Dear NightFall Astrology readers,
As we transition into the final stretch of July, the universe has a unique blend of celestial shifts ready to transform our everyday rhythms. The assertive energy of Mars gradually takes a backseat, fostering a sense of tranquillity and inner focus. At the same time, the cosmic dance between Mercury and Venus encourages a heartwarming and communicative atmosphere that is ripe for personal and business relationships alike.
However, with Mercury marching into its home turf of Virgo, a call to order and meticulous planning resonates across the heavens. Lastly, as Venus gracefully retreats from view, we are presented with an opportunity to appreciate the fruits of our past efforts, even as certain pursuits may prove a bit more elusive than usual.
All in all, the vibe this week is one of introspection, communication, careful planning, and sincere appreciation of past endeavours.
Read on to delve into the nuanced cosmic rhythms and see what the stars have in store for you this week!
I. Mars becomes invisible:
A significant celestial event unfolds as we approach the end of July. Mars, associated with action and energy, becomes invisible to the naked eye in the sky starting July 26th. This transition, which will last until the end of 2023, initiates a subtler phase in our collective consciousness.
Those of you with prominent Aries and Scorpio placements will most likely experience this transition in a more personal way. A tendency towards introspection and a retreat from active social engagement might be apparent, reflecting the subdued energy of Mars.
Yet, the influence of this event isn’t limited to Aries and Scorpio. There’s a general softening in the collective atmosphere, where aggressive tendencies could give way to gentler expressions of action and ambition. It’s a shift towards more subtle, indirect ways of achieving goals, a less confrontational approach to addressing challenges.
The disappearance of Mars from our line of sight can also symbolise a phase of completion, particularly for ambitious projects. It could encourage working quietly in the background, refining strategies and laying the groundwork for future endeavours.
In the broader societal context, the lessening visibility of Mars might correlate with a resolution of conflicts, as the energies typically associated with rivalry and competition start to fade. It could also symbolize a male leader or prominent figure stepping back from their public roles.
In short, this period represents a significant shift in our collective rhythm, steering us towards introspection and strategic action. As Mars recedes from our sight, we find ourselves adapting to a new pace, one that encourages thoughtful planning over impulsive action.
II. Mercury conjoins Venus:
July 26th through the 29th marks a celestial milestone, setting the stage for a remarkable planetary pairing in the sign of Leo. At this time, Mercury, the messenger of the gods, forms a conjunction with Venus, the planet of love and beauty, with this conjunction being most exact on the 27th.
This is a unique period, made all the more poignant with Venus in retrograde in the dramatic and radiant sign of Leo. This celestial rendezvous brings with it a heightened capacity for heartfelt communication and expressions of love, a time when articulating emotions feels not only possible but necessary.
Simultaneously, this conjunction offers an opportune time for enriching personal relationships, even sparking the potential for romantic engagements. As Venus backpedals through Leo, the playful and creative pursuits are amplified, making it an ideal time for indulging in hobbies and anything fun.
Yet, the conjunction of Mercury and Venus is not just about personal pleasures and emotional expressiveness. This period also heralds successful negotiations and fertile brainstorming, potentially leading to lucrative ideas and profitable business meetings.
However, with Venus retrograde, this planetary meet-up can also amplify certain challenges. The conjunction may raise doubts, escalating the classic ‘love me, love me not’ dilemma. If relationships start feeling like a guessing game, it could be a sign to spend more quality time together, free from pressure and preconceived expectations.
Under the spotlight of Leo, this is a time to be bold, to extend invitations, and to open up in ways previously guarded. Authenticity is the key during this celestial event. As Mercury and retrograde Venus dance in the Leonine sky, remember that honesty and authenticity can only serve to strengthen the bonds you nurture during this period.
This conjunction will be most intense for Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius, and Taurus.
III. Mercury enters Virgo:
On July 28th, Mercury, the fleet-footed messenger of the gods, begins its prolonged sojourn in Virgo, its domicile and exaltation sign. In traditional Western astrology, a planet in its domicile or home sign is comfortable and expresses its qualities freely and fully. Moreover, when a planet is in its sign of exaltation, it operates at its highest potential and its beneficial traits are magnified.
As such, with Mercury comfortably ensconced in Virgo, the cosmos invites us to harness the planet’s communicative and intellectual strengths in the service of order and precision. Virgo, symbolised by the virgin holding a sheaf of wheat, signifies discernment, meticulousness, and a propensity for efficient organization. Coupled with Mercury’s influence, this period calls for sifting through the metaphorical wheat and chaff in our lives – an opportune time to bring method to madness and orchestrate order from chaos.
This is a period encouraging sustainable habit formation, especially those related to planning and organisation. As Mercury ushers in a vibe of enhanced productivity, it’s an excellent time for projects requiring attention to detail. This could be the perfect moment to write down those simmering ideas, fine-tune a pending project, or examine our personal and professional lives under a metaphorical microscope.
However, Mercury’s extended stay in Virgo is not without its challenges. This planet of communication and cognition will be retrograde from August 23rd to September 15th. Astrologically, retrograde periods symbolise a time of introspection, revisiting, and sometimes, reversals. This highlights the need for extra vigilance, particularly in areas demanding precision and clarity. Any misstep or oversight could be costly, requiring valuable time and resources to rectify.
{ For more info about the symbolism of retrograde planets, check my article:
“The Retrograde Conundrum: Interpretations in Traditional vs Modern Western Astrology”. }
The thrust, then, is to maximise the potential of Mercury’s initial phase in Virgo. Employ the Virgoan knack for details and pre-planning to set everything in order, ensuring a smoother sail when the tide turns with Mercury’s retrograde. Use this time effectively, and by summer’s end, you’ll be well-positioned to weather any challenges that the retrograde period may present.
IV. Venus becomes invisible:
On the brink of the month’s end, on July 29th, the celestial drama takes another twist as Venus, the planet of love, beauty, and abundance, transitions into a phase of invisibility in the fiery sign of Leo, a phase that persists until August 20th.
This invisibility of Venus carries profound symbolic implications. Traditionally, Venus has been associated with attraction, unity, wealth, and the fine things in life. During this phase of invisibility, its luminous gifts might seem elusive and harder to manifest. Whether it be expressions of love, harmonious cooperation, or even material prosperity, Venus, in this phase, presents a challenge to the easy flow of these aspects.
Simultaneously, this time offers an opportunity to pause and reflect on our past Venus-related endeavours – relationships, financial undertakings, agreements, artistic ventures, and the like. It can serve as a time of reckoning where we assess the fruits of our past actions in these areas.
Interestingly, this period could feel particularly significant for those of you with Sun, Moon, or Ascendant in Taurus and Libra – signs traditionally ruled by Venus. You might feel a pull towards introspection and a temporary retreat from public visibility or social activity. You might also experience a sense of fatigue or frustration. This period, while potentially challenging, could also provide a much-needed break, a moment to rejuvenate and realign with your core values and desires.
That said, it’s worth noting that Venus’s invisibility is traditionally not viewed as auspicious for initiating new relationships or embarking on significant commitments such as marriage. The rationale behind this caution lies in the diminished visibility and influence of Venus, which could translate into less clarity and harmony in newly formed bonds.
In sum, Venus’s invisibility phase is a mixed bag of challenges and opportunities, a period of reflection, and, for some, rest. As we navigate these astrological waters, let’s remember to be patient with ourselves and others and harness the transformative potential this period offers.
Thank you for reading.
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Your Astrologer – Theodora NightFall ~
Remember that this is a general horoscope and is NOT your personal one. If you’d like to know what your birth chart says about your personality and your life’s purpose or discover what the upcoming astrological alignments mean specifically for you, you can:
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