The Astrology of JULY 2024:
Bursts of Creative + Romantic Potentials

by Juliana McCarthy

July 1, 2024 — As we begin July, Saturn has just stationed retrograde and Neptune follows suit. This ramps up the ongoing conjunction between the planets of reality and illusion. Creativity abounds, but we may feel destabilized at the same time. The structures of our lives are dissolving, and we aren’t sure yet what the next iteration of our lives or the world will be. We can surrender and allow the tides to carry us to more inspired places. It’s important to willingly release whatever falls away, generating supreme trust in our divine unfolding.

Confrontational dialogues and shocking events may strike this month as Mercury opposes Pluto on July 3 and Mars conjoins Uranus mid-month. We are reaching new levels of joy and inspiration as we forge connections, agreements, and alignments that feel more authentic and right.

Venus enters dramatic, playful, and romantic Leo on July 11, and the Sun joins her on July 22. As they move into the sign of the Lion, they first trine dreamy, mystical Neptune then oppose transformational Pluto. We are ready for wild creativity and fantasy to come to life. We’re reaching greater depths, and the more honest and exposed we’re willing to be, the more pleasure is available to us. The planets are teaching us how to better love—how to be more whole, real, and true to who we really are.

Whatever happens on the collective stage, our personal hearts are stronger than ever, and our bonds are unshakeable. This is exactly how we change the world—one heart at a time. We’re finding ways to generate more love and freedom by embracing our fears and learning to dance with them. We’re transmuting doubt into confidence while clearing stagnation—replacing it with bursts of romantic and artistic expression. This allows us to come together in new ways, forming fresh communities with higher values than ever before.

juLY 2024 TRANSITS

NEPTUNE RETROGRADE

Neptune retrogrades on July 2, just after Saturn, who’s close-by. We’re experiencing the ongoing Saturn-Neptune conjunction, which becomes more exact next year. This is a period of confusion, uncertainty, and the collapse of pre-existing structures. The future is unclear, and we may feel some fatigue or exhaustion. At the same time, when walls dissolve, creativity becomes more alive. Our imaginations are vivid, and we’re able to bring our visions and dreams to life like never before. We will feel this explosion of creativity continue as Neptune ingresses into Aries—so it’s just getting started. This is the time to dream big and to understand that many obstacles to fulfillment exist only in our minds.

MERCURY OPPOSITE PLUTO, SEXTILE JUPITER

Mercury opposes Pluto on July 3, triggering paranoia and deep, confrontational conversations. With Venus in Cancer trining stable Saturn in the background, whatever arises in our communication is helping us forge more genuine relationships and commitments. We need to get to the bottom of things, and be careful of either manipulating or being manipulated. Truth is paramount, and we can be sure that we’re being honest with ourselves and others—and willingly adjust course if we realize we’ve been out of integrity. The more we do this, the more our minds lighten up and return to humor, expansion, and joy as Mercury sextiles Jupiter on July 8.

CANCER NEW MOON

A Cancer New Moon forms on July 5, conjoining amorous Venus while trining steady Saturn. Love and family are elevated now, but with Venus in Cancer squaring Chiron we may notice wounds coming up around our relationships, confidence, finances, families, or even our countries. We’re healing and noticing what feels most important to us and most like home. In some ways we may be nostalgic for something we need to say goodbye to. We can retreat and feel cozy, preparing for wilder energies that begin to arrive in the following weeks.

SUN TRINES SATURN, VENUS ENTERS LEO

The Sun trines Saturn on July 10, and Venus enters Leo the next day, forming a trine to Neptune and an opposition to Pluto a day later. Passions and commitments are equally high, and this is a beautiful day for love. We can follow our hearts and take steps toward what we long for.

MARS CONJUNCT URANUS

Mars, planet of aggression and war, conjoins shocking Uranus July 15, and the Sun squares Chiron on the same day. We may feel triggered, vulnerable, and ready to fight. Impulses are high, and we would be wise to lay low, noticing and honoring whatever anger or discomfort arises, letting it move through us before acting on it. Unexpected events could adjust our courses, and if we’ve been afraid to stand up for ourselves, we may notice a fountain of courage and self-assertion springing forth all at once. We may prepare for this transit by releasing tension before the valve breaks.

CAPRICORN FULL MOON

A Full Moon forms on July 21 on the last degree of Capricorn. The Moon will soon move into Aquarius, conjoining Pluto. Neptune and Mars form harmonious trines with the Full Moon, helping us soften any drama that arose after the planet of war crossed Uranus a week ago. This is a beautiful time to forgive ourselves and others. We can be deliberate and intentional in our relationships, releasing entanglements that no longer serve us to prepare us for the next steps. We know what we want to commit to—our paths are beginning to clarify, at least for now. It’s time to look at the bigger picture and conclude issues, even if it requires effort, planning, and finagling. This is not the time to shy away from the work we need to do to elevate our lives on every level.

SUN MOVES INTO LEO

The Sun moves into Leo on July 22, forming a trine to dreamy Neptune before opposing transformational Pluto. We are healing and transmuting ourselves, becoming more of who we are and more aligned with pleasure, creativity, genuineness, joy, and fulfillment. Mercury squares Uranus and Mars trines Pluto the day before. We are having important conversations and confrontations that help us reach deeper truth. We are expanding our sense of self and our ability to communicate with greater honesty and freedom. We can harness these energies to relinquish our egos and fully experience ourselves and our desires, without manipulation or the need for validation or control. We’re becoming more present and true versions of ourselves. As a result, we’re able to create new forms of relationship and community that ultimately change the world.

JULY 2024 ASPIRATION

In the warm breezes of summer, may we embrace what’s authentic, fresh, and true. May we experience the fulfillment of being who we are—friends with our shadows and present with our love and creativity, which are beginning to burst forth without doubt or fear.

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