the New Moon will occur at one degree of Cancer in Punarvasu Nakshatra. The New Moon will have a nurturing quality as it occurs in its own sign of Cancer. The New Moon will be even more fortunate as it occupies Punarvasu nakshatra, the sign of rejuvenation and accomplishment. It will also occur in the luckiest section of Punarvasu nakshatra which should indicate an energizing and spiritual time, good for traveling and exploring, and perhaps for starting something new.

July 18 to August 16: Adhika Shravan Month - A Time for Quiet Contemplative Practices and Acts of Charity and Devotion

According to the North Indian Vedic lunar calendar, Adhika Masa will occur from July 18 to August 16. This extra (intercalary) lunar month is added to the solar calendar every few years so that the lunar and the solar years are synchronized. It occurs in the Shravan month so is called Adhika Shravan.

There are no religious festivals during Adhika Masa, which is instead set aside for contemplative practices and humble acts of charity and devotion. The positive benefits of these spiritual practices and acts of devotion and charity will be multiplied tenfold.

Adhika Masa is further contraindicated for muhurtas (muhurats), as it is not a time to initiate new ventures like a professional, marriage, or business matter, and it is also contraindicated for all the various saṃskāras (Vedic sacraments such as the mundan/baby’s hair tonsure or naming ceremonies).

July 20-21: Moon and Mars in Leo Will Oppose Saturn in Aquarius - An Important Time to Focus on Spiritual Protection

On July 20 and 21, the Moon and Mars in Leo will oppose Saturn in Aquarius. This transit can trigger anger, frustration, and accidents, so it is an especially important time to cultivate patience, caution, and calm, and to say extra prayers for spiritual protection.

July 22: Venus Will Station Retrograde - Stay Anchored in Your Heart and Pay Attention to Your Gut Feelings

On July 22 at 9:34 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Venus will station retrograde at four degrees of Leo. It will remain retrograde until September 3, when it will station direct at 18 degrees of Cancer. This day and the two days on either side of the Venus retrograde station can be a time of intense world events such as storms, seismic eruptions, protests, violence, accidents, fires, and geopolitical incidents. Stay anchored in your heart and pay attention to your gut feelings during this time. (I plan to write more about the Venus retrograde cycle in a future article, so please stay tuned.)

July 23 to December 26: Chiron will Retrograde in Pisces - Focus on Healing

Chiron is the comet and planet that symbolizes our deepest wounds and our capacity for healing. It will retrograde from July 23 to December 26, when it will move back from 26 to 21 degrees of Pisces. If this transit directly activates your natal chart, Chiron may indicate where you need to revisit some important issues related to your mental, emotional, physical, or spiritual health.

July 24: Mercury Will Transit into Leo - Self-Confidence, Communication Skills, and Optimism

Mercury will transit in the commanding, intelligent, confident, expressive, and persuasive sign of Leo from July 24 to October 1. Here, Mercury can enhance self-confidence, communication skills, and a more optimistic viewpoint. The house that Leo occupies in your natal chart will determine the focus for reflection, review, reconsideration, and for new understanding to develop in the coming ten weeks during Mercury’s extended transit here (extended due to its retrograde cycle in August and September).

July 27: Mercury and Venus Conjoin in Leo - Time for Socializing, Creativity, Communication, and Peacemaking

On July 27, Mercury and Venus will conjoin at four degrees of Leo. This can be a great transit for socializing, artistic inspiration, communication, and diplomacy (resolving conflicts).

I hope this report is useful, and I wish all my dear readers a lovely July!

Let us live like flowers—wild and beautiful and drenched in Sun. (Ellen Everett)

Please note that this and all my other forecasts are based on the constellational (sidereal) zodiac used in both Vedic and Western sidereal astrology, not the tropical system used by most Western and a small number of Vedic astrologers. All the astrological charts that I work with and share are calculated according to the sidereal zodiac and Lahiri Ayanamsa.