Eclipse Season is All About Releasing the Past in Favor of Forward Motion

Emotions are running high as we kick off July!

After last month’s solstice, we are officially into the dog days of summer, where the light lingers and the air is laced with warmth. And astrologically, we are really feeling the heat. Cancer season always brings a rollercoaster of feelings, as well as a sense of tension between freedom and safety: We want to protect ourselves with a hard outer shell, but inside we’re longing to be seen. Just as the crab walks sideways, it’s time to ask ourselves if the direction we’re traveling is what we want, and how some movement on a different path might benefit us. And, as we begin July with a new moon and solar eclipse, we’re primed to let go of whatever is holding us back.

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We’re entering the height of eclipse season, so remember that anything is possible! Eclipses can be astrological wild cards, throwing up unexpected challenges or situations that we may find intimidating. However, they also provide an important dose of energy and stimulation. While we may want to hide, shuffle our feet, or retreat (especially during Cancer season), an eclipse takes the wheel and makes sure things stay in motion. Expect the unexpected with two of them—one solar, one lunar—coming our way this month.

What’s do the stars have in store for you this month?

We’ll experience two planets in retrograde, with both Neptune and Mercury in a seemingly backward spiral. With Neptune obscuring the truth and Mercury making it difficult to communicate clearly, expect a fair amount of confusion, frustration, and hurt feelings. Avoid making rash decisions. In times like this, it’s important to embrace the power of nonreaction and observation. Answers will come in time if you don’t force them. By the end of the month, Mercury will be direct again, a combination of eclipses will have pushed our desires to the front, and we’ll enter Leo season raring to go.

July 2 Prepare for a total solar eclipse and a new moon in Cancer. This is an intense combination that challenges us to shed some layers and let go. With both the sun obscured and a new moon, tonight is a meditation on darkness, loss, and transformation. Matters involving home life or relationships are especially charged right now. If there is something you’ve been trying to let go, the solar eclipse will likely be the charge you need to move forward

July 7 It’s happening again—Mercury is going retrograde, where it will stay for the rest of the month. This is a good time to slow down and really take your time; don’t rush any big decisions. Mercury will be in fiery Leo when it goes retrograde, so tempers may run hot. Thinking or writing your thoughts down before you speak will help keep things calm.

You might feel stuck or face roadblocks on July 9 when the sun opposes Saturn. As the taskmaster of the zodiac, Saturn governs our routines and patterns, so when it opposes watery Cancer, it can feel impossible to get things done. Today is a good day to take things slow and be patient.

On July 16 we welcome a full moon in Capricorn, which will bring a bit of direction and order to the murky vibes we’ve been experiencing this month. If you’ve been struggling for clarity, this moon can help illuminate some important truths. Tonight’s sky also plays host to a partial lunar eclipse, which adds some serious drama to the mix—you’re ready to get real and rise above whatever has been keeping you from achieving your goals. This may be a messy transition, but it serves a higher purpose.

Relationships may take a hit on July 17, when Venus in Cancer opposes Saturn in Capricorn. You may find yourself torn between love and work, or wanting to express your feelings but experiencing guilt around them. Today, opt for self-care and reflection over a heart-to-heart.

The days of the lion begins on July 23 when the sun enters Leo. Time to be bold! After the intense emotional ups and downs of Cancer season, Leo season is about getting up, going out, and reclaiming your place in the world.

We can take a collective breath on July 31 when Mercury stations direct again. Back in Leo after its return to Cancer, Mercury is nudging us to express ourselves loud and proud. Just be mindful that retrogrades do have a surrounding shadow period, so take some baby steps before jumping back in.