July 2023 ~ VENUS RETROGRADE ~ LOVE, BEAUTY, MONEY, DESIGN + More ~ Shifting Astro Tides…

Here are some top points to know about the July 2023 Astrology. See my July 2023 Horoscope Videos/Podcasts  for more details and also in the date specific notes towards the end of this written report:

1. For the first time in many months, there are many more salty aspects compared to sweet ones. There are still sweet aspects to celebrate (I will go into some later in this report) but there will be many road bumps throughout the month with grouchy planetary combinations. This is nothing to fear, just to be aware of so as it is happening instead of being like, “What the heck is going on?!”, you can be in the know. The challenging aspects occurring are ones that tend to pass quickly.

2. We have a break from eclipse season. The April and May eclipses carried some intensity even into June but now in July and August we get a break to integrate the radical changes that may have been recently introduced. September puts us back into eclipse “season” as the prelude to the October eclipses, which include the conclusion of the Taurus/Scorpio storyline that began at the end of 2021, and continues the Aries/Libra stories that began with the Black Moon eclipse in Aries in April.

Changes to the Me/We sectors and My stuff/Our stuff arenas are major themes from these two eclipse cycles.

Information and continuation of themes that got heated up in eclipse season can proceed in July and August but usually the most notable occurrences from eclipses happen closer to the 4-6 weeks before and after the actual eclipse dates.

3. Official Venus Retrograde - Venus pre-transit shadow period begins June 19 and stretches to July 23 when it officially shifts into retrograde, staying retrograde until September 4, with the post-transit shadow period lasting until October 6, 2023.

Venus rules love, relationships, money, finances, beauty, appearance, design, and aesthetics, comfort, sustenance and more. During the retrograde transit, all things ruled by Venus tend to favor past connections. Issues swept under the rug in any of these arenas tend to come flying out to be worked with during the transit. Opportunities from the past can glow brilliantly. Past customers or contacts can bring wonderful prosperity, and debts owed can be paid back to your surprise or delight. It is a time to rethink, experiment, and deal with what comes up. It is also a great to time actively dive deep into the mechanics of money, relationships, and self-esteem through deep inner individual or couples work.

Check out more about Venus retro with my many resources on the topic: my Venus retro blogs series, my Venus retro Do’s and Don’ts blog, and my Venus retro video. Personal planet retrogrades are is one of my areas of great expertise. You can also see more in my book, Planetology ~ How to Align with the Natural Rhythms of the Universe.

4. Strong Cancer energies from the Sun and Mercury bring focus on emotions, home, family, and housing. Water transits like this bring attention to matters of the heart which come front and center at this time. Cancer transits can bring awareness, challenges, harmony, blessings, and emotional intensity to topics of home and family. Genetics, ancestry or other connections to your ‘roots’ may come strongly now.

5. Strong Leo energies from both Venus & Mars transits brings zesty creative expression, focus on hobbies and in general, FUN, romance, children, leadership and taking center stage with whatever awesomeness you are bringing.

6. Mars will enter Virgo this month bringing attention to details, a focus on health, pets, and our daily experience/routine/schedule.

Sweet boosts are more likely on or around these days: 1, 6, 7, 9, 14, 20, and 21-22..

Drama or stress are more likely in the days around: 2, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 20, 21, 23, 26, 27, 27-28, 28-29, and 30.

Notable Moon Dates: (more on these later)

Full Moon at 11° of Capricorn ~ July 3

New Moon at almost 25° of Cancer ~ July 17

CHECK OUT MORE JULY 2023 HIGHLIGHTS:

** Note: Often the effects of planetary transits are felt before or after the actual day the transit occurs. Also note that dates may shift a day or so depending on your time zone. Also note that general transits can effect people differently depending on many factors, including transits to the individuals personal charts.
 

MY TOP FAVE ASPECTS OF JULY 2023:

July 1 — Mercury and Sun Conjunct in Cancer both Sextile Jupiter in Taurus — It is nice that in a month where we have lots of conflicted planetary connections, that at least we can start out with some beautiful synergy. The Sun brightens and intensifies the energy of Mercury as they connect and both make a great angle with Jupiter in Taurus. Emotions and actions blend beautifully at this time and intuition or synchronicity could land some great material gains. Expansion of home, family, or ancestral understandings could abound with this double aspect.

July 6-7 then July 14 — Mercury in and then the Sun in Cancer Sextile Uranus in Taurus — The dynamic duo of Mercury and the Sun traveling closely together in Cancer this month make a second series of great aspects with an outer planet, this time, Uranus, bringing helpful revelations, good news, or innovative solutions. It is a nice time to plan surprises for loved ones or be delighted by some family fun that comes your way.

July 9 then July 20 — Mercury in Cancer Trine Neptune in Pisces — A third sequence of awesomeness from the ruler of communication, information, and transportation (Mercury) and the bringer of warmth, vitality, and awareness (the Sun), this time making the most fabulous angle in all of astrology, the Trine, with dreamy Neptune. Psychic perceptions and intuitive insights shine brightly now, activating dream space and waking dreams. Happy seeming coincidences give a peek into the Divine plan that is always at work behind the scenes.

July 21-22 — Mercury in Leo Trine Chiron in Aries — Most of our sweet aspects this month are in water and earth but this last goodie of the month burns bright with double fire energy. The transition of water domination into the fire time is kicked off by this perfect connection with Mercury and Chiron. A chance to fix a past wrong or heal a past trauma bubbles up with vibrant exuberance. Interesting information may solve a health or well-being issue.

Top Aspects to Be Extra Careful & Awareful:

July 2 —  Venus in Leo Square Uranus in Taurus — Clashes in money or love are more likely now. A ding to your self-esteem might be one of the outcomes of this connection. A sudden expense or love conflict are two common ways this aspect tends to come up.

July 10 —  Mercury in Cancer Opposing Pluto in Capricorn — Anything opposing Pluto usually has a NOT fun aspect to it but it could also manifest as a power struggle that elicits empowerment. When you see the way you have been participating in a pattern that doesn’t help anyone involved, sudden inspiration to crack out of this matrix may arise, giving way to positive changes. This aspect could also represent an internal or external battle of heart and mind, within yourself or with you and someone else. One caution is that some people with certain levels of ego are not going to be swayed by your blossoming certainty and if that person sees themself starting to lose control over you or a situation, it may not go well. Have prudence if you think someone could be volatile or dangerous.

July 17 —  Mercury in Leo Square Jupiter in Taurus — Squares with Jupiter tend to bring about a propensity for over-promising, over-committing, or over-doing. Along with these, you could see creative flow get put in check by practicality or necessity, resulting in a major buzzkill.

July 20  —  Mars in Virgo Opposing Saturn in Pisces — A major tendency of this combination has to to with strong criticism, manifesting either from you, towards you, or to or from someone you care about. You may feel at odds with yourself or someone whose opinion you care about or help you need. This aspect is one of the longer influences of those happening this month and will be active for almost a week before AND after the actual transit.

July 23 —  Mercury in Leo Square Uranus in Taurus — Unpleasant news or experiences can come from this connection. Be extra careful around electric. Make sure your smoke detectors are working and simultaneously note that you may be annoyed by a fire alarm disturbance at home or at a hotel.

Other Important Dates of Note:

July 3 — Full Moon at 11° of Capricorn — 

Fullness, completion, fruition, excitement, drama come to Capricorn topics like work, employment, business, public passion projects, fatherhood/father figures, and more. Check out my Powerful Full Moon in Capricorn Reveal & Release Ceremony to help you make the most of the starry potentials.

July 17 — New Moon at almost 25° of Cancer — 

New beginnings or other awesome opportunities in the realms of Cancer ~ home, family, housing, inner emotional experience, motherhood/mother figures, and more.  It is time to make New Moon wishes on these topics and anything else that you want to bring more of into your life. Check out my blog to assist you with making the most of the potentials, Making Powerful New Moon in Cancer Wishes.

July 22 — Venus officially Retrograde — 

Prepare to go inward and backward into challenges and joys from the past as they relate to love, romance, finances, income, self-esteem, physical appearance, and more. Venus pre-transit shadow period begins June 19 and stretches to July 23 when it officially shifts into retrograde, staying retrograde until September 4, with the post-transit shadow period lasting until October 6, 2023.

I have posted June & July 2023 Horoscope videos on my Youtube channel.

I syndicate all of my Youtube horoscope posts to my podcast,

Astro Kisses with Annie Botticelli. I recommend that you register for the RSS Feed so as I add content in the future that is not syndicated on Youtube, you won't miss anything. Astro Kisses is also on Spotify, Amazon radio and a long and growing list of other podcast venues.