Horoscopes

Cancer Jun 23-Jul 23

Happy birthday Crab crew! The sun and this year’s only Cancer new moon on July 10 are highlighting self-care, so it’s time to lavish that nurturing you give others onto numera una. This month’s emotional roller-coaster, a combined joyride and obstacle course, could see some stormy endings and scintillating beginnings. But with intuitive Mercury moving into your sign you’ll navigate July’s high tides with greater ease than most. As world-changing events ask you to step up rather than sidestepping, make sure you have plenty of support. And tune into the full moon on July 24 for guidance on a sensitive issue.

Leo Jul 24-Aug 23

With King Mars and Queen Venus reigning together in Leo for its first three weeks, July’s spotlight shines on your majesties operating at your boldest, most extroverted and generous best. And this month invites you to distil all that passion into the higher octave of compassion. If others are clingy and need reassurance, you know how to make them feel secure – then you can put your paws up and be rewarded with some luxurious pampering and a right royal looking after. When the Sun, your primary fire planet, blazes into your flaming sign in late July, look who’s positively incandescent!

Virgo Aug 24-Sep 23

“Feelings, everybody’s got those feelings” the song goes, and July shifts focus from intellect and ideas into the emotional zone where logic, reason and sense aren’t running the show. But the heart always knows what’s going on. Virgo’s GPS, planet Mercury, will respond best on your behalf this month to discipline and regularity. When Venus moves into your exacting sign for the last week of July to open Virgo’s season of self-love, consider a new style-up and remember the old saying that “when criticism comes in the door, love flies out window”. Because, who’s perfect? We are all artworks in progress.

Libra Sep 24-Oct 23

This month’s rogue emotions could tip Libran scales every which way, from affectionate and delightfully domestic to prickly, angsty and cranky. Best advice? Your home zone, away from crazy crowds, could be the sanest place for figuring out whether to go with commonsense logic or illogical intuition. Don’t rule out hunches, but do make sure to back them with solidly researched facts. Your planet ruler, Venus, is in “look at me” mode for most of July; when she moves late-month to the sign of “let’s get physical”, think massage, healthy food, outdoor walks and above all, keeping expectations of others realistic.

Scorpio Oct 24-Nov 22

Mars and Venus are calling the shots this month, and love versus will is the agenda on the bill. So which is more important to you, Scorps: being right or being loved? Stay focused on points of agreement rather than issues of contention. Keep in mind that July’s celestial chemistry isn’t the ideal climate for channelling Scorpio Helen Reddy’s I Am Woman. People may not be operating from the empire of the sensible, so don’t expect logical thinking and rational behaviour.

But there are plenty of cosmic compensations: melting moments, magical spontaneity, sensual interludes and delightful surprises.

Sagittarius Nov 23- Dec 21

Crabs skitter sideways when approached, and that’s the response forthright Sagittarians could receive during this sensitive Cancerian month. But Mercury’s offering Sagittarians a non-confrontational communication course, featuring uncritical listening, asking others what they need to feel supported, and speaking kindly to yourself. As Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Pluto and Chiron continue their season of self-reflection, celestial energies sink deep rather than ranging wide, and encourages making your personal space a cosy sanctuary. When Jupiter returns to your engagement sector in late July you’ll be ready to fly.

Capricorn Dec 22-Jan 20

After last month’s mental stimulus and decision making, July’s emotional tsunamis require mood management, compromise and adjustment. People could feel anxious and easily offended. Yes this too shall pass, but until it does, give ruffled feelings the consideration you’d like yourself when you’re hurt and huffy. The benefit of this month’s astral emphasis on security and family offers a deeply bonding and strengthening restructure of the ties that bind clan Capricorn. If late month brings dramas, keep conversations inclusive of diverse opinions. Don’t engage in power plays. Ask questions. There’s always more to the story.

Aquarius Jan 21-Feb 19

Seeing people emoting all over the place isn’t your thing, but attempting to amuse them with Aquarian humour could backfire, so at least try to mime being sympathetic and supportive. This month is about family, which to Aquarius includes friends, colleagues and community. When the first of two consecutive full moons in Aquarius on 24 July prompts a rethink about goals and ambitions, check whether yours have become sidelined by the necessities of survival. Take inventory: are your teammates aligned with your bigger vision? You can all still be individual while working towards the same cause.

Pisces Feb 20-Mar 20

The planets serve up an emotional month for you sensitive types – is there any other kind for Pisceans? While you might have intentions to be strong-willed, any tug on your tender heartstrings could be all it takes to make you give in. Which isn’t recommended, as enabling or excusing sub-standard behaviour creates bigger problems later on. The upside of July’s star map revs Pisces’ romantic engines, with your personal genius for empathetic understanding coming into its own when others find your being helpful and considerate more of a turn-on than any hot selfie.

Aries Mar 21-Apr 21

In July people mightn’t come out like you do and say directly what they want or mean, the zig-zag strategy of the Crab being the opposite of straightforward Aries. So instead of talking, listen: the quieter you are, the more you’ll hear. If Mars stirs up passionate reactions, best not Rambo in with your usual upfront, uncensored opinions. Tread slowly and gently, because connections are delicate and easily damaged this month. Chiron heading into a deep-healing, five-month backspin in your sign mid-month also suggests tapping the brakes and checking long-term plans. Do you have a reliable support team on board?

Taurus Apr 22-May 21

Your prima planet, Venus, could have people behaving like divas for the first three weeks of July: entertaining for their flash, dash and pizzaz; less so in the case of their dramatic theatrics. As these people change their opinions, plans, clothes, hairdos and points of view according to their moods this month, straining even your famous Tauran patience, the good news is that they are likely to more than make up for it with heaps of treats and tender loving care. When love queen Venus enters earthy Virgo for the last week of July, get ready to up your game: she’s well known to be a bit of a perfectionist.

Gemini May 22-Jun 22

Geminis are surface feeders, skimming broad expanses to gather a diverse variety of information. As July takes a soul-reviving dive into the ocean of emotions, if you feel out of your depth, don’t panic: just relax and tread water. From mid-month onwards, when your planet ruler Mercury heads into sensitive territory, auto-edit gossip and sarcastic comments because someone could take offense when you least expect it. Family matters, close connections and quality time in the home zone take precedence on this month’s activity list, and with mood swings operating full tilt there’s no way you’ll be bored.