A Weekly Astrological Look Ahead with Soul-Work Journal Prompts, Healing Opportunities, as well as Actionable Steps to Work with the Energy.
Hey Soul Seekers,
The Astrology for July 20th–26th arrives with a bold, intense, and deeply transformative energy. This is not a quiet week—it’s a week that is full of energy and daily transits. It asks us to confront what’s been holding us back, to step into our light, and to begin a new chapter of collective and personal growth.
It starts with Jupiter in Leo forming a powerful trine to Neptune retrograde in Aries, reconnecting us with forgotten dreams and re-inspiring, bold visions of our life. But almost immediately, Jupiter opposes Pluto retrograde in Aquarius, bringing us face-to-face with the internal blocks—old fears, past failures, and the places where we’ve dimmed our light. This is not punishment; it’s surfacing for us to heal. A moment to choose courage, and to choose growth over comfort.
Tuesday brings a liberating sextile between Jupiter and Uranus, sparking sudden insights and the mental electricity to shatter patterns that have kept us stuck. Wednesday, the Sun enters Leo, beginning a season of radiance, creativity, and healing—but immediately squares Chiron, highlighting where visibility still feels tender. This is where we’re asked to shine anyway, even when it feels uncomfortable.
Mercury stations direct on Thursday, lifting the retrograde fog and bringing emotional clarity to what has felt confusing. Friday offers a gentle heart-mind healing as Venus sextiles Mercury, helping us release old emotional attachments and reclaim our worth. Saturday brings a subtle but profound shift: Pluto sextiles Neptune, part of a slow, long-term collective evolution that is reshaping our individual consciousness and society, beneath the surface.
And Sunday marks a major turning point. Saturn stations retrograde, asking us to re-evaluate our structures and foundations, while the Nodes of Fate shift into Aquarius and Leo, beginning an 18-month chapter of balancing individuality with our collective purpose. We are not here to be the center of attention—it’s about offering our unique light (gifts and talents), so the whole can grow. Together, we rise. So, find where you can meaningfully contribute to the world we’re co-creating, together.
This week asks us to face our fears, share our gifts, and find our place in something larger. Walk through it with courage, generosity, and an open heart. The new story is beginning.
A Reminder
As a friendly reminder, with Saturn and Neptune in Aries, time may feel like it’s moving faster or scattered, so focus on joy, purpose, personal development, and what truly nourishes you. I’m writing a more streamlined format for a bit, as I balance a fuller workload; I appreciate your patience and support as I temporarily pause any new consultations to honor my current commitments. If you’d like to be put on a waiting list for a future consult, please email me and I will gladly add your name to the list. You will be notified first, when my schedule begins to open up.
Moving Forward
With the significant energy for 2026, I’ve personally decided to make the extended weekly articles available to everyone, not just our Soul Seeker members. My purpose is to help and support our healing journey using astrology, and I believe the insight in the weekly articles, is a tool meant to be shared with everyone. We can all use this as a supportive map for the energetic times we live in, as we work to create a more conscious and compassionate world, together.
Sharing is Caring
If my work resonates with you, the best way you can help is to share it. Pass it along to anyone you feel could benefit. We are all healing something, and by supporting each other with wisdom and understanding, we upgrade not just individually, but collectively—stepping closer into our most authentic, soul-aligned selves. 2026 brings powerful astrological energies that will fundamentally reshape our self-perception and our experience of the world around us. I want these weekly updates to help validate what we are moving through so we can heal and grow together. *If my weekly articles or our consults have been a helpful part of your journey, I would be so grateful if you felt called to share your experience. You can leave a review or testimony right on my website.
Now, let’s dive into the energetic currents for this week, July 20th – 26th.
~Amanda~
Your Personal Astrologer
*If my weekly articles or our consults have been a helpful part of your journey, I would be so grateful if you felt called to share your experience. You can leave a review or testimony right on my website.
Soul Healing Astrology Offers:
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A Quick Glance Ahead:
Monday July 20th, 2026
* Jupiter (Leo) trine Neptune Rx (Aries)
* Jupiter (Leo) opposite Pluto Rx (Aqua.)
-Jupiter in Leo ignites inspiration and big vision, while its trine to Neptune retrograde helps you remember old dreams and reconnect with what truly lights you up. At the same time, Jupiter’s opposition to Pluto retrograde exposes the inner fears and old narratives that have kept you small, creating a powerful moment to choose courage, authenticity, and self‑expression over past limitations.
Tuesday July 21st, 2026
* Jupiter (Leo) sextile Uranus (Gemini)
-Jupiter in Leo sextile Uranus in Gemini brings fresh inspiration, bold self‑expression, and sudden breakthroughs that help you break free from old patterns and see new possibilities for yourself. It’s liberating, energizing, and encourages you to approach your life with renewed courage, creativity, and authenticity.
Wednesday July 22nd, 2026
* Sun Enters Leo
-The Sun enters Leo and immediately activates deep healing, blending confidence, creativity, and self‑expression with tender work around visibility, worth, and authenticity. This solar season strengthens your light while helping you release the old wounds and shadows that once made you dim it, inviting you to step into your radiance with courage and heart.
Thursday July 23rd, 2026
* Sun (Leo) square Chiron (Taurus)
* Mercury Stations Direct (Cancer)
-The Sun in Leo square Chiron in Taurus brings tender visibility wounds to the surface, asking you to shine even when it feels vulnerable, while Mercury stationing direct in Cancer helps you release old emotional narratives and reclaim your authentic voice. It’s a day to choose courage over fear, expression over shrinking, and truth over old stories that once kept you small.
Friday July 24th, 2026
* Venus (Virgo) sextile Mercury (Cancer)
-Venus in Virgo sextile Mercury in Cancer brings gentle emotional clarity and softens self‑criticism, helping you understand your needs with compassion and break free from old mental or emotional loops. It’s a day of quiet liberation, healing conversations, and reconnecting with your own worth in a grounded, meaningful way.
Saturday July 25th, 2026
* Pluto Rx (Aqua.) sextile Neptune Rx (Aries)
-Pluto retrograde in Aquarius sextile Neptune retrograde in Aries brings a subtle but powerful wave of collective evolution, quietly reshaping our consciousness, values, and societal structures over the coming years. It’s a slow‑burn transformation that invites you to trust the inner rumble of change, imagine new possibilities, and align with a future that’s gradually taking form.
Sunday July 26th, 2026
* Saturn Stations Retrograde (Aries)
* North Nodes Enters Aquarius
-Saturn stations retrograde in Aries just as the Nodes of Fate move into Aquarius and Leo, creating a powerful turning point that asks you to reassess your foundations while stepping into a new 18‑month cycle of collective purpose, innovation, and authentic self‑expression. It’s a subtle but unmistakable shift that invites you to release ego‑driven patterns, strengthen your inner framework, and grow toward community, contribution, and conscious evolution.
Astrological Breakdown for the Week
The Astrology for July 20th – 26th
Welcome to a week that arrives with both fire and depth—a week of bold expansion, confronting old fears, and stepping into a new chapter of collective and personal growth. It begins with Jupiter in Leo forming a fiery trine to Neptune retrograde in Aries, helping us reconnect with old dreams and revise our vision of what’s possible. But almost immediately, Jupiter opposes Pluto retrograde in Aquarius, bringing us face-to-face with the internal blocks—old fears, past failures, and memories of feeling unseen—that have kept us from fully stepping into our light. This is a moment of choice: stay stuck in old wounds, or choose courage and self-expression anyway. Tuesday brings a liberating sextile between Jupiter and Uranus, sparking sudden insights, mental breakthroughs, and the kind of electricity that shatters old patterns. Wednesday, the Sun enters Leo, beginning a season of radiance, creativity, and healing—but the Sun immediately squares Chiron, highlighting where we’ve dimmed our light. Mercury stations direct on Thursday, bringing emotional clarity and the lifting of retrograde fog. The week closes with a major shift: Saturn Stations Retrograde in Aries, and the Nodes of Fate move into Aquarius and Leo, beginning an 18-month chapter focused on balancing individuality with collective purpose, and healing the ego’s need for recognition. This is a week of growth, confrontation & a new karmic 18-month chapter.
Monday, July 20th: Jupiter (Leo) trine Neptune Rx (Aries); Jupiter (Leo) opposite Pluto Rx (Aqua.)
For the next two days, Jupiter is extremely active — first forming a fire trine to Neptune retrograde in Aries, then an opposition to Pluto retrograde in Aquarius. We’ve been feeling these energies building already, and now they come into full expression. Jupiter in Leo is bold, expressive, creative, and deeply connected to finding meaning. It wants to expand what brings joy, fulfillment, and authenticity. When Jupiter trines Neptune retrograde, the energy becomes visionary, passionate, and imaginative. This fire trine helps us visualize what we want out of life, reconnect with what lights us up, and revise our dreams in a way that feels more aligned with our truth. Neptune retrograde turns our gaze inward, helping us remember old inspirations, revisit forgotten passions, and clarify what abundance truly means for us.
But Jupiter opposite Pluto retrograde brings a very different tone. Pluto represents the underworld — our psyche, our shadows, our hidden fears, and the places where we’ve given away our power. Jupiter in Leo wants to be seen, witnessed, and celebrated, while Pluto retrograde shows us the internal blocks that make that difficult. This opposition is not about external conflict; it is about confronting the internal ghosts of the past. Old beliefs, past failures, memories of feeling unsafe or unseen, or moments where our confidence was diminished may rise to the surface. Jupiter wants expansion, but Pluto reveals where we’ve been holding ourselves back.
This is a moment of choice. Do we stay stuck in old wounds, old fears, old narratives about our worth — or do we choose courage, creativity, and self‑expression despite the fear? Jupiter opposite Pluto asks us to get real about what we want moving forward. It asks us to confront the places where we’ve shrunk ourselves and decide whether we will continue doing so. This is confronting energy, but it is meant to empower us. Neptune helps us remember the dream; Pluto helps us face the fear; Jupiter helps us choose the path that leads to freedom.
What it feels like: This energy feels passionate, intense, and deeply reflective. You may feel inspired one moment and confronted the next. There is a sense of remembering what you truly want while simultaneously facing the internal blocks that have kept you from pursuing it. It can feel like standing at a crossroads between your past and your future — with your heart pulling you forward and your fears pulling you back.
Positive expressions: This transit can bring powerful creative inspiration, renewed confidence, and a clearer sense of purpose. You may reconnect with old dreams or rediscover passions that once brought joy. There is potential for deep psychological insight, emotional empowerment, and a breakthrough in self‑expression. Jupiter helps you see what is possible; Neptune helps you imagine it; Pluto helps you reclaim the power to pursue it.
Shadow expressions: You may feel challenged by old wounds, insecurities, or memories of past failures. There can be moments of self‑doubt, fear of being seen, or resistance to stepping into your full expression. Pluto retrograde can bring up internal power struggles — not with others, but within yourself. You may feel pulled between inspiration and fear, expansion and contraction.
The invitation: Choose courage. Choose authenticity. Choose the version of yourself that feels alive, inspired, and empowered. This transit asks you to confront the ghosts of the past so you can move forward without carrying them. Keep your vision at the forefront of your mind. Ask yourself who you would be without the fear — and take one step toward that version of yourself. You don’t have to eliminate the fear; you just have to be willing to move through it. Jupiter wants you to expand. Pluto wants you to transform. Neptune wants you to remember the dream. Let all three guide you toward the life you were meant to live.
Healing Opportunity & Actionable Step:
Confronting the Fear That Keeps You Small
Aligned with Jupiter opposite Pluto Rx — confronting internal blocks, old fears, and past wounds around worth and visibility.
Positive Expression: Creative inspiration, renewed confidence, reconnecting with old dreams, psychological insight, emotional empowerment, breakthroughs in self-expression.
Shadow Expression: Self-doubt, fear of being seen, resistance to stepping into your full expression, internal power struggles, feeling pulled between inspiration and fear.
Actionable Step: Practice the Fear & Vision protocol. Journal: “The fear that has kept me small is ________. The vision I’m afraid to pursue is ________. If I weren’t afraid, I would ________.” Then take one small step toward that vision—not the whole leap, just a step. You don’t have to eliminate the fear. You just have to be willing to move through it.
Tuesday, July 21st: Jupiter (Leo) sextile Uranus (Gemini)
Following the energy from yesterday, Jupiter in Leo forms a sextile to Uranus in Gemini — a lively, inspiring, and liberating transit. Fire and Air together create sparks: ideas, conversations, creativity, excitement, and sudden breakthroughs. Jupiter in Leo expands our self‑expression, confidence, joy, and our sense of meaning. Uranus in Gemini brings flashes of insight, unexpected thoughts, and the kind of mental electricity that disrupts old patterns and opens new pathways. Together, they create an atmosphere where inspiration and creation flows easily and where we can suddenly see ourselves — and our potential — in a new light.
If you’ve been holding back who you are because of fear, old memories, or past experiences that made you shrink, Jupiter sextile Uranus can disrupt those old beliefs. It can shatter emotional patterns that kept you hidden or stuck. This transit may bring old pain or trauma to the surface, not to overwhelm you, but to liberate you from the confinement of those memories. Jupiter wants you to expand; Uranus wants you to break free. Their combined energy encourages you to embrace what feels new, empowering, and aligned with your authentic self.
This is an opportunity to do something differently — to approach your life, your creativity, your self‑expression in a new way. You are not the same person you once were. Trust that whatever is coming up now is meant to be handled with a new mindset, a new level of courage, and a new sense of empowerment. Jupiter and Uranus together remind you that liberation often begins with a single brave choice.
What it feels like: This energy feels exciting, mentally stimulating, and emotionally liberating. You may feel sudden clarity, bursts of inspiration, or a renewed desire to express yourself more boldly. There can also be moments of emotional release as old patterns break apart. It feels like fresh air entering a room that has been closed for too long.
Positive expressions: This transit supports breakthroughs in creativity, confidence, and self‑expression. You may feel more willing to take risks, try new things, or speak your truth. Inspiration flows easily, and conversations may open doors you didn’t expect. This is excellent energy for creative projects, personal reinvention, and embracing your authentic voice.
Shadow expressions: Old wounds may surface suddenly, especially those tied to feeling unseen, unheard, or unsafe in your self‑expression. There can be moments of emotional discomfort as old beliefs crack open. You may feel restless, impulsive, or overwhelmed by the sudden influx of ideas. If fear takes over, you may retreat instead of expanding.
The invitation: Trust the new. Trust the spark. Trust the version of yourself that is emerging. Allow Jupiter to expand your confidence and Uranus to liberate your mind from old constraints. Approach your life differently — with courage, creativity, and openness. Whatever is rising within you now is meant to be expressed in a new way. Step into it bravely.
Healing opportunity & Actionable Step:
Breaking the Pattern That Keeps You Stuck
Aligned with Jupiter sextile Uranus — sudden insights, mental liberation, and shattering old patterns.
Positive Expression: Breakthroughs in creativity, confidence, and self-expression. Willingness to take risks, try new things, or speak your truth. Doors opening through conversations and new perspectives.
Shadow Expression: Old wounds surfacing suddenly, emotional discomfort as old beliefs crack open, restlessness, impulsivity, or feeling overwhelmed by sudden ideas.
Actionable Step: Practice a Pattern Break: Identify one pattern, belief, or way of thinking that feels ready to be shattered. Write it down on a piece of paper. Read it aloud. Then say: “This pattern no longer serves me. I am breaking free.” Tear the paper or burn it. Then write one new belief to replace it. Place it somewhere visible. Let the old fall away. Let the new rise.
Wednesday, July 22nd: Sun Enters Leo
On Wednesday, the Sun enters its home sign of Leo, beginning a powerful, expressive, and deeply transformative solar season. The Sun feels strong in Leo — confident, radiant, creative — yet this year, its entry comes with immediate tension. Shortly after entering Leo, the Sun squares Chiron in Taurus, activating wounds around self‑worth and visibility. Days later, it opposes Pluto retrograde in Aquarius, stirring deeper psychological layers around power, authenticity, and the places where we’ve dimmed our light. Throughout its journey in Leo, the Sun will also conjunct Jupiter and the South Node, trine Neptune retrograde in Aries, sextile Uranus in Gemini, and trine Saturn retrograde in Aries. This is a busy, upgrading solar season — one that strengthens our light while healing the places where it has been suppressed.
When the Sun is in Leo, we naturally become more focused on our core essence, our egoic needs, and our desire to shine. Ego is often talked about negatively, but ego is also what preserves our life force, helps us persevere, and gives us the will to live. Leo season reminds us that ego has both positive and negative expressions — and that balance is essential. This is a time for self‑expression, leadership, creativity, and confidence. It encourages us to embrace our personal power, take initiative, and cultivate joy. When the Sun transits its own sign, its energy is strongest, enhancing visibility, vitality, and the desire to share our gifts with others.
But this year, the Sun’s journey through Leo is also deeply healing. The square to Chiron and the opposition to Pluto retrograde highlight wounds around our personal light — places where we’ve dimmed ourselves, held back, or felt unsafe to shine. This is not about egoic dominance; it is about sharing our warmth, creativity, and natural gifts in a way that uplifts others as well as ourselves. We all have something unique we do well — a natural talent, a spark, a gift — and Leo season asks us to share it. In sharing our light, we heal ourselves and others. As Deepak Chopra said, “Being excited about what we do every day and sharing our gifts with the world is how we cultivate joy and energy.” This is our time to embody that truth.
What it feels like: This energy feels warm, expressive, and activating — yet tender in places that need healing. You may feel both inspired and confronted. There is a desire to shine, paired with an awareness of old wounds that once made you dim your light. It feels like stepping into a brighter version of yourself while shedding the shadows that kept you small.
Positive expressions: Leo season brings confidence, creativity, joy, and a renewed sense of purpose. You may feel more willing to express yourself, take initiative, or share your gifts. The Sun’s harmonious aspects support inspiration, breakthroughs, and emotional clarity. This is a powerful time for creative projects, leadership roles, and cultivating meaningful connections.
Shadow expressions: Old insecurities may surface — especially around visibility, self‑worth, or feeling safe to shine. You may feel tension between wanting to express yourself and fearing judgment or rejection. The Pluto opposition can stir power struggles or internal doubts. The Chiron square may highlight places where your confidence has been wounded.
The invitation: Share your light. Share your gifts. Share the part of you that feels authentic, joyful, and alive. This is not about overshadowing others — it is about illuminating the world with what only you can offer. Let Leo season help you heal the places where you’ve dimmed yourself. Step into your natural radiance with courage, generosity, and heart. You have something meaningful to give — and this is your time to give it.
Healing opportunity & Actionable Step:
Shining Despite the Wound
Aligned with Sun square Chiron — confronting insecurities around visibility, worth, and the right to shine.
Positive Expression: Confidence, creativity, joy, a renewed sense of purpose. Willingness to express yourself, take initiative, and share your gifts. Inspiration and emotional clarity.
Shadow Expression: Old insecurities surfacing around visibility and self-worth. Tension between wanting to express yourself and fearing judgment. Internal doubts and power struggles.
Actionable Step: Create a Light Declaration: Write: “One gift I have to offer the world is ________. I am allowed to share it, even if I’m afraid. One small way I can share my light today is ________.” Then do that one thing—send the message, post the work, speak the truth. You don’t need to be ready. You just need to be willing.
Thursday, July 23rd: Sun (Leo) square Chiron (Taurus); Mercury Stations Direct (Cancer)
On Thursday, the Sun in Leo immediately encounters tension as it forms a square to Chiron in Taurus. These are fixed signs, which means the energy can feel stubborn, sticky, and emotionally charged. The Sun in Leo wants to shine, express, and radiate confidence — but Chiron in Taurus highlights insecurities around worth, safety, and visibility. This square can trigger feelings of wanting to hide, pull back, or protect yourself. It may feel unsafe to share parts of yourself freely, especially the parts that feel tender or deeply personal. Yet this transit asks us to choose differently. We can continue dimming ourselves, or we can be brave and shine anyway.
This energy helps us understand what keeps us from expressing ourselves authentically. It reveals the places where we’ve been shrinking, the fears that keep us quiet, and the old wounds that make us doubt our gifts. But it also encourages us to step forward with courage. Not everyone will understand you, and not everyone is meant to. Authenticity is not about pleasing the masses — it’s about sharing your truth and in doing so, it speaks to the people who are meant to be in your corner. If you are creating for “likes,” “follows,” or external validation, the energy will feel hollow. But if you are sharing your art, your voice, your creativity, your joy — because it fulfills you and uplifts others in the process— then you are aligned with your natural gifts. Ignore the naysayers. Keep doing your thing. “Let them” misunderstand. You shine anyway.
Later in the day, Mercury stations direct in Cancer, beginning its forward motion once more. Mercury will retrace its steps a third and final time until August 6th, when it then leaves its post‑retrograde shadow. From now until then, we gain more clarity on the emotional attachments, stories, and beliefs that once held us back. We begin releasing the narratives we previously created to stay safe. This is a time of purging, letting go, and seeing things from a new angle. The emotional heaviness begins to lift, and what once felt confusing starts to resolve.
In the end, our only true obligation is to ourselves — to live with full heart and authenticity. To shine even when others cast shade. To be brave in our search at discovering who we are. Once we embrace our light, everything else becomes easier. We become more generous, more compassionate, more giving. We heal others simply by being ourselves. Imagine how much better the world would be if everyone did that.
What it feels like: This energy feels tender, vulnerable, and emotionally charged. You may feel both inspired to express yourself and afraid to be seen. Both can feel true at the same time. There is a sense of confronting old insecurities while simultaneously feeling the pull to step into your light. Mercury stationing direct adds emotional understanding, helping you get clear about why certain fears arise, the old patterns behind them, and how to heal and move through them.
Positive expressions: This transit can bring breakthroughs in confidence, authenticity, and self‑expression. You may feel empowered to share your gifts, speak your truth, or show up more boldly. Mercury direct supports emotional clarity, helping you release old stories and see yourself with more compassion. This is a powerful day for creative expression, healing visibility wounds, and reclaiming your voice.
Shadow expressions: The shadow may show up as hiding, shrinking, or retreating out of fear. You may feel triggered by old wounds around being seen or feeling misunderstood. Another shadow expression is egoic overcompensation — believing you are the best and refusing to grow. Both extremes block authentic expression. The key is humility paired with courage.
The invitation: Shine anyway. Share your gifts because they bring you joy and meaning. Be brave enough to be yourself, even when it feels scary. Release the old stories that kept you small. Trust that the people meant for you will support you. Let others misunderstand — “let them.” Your job is to live with authenticity, warmth, and heart. When you do, you heal yourself and you heal others simply by being who you are.
Healing opportunity & Actionable Step:
Releasing the Stories That Kept You Small
Aligned with Mercury stationing direct — emotional clarity, lifting of retrograde fog, and releasing old narratives.
Positive Expression: Emotional clarity, releasing old stories, seeing yourself with more compassion, breakthroughs in confidence and authenticity.
Shadow Expression: Hiding, shrinking, or retreating out of fear. Egoic overcompensation. Both extremes block authentic expression.
Actionable Step: Write a Narrative Release letter: Address one old story you’ve been carrying about yourself—about your worth, your voice, your visibility. Write: “Dear [old story], you kept me safe by ________. But I no longer need you. I am releasing you with gratitude.” Then write a new story: “The truth I’m learning is ________.” Read the new story aloud. This is not about forgetting the past—it’s about no longer being ruled by it, and chosing differently.
Friday, July 24th: Venus (Virgo) sextile Mercury (Cancer)
On Friday, Venus in Virgo forms a sextile to Mercury in Cancer — a gentle, healing, and deeply personal conversation between heart and mind. Mercury is the ruler of Virgo, so this aspect feels intimate, meaningful, and clarifying. Mercury has just stationed direct, but is still in its post‑shadow phase, which means we are still wrapping up the emotional threads of the retrograde. We are understanding what the retrograde was really about — the emotional ties, the old stories, the patterns we were ready to release.
Venus in Virgo often struggles with self‑acceptance. She wants to improve everything — her value, her relationships, her contributions, her time, her effort. She can be overly critical of herself, always striving to be better. But today’s sextile softens that tendency. Mercury in Cancer brings emotional intelligence, compassion, and a desire to understand rather than judge. Together, they create a healing dialogue that helps us break free from past restraints and find meaning in the present moment.
The Sagittarius Moon rules Mercury today, adding a sense of freedom, exploration, and openness. Sagittarius wants to discover what feels meaningful and expansive. The Moon is opposite Uranus in Gemini — also ruled by Mercury — which brings sudden insights, mental breakthroughs, and liberation from old mental loops. This combination helps us break free from patterns that once felt suppressing or limiting. Ultimately, this can lead to a more liberated sense of self‑worth, value, and connection. Today asks: What is your emotional responsibility to yourself? Who do you want to be now?
What it feels like: This energy feels gentle, clarifying, and emotionally liberating. You may feel a softening around self‑criticism or a clearer understanding of what you truly need. There is a sense of emotional honesty paired with mental breakthroughs — like something finally clicks. You may feel more open, more curious, and more willing to release old emotional attachments.
Positive expressions: This transit supports healing conversations, emotional clarity, and breakthroughs in self‑worth. You may feel more compassionate toward yourself, more willing to express your needs, or more able to let go of old patterns. Venus and Mercury together help you understand your value in a grounded, practical, yet emotionally meaningful way. This is excellent energy for improving relationships, refining personal values, and reconnecting with what feels fulfilling.
Shadow expressions: The shadow may show up as overthinking your worth, analyzing your emotions too critically, or slipping back into old mental loops. Venus in Virgo can become overly self‑critical, while Mercury in Cancer can become overly sensitive. Together, this can create emotional doubt or hesitation. Another shadow is trying to “fix” yourself instead of accepting yourself.
The invitation: Let this be a day of gentle liberation. Allow yourself to break free from old emotional patterns and mental loops that once kept you small. Speak kindly to yourself. Honor what feels meaningful. Let Mercury direct your emotional clarity and let Venus refine your sense of value. You are learning to be responsible for your own emotional wellbeing — not by controlling your feelings, but by honoring them. Trust the new sense of freedom rising within you.
Healing opportunity & Actionable Step:
Honoring Your Emotional Responsibility to Yourself
Aligned with Venus sextile Mercury — heart-mind healing, releasing old emotional attachments, and gentle liberation.
Positive Expression: Healing conversations, emotional clarity, breakthroughs in self-worth. Compassion for yourself, willingness to express your needs, and the ability to let go of old patterns.
Shadow Expression: Overthinking your worth, analyzing emotions too critically, slipping back into old mental loops, or trying to “fix” yourself instead of accepting yourself.
Actionable Step: Practice the Emotional Responsibility reflection: Journal: “One emotional pattern I’ve been carrying that is ready to release is ________. One way I can take responsibility for my own emotional wellbeing is ________. One thing I need to hear from myself today is ________.” Then speak that one thing aloud to yourself. You are responsible for your own emotional health—not by controlling your feelings, but by honoring what you feel.
Saturday, July 25th: Pluto Rx (Aqua.) sextile Neptune Rx (Aries)
On Saturday, Pluto retrograde in Aquarius forms a sextile to Neptune retrograde in Aries — a slow‑moving, subtle, yet profoundly transformative aspect. Because both planets move at such a slow pace, this is not a transit we feel loudly or immediately. It works like an inner rumble beneath the surface, shaping our collective consciousness more than our day‑to‑day lives. This sextile is part of the larger configuration astrologers call Barbault’s Basket — a rare geometric pattern involving Pluto, Neptune, Uranus, and Jupiter. It is one of the most significant astrological signatures of the 21st century, marking a long‑term collective reset after years of disruption.
Pluto and Neptune will make this sextile multiple times over the next seven years as they move forward and backward through their retrograde cycles. Fire and Air dominate this pattern — Aries and Aquarius — and when these elements combine, air fuels fire. Ideas, perspective, and curiosity fan the flames of courage, passion, and transformation. Neptune brings spiritual vision, imagination, and inspiration. Pluto brings deep change, power, and structural transformation. Together, they create visionary transformation: the courage to pursue ideas that require profound restructuring, the ability to communicate change through ideas and reform rather than crisis, and the adaptability to evolve as circumstances shift.
This sextile is not about sudden upheaval. It is about slow, steady, collective evolution over a period of time. It is a signature of the energetic container — the “Basket” — that holds these intense energies and channels them toward meaningful societal change. Historically, Barbault’s research showed that tight clusters of outer planets often coincide with crisis, while the energetic configurations also indicate a renewal of some sort. We are now starting to shift into the renewal phase, again this can take years, it is not something that happens immediately. This alignment influences technological innovation, societal restructuring, and collective conscious healing on a massive scale. We feel the disruption, the unorthodox energy, the sense that something is shifting — but as mentioned, the transformation unfolds gradually, over time. I shared a video last week from a great Mundane Astrologer, Dan Waites of The World Astrology Report, where he goes over this configuration more in-depth.
What it feels like: This energy feels subtle, like a quiet hum beneath the surface. You may sense that something is changing collectively — in technology, society, or consciousness — even if you cannot name it. Personally, it may feel like a soft pull toward growth, intuition, or deeper understanding. There is a sense of inner preparation, as though you are getting ready for a future that is still forming.
Positive expressions: This transit supports visionary thinking, spiritual insight, and the courage to imagine new possibilities. It encourages adaptability, innovation, and the willingness to evolve. You may feel inspired to pursue ideas that once felt too big or too bold. Collectively, this energy supports breakthroughs in technology, reform, and humanitarian progress. It is a time when society begins to reorganize itself in more conscious, forward‑thinking ways.
Shadow expressions: Because the energy is subtle, it can feel confusing or disorienting. Neptune can blur boundaries, while Pluto can stir unconscious fears. You may feel uncertain about the future or overwhelmed by the sense that something is shifting without knowing what it is or how it will unfold. Collectively, this can manifest as societal tension, resistance to change, or fear of the unknown. The shadow is not chaos — it is the discomfort of slow transformation.
The invitation: Trust the slow burn. Trust the quiet evolution. Trust the inner rumble that tells you change is happening even if you cannot fully see how it will unfold, yet. Allow yourself to imagine new possibilities and be open to transformation that unfolds gradually. This is a time to align with your deeper vision, your intuition, and your courage. You are part of a collective shift — one that will reshape the world over the next several years. Let yourself evolve with it. Get clear about what values you hold about how we can work together, for the greater good of all.
Healing opportunity & Actionable Step:
Trusting the Slow, Quiet Evolution
Aligned with Pluto sextile Neptune Rx — a subtle, long-term collective and personal transformation unfolding beneath the surface.
Positive Expression: Visionary thinking, spiritual insight, courage to imagine new possibilities. Adaptability, innovation, and a willingness to evolve. Sensing that something is shifting even if you can’t name it yet.
Shadow Expression: Confusion, disorientation, unconscious fears surfacing. Uncertainty about the future or overwhelm at the sense that something is shifting without knowing what it is. Restlessness without clear direction.
Actionable Step: Create a Vision Log for the months & years ahead: Journal: “One area where I sense change is coming—even if I can’t see it clearly yet—is ________. One quality I want to cultivate as I evolve is ________. One small, grounded way I can stay open to transformation is ________.” Then commit to returning to this log every few weeks to track what’s shifting. This transit works slowly—trust the quiet hum. You don’t need to see the whole picture. You just need to stay open to the evolution process.
Sunday, July 26th: Saturn Stations Retrograde (Aries); North Nodes Enters Aquarius
On Sunday, we experience major energetic shifts as Saturn stations retrograde in Aries and the Nodes of Fate move into Aquarius and Leo. Saturn’s retrograde marks a period of re‑evaluation — a turning inward to reassess our structures, foundations, responsibilities, and the ways we invest our time and effort. Because Saturn is in Aries, this review focuses on our personal growth, identity, courage, and the ways we take responsibility for our own becoming. Saturn retrograde asks us to pivot, refine, or revisit something we may have missed. It is not a setback — it is a strengthening.
Hours later, the Nodes of Fate shift signs: the North Node enters Aquarius and the South Node enters Leo. This shift sets the tone for the next 18 months, guiding our collective and personal evolution. What makes this moment especially potent is that Saturn stations retrograde just as the Nodes change signs — and the North Node is now ruled by Saturn (and co‑ruled by Uranus). The South Node in Leo is ruled by the Sun. This means every solar shift, every lunation, and every moment of self‑expression will carry themes of release, healing, and recalibration.
The North Node in Aquarius represents our evolutionary direction — the stretch we are growing toward. It pulls us toward innovation, community, collaboration, and contributing our uniqueness to something larger than ourselves. It asks us to think beyond just personal recognition and toward a collective purpose. It encourages us to find our people, our tribe, our shared vision — and to bring our unique individuality into a space where it helps everyone rise.
The South Node in Leo represents what is familiar — our comfort zone, our instinctive patterns, and our natural talents. Leo’s gifts include creativity, leadership, self‑expression, and pride in what we do well. But its shadow includes being too egocentric, self‑importance, and clinging to being the center of attention. The South Node asks us to release outdated forms of self‑expression that revolve around external validation. It invites us to keep the gifts — the creativity, the passion, the warmth — while letting go of the egoic attachments.
Working with the Nodes is a balancing act. Think of a seesaw, both sides need balance. The South Node provides the gifts; the North Node provides the growth. My astrology teacher used to say the North Node is like learning to walk — wobbly, uncomfortable, unfamiliar — but once you learn, you feel empowered, and free. The South Node is where we’ve already mastered something, but staying there keeps us stuck. In this case, Leo gives us the gift of shining from within, without needing applause. Aquarius asks us to use that inner light to contribute meaningfully to the collective.
This nodal cycle lasts until March 2028. We are entering eclipse season soon, with a Total Solar Eclipse in Leo (New Moon) on August 12th, situated on the South Node. We already had a hybrid Solar Eclipse in Aquarius earlier this year on February 17th, 2026, and we will have one final hybrid lunar eclipse in Pisces on August 28th to close the Virgo/Pisces eclipse story. The stage is set for deep personal and collective evolution.
What it feels like: This energy feels like a shift in direction — subtle yet unmistakable. Saturn retrograde brings a sense of slowing down, reassessing, and turning inward. The nodal shift feels like a change in the air, a new chapter beginning. You may feel both reflective and forward‑looking, aware of what needs to be released and curious about what you are growing toward.
Positive expressions: This transit supports personal responsibility, authentic growth, and meaningful contribution. Saturn retrograde helps you refine your identity and strengthen your foundation. The North Node in Aquarius encourages innovation, collaboration, and finding your community or tribe of people. The South Node in Leo helps you express your gifts with humility, generosity, compassion, purpose, and heart. Together, these energies support empowered evolution.
Shadow expressions: The shadow may show up as resistance to change, clinging to old ego patterns, or feeling insecure about stepping into unfamiliar territory. Saturn retrograde can feel heavy if you avoid the inner work. The South Node in Leo can trigger old habits of seeking validation, acknowledgment, or staying in comfort zones. The North Node in Aquarius can feel intimidating if you fear being different or stepping into new roles within your communities.
The invitation: Embrace the shift. Let Saturn guide you inward to strengthen your foundation, to take responsibility for the life you are leading and living. Let the North Node pull you toward innovation, community, connecting towards a cause greater than you, and authentic contribution. Let the South Node help you release egoic patterns while keeping your natural gifts. Shine from within — not for applause, but because it feels good, ethical, and meaningful. You are entering a new chapter of growth, courage, and collective purpose. Walk toward it with an open heart.
Healing opportunity & Actionable Step:
Stepping into the New Karmic Chapter
Aligned with Saturn Rx and the Nodes shifting into Aquarius & Leo — re-evaluating structures and beginning an 18-month journey of balancing individuality with collective purpose.
Positive Expression: Connection to community, innovative thinking, contributing to a greater whole, balancing individuality with collective purpose, healing the ego’s need for recognition.
Shadow Expression: Clinging to being the center of attention, self-importance, resistance to change, fear of losing your identity or place in the world.
Actionable Step: Create a Karmic Intentional practice: Journal: “One way I’m ready to grow toward community and collective purpose is ________. One way I’m ready to release the need for recognition is ________. One small step I can take toward this new chapter is ________.” Then take that step—join a group, share your gifts without seeking applause, offer your unique contribution to something larger than yourself. This is the beginning of an 18-month journey. Plant the vision today. Let it grow.
Healing Mantra for the Week:
“I choose courage over fear. I release old wounds and step into my light. I balance my unique gifts with collective purpose. I am part of something larger—and I am ready to contribute and grow, together.”
Psychology Fact:
The Fear-avoidance Model & The Cost of Avoidance
The fear-avoidance model (Lethem) describes how avoiding feared situations—like visibility, self-expression, or pursuing a dream—actually increases fear over time, while approaching them reduces it. The brain’s amygdala (fear center) habituates to feared stimuli through exposure, while the prefrontal cortex (reasoning) strengthens its regulatory capacity. Avoidance keeps fear alive; action teaches the brain that the feared outcome is rarely as catastrophic as imagined. The longer we avoid, the larger the fear grows. The moment we step toward it, the fear begins to shrink. Your brain learns safety not by avoiding—but by moving through.
Relevance: Jupiter opposite Pluto brings internal blocks to the surface. The shadow is avoiding the discomfort of confronting old fears. The healing is to take one brave step toward what you’ve been avoiding.
Practice: Use The Approach Protocol: Identify one fear that has been keeping you small. Ask: “What is one small, manageable step I can take toward this fear today?” Take that step—not to eliminate the fear, but to show your brain that you can move through it. Journal: “I approached my fear by ________. What I learned is ________.” Each approach rewires the brain’s prediction of danger, shrinking the fear over time.
Shadow Journal Prompts: (for the whole week)
- The Fear That Kept Me from My Light: Jupiter-Pluto asks us to confront the internal blocks that keep us from fully expressing who we are.
Think of a moment when you dimmed your light—held back an idea, softened your voice, or made yourself smaller. What were you afraid would happen if you took up more space? Where did that fear first take root? And now, with the wisdom you have today, who would you be without it? - The Pattern I’m Ready to Shatter: Jupiter-Uranus brings sudden clarity and the mental electricity to break free from old loops.
What is one pattern, belief, or way of thinking that has kept you stuck—something you’ve known wasn’t serving you but couldn’t seem to shake? If you gave yourself permission to break it today, what would you do differently? What’s one small, brave action you can take to prove to yourself that you’re no longer bound by it? - The Gift I’m Afraid to Share: Sun in Leo asks us to shine; Chiron highlights the wound that makes that feel unsafe.
What is one natural gift, talent, or quality you have that you’ve been hesitant to share with the world? Not because you’re not capable—but because somewhere inside, you’ve learned that being seen isn’t safe. What would change if you let yourself share it anyway? What if your gift wasn’t for everyone—but for the people who need exactly what you have to offer? - The Story I’m Ready to Stop Telling Myself: Mercury direct and Sun-Chiron invite us to release old narratives that kept us small.
What is one story you’ve been carrying about yourself—about your worth, your voice, your visibility—that you’re ready to stop believing? Where did this story come from? Who would you be without it? Write a new story—just one sentence—that feels more true to who you are becoming. - The Emotional Pattern I’m Ready to Release: Venus-Mercury brings a gentle, healing conversation between heart and mind.
What is one emotional pattern you’ve been carrying—over-giving, people-pleasing, shrinking, self-criticism—that you’re ready to release? Not because you’ve fully fixed it, but because you’re too tired to carry it any longer? What would it feel like to release it with gratitude, not judgment? What might be waiting for you on the other side? - The Quiet Shift I Sense But Can’t Yet Name: Pluto-Neptune is a subtle, long-term collective and personal evolution.
If you tune into the quiet hum beneath your daily life—the sense that something is shifting, even if you can’t name it yet—what do you notice? What’s one area where you sense change is coming, even if it’s still taking shape? What quality or mindset would help you stay open to this slow evolution? What might be trying to be born in you? What is it asking you to embrace within yourself? - The See-Saw of Shining and Serving: The Nodes shifting into Aquarius and Leo begins an 18-month journey of balancing individuality with collective purpose.
Where in your life have you been seeking or shrinking recognition—maybe more than you’d like to admit? And where in your life have you been holding back your gifts when they could serve something larger than yourself? What would it look like to shine your light not for applause, but as an offering? What would it feel like to connect your unique gifts to a greater whole? What’s one small step you can take today toward that balance?
HAVE THE BEST WEEK AHEAD!
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