Welcome to the dead heat and deep feels of July, friends. We’re still wading through the tidal pools and pulls of Cancer season, here until July 22. As of July 4, we’ve seen the culmination of a collection of Capricorn eclipses. The lesson in the season of light bending and shadow moving is to concentrate on the long game rather than the lure of instant gratification. Wear a mask, for Christ’s sake. Protecting your life force for the future is more important than being barefaced and fancy free at present. This lesson also applies to the tumultuous nature of our political climate. Speak, support and vote in ways that actively create a more humane future. Act as you want to be remembered.
The recent movement of warrior planet Mars into Aries brings powerful, vitalizing energy. The danger lies in applying this alignment of fire recklessly or aimlessly. Passion must have purpose lest the red planet leave you with nothing more than a pile of ash. Take to heart and practice, the words of Aires poet Maya Angelou, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” Go forth, star children to know more, do more and be more.
Cancer
June 21 to July 22
Boundaries, moonchildren, are key in the quest to end resentment. The construction of these proverbial fences is not about building walls but creating, and holding, space. Saying “no” more won’t make anyone love you less. If it does, that person has long belonged on the other side of your boundary lines.
Notable Cancer: Malala Yousafzai / July 12, 1997
Leo
July 23 to Aug. 22
Take heed the words of writer Fay Weldon, “Only one thing registers on the subconscious mind: repetitive application. What you practice is what you manifest.” May I humbly suggest you get to work practicing internal validation, detachment from material goods and the ruthless pursuit of personal freedom.
Notable Leo: Stanley Kubrick / July 26, 1928
Virgo
Aug. 23 to Sept. 22
In one story, the goddess Isis commands seven scorpions to bow down their heads (and tails) so she may continue on her path without interference. The scorpions oblige because they recognize the power of her nature and the sanctity of her trajectory. Same goes for you, modern Virgos. Stay the course, hold your power and watch as crowns and weapons are lowered at your feet.
Notable Virgo: Cleo Wade / Sept. 13, 1989
Libra
Sept. 23 to Oct. 22
You may feel a little lost on your career pilgrimage as of late, Libra. Consider the words of novelist Roman Payne, “I wandered everywhere, through cities and countries wide, and everywhere I went, the world was on my side.” How much more enjoyable will your journey be if you choose to trust that the universe is conspiring to take you exactly where you needed to go?
Notable Libra: Cardi B / Oct. 11, 1992
Scorpio
Oct. 23 to Nov. 21
Fellow Scorpio Muhammad Iqbal succeeded in promoting his dream of a sovereign India through poetry. Iqbal galvanized a nation with his words, making political change seem vital and kind of sexy. I wonder, Scorpio, how much more effective your own scheming and dreaming would be if you package it in a form not just digestible, but desirable?
Notable Scorpio: Roy Lichtenstein / Oct. 27, 1923
Sagittarius
Nov. 22 to Dec. 21
Famed itinerant Christopher McCandless née Alexander Supertramp wrote, “There is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.” What new horizons and strange suns are you welcoming into your personal solar system, Sagittarius? For maximum returns on joy, you’ll need to shake loose detrimental habits and humans from your orbit.
Notable Sagittarius: John McCrae / Nov. 30, 1872
Capricorn
Dec. 22 to Jan. 19
Noted guru and fellow Capricorn Ramana Maharshi wrote, “If you approach the ocean with a cup, you can only take away a cupful; if you approach it with a bucket you can take away a bucketful.” The timid are rarely rewarded, sea goat. Choose your vessel wisely, do not greet greatness with a teaspoon.
Notable Capricorn: Zora Neale Hurston / Jan. 7, 1891
Aquarius
Jan. 20 to Feb. 18
In solar myth, John the Baptist is aligned with the sign and constellation of Aquarius. The OG water bearer was a bit of a zealot. That same conviction and quirk is present in modern Aquarians. Now, more than ever, the world demands that you shout and bark a different kind of revelation, that of a just, compassionate future for humanity. In a word? Preach.
Notable Aquarius: Chuck Yeager / Feb. 13, 1923
Pisces
Feb. 19 to March 20
Your ruling planet, dream-driven Neptune, is in retrograde until the end of the year. It’s a heady time for Pisces, you who usually rely on intuition to move through the world. Discerning trust from trickery is difficult. On the upswing, or dorsal fin, this retrograde presents an opportunity for you to develop your other, less prominent powers of investigation, perception and collaboration.
Notable Pisces: Ovid / March 20, 43 BC
Aries
March 21 to April 19
Novelist Liam Callanan writes, “We’re all ghosts. We all carry inside us people who came before us.” I trust these words will resonate with you in the weeks ahead, Aries, as planetary positioning highlights paths to your past and ancestors. These tethers exist not to pull you back, but to remind you that a legion of what came before, waits to welcome what comes next.
Notable Aries: Nancy Pelosi / March 26, 1940
Taurus
April 20 to May 20
Comparison is the assassin of self-love, Taurus. I lovingly suggest, if you must cast yourself against anyone, let it be your own former self, a previous incarnation. Be gentle in your juxtaposing. So long as there is progress, let there be pride.
Notable Taurus: Jack Nicholson / April 22, 1937
Gemini
May 21 to June 20
My mother, a double (!) Gemini, lives by the philosophy “have an attitude of gratitude.” I encourage you, fellow twins, to adopt a similar mantra, and stretch it to include a prayer of thanks for the pain you’re currently working through. I’m not suggesting you ask for more of it, but rather embrace the ache that’s showing you just how much you can take.
Notable Gemini: Wallis Simpson / June 19, 1896
