Dear NightFal Astrology readers,
“Coming into our strength and power” is the order of the week! But first, we’ll have to face as smoothly, bravely and rationally as possible the emotional and mental intensity that Pluto’s clashes with Mercury and the Sun will bring at the beginning of the week. Empathy and optimism will be our allies during these first intense couple of days, thanks to some lovely aspects from the transiting Moon.
Chiron’s annual 6-month retrograde in Aries will also be pushing us to take a deep look into our ego wounds and find more constructive ways to heal them than giving in to power struggles and conflict. Are you up to the task? If you are, put your glamour on and walk down the red carpet for the next four weeks with Mercury and the Sun’s strut in proud and radiant Leo!
Here’s your weekly horoscope.
1. Mercury and the Sun oppose Pluto:
a) Mercury opposes Pluto:
From July 16th until July 19th (exact on July 18th), Mercury in Cancer will oppose Pluto retrograde in Capricorn. This tense aspect can bring about mentally obsessive thoughts, a suspicious or more fearful/gloomy/broody state of mind. Interactions with others can lead to power struggles and manipulation. Secret or private information can surface, too.
On the other hand, this is an excellent time for investigating, researching, and psychological analysis. Interest in conspiracy, mystery, secrets and forbidden/ taboo topics will also be highlighted.
The Moon’s conjunction with Neptune retrograde in Pisces can soften the edges of this opposition by helping us to get in touch with our empathetic, compassionate, and artistic side. Listen to your favourite song, or get into sweet nostalgia with your movie character crush! Count to 10 before starting an argument!
b) The Sun opposes Pluto:
From July 19th until July 22nd (exact on July 20th), the Sun in Cancer will make its annual opposition to Pluto. This extremely challenging aspect can translate into intense ego clashes, control issues, becoming too stubborn and unbending, manipulating others or being manipulated, and/or feeling blocked or undermined by outside forces or people. It can also trigger eruptive violence.
On the positive side, this aspect can help us become aware of our issues related to power and control and tap into our hidden inner resources.
With the Moon being in conjunction with Jupiter and Chiron in Aries, this opposition’s negative and positive manifestations will be amplified. This is a call to your free will. Are you going to use Jupiter’s faith and optimism or its exaggeration?
These oppositions will be most challenging for Aries, Capricorn, Libra, and Cancer.
2. Chiron turns retrograde, Mercury and the Sun enter Leo, Mercury trine Jupiter:
a) Chiron turns retrograde:
Strengthen your backbone. This Tuesday, July 19th, Chiron, the “wounded healer” comet, flips into its annual retrograde, backing up through warrior sign Aries until December 23rd. Chiron holds the key (its symbol) to our alchemical gifts, but to access them, you must turn inward and push past your own stumbling blocks. In the sign of the fiery Ram from 2018 until 2027, Chiron is bringing issues of anger management, leadership and personal power to the world stage. This year has had no shortage of important causes to stand up and fight for, and Chiron’s backspin can help us all uncover soulful strategies for the battle. Meanwhile, this retrograde is an optimal time to recover from any personal power outages that may be stopping you from sticking up for your beliefs.
This transit will be felt most intensely by Aries, Capricorn, Cancer, and Libra.
b) Mercury and the Sun enter Leo:
The official moment to restore our roar also arrives on Tuesday, July 19th, when communicator Mercury struts into loud, proud Leo, turning up the volume on creative expression. After a lowkey few weeks, this passionate cycle directs you back into the public eye. Make a bolder statement if you don’t want to get lost in the shuffle! Use storytelling techniques and eye-popping visuals to underscore your message, whether you’re pitching a business idea or posting on social media. Experiment with music, video, and any other effects that will get people to stop scrolling and tap on your profile. With heart-centred Leo playing communications director, there’s no reason to be crisp and formal. As long as you don’t blur professional lines, it’s okay to share those warm-fuzzy feelings. This might be the key that unlocks team spirit!
But that’s not all! A long red carpet rolls out this Friday, July 22nd, as the Sun (the King of the Sky and our solar system) comes back to its throne in Leo until August 22nd. This annual solar cycle is high season for all things glamourous, romantic and creative. Does your name belong in lights? Or maybe a history book or the hall of fame? Visualize it, then start positioning your personal “brand” for the ascent. If you’re unsure where to begin, start with some competitive research analysis. What are the leaders in your (desired) industry doing? How would YOU put your own unique spin on this? If you have a finished product to promote, use this week to put a final coat of high-gloss polish on it. Then, schedule your big reveal or trot it out for a test pilot to your savviest friends.
In love, is it time to elevate your standards? The Leo Sun trumpets a PSA: You deserve to be treated like royalty by the one you love. But hear ye, hear ye! Keep those expectations realistic, too! Most people don’t have the time (or budgets!) to fawn over each other 24/7. Invest equal energy into your creative pursuits—and commit to following through! That’s how to keep your love life in balance. Get ready because you might fall head over summer sandals for your own fine self in the process. Tap into the noble traits of Leo instead of falling prey to the self-serving ones. Love IS a two-way street, after all. How can you be a more generous lover, in and out of the bedroom?
Mercury and the Sun’s transit through Leo will be most supportive of Leo, Aries, Sagittarius, Gemini, and Libra.
c) Mercury trines Jupiter:
Here we are! As mentioned in this horoscope’s title, we’re starting the spectacular Leo season with a bang! Leo season has barely begun, and we have Mercury immediately trining (harmonious aspect) Jupiter retrograde in Aries, sprinkling luck and optimism into our minds, communications, and social interactions! This is also excellent energy for any intellectual pursuits, short-distance travel, business, legal matters, or proposals.
This transit will be most auspicious for Aries, Leo, Sagittarius, Gemini, and Aquarius.
3. Venus square Jupiter:
How much is too much? When the two benefics clash this weekend in a square (it becomes exact on July 24th), overindulgence is the main risk! Let’s get the negative manifestations of this aspect out of the way, shall we? This tense aspect can manifest as not receiving enough support from our significant others or receiving too much attention making us feel uncomfortable. We tend to be oversensitive and get insulted easily because we’ll be paying more attention than usual to other people’s opinions, and our emotional balance will depend too much on our social activities. In sum, the “extraverted” mode will be turned on max!
On the flip side, this is favourable energy for going after what we want (the ungettable get!). It can also make us more likeable and agreeable than usual, and top our glasses up with “sugar, spice, and everything nice”!
This transit will be most challenging for Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn. Leo, Sagittarius, Gemini, and Aquarius will be this energy’s Powerpuff girls and guys!
“We are heroes
Heroes of the night
We are ready to live forevermore
Our gods lead us through this fight
On and on
We are one and on our way”.
Last Night of the Kings by Van Canto
Feel the might and glory, and be the hero of your own life!
Your astrologer – Theodora NightFall ~
Bear in mind that this is a general horoscope and is in no way your personal horoscope. 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 book a consultation with me.
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