The Sun enters Leo at 2:01 PM PST on July 21st, and the global transit of the Sun through Leo begins. While this transit unfolds through natal charts in a multitude of ways, this report is about the big picture of the month, and themes and motifs that we will all be relating with in some way in the expression of our personal stories. There is a deep and dramatic unfolding of expressive myths and patterns all around us. In the Northern Hemisphere, this transit coincides with perhaps the most outgoing season of all. The heart of Summer! With long days and warm weather, we get out into nature, into community, and participate in traditions and events that help shape our role in that community. For many, Summer is the season of the pursuit of pleasure, tans, and of fun. The Sun in Leo blesses us when we are ourselves with no particular agenda.

Venus in Virgo is opposite Neptune in Pisces on July 24th, and many are forced to take stock of the illusions that have been allowed to seep into relationships. For many, this transit challenges us to see where we pull the wool over our own eyes, especially in how we relate in close partnerships. Venus in Virgo pushes us to be our best, and to demand the best from others, but the Neptune energy tends to push people into bypassing what we know about our connections with what we wish to be true about it. This behavior impedes growth, as Virgo knows that getting out the weeds lets the garden bloom more beautifully. This requires action on the part of those that desire a good harvest.

The Sun in Leo squares Uranus in Taurus on July 25th, and this kicks off the Sun’s meetings with planets in the other fixed signs. Hard aspects between fixed signs is one of the most difficult and potentially productive happening in Astrology. With Uranus working to force major fundamental changes in Taurus, it can be hard to stay positive and centered in the self. Often, major shifts in the world around us fill us with anxiety and fear, which colors our actions and reactions in negative ways. We master this by surfing with the change and remaining brave in the face of sometimes harsh and jarring realities. Expect harsh headlines and maybe even heavy news about the earth herself around this time.

Mercury starts the Retrograde period on July 25th, and Mercury retraces some of the degrees of Leo. This retrograde is a great time to look at how we express our individuality and review whether this expression is benefitting us or not. Many are forced to walk back statements that were made in error during the last month and will be forced into some semblance of humility in order to retain reputation in certain circles. With Mars and Mercury both retrograde at the same time, self-expression can feel like walking blindfolded through a field of emotional and mental landmines. It will not be surprising to feel misunderstood and misinterpreted during this retrograde, and the key for us is to be willing to give others the benefit of the doubt and not get too caught up in drama, as this can have long-term impacts during this retrograde.

The Sun in Leo is opposite Retrograde Mars in Aquarius on July 26th, and this is perhaps the toughest aspect of the entire season. Mars in Aquarius likes to identify ideology with ego, so attacks on ideas at this time can invite devastating pushback. Instead of agreeing to disagree, there is a tendency to draw lines in the sand and dare others to cross them. With Mars retrograde, those that attack first are often at a great disadvantage. Strategic retreats from conflict may be necessary, but if caught up in a fight, block and counter-punch. During this time, we hit back the best when we reflect back the bad ideas of our opponents. It is also an amazing time to rethink our own lines of attack and to realize that we all fall victim to believing our own bullshit smells better than everyone else’s. Humility is in short supply, and those that have it and walk carefully through social engagements will benefit greatly.

Full Moon in Aquarius with an Eclipse Chaser on July 27th, and it is a doozy with Mars meeting up with the Moon and opposing the Sun.Those with planets between 3 and 5 degrees in the fixed signs will feel this Moon most powerfully. A Full Moon on a Friday is always a good time to go out and enjoy the world, but stay away from places that are likely to be very divided. Protests and political events can spiral out of control easily under this kind of influence.

Venus in Virgo trines Pluto in Capricorn on July 27th, and this gives powerful and deep connections to those that pursue them. By showing up physically for our friends, compatriots, and lovers, we can learn things about ourselves and others that are invaluable for our development as people. With a Full Moon in a social sign and this trine backing it, we can truly deepen our roots in whatever community we want to. Don’t be afraid to get deep and get your hands dirty, because that is what ultimately leads to our deepest desires manifesting as reality.

Retrograde Mars in Aquarius squares Uranus in Taurus on August 1st, expect the news around this day to perhaps be the most intense of the month. This is some revolutionary, evolutionary energy, and it is likely to spook those that hope for stability. Change tends to happen quickest through times of crisis and this kind of planetary energy often brings crisis. Previously stable organizations and corporations can fall, political chaos fueled by natural and unnatural forces can surge to the forefront. Be careful in where and how you stake out positions as many of the events that happen will echo in the collective and the personal over the next few months.

Venus moves into Libra on August 6th, and our partnerships play a bigger role in our lives. Those without intimate partners often spend some energy looking, those with tend to spend more energy on their people. Archetypically, we are moving from the hard work of the harvest, to the festival. The work that we have or haven’t put into our relationships with others becomes evident in how those relationships are going. When we are unhappy with what we are receiving, it is often very useful to examine what we’re giving and see if there is imbalance there.

The Sun in Leo squares Jupiter in Scorpio on August 6th, and we can feel very pulled between our light and our shadow selves. Planets in Scorpio often are most comfortable behind the scenes rather than out front, whereas Leo enjoys the spotlight and being seen. There’s a real problem with over-exposure for people that are doing things that would cause their neighbors or relatives tongues to wag, but to hide all the things that make us unique is also a tragedy as we step into the grey instead of living in bright colors. While fortune favors the bold, discretion is the better part of valor, and it is between these chestnuts that one is least likely to get roasted.

Venus in Libra trines Retrograde Mars in Aquarius on August 7th, and many are caught up in trying to find out where their ideals and their actions align. The entire period of Mars retrograde through Aquarius has people examining their ideas and ideologies more critically, and while many are more willing than ever to do battle on behalf of their ideas and beliefs, some are finding their foundational beliefs have real flaws that they’ve hung their whole identity on. This period allows a period of calm to realign ourselves towards our ideals and pursue agendas that suit our new understanding.

The Sun in Leo is conjunct Retrograde Mercury in Leo on August 8th, and this energy has us expressing ourselves powerfully, but not necessarily with much tact. When the Sun and Mercury combine, it can always lead to bold statements of self, but with Mercury retrograde, that boldness can be seen as foolishness to those that don’t align with what we’re saying. It is always key to be aware of how you might sound to others when expressing yourself in public during this period.

Venus in Libra squares Saturn in Capricorn on August 9th, and any work that has been put off in our relationships comes surging to the surface. When we don’t show up at important times, when we don’t spend the quality time necessary, and when we take our relationships for granted is when we’re likely to receive consequences we’d rather not deal with. There’s nothing wrong with pursuing pleasure in our relationships, but if that is not leavened with responsibility, we can see very negative repercussions. At this time, our core partnerships require discipline and seriousness in order to work successfully.

Retrograde Mercury in Leo squares Jupiter in Scorpio on August 11th, and we are reminded that idle gossip and untruths can have damning consequences. It is critically important to be careful with our word, as we can ruin reputations in an instant under this energy. Knowing a secret that can harm another person is a responsibility with consequences for falling short. Being deliberately untruthful to dim another person’s shine is even more terrible from an ethical perspective. While the zeitgeist may seem to tell us that the truth is relative and lies are relatively harmless, those that harm the reputation of those around us and that impact people’s ability to exist and thrive in shared cultural spaces through these kinds of lies will not prosper from that act.

New Moon is in Leo on August 11th, and the key to utilizing a New Moon is to initiate and set intent for a change that we wish to see in our lives. During a New Moon in Leo, the intent is best aimed at pleasure, creativity, and romance. When we are shining in our lives, we brighten the experiences of others around us. During this New Moon, find a way to polish your shine, then set your intent to show it off in some way to the world.

Retrograde Mars returns to Capricorn on August 12th, and this move gets us back to work. Mars in Capricorn is almost preternaturally driven towards goals, and this stop back in the sign gives us a big boost towards advancing our career and our public interests. The most blessed by this transit are those that go back to the projects that they were unable to finish in mid-Spring and spend their time on the revisions necessary to launch big projects. There can be shakeups in the structures of our workplaces at this time as well, with opportunities for those that have been playing their cards right in the office political games.

Mercury goes direct in Leo and sextiles Venus in Libra on August 18th, and we begin to step out of the heavy retrograde season. This change can feel blessed, and many will feel refreshed and ready to step out into the world of ideas again with more confidence and tact. Many retrogrades can feel like a slog through the mud with the wrong kind of shoes, but this one will likely not be that rough for most, with bigger fish (Mars) frying instead. When Mercury finally turns around, many will have learned lessons on how to express their Self more expertly, and whether that learning came through hard experience, or through good perception doesn’t ultimately matter. Once we know better, we hopefully do better.

Jupiter in Scorpio trines Neptune in Pisces on August 19th, and this has been a blessing this whole year, cycling in and out of direct contact. Globally, we’ve been learning that we’re all connected, and that going deep emotionally with each other can pay big dividends. We’ve been recognizing the impacts or our culture and coming into conflict with different value systems, but also recognizing the shared values that we have as humanity, sometimes through coming into contact with the inhuman and the terrifying or terrible. Those that have owned their own darkness of self and culture without projecting it on “the other” have been reaping the greatest rewards. There is a certain revival of the quest for spiritual wisdom that grows in people’s hearts during this time as well. Seek the well that never runs dry.

The Sun exits Leo at 9:09 PM PST on August 22nd, and you should tune in next month to hear about the Astrological weather through the mutable Earth sign of the hard work of the harvest. Until then, follow the transits and enjoy the rest of your summer. Find Michael Schultz at Mutual Reception Astrology on Facebook