This astrology forecast will discuss the Summer New Moon in Cancer and important astrological events up to the Full Moon in Aquarius in early August. The first section reviews general astrology, followed by sign-specific horoscopes. These horoscopes are written for your rising sign, but please feel free to read your Sun sign and Moon sign. Learn how to pull up your chart here.
The Summer New Moon in Cancer
The Summer New Moon in Cancer arrives on July 17th, 2023, at 2:31 pm EDT. Cancer lunations are always great for diving into the body and nourishing the soul. Ruled by the Moon, these moments in astrology encourage us to come back to what our mind is bringing to the forefront but what our body and intuition are feeling and understanding. Often there’s a disconnect in society between what’s logical and reasonable (our mind and thoughts) against what we are feeling and knowing deep within (body and heart). This New Moon offers an opportunity to reset any disconnection and find how the two can be reconciled.
Neptune supports the need for connection in Pisces, making a flowing aspect to this New Moon. Neptune, the God of the Sea, is all about dissolving boundaries between reality and illusion. He’s not helpful for any practical matters because it can be complex with Neptunian aspects to find logic and reasoning. But he is useful for dreams, fantasies, and diving deep into the waves of emotion in the body and soul. This Summer New Moon in Cancer is beautiful for creativity, finding inspiration in nature, and allowing yourself a break from life’s heavier, more demanding aspects. Use this space to become more connected and in tune with your spirituality and how you define what makes life worth living.
This Summer New Moon is also applying to an opposition with Pluto in Capricorn, which may intensify a feeling of separation between what you can control in your life against what’s out of your control, but you must accept. Notice where your security and stability feel threatened, and allow space to reorient yourself to focus on only what you have direct power over. Try not to let the intensity be too overwhelming, and give yourself grace for what you’ve gone through. Mercury and Jupiter aspects today promote the ability to discuss and expand the vision for your life. If new information arises, discuss it with others or write out new ideas to move around any roadblocks.
The Nodes also enter Aries/Libra today, signaling a shift of where eclipses will happen this fall. While we have one more eclipse in Taurus in October, the remainder will be in Aries/Libra. This brings new beginnings and endings in the area of our chart that contain Aries and Libra.
Mars, now in Virgo, makes a challenging aspect to Saturn in Pisces on July 20th. The shift of Mars into Virgo is beneficial for making a change or disrupting a pattern in your life, but the two malefic coming together always create tension and challenges. During this transit, we may be taking action and moving forward with new ideas that may suddenly hit a roadblock or boundary that causes us to stop and reevaluate. WIt’sorking hard with Mars here is essential, but not pushing yourself so hard that it feels like you are driving into a wall. The faster you hit the wall, the harder you will crash. There’s a need for balance by still putting in steady effort but not feeling like you have to rush and completely start over. Saturn likes slow and steady drives and will reward you for consistency.
During this aspect, notice what heightened frustrations or difficulties come to light. Allow yourself a moment to pause without trying to make any dramatic fight if you feel stuck. After the aspect with Saturn, Mars will apply to Jupiter, which will help us find a new avenue or route forward and give us some hope and inspiration to keep making our dreams possible.
The Sun in Cancer completes the opposition with Pluto on July 21st. Hidden information about your identity and what you’re trying to create or manifest under this New Moon may come to light. There may be power struggles or a recognition of separateness between where you are and where you want to be. It would be best to reach deep into yourself to find where you’re getting in your way and creating problems pushing you down from your power and ability.
July 22nd is a big day of planetary changes. Right before the Sun enters Leo, he will square the Nodes in Aries/Libra. This means we are directly in-between eclipse seasons, representing a turning point in our overall direction and life. Notice what has come to final fruition from the eclipses that have occurred during the Spring, what is still growing in this space. You may recognize how your overall direction is experiencing a shift in terms of what you truly want to focus on.
Venus also turns retrograde on July 22nd. Venus retrogrades occur in roughly the same area of the sky every eight years, so reflect on the Summer of 2015, especially in August, to what was coming up for you then. While Venus does review relationships, and Venus retrogrades can heavily bring up old connections, friendships, and dynamics from the past, it’s also essential to look at the houses Venus rules in your chart (Libra and Taurus). In Leo, this retrograde will highlight themes of self-love and how we identify with being ourselves – where we live, how we self-express, display our beauty, and what it means to feel passionate about life. Venus will not leave Leo until October 9th.
From July 23rd – July 28th, Pluto will be squaring the Nodes, otherwise known as being at the bendings. There’s an understanding of new information or a power dynamic in our life that may begin to change the path we thought we were on. It can be a week of leaving behind old patterns, which paves the way for us to undergo the process of transformation that Pluto represents. Also, on July 23rd, Mercury and Uranus make a disrupting square. This day is excellent for influential and groundbreaking ideas and conversations around any Plutonian developments in your life. Mercury can help you create a plan of action if a radical idea or change is needed.
Mercury and Venus retrograde meet together in Leo on July 27th. Mercury, the messenger, may provide information and generate fresh ideas regarding your relationships and this Venus retrograde cycle. Please pay attention to conversations, texts, or spoken messages today, as they may be reviewed or revisited.
Mercury then moves into Virgo on July 28th, their place of domicile and exaltation. Virgo is about working through the details and getting the facts right. This can be an excellent time to get things done, drill down into the parties, and find what is missing. Here, Mercury wants you to clarify what needs to be removed and challenged to fit better the goals and ideas you are trying to manifest. Mercury will retrograde later in this sign so that more reviews may surface later in August.
Let’s look at what is happening for you specifically
CANCER & CANCER RISING
This sweet New Moon in your home sign of Cancer is about yourself, who you are, how you are growing, and learning more about your inner needs, body health, and self-expression. The external world and material matters have taken so much of your time, but are you also giving yourself the space to reflect internally? What has your body been telling or showing you lately? Where are you feeling more lack than before? Nourishment is not simply a desire but a birthright; we are asked to honor and respect that need. Something may request to change your daily rituals and routines so you can love yourself more freely and whole-heartedly. By learning to become more comfortable and valued within our body, we can help shape our outer direction and relationships. If we aren’t clear on what we need, everything else in our life will be equally messy.
Mars shifting into Virgo can make your days busy and active, adding more fire to daily routines, close relationships, and conversations you have around your life and what you share with others. You may find yourself with a lot on your plate or trying to make several things happen simultaneously. This can become even more intense during the opposition from Saturn on July 20th. Be mindful that there are boundaries in place for your work and routine so that you also have the time to dream, reflect, and still plan for the future or what you are inspired to do for this summer and fall.
LEO & LEO RISING
Your hidden world, inner workings, spirituality, and what you are letting go of in life is the focus for nourishment and regeneration under this New Moon in Cancer. This may be a time of retreat, deep inner reflection, and coming to terms with what has transpired for you this year and accepting the process in its entirety. New Moons occurring in this part of the chart always plant the seed for complete regeneration and transformation of our core self. By acknowledging and honoring this time of inner knowing through withdrawal and self-reflection, we can uncover hidden information about what we’re learning about ourselves and how we tend to undo our success. What are you working on behind the scenes of your visible life? In what ways are you celebrating your inner growth and finding ways to continue its presence in your life?
Mars entering Virgo puts tremendous pressure and action on your resources, income, and money. You may feel driven to find new ways to make money and generate stability. In Virgo, there’s a sense of being picky and discerning what’s a valuable way to spend your time. The opposition from Saturn on July 20th may heighten this need and create a feeling of restraint on your resources or any ability to find income from outside sources. You may hit a few rejections in the process but don’t take it to heart. The shutting of doors leads you toward where your worth and skills are truly appreciated.
VIRGO & VIRGO RISING
Community and friend groups are the areas of new growth and beginnings under this New Moon in Cancer. This lunation wants to align you with people who can help you grow and have a little more fun. It’s a good moment to put any external pressures on the (temporary) backburner and allow yourself more space for exploration, imagination, and having fun with other people in your life. Find some space to get out into the community and see how nurturing can come from the external. Who in your life provides the area to be unapologetically yourself? What does it mean for you to let your guard down when it comes to making new friends and building your support system? Sometimes opening up can feel like a risk, but it’s equally rewarding and necessary.
The shift of Mars into Virgo promotes you to move in a more action-oriented fashion around who you are, how you present yourself to the world, and what you’re personally working through around your life. YouThere’s a need to rediscover your passions and inner fire and grow in ways that can make others move out of the form. During the opposition to Saturn on July 20th, your partner(s) and close relationships in your life may ask you to tone it down or present their problems and responsibilities that can overpower yours. You’ll be asked to find the balance of backing down versus standing your ground and what conflict erupts from each choice.
LIBRA & LIBRA RISING
An exciting and inspiring beginning is growing in your career under this New Moon in Cancer. It may bring a literal new job, promotion, or an overall new perspective on work and how your career is shifting in more nurturing ways for your soul. Your public roles and work in the world may also be asking you to come out of your shell and allow yourself to be more vulnerable about what’s right in your direction. Use this lunation to be as dreamy and romantic as needed. What is the most inspired version of yourself at work? What would your ideal public roles look like? When we allow ourselves the space to dream big about our future, routines, and where we spend most of our life – it doesn’t mean that we will necessarily achieve precisely that, but it creates space to bring something more in alignment.
Mars in Virgo takes you out of the public vision into the quiet corners of your mind, life, and intuition. Notice if there’s an increased need to work through hidden problems or fight battles no one else can see directly. You may also be working through mental health concerns or cutting away secret ties holding you back. The opposition to Saturn on July 20th may bring tensions between this space and your responsibilities at work. There will be a push-pull dynamic between tending to your projects and mental health against growing work responsibilities and potential pet needs. Giving yourself grace during this week is essential.
SCORPIO & SCORPIO RISING
Your long-term plans, future goals, and overall vision for life ask you to dream big and get clear on what you wish to manifest in this space. The New Moon in Cancer encourages you to visualize your ideal future and what you want to bring into your life, whether it be a new home, a career, children, or a creative venture into the world. Allow yourself to believe in the possibilities of living and what excitement can be brought forth in this space. While obvious power struggles and other dynamics may feel like this future is impractical, the New Moon encourages you to believe in yourself anyway. This is also a great time to reflect on what nourishment, security, and safety means to you. What does your future need for you to feel stable, secure, and loved? What fears hold you back from believing in this vision?
Mars in Virgo is great for taking action with friend groups and the community and putting time into having more fun and loving your life. Put yourself out there in places to meet new people and have more exciting adventures if you feel up to it. Mars can also eliminate friendships that no longer serve you or people unwilling to help you grow. During the opposition on July 20th, be mindful of when this action with friends overlaps with your responsibilities with children or your creative needs. Boundaries between these two spaces are needed so one doesn’t fully crash into the other.
SAGITTARIUS & SAGITTARIUS RISING
Collaborations, external finances, and your partner’s income is the area of new support and shifts under this New Moon in Cancer. An exciting arrangement may transpire where you work with another person to create something that nourishes your soul. Perhaps your partner is finding a new job, or money flow is supporting you. This area of life also deals with the themes of death and transformation. Do you allow yourself to be supported by others, or are you more concerned with being able to make it entirely by yourself? Is there some old aspect of yourself or material aspects of your life that you are ready to let go of? Opening ourselves up to nourishment from other people also always brings the potential risk of getting hurt. Often the benefits outweigh the risks, but we must be willing to leap.
Mars entering Virgo brings extra attention and fire to your career, work, and public reputation. You may feel inspired to take action here, to find a new job, leave your current one, or make some intense change in how you are seen in the world. This can be a time of great excitement and movement, but the opposition to Saturn on July 20th will remind you of your persistent responsibilities at home. You may have to slow down your momentum to meet your current commitments. Allow yourself time to set boundaries between what must happen versus what can wait.
CAPRICORN & CAPRICORN RISING
One-on-one relationships and partnerships are in for a refreshing point of renewal under this New Moon in Cancer. Something may be beginning here around your essential connections, either a turning point in a current partnership or a new relationship beginning to bloom (romantic or platonic). YouThere’so put your energy and attention onto others, not just to give out your time but also to be in reception to the love others have for you. There can be moments where we are and feel completely alone, but with this lunation, we are reminded how everything is ultimately connected and interlinked with those in our lives. What does it mean to put your heart out there to others? Where do you need more nourishment in your relationships?
Mars entering Virgo adds more pressure and fire to your long-term goals, directions, visions, and the potential need to expand the mind through learning, philosophy, or traveling. You may find yourself returning to school or booking a flight to a new location. Or you may have more energy to sit with your five-year goals and see what needs an adjustment. The opposition to Saturn on July 20th creates a push-pull dynamic between these dreams and daily life. You may feel busy handling the responsibilities and pursuing the big-picture changes you want to see manifest. Create boundaries between the two spaces so one doesn’t the other. It would be best if you had time to dream and continue to work through mundane challenges and needs.
AQUARIUS & AQUARIUS RISING
Dreamy revelations about your work life, daily routine, schedule, and how you arrange your days are what this sweet New Moon in Cancer is ushering forth. This summer, there has been a shift around your overall day-to-day structure and how you spend your time, and this lunation seeks to solidify the new direction. Whether implementing different core working hours, a consistent exercise routine, or rearranging your priorities so you have more time for yourself and your pet’s needs, you are asked to find what nourishes you. It all comes back to stability and security with Cancer moons. What does it mean for you to feel established and supported in your daily life? Too much structure can harden us and remove creativity from ourselves, but too much freedom can demolish all boundaries and prevent anything sustainable from growing. What does that balance look like for you?
Mars in Virgo has been promoting action and drive with your collaborations and how you make money with other people. This may even bring your partner’s income and stability into the picture. You may feel more inclined to work on growing any shared abundance, perhaps through projects with another person or with your close relationships. The opposition to Saturn on July 20th may highlight difficulties with those desires. There can be a limitation around your income; what you can do, you’re table, or your responsibilities to maintain. Time can feel minimal. Know that the projects can move slowly or even pause, especially while you establish your reservoir.
PISCES & PISCES RISING
Your creative life, relationships with children, and all the ways you have fun are asking for nourishment and attention under the illumination of this New Moon in Cancer. There’s a need tThere’shonor the parts of life that are not directly tied to productivity and allow yourself space to enjoy what life can offer you without feeling like you have to do something. Creating something new, anything that nourishes your heart and soul is beautiful. What does art mean to you? What are your current sources of joy and fun? Creativity is often one of the more potent forms of self-expression. Utilize this time to reflect on your vision and desire for yourself. If there are parts of you that feel like they are being repressed, this is the ideal time to find ways to honor and expose them.
Mars shifting into Virgo lights a fire and attention to your one-on-one relationships and intimate partnerships. You may feel compelled to spend more time with the essential people in your life, or they may be taking significant action and changing their life direction. Mars in Virgo also likes to cut away or remove what isn’t working isn’t space anymore. During the opposition from Saturn on July 20th, there may be some conflict with your needs against your partnerships. You may find yourself having to limit or restrict any overpowering demands. Firm boundaries are needed between what others want in their life and what you are seeking for yourself.
ARIES & ARIES RISING
Nurturing your home life and family connections is the calling of this New Moon in Cancer. There may be a renewed shift or beginning around this area of your life, perhaps a fresh perspective on what home truly means for you, a redecoration in the works, or connecting with family again. The Cancer Moon seeks nourishment and security. However, this is defined for you. Having a cozy home and shell to crawl into is how we can do the most healing and regeneration with ourselves. What does your private time and space look like? What does it take to feel comfortable enough to share and understand what’s happening what’s your body and what your intuition is telling you? While everyday pressures and responsibilities demand attention, we must also have time to honor and nurture our life and inner needs.
Mars’ shift into Virgo briMars’ore action, attention, and demand around your daily work routines, work life, pet needs, and body health. Your days and responsibilities may sometimes feel busy and demanding – everyone asks for something. But here, you’re only tasked to give you necessary and directly important information. This may be significantly heightened around the Saturn opposition on July 20th. You will feel emotionally and mentally drained if you put in too much time for others and work. Prepare yourself by putting the necessary boundaries in place and sticking to them. Our work is only valuable if we are in the space to give it.
TAURUS & TAURUS RISING
This cute New Moon in Cancer wants you to romanticize your daily life, nourish your rituals, and take each day slow and steady. There’s an aspect of steppThere’sy from life’s more significant and pressing issues like work, money, and home and simply appreciating what’s currently here and present. That’s an excellent lunation to write and share ideas from merely being. It may also be a time for you to (re)connect with your siblings or close friends that feel like your other half. Often, external societal pressures can dominate our sense of how we define security. But external validation is not what this New Moon needs. How do you know when you truly feel secure and loved? Where do you gain value in your heart that others may not understand?
Mars in Virgo has been firing up your creative and passionate life, driving you to act on your projects and relationships with children, if applicable. Notice what you’re feeling called to do or share with others and where your energy is going. Mars here may also encourage you to have more fun with life, or it can feel like it’s cutting the joy away from its focus on work and internal matters. During the opposition to Saturn on July 20th, ensure the realistic balance between responsibility and play. Working too much on creativity can also cause those projects to become work – you need to leave space for enjoyment and pleasure.
GEMINI & GEMINI RISING
Money, income, and resources are the focus for nourishment and attention under this New Moon in Cancer. Something is beginThere’singhifting around how you feel supported, practically, materially, and emotionally. Lunations in this area of our chart can often speak to our self-esteem and the overall sense of security we experience. Do you feel safe within your skin? Are you proud of the life you have created so far, or do you feel a lack? If there’s a gap between where you are and where you wish to be, allow yourself space to envision and imagine the ideal, even if it involves a different career path or a more subtle change. You are entitled to feel significant and valued in your life.
Mars in Virgo invites you to spend more energy on your home life and family relationships. This can be a great moment to take action, redecorate, or make a foundational change within your private life. Mars may also cut things away – if you’re looking to get rid of yourself or reconfigure familial relationships, that’s another manifestation of this energy. During the opposition from Saturn on July 20th, you may feel pulled in two different directions between work and home life. Career demands and responsibilities can cut off your flow, so ensure firm boundaries between the two, primarily if you work at home. Recognize the border of when one ends, and the other begins so that you can enjoy both spaces.
