Monthly Horoscope: Pisces, July 2018

July opens with the Sun making a helpful connection with your ruling planet Jupiter, bringing fun and exciting opportunities your way, especially concerning travel or school. However, an argumentative energy is also in the air as communication planet Mercury opposes Mars, currently retrograde in Aquarius. You’ve simply got no patience at this time and you’re tired as fuck, thanks to Mars retrograde—so any hiccups in scheduling or screw-ups around completing your tasks and chores will really put you in a crap mood, especially on July 5. Make sure to watch out for arguments. The vibe smooths over on July 8, when the Sun connects with your other ruling planet, Neptune, and creates a romantic and creatively inspired atmosphere.

Messenger planet Mercury squares off with Jupiter on July 9, creating a very chatty energy—but be careful not to make promises you can’t keep. If you don’t have energy for something now, don’t assume you’ll have the time or energy for it later this month when eclipses and Mercury retrograde arrive. Change your responses from "maybe tomorrow" to "ask me in a few weeks" because you need some down-time despite the whirlwind of invitations and exciting plans that may be offered up. Also on July 9, Venus enters your opposite sign Virgo, illuminating the relationship sector of your chart and bringing blessings to your partnerships—cute!

Jupiter, one of your planetary rulers, ends its retrograde on July 10 in fellow water sign Scorpio, bringing some interesting opportunities and a dash of luck your way. Venus in Virgo makes a lovely connection with Uranus in Taurus on July 11, which is especially exciting for communication and connecting with partners—you may even meet some unexpected people on this day! Venus also makes a harmonious connection with Saturn on July 14, creating an easy energy for discussing commitments and plans. These planetary connections are fab for your social life; however, sandwiched between them is a solar eclipse in Cancer—extreme as hell!

The solar eclipse in Cancer arrives on July 12, and this one is super intense for your love life and creative pursuits. Also, if you're trying to have kids or working on anything concerning fertility, this eclipse in nurturer Cancer (which is ruled by the Moon, symbolic of the womb) is going to bring big shifts. Eclipses are very emotional times, and they often find us having to reorient ourselves and our direction—letting go of what's no longer serving us, but also walking through new doors of opportunity. Things feel unsettled and up in the air, but only because you're at the beginning of a new journey and can't yet see what lies ahead. Cancer, an intuitive water sign like you, begs you to listen to your intuition and your inner voice instead of seeking direction from outside sources. Also during this eclipse, the Sun opposes Pluto, so you can bet big drama will be stirred up in your social life (and also within any groups or associations you belong to), as secrets are exposed.

The Sun enters Leo on July 22, illuminating the sector of your chart that rules your daily routine, schedule, habits, and even wellness. This is going to be a productive time if you’re looking for a new gig, and you’ll be energized to cross items off your to-do list. Leo is the sign of royalty, so commit to upgrading yourself by quitting a bad habit or doing something you know is positive for your health! Also on July 22, Venus connects with your ruling planet Jupiter, creating a helpful and optimistic energy in your relationships, encouraging generosity and kind communication.

Let’s talk about your other ruling planet, Neptune. Nebulous, hazy, foggy, dreamy, whimsical, and paranoid, Neptune blurs lines and transcends reality. As the planet of fantasy and delusion, Neptune helps us tap into our intuition, but can also lead us astray. Sweet, lovely Venus opposes Neptune on July 24, and how this will unfold depends entirely on how grounded—or paranoid—you're feeling. One thing’s for sure: You will feel this energy play out in your relationships. There will be a sensitive, needy mood in the air, but whether this ultimately manifests as a whirlwind romance (don’t believe any I love yous at this time—Neptune has a highly intoxicating energy and no one knows what they are talking about, even if they mean well), total confusion, paranoia, or feeling lost. The bottom line is that Neptune’s fog is no joke!

Surprising news arrives on July 26 as the Sun clashes with Uranus, the same day Mercury begins its retrograde in Leo. Mercury retrograde in Leo will bring frustration to your work and schedule, as things get moved around and tasks you've considered completed pop back up for a second look or do-over. Conversations that have been had over the last few weeks are also up for reconsideration, and your commute becomes more annoying—give yourself extra time to travel! Watch out for miscommunications and delays, and save a big purchase or contract signing for after this retrograde ends on August 19.

The lunar eclipse in Aquarius arrives on July 27, activating a very sensitive and private sector of your chart and finding you contending with emotions you’ve repressed, as well as situations you hadn’t even realized needed your attention. Aquarius is a sign that likes to be logical about things, but as we know, eclipses are emotional—expect to be very deep in your feelings during this time.

But the beauty of eclipses is that they put us on our right path. If you believe in destiny, Pisces, know that this eclipse—no matter how hard it is—is bringing you to yours. Also during this eclipse, the Sun will oppose Mars retrograde in Aquarius, which means some big endings will take place and you'll have to watch out for inflated egos and arguments. Venus will also connect with Pluto, which is actually pretty exciting! When sweet Venus and power planet Pluto get along in the sky, as they will now, profound connections can form. This is a hugely potent time for you around intimacy in your partnerships, Pisces, and this eclipse may prove to be a phenomenal bonding experience. Good luck this month, and see you in August!