July 2026: Power under Pressure

An unexpected string of technical issues — fittingly, during Mercury retrograde — delayed this newsletter and a few other announcements.

Here's what July has in store.

July opens eight weeks of tension between power and authority, with the second half unfolding in August. Expect friction for anyone holding a leadership role — in religion, finance, politics, or technology — as their authority gets tested. On a personal level, that same pressure can feel energizing, offering a chance for liberation and fresh starts.

The FIFA World Cup falls squarely within this window, and the timing fits! It is an international contest to crown a new champion, and many teams represent nations whose people are struggling in the background. I suspect the headlines later in the month will prove to be about more than sport.

JULY AT A GLANCE

04 Mars conjunct Uranus in Gemini and Mars sextile Neptune in Aries

05 Mars trine Pluto in Aquarius

06 Sun in Cancer square Saturn in Aries

09 Venus enters Virgo

12  Sun conjunct Mercury in Cancer

14  New Moon at 22 Cancer

13  Venus square Uranus in Gemini

15  Uranus sextile Neptune

17  Uranus trine Pluto

19  Mars sextile Saturn

20 Jupiter trine Neptune and opposite Pluto

21  Jupiter sextile Uranus

22 Sun enters Leo

23 Mercury retrograde ends

24 Venus sextile Mercury

25  Pluto sextile Neptune

27 Sun opposite Pluto, trine Neptune, and sextile Uranus

29 Full Moon at 7 Aquarius, Venus square Mars, Sun conjunct Jupiter in Leo

Now through July 11

Quick decisions and impulsive action define the first stretch of the month. The pull to think, speak, and act fast is strong, but clarity is hard to come by. Flashes of insight and honest mistakes are possible. Curiosity and mental energy run high, and so does the risk of illusion, exaggeration, or being misled.

Authority gets tested too. A boss, a leader, or a family decision-maker may be pushed into action that looks like a clampdown or a tightening of control.

What's driving it: Mars, the planet of action and drive, is moving through Gemini, the sign of communication and quick thinking. Mars meets Uranus (sudden change) and connects with Neptune (imagination, but also confusion) and Pluto (intensity) in short order. At the same time, the Sun is in a tense square with Saturn, the planet of structure and rules, forcing decisions around authority and boundaries.

Your move:  Slow down before you hit send, sign, or commit. A fast decision made this week is more likely to need revisiting later. Pay attention to your gut instincts, especially in negotiations or conversations that feel rushed. If someone in charge, at work or at home, makes an abrupt call, ask clarifying questions before reacting. It's a good week to double-check the details on anything involving money or contracts.

July 12–18

This week carries a reflective, emotional undertone. It’s moody, imaginative, attuned to dreams more than to logic. It's a good stretch for creative work and for noticing what you're truly waiting for. For some musical inspiration, listen to Lunatic Fringe by Red Rider (1981).

On Sunday, the Sun and Mercury align in Cancer, marking the halfway point of Mercury's retrograde. The Sabian symbol for this moment is a prima donna singing. It represents someone hungry for recognition, delivering the payoff after a long rehearsal. Two days later, on July 14, the New Moon lands in the same part of the sky. Its image is a woman awaiting a sailboat, suggesting anticipation, patience, something on its way but not here yet. Only the wind will determine when it arrives.

Later in the week, attention shifts to a set of long, slow-moving alignments involving Uranus, the planet of sudden change, with Neptune (sextile) and Pluto (trine). These are large-scale, generational patterns of social, cultural, and political transformation. The big changes underway have been in operation for decades.

The Uranus-Neptune cycle is about 170 years, and this one started in 1993.

The Uranus-Pluto cycle lasts 140 years and began in 1965-66.

Your move:  Notice what you're anticipating, whether it's a decision, an answer, or an opportunity, and get clear on what you actually want before it arrives. This is a strong week for reflection and creative projects, but a weak one for firm conclusions — hold off on big decisions if you can. If you're waiting on news from someone else, put the time to use instead of checking your phone every ten minutes.

July 19–25

Power struggles take center stage this week, the kind that test who holds authority and how they use it. This can surface as tension with a boss or an institution, or within yourself, as ambition and control run up against fairness and restraint.

This is the midpoint of a Jupiter-Pluto cycle that began in 2020, when the planets tied to wealth, power, and legitimacy first aligned. Themes from that period, such as the consolidation of power, aggressive ambition, and pressure on institutions like courts, governments, and religious organizations, are resurfacing now, prompting resolution or further pushback.

On a lighter note, Mercury turns direct again this week, easing some of the miscommunication and delays from earlier in the month.

Your move: Pick your battles carefully. Some conflicts, at work or at home, are worth pushing through; others are better left alone. Before engaging, consider what you want to protect or gain, and whether the fight matches the stakes. Decisions made this week, especially around money, contracts, or leadership roles, tend to have lasting consequences.

July 26–31

Relationships come under the spotlight this week with questions of loyalty, fairness, and whether commitments are being honored. This might play out in partnerships, personal or professional, and may bring a rupture or a turning point that leads to a change in who's leading whom.

Saturn begins its annual retrograde, while the Sun joins Jupiter in a challenging stance with Pluto. Leadership themes continue from earlier in the month, with authority again being challenged or tested.

The month closes with a Full Moon in Aquarius on July 29 that's likely to bring strong emotions and sharp contrasts to the surface. It also marks the lead-up to a significant solar eclipse on August 12.

Your move:  Watch your reactions in the days around the Full Moon. Emotions may run higher than usual, and it's easy to overreact to something that will look smaller in a few days. If a relationship or partnership feels unbalanced, use this week to name it honestly rather than let resentment build. Give yourself extra recovery time; this is a physically and emotionally demanding stretch.

Golden Hours

Wednesday, July 8 — The Moon enters Taurus at 3:30 pm and moves toward Jupiter. It also crosses paths with Chiron, a placement tied to healing. It’s a good time to focus on the body with a massage, a workout, or simply getting comfortable. Also a great night for a craft project!

Friday, July 10 — Roughly 6–10 pm, the Moon in Gemini moves between Venus and  Jupiter, opening a window for lighthearted plans and lively conversations.

Need Personal Guidance? Your natal chart is the key to making these forecasts personal. Each transit lands differently depending on your unique birth chart. Book a 30-minute session for Targeted Insights or plot out the year ahead with Your Next Chapter.