Dear NightFall Astrology readers,
Welcome to another top-notch and super-detailed weekly horoscope, your celestial guide through the ebbs and flows of cosmic energy! As we open the stage on July 17th, 2023, with the New Moon in Cancer, we’re reminded of life’s cyclical nature and the emergence of new beginnings. This astronomical event heralds an era of potential abundance, tempered by the need for discerning decision-making.
Despite the promise of prosperity, the celestial symphony introduces a challenging counterpoint—opposition to Pluto. This tension manifests as potential power dynamics and manipulation, adding complexity to the lunar narrative. Other planetary aspects, such as Mars opposing Saturn and Mercury squaring Jupiter, weave additional intrigue into our celestial journey.
As we move beyond the immediate lunar event, the shifting lunar nodes into Aries and Libra hint at a period of self-discovery, independence, and the need for authenticity in our relationships. The weekend welcomes Big Leo Energy, signalling a season for personal branding, self-love, and a retrospective into our relationships and financial commitments, with Venus commencing its retrograde.
In essence, our celestial forecast for the week is a cosmic dance of duality—a balance between abundance and complexity, renewal and introspection. Stay tuned as we delve deeper into each celestial alignment, and in the meantime, let’s see what the stars have in store for us this week!
I. New Moon in Cancer:
As the curtain rises on the New Moon in Cancer this July 17th, 2023, at 8:32 PM (CET), onlookers are set to perceive a seemingly clear-cut, uncomplicated potential for prosperity. However, lurking beneath the surface, intricate strategies reminiscent of chess manoeuvres might ensnare the unwary.
The celestial event marks a time when the Sun and Moon congregate in the heavens, a spectacle coinciding with the climax of Cancer. This astronomical phenomenon, symbolic of new beginnings and the birth of cycles, plunges the world into an almost mystifying darkness – a gestation of prosperity, akin to the ethos of the Lord of Luxury.
Cancer, a sign known for its homely and profoundly emotional nature and Luna’s home sign, reaches its third decan during this phase, coinciding with the Four of Cups Tarot Card or “the Lord of Luxury”. This card symbolises a surplus, an overabundance prompting intricate decision-making. Once an individual achieves significant success, it invites the conundrum of allocating the accumulated wealth. This phase could induce a sense of perceived injustice or the complexity surrounding asset distribution.
Nonetheless, the current celestial arrangement presents a challenge – it is in direct opposition to Pluto, the planet associated with manipulation, complexity, and crisis. Consequently, despite the surface optimism, participants might find themselves embroiled in power games, influencing the distribution of resources.
An opposition to Pluto, manifested in a 180-degree angle between the Sun and the Moon in Cancer and Pluto, accentuates this discrepancy. The divergence lies between the desire to bask in achieved abundance and the necessity to navigate intricate power dynamics and possibly manipulation. This situation could induce guilt and an oscillation between exploiting the opportunity to its maximum or withdrawing from the scenario altogether.
Oppositions often spotlight obsessions or an extreme focus, especially with the involvement of Pluto. However, a redeeming aspect is the trine to Neptune, which illuminates spirituality and faith-based trust, indicating a higher purpose in the grand scheme of things.
{ If you’d like to know where and how this New Moon is showing up in your own chart and life, order your personal “New Moon in Cancer” forecast HERE! }
Additional celestial interactions provide opportunities for newfound realisations or insights, with a sextile to Uranus and Jupiter. The event marks the last lunation with the North Node in Taurus, hinting at a future shift in celestial energy.
Communication dynamics are set to take an optimistic turn, with Mercury squaring Jupiter, fuelling empowering conversations that energise the participants. Yet, Venus squaring Uranus may disrupt relationships, introducing chaotic elements.
One of the most challenging aspects during this phase is Mars opposing Saturn, representing the perennial conflict between action (Mars) and restraint (Saturn). The celestial standoff could delay proceedings until a consensus is reached.
In summary, while the New Moon in Cancer promises an enticing start to abundance, one should be mindful of the undercurrents of manipulation and power dynamics at play. It is vital to make decisions that align with your healthiest and most straightforward course of action.
This New Moon will be felt most intensely by Capricorn, Cancer, Libra, and Aries, particularly if you have planets and/or important chart points around 24 degrees of these signs (give or take 1-5 degrees).
II. The Nodes switch to Aries & Libra:
In another noteworthy celestial movement spanning from July 17th, 2023, to January 29th, 2025, the Lunar Nodes are shifting their signs into Aries (North Node) and Libra (South Node). This transition, however, does not completely overrule the lasting effects of the last eclipses (October 28, 2023), whose signs—Taurus and Scorpio—retain some influence, given the eclipses in the latter half of 2023 aren’t total.
This transition phase underscores the collective lessons imparted for the rest of 2023 and throughout 2024. They primarily align with the Aries theme: fostering a stronger sense of identity, enhancing leadership skills, aiding in people’s liberation, becoming a source of salvation to self and others, achieving autonomy and independence, and discovering the courage to take unprecedented steps.
With the South Node positioned in Libra, it presents a challenge to rid ourselves of dependency and co-dependency in our relationships and partnerships. It invites us to rise above superficiality, address flaws in the justice system, liberate ourselves from overemphasis on aesthetics, and relinquish judgmental attitudes.
A notable cosmic event occurring from July 18th to the end of August sees Pluto forming a square with the North and South Nodes (bending of the Nodes), symbolically located at the 90-degree angle at the end of Capricorn. This represents a vital shift in planetary energy aimed at balancing or integrating the extremes of the North and South Nodes. Pluto’s positioning is key as it connotes transformation, authenticity, and an extensive psychological humbling.
In the narrative of the North Node (representing an increase in whatever sign it’s in), this shift indicates a rapid surge around free speech and anti-censorship. Correspondingly, the South Node’s (decrease in whatever sign it’s in) shift seems to lessen the importance placed on aesthetics and interpersonal harmony. This period, therefore, presents a unique opportunity to reassess our societal and individual priorities in light of these celestial changes.
III. Leo season begins & Venus goes retrograde:
The impending weekend heralds an era of potent Leo energy as the Sun makes its grand entry into the sign and Venus begins its retrograde motion. This celestial configuration sets the stage for a period of profound glamour, romance, and creativity, akin to the allure of a runway under the bright spotlight.
The Sun, gracing the flamboyant sign of Leo for its annual four-week sojourn starting this Saturday, brings an atmosphere teeming with opulence and the promise of grandeur. In this high season of charm and magnetism, you might find your aspirations escalating, possibly envisioning your name emblazoned in lights, inscribed in the annals of history, or gracing the hall of fame. Emboldened by this inspiring energy, it may be time to fine-tune your personal brand for its ascension. A strategic review of industry leaders and the successful strategies they employ might illuminate your path. Should you have a finished product to unveil, ensure it’s polished to perfection before planning its grand debut.
In the celestial dance, also on July 22nd, Venus enters its retrograde phase at 28° of Leo. The last such occurrence was during the summer of 2015 (July 25th-September 6th, 2015). Recollections of that period may provide valuable insights. A narrative that began then might resurface, escalating or reaching its denouement during this retrograde. Events set into motion when Venus entered its pre-retrograde shadow period on June 19th are likely to evolve, demanding review and re-evaluation.
A Venus retrograde serves as an invitation to revisit old relationships and agreements. This could manifest as reconnections with past acquaintances or loves, an opportunity to attain closure or rekindle ties, reminiscent of fond times past. Simultaneously, current relationships and alliances may warrant reconsideration and recalibration. As Leo symbolizes love, creativity, self-respect, and joy, these elements may become focal points of contemplation.
Venus in retrograde encourages a thorough examination of relationships, agreements, and social ties. It’s a time to restore balance and make necessary improvements, postponement no longer an option. If certain connections or agreements have become untenable, they may terminate during this phase. However, those that withstand this rigorous scrutiny will likely emerge stronger and more harmonious post-retrograde.
Prudence is advised in financial matters during Venus retrograde. Rather than taking risks, this is a propitious period to reassess your financial situation, devise a new plan, and prepare to implement it once Venus resumes direct motion, potentially resulting in significant material improvements.
In summary, as Leo’s majestic energy pervades the weekend, brace yourself for a period of revisiting past connections, refining current relationships, and reassessing your financial strategies. This celestial tableau promises an enlightening journey of self-discovery and personal growth.
Thank you for reading.
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