A Total Solar Eclipse can catalyze powerful healing opportunities in the first half of July. We also have Mercury and Chiron turning retrograde. Uranus also contributes electrical intensity as it squares Mars and Juno, and we have a rare Triple Yod. There’s also much more in this busy forecast!
Click astrology graphics to see larger images. Some resource links occur more than once. This is because many people link to a specific day’s forecast from social media and might not see an important resource link elsewhere on this page.
7/2 (Tuesday)
Total Solar Eclipse in Cancer
The summer eclipse season begins with a Total Solar Eclipse at 3:16 PM EDT (10°37′ Cancer). Like any New Moon in Cancer, this supports new beginnings in home, family, security, emotions, and shadow work. Rather than lasting for two weeks like a regular New Moon, the effects of a solar eclipse last 6 to 12 months!
Aspects
This eclipse includes two T-squares:
- Moon-Sun-Saturn-Pallas Athena-North Node-South Node, and
- Moon-Sun-Pallas Athena-Chiron
Though technically separate, the two T-squares act like a Grand Cross. So I’ll interpret them that way.
There’s no avoiding the fact that many people will experience significant challenge from this eclipse. But I’ll tell you how you can come out shining on the other side!
Saturn and Chiron
The two slowest planets in this aspect pattern are well-known for bringing challenge. Saturn, also known as the Stern Taskmaster, will be sniffing out any weaknesses in your current life structures.
Like all transiting planets, Saturn works first and foremost for your higher self. By bringing challenge, he’ll draw your attention to any physical or energetic structures that don’t align with your soul purpose. You can restore harmony by releasing or adjusting these structures.
It’s not too hard to imagine how Chiron, the Wounded Healer, could bring challenge. Got some unhealed trauma and buried pain? He knows just how to bring it up.
Fortunately, Chiron also works for your higher self, and always has your best interests at heart. There’s only one reason Chiron would ever stir up an old wound: to give you a chance to heal it.
The Great Onion of Consciousness
All this is best explained through a metaphor: the Great Onion of Consciousness. I’ll describe it briefly here. Here’s a more detailed explanation.
The core of the Great Onion of Consciousness is your blissful divine essence. Every unhealed wound or trauma, in this lifetime or another, creates a dark layer around this perfect core. These layers build up to form the onion.
When you feel a challenging emotion, it’s the outer layer of the onion asking to be peeled. When you peel it, you won’t just experience pain relief. You’ll naturally move into a blissful altered state.
This happens because the ecstatic divine light at your core is less obscured, and therefore shining through more brightly. When this emotional healing – also called “shadow work” – is done well, that particular pain is permanently healed.
Shadow Work Tools
There are many effective ways to do shadow work. Popular methods include hypnosis and shamanic ceremonies, as well as holotropic breathwork and its many variations. Many people have found my free Healing Invocation highly effective at clearing those old layers of pain quickly and efficiently.
The Healing Invocation takes very little time or effort, and you can do it on your own. You basically delegate the healing work to your higher self, then relax while it does the healing for you.
I’ve spent a lot of time on healing here. But it’s one of the most prominent potentials of this potent Solar Eclipse. I want you to understand what’s happening, and have the right tools for the job!
This Solar eclipse interpretation continues after this message.

Solar Fire
The #1 Astrology Software for Windows — at an Unbeatable Price!
SOLAR FIRE 9 is the world’s leading astrology software for Windows. Earlier versions brought an unprecedented level of ease to casting and working with astrological charts. The current version adds many more calculations, extra convenience features, more interpretive text, and exciting new graphic displays.
SOLAR FIRE 9 contains something for everyone!
- For advanced astrologers and professionals, it has a great variety of high-precision astrological calculations and an exceptional degree of user-customization.
- For novices, its innovative point-and-click chart interpretations provide an enjoyable way to learn. Many easily explored options will encourage you to experiment with new techniques.
No one sells Solar Fire for less than AstroShaman.
Click here to learn how Solar Fire can supercharge your astrology!
Pallas Athena
Arming you with this information is very much in the spirit of the next-slowest planet in this aspect pattern: Pallas Athena. She’s the warrior goddess who sprang fully armored from the head of Zeus.
Pallas can fight fiercely when cornered, but only does so as a last resort. She much prefers politics, negotiation and strategy. In other words, she’d rather work smart than hard! And when it comes to shadow work, having a tool that clears an old emotional wound once and for all – instead of having it endlessly plague you – is as smart as it gets.
The Lunar Nodes
The only points we haven’t discussed in this aspect pattern are the lunar nodes. The South Node is in Capricorn, and the North Node is in Cancer. As if that wasn’t enough of a message, the Capricorn South Node is tightly conjunct Saturn, which has the same meaning as Capricorn. And the North Node is conjunct the Moon, which has the same meaning as Cancer. The universe is doubling down on both archetypal meanings!
The South Node is the starting point of this eclipse’s evolutionary opportunity. It’s Capricorn/Saturn meaning is all about accomplishment, time management, and effective planning. However, this impulse can go too far and end up as a cold-hearted workaholic.
The evolutionary journey of this eclipse is toward the North Node. It’s Cancer/Moon meaning is about home, family and nurturing. It wants you to feel your emotions fully – even the challenging ones. You can only feel your greatest joy if you’re willing to heal your deepest pain. And you have to feel it to heal it.
A High Side Scenario
To the degree that you’re willing to do this deep healing work – or have already done it – this eclipse can offer wonderful rewards. You can strategically (Pallas) use your wisdom, planning and time management abilities (Capricorn/Saturn) to take your abilities as a healer and mentor (Chiron) to the next level. You’ll know you’re doing this in alignment with your soul purpose (the lunar nodes) because of the joy in your heart (Cancer/Moon).
The Sextiles
This solar eclipse also has two additional aspects: vital, harmonious sextiles to the luminaries from Uranus and Vesta. Uranus offers intuitive flashes (trust them!), encouragement to be your authentic self, and the suggestion to serve using your special talents that you most love using. Vesta is hoping that you’ll look beyond your own selfish interests and contribute some energy to a higher cause.
Sabian Symbol
The Sabian symbol for this eclipse is, “A clown is caricaturing well-known personalities.” Given the intensity of this eclipse, it could be easy to take its challenge as seriously as a heart attack. This clown reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously. The ability to laugh at yourself can be a lifesaver in times of great challenge.
I once heard a comedian talk about an evening show he did the day JFK was assassinated. He thought about canceling, but a full house showed up. He stoked up his courage and and did the show – and had the audience roaring with laughter all night.
At first he was surprised, but then understood what was happening. Because of this terrible tragedy, these people needed to laugh more than ever. Laughter may not be the final cure for deep pain, but it can make it tolerable.
You just read about the July 2 Solar Eclipse. And we have a Lunar Eclipse coming on 7/16. As shown in the illustrations above, both feature hard aspect patterns that include potentially challenging planets like Pluto, Saturn and Chiron.
These eclipses will take place in Cancer and Capricorn. This highlights the themes of home, family, and shadow work for everyone. Career, reputation and accomplishment are also emphasized.
But what about you personally? Both eclipses will focus their most powerful effects in the four Cardinal signs. If you have sensitive natal points in Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn, you could experience potent challenge … as well as incredible opportunity!
This challenge and opportunity could show up in any part of your life. It all depends on the meaning of your sensitive Cardinal points, and what houses they’re in.
An Eclipse-Focused Reading
Even if you don’t normally do eclipse-focused readings, this would be a good time to consider one. You’ll be much better equipped to work skillfully with these eclipses’ challenging effects if you understand their specific astrological impacts on you.
An eclipse-focused reading will also help you maximize the upside potentials of these eclipses. These could include increased wealth, power, accomplishment, healing and unconditional love.
An eclipse-focused reading can help make your life more wonderful even if you do it during or after the eclipses. You can work with eclipse effects for 6 to to 12 months!
- Are you concerned about how these eclipses will affect you?
- Do you want to maximize their benefits?
Learn more about your eclipse-focused astrology consultation.
Thor’s Hammer Peaks
Dynamic communication, fueled by divine inspiration and your accumulated wisdom, is energized by a Mercury-Jupiter-Neptune Thor’s Hammer. (The communication is dynamic because Mercury’s in Leo.) This aspect pattern started on 6/25 and ends on 7/21. Because Mercury turns retrograde, it has two peaks: today (7/2) and 7/15.
This is a hard aspect pattern, so beware its dark expressions. Possibilities include others boldly spreading lies, or you being duped into spreading false information that you believe to be true.
7/3 (Wednesday)
Grand Trine Peaks
Prosperous possibilities are suggested by a Grand Trine featuring Mercury, Ceres and Chiron. It started on 6/23, peaks twice because of Mercury retrograde (today on 7/3 and 7/13) and ends on 7/25.
Sometimes it’s worth the investment to gain the wisdom of those who are farther along your chosen path than you. (I discovered the truth of this after I enrolled in a wonderful business coaching program!) This interpretation is formed by Mercury (communication and mental focus), Chiron (mentoring) and Ceres (abundance).
Are you ready to launch, or are you already in the public eye? Then Leonine Mercury can help you deliver your message, Chiron is your wisdom (or a wise person supporting you), and Ceres once again represents abundance.
Grand Trines can give an easy win up front, but lack their own dynamic energy. The more effort you put into this aspect pattern, the more reward you’ll receive!
Longing for a paradigm shift in your committed partnership? The information you need to do it may pop in as an intuitive flash with Uranus square Juno (5°59′ Taurus-Leo). Any chaos or craziness in the relationship is there to show you where healing or release is needed. Finally, this energy can help you take a relationship in an unconventional direction.
7/6 (Saturday)
Cradle Begins
Is there a worthy cause aligned with your soul purpose? You can use the Law of Attraction to support it, thanks to a Cradle that starts today (7/6), peaks on 7/26 and ends on 8/25. This flowing aspect pattern includes Vesta, Saturn, Neptune and the lunar nodes. It also supports embodied awakening – especially if you want to awaken more deeply so that you can serve others more effectively.
Thor’s Hammer Peaks
There’s plenty of energy available to follow your dreams and visions, thanks to Thor’s Hammer featuring Mars, Jupiter and Neptune. It started on 6/29, peaks today (7/6) and ends on 7/11. This aspect pattern can also help you act dynamically in flow state, or plunge into the next level of your spiritual path.
7/7 (Sunday)
Mercury Retrograde
Mercury turns retrograde at 7:14 PM EDT (4° 27′ Leo). It will turn direct again on 7/31 at 23°56′ Cancer. Broadly speaking, Mercury retrograde is a great time for reflection and contemplation.
While Mercury is packpedaling in Leo thru 7/18, think about how you’re embodying the roles of the leader or entertainer. Also, are you having enough fun, engaging in an appropriate amount of risk, and getting enough rest?
As Mercury retrogrades in Cancer, 7/19 thru 7/31, reflect on the fundamental themes of this month’s Solar Eclipse. How are you faring in the areas of home, family, and security? Are you in touch with your emotions, and doing effective shadow work to process your challenging feelings?
The standard Mercury Retrograde advice also applies. If possible, avoid starting major new projects or making large purchases. Double-check travel plans, and make sure that you’re understanding and being understood. However, Mercury Retrograde is a great time to complete projects already underway and make repairs.

AstroShamanic Life Coaching
Make that amazing life you’ve been dreaming about real!
My unique combination of modalities, refined through more than 10,000 AstroShaman client sessions, can help you thrive in all areas of your life. And my unusual approach could help you do this faster than you might have thought possible.
Grand Trine Peaks
Healing old emotional wounds is harmoniously energized by a Grand Trine that includes Mars, Ceres and Chiron. This aspect pattern started on 6/25, peaks today (7/7) and ends on 7/18. It can also energize your prosperity as a healer or mentor.
7/8 (Monday)
Chiron Retrograde
Chiron turns retrograde today (7/8) at 5°56′ Aries. The wounded healer will turn direct again on 12/12 at 1°26′ Aries.
Five months of Chiron retrograde is too long not to do any healing or mentoring. But this is still a time when reflection on these themes can prove fruitful. Would it benefit you to focus on your own health – physical, emotional, mental or spiritual? Are you called to transform how you support the healing of others?
Then there’s mentoring. Could you benefit from the wisdom of others? Would it be good to change how you share your wisdom with others?
Triple Yod Begins
When you put three Yods together, their combined meaning can get incredibly precise. Such is the case with the Triple Yod that starts today (7/8). It includes Pallas Athena, Vesta, Jupiter, Neptune and the North Node. It peaks on 7/25 and ends on 8/3.
These interlinked “Fingers of God” support service-to-other endeavors. You can strategically and assertively broadcast information about a worthy cause that aligns with your soul purpose.
Venus makes two aspects today: a Venus-Chiron square (5°56′ Cancer-Taurus) and a Venus-Uranus sextile (6°8′ Cancer-Taurus.) The square could catalyze old wounds in a relationship, but can also support mentoring.
The sextile could help intuitive flashes pop in to help you work through any relationship challenges, and to help you learn faster from your mentor (or advise someone more skillfully). With Venus in Cancer, challenges could arise within a family context, or be triggered by feelings of insecurity.
You can proclaim your message loud and proud with Mercury conjunct Mars (4°25′ Leo). But be careful not to become verbally abusive, or talk too much about yourself.
7/9 (Tuesday)
Does it feel like you’re hitting a brick wall? With the Sun opposing Saturn (17°12′ Cancer-Capricorn), you’re not the only one! Saturn can throw up obstacles when you’re out of alignment with your soul purpose, or sometimes when it’s time for a test of your resolve.
How can you tell the difference? The Sun in Cancer gives a big clue: follow your heart! Once you’ve chosen your path, you can make good use of Saturn’s high side qualities. These include maturity, discipline, efficient time management, and good planning and implementation.
7/10 (Wednesday)
T-square Begins
Are your key relationships in harmony with your soul purpose? How about your finances and creative expression? All these can be reality-checked by a Venus-Pallas-Saturn-Lunar Nodes T-square that starts today (7/10), peaks on 7/17 and ends on 7/25.
All these themes are represented by Venus. Her placement in Cancer suggests that you follow your heart in these areas, rather than being a “should-head.”
Once you’ve chosen a direction, Pallas Athena can help you get there. The warrior goddess will fight when necessary, but prefers strategy to fisticuffs. Be sure you’re working smart to achieve your goals, not just hard.
Brilliant ideas, intuitive hits and authentic self-expression are all supported by a Sun-Uranus quintile (18°11′ Cancer-6°11′ Taurus). If this fairy dust energy gives you a great idea, run with it!
7/11 (Thursday)
Your empathic sensitivity could naturally increase as the Sun trines Neptune (18°37′ Cancer-Pisces). If you feel too sensitive, Neptune offers a solution: deepen your spiritual awakening! Being an HSP (Highly Sensitive Person) can feel like a curse when you constantly soak up other peoples’ negative energy.
But once you achieve a base-level awakening, you pick up less heavy energy from others, and radiate love and light like a sun. Many people use my free Awakening Invocation to rekindle their awakening every day!
This trine also supports inspired creativity. In addition, it can make it easier for you to feel unconditional love and compassion for yourself and others.
Mars makes two aspects today: a Mars-Chiron trine (5°56′ Leo-Aries) and a Mars-Uranus square (6°12′ Leo-Taurus). The square is like dynamite – potentially useful, but very volatile! Avoid rash impulsiveness, inappropriate sexuality, or unnecessary conflict. If possible, steer clear of dangerous people and situations.
Positive uses of the Mars-Uranus square include breakthrough athletic performance, sexual experimentation, and taking immediate action on your intuitive flashes. With Mars in Leo, you could be more electrifying as a leader or entertainer.
The Mars-Chiron trine supports athletic mentoring, sexual healing, or sage guidance to take leadership or entertainment skills to the next level.
7/14 (Sunday)
Ready to do your phoenix act, where the old you burns up in the flames and is replaced by a more wonderful you? You’re supported by a Sun-Pluto opposition (21°53′ Cancer-Capricorn). This aspect can also bless you with wealth and power.
With the Sun in Cancer, are there any changes that would serve highest good in your family interactions? How could you work with your emotions more skillfully, or increase your feeling of security?
Whatever your Sun Sign, my forecasts can help you make the best use of the current astrological energies.
All dates and times are in the U.S. eastern time zone. Events are most powerful on the dates listed, but their influence will be active for at least a week before and after.
Everyone is affected by these global transits. However, you’ll be most powerfully impacted when moving planets activate sensitive points in your natal chart. Discover how these transits will personally affect you by booking a session with me.
I love the new format, but it won’t print. I like to print off a copy to take home because I don’t have internet at home, but when the new forecast is put into the print function, regardless of the browser, the lines of text overlap and it’s impossible to read. Any suggestions?
You might consider saving it as a PDF and printing that way. That usually works for me.
You’re right — printing it from the screen is a mess! I suggest you copy the post, paste it into a word processing app such as Google Docs, and print it from there.
I am a new listener. Your podcast is most enjoyable. Nice level of detail.Thank you for sharing your talent by providing this public service.