July kicks off with your ruling celestial body blazing through Cancer, just a few degrees shy of its grand return to Leo. You’re nearly back on your throne, but not quite. The first three weeks of the month are marked by a balancing act between ambition and restraint, progress and patience. Pluto retrograde has been stirring the pot for a while now, dredging up old power dynamics and inviting you to confront what still holds sway over your confidence. Power plays, emotional baggage, and social tension are all amplified. But as uncomfortable as it may be, Leo, you’re being handed the opportunity to reclaim your sense of self without needing external validation.
July 4 brings a trifecta of shifts that could set off a personal fireworks show. Venus enters Gemini and links up with Uranus on the same day Neptune stations retrograde. This energy is jittery, rebellious, and ripe for surprises—especially in love, money, or the friendships you’ve outgrown. Sudden epiphanies or dramatic emotional swings could shake up your social scene. Try not to mistake impulsivity for intuition. Venus-Uranus conjunctions are known for throwing curveballs that feel exciting in the moment but don’t always stick the landing. Stay curious, but don’t get seduced by the chaos.
Neptune’s retrograde pulls focus inward, especially around dreams and ideals. If you’ve been projecting fantasies onto other people or situations, the veil lifts. Not gently, either. This is the moment where idealism crashes into the hard floor of reality, forcing you to reconcile what you wanted to see with what’s actually in front of you. There’s a raw honesty to this transit, and while that can be sobering, it’s also freeing. You don’t need illusions to feel powerful, Leo. You need purpose.
The Full Moon in Capricorn on July 10 throws a spotlight on your daily habits, health, and general ability to hold it all together. It might feel like you’re being graded on performance—but don’t let Capricorn’s judgy undertones rattle you. This lunar peak is more about awareness than punishment. Are your routines supporting the version of yourself you’re trying to become? Or are you just powering through out of obligation and pride? This is a time for sober assessments and small, smart adjustments. The real power move isn’t doubling down; it’s rerouting before burnout hits.
Saturn retrograde begins July 13, dragging questions of discipline, emotional responsibility, and long-term goals back into the conversation. Saturn doesn’t play games, and under this influence, you’ll feel called to mature the ways you show up for others—and yourself. It’s less about adding more to your plate and more about finally dealing with the unsexy, lingering stuff you’ve been avoiding. Yes, that includes the conversation you’ve been putting off and the task that makes your skin crawl. Rip off the bandage. The discomfort is temporary; the relief is worth it.
Things heat up mid-month as the Sun enters Leo on July 22, officially kicking off your solar season. Cue the dramatic lighting. You’ll likely feel a rush of energy, confidence, and charisma around this time. But this return to solar dominance is also paired with some nuanced alignments that ask you not to let ego take the wheel entirely. July 23 and 24 bring a trio of aspects—Sun sextile Uranus, Sun trine Saturn, and Sun trine Neptune—that strike a balance between innovation, structure, and idealism. This is big main character energy, but it’s mature. Purposeful. Think less “look at me” and more “watch what I’m capable of.”
July 24 also hosts a New Moon in Leo, one of the most potent fresh-start moments of your entire year. If there’s a dream you’ve been quietly nursing, this is the time to speak it aloud, to write it down, to breathe life into it. New Moons in your sign aren’t about instant results. They’re about laying groundwork for the version of you you’re becoming—not the one people expect. Intentionality matters. Go for what you actually want, not what looks good on paper.
But don’t get too swept up in the momentum without checking your blind spots. The very next day, the Sun forms an opposition to Pluto retrograde, and it’s a reminder that you still have inner work to do. Power struggles could resurface, especially if you’ve been trying to control something (or someone) that refuses to be controlled. The trick here isn’t to win. It’s to disengage from battles that shouldn’t be yours to begin with.
The final days of the month introduce a few more twists. Mercury stations retrograde on July 18, so brace for tech glitches, miscommunications, and moments where your inner monologue gets a little too loud. The conjunction between Mercury and the Sun on July 31 is known as the “inferior conjunction,” marking the halfway point of the retrograde and often delivering a moment of clarity or insight. Expect a lightbulb moment regarding how you show up in conversation, how you’re perceived, or how you articulate your needs. This is especially relevant as Venus enters Cancer the same day, softening your focus on relationships and prompting you to prioritize emotional safety over aesthetic appeal.
By the time Chiron stations retrograde on July 30, the theme of the month becomes obvious: it’s not about pretending things don’t hurt. It’s about asking yourself what the pain is trying to show you. You can be strong without being guarded. You can lead without steamrolling. You can shine without burning everything down.
This is your season, Leo. But that doesn’t mean it’s all about glory and applause. July is a cosmic bootcamp, a test of how well you’ve integrated the lessons of the past year. You’re not just stepping into the spotlight. You’re redefining what it means to be seen.Thus concludes your monthly highlights. For more specific celestial analyses, make sure to read your daily and weekly horoscope as well. Good luck, Leo! See you next month.
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