Monthly Horoscope: Scorpio, July 2018

But, let’s not jump ahead so soon: At the start of the month, on July 5, the Sun (in fellow water sign Cancer) connects with lucky Jupiter (currently bringing blessings in your sign), leading you to fantastic opportunities, especially around school and travel. However, things aren't totally easy, due to tension from communication planet Mercury opposing your ruling planet Mars on July 5. This aspect creates an argumentative energy, so watch out for confrontations and a conversation that may lead to a break-up.

Things ease up on July 8 when the Sun connects with dreamy Neptune, encouraging creativity and empathy—this is a much cuter time for a date, heart-to-heart, or anything that requires patience or sensitivity than July 5, if you have a choice! That said, if you want to dump someone, July 5 is a better time to do so, because Neptune has a tendency to confuse people and make it difficult to get your point across.

On July 9, Mercury squares off with Jupiter and stirs up lots of talk, especially concerning your career. Also on this day, Venus enters Virgo and illuminates the friendship sector of your chart, making this a fab time for networking and meeting new people. Emotionally, expect to re-evaluate what’s important to you—Venus in Virgo is very picky, so perhaps it’s time to raise your standards, Scorpio.

Excitement is in the air as Venus connects with Uranus on July 11, especially when it comes to your social life and relationships. Expect to meet some eccentric, unusual people! This is a fantastic time to try something new with your partner (electric Uranus loves a good vibrator), or to explore and learn more about different relationship formats, like polyamory. The mood is open-minded and experimental.

On July 14, Venus connects with more traditionally-minded Saturn, making it a fantastic time to discuss commitment and responsibility, and outside of relationships, to feel like you’re getting your "money’s worth" (Venus rules beauty and cash, as well as love). The question Venus poses is "What’s valuable to you?" and this month, as it connects harmoniously with both rebellious Uranus and taskmaster Saturn, we will all get opportunities to try something new as well as enjoy what’s safe and secure. For you, specifically, Scorpio, this is major for figuring out what you value in terms of communication and community. Keep these themes in mind as Venus opposes Neptune on July 24, which will bring confusion and insecurity to your social life and love life. Find ways to get grounded, engage in your spiritual practice, and avoid paranoid thinking.

This isn’t going to be an easy time—not only is it in the middle of eclipse season (more on that later), but on July 25, the Sun will square off with Uranus and stir up surprises. People will really want space, and some endings may take place in your relationships, Scorpio. On the other hand, Venus opposes Neptune, creating an emotional and uneasy energy that finds people reaching out for help and love. The problem with Neptune, however, is that it creates a dense fog as the planet of illusion and delusion. If someone enters this fog without a clear understanding of who they are, they may reach out for love in all the wrong places and in all the wrong ways.

The first eclipse of the month is on July 12, the solar eclipse in Cancer. If you’re traveling, expect this to be a very intense time with massive retaliations taking place—the perspectives you gain while far from home will be profound. Even if you’re not traveling, you will feel like you’re in new and unusual territory—this is a powerful time to explore your spirituality. Amazing opportunities are coming your way, but the vibe is so emotional and exhausting that it could be very hard to see what’s coming up next. There might be a homesickness bubbling up inside of you—let it come to the surface: Explore it, honor it, and share your truth. Also on July 12, the Sun will oppose the planet of death and rebirth, Pluto, which will bring a huge reveal (not to mention that eclipses generally tend to expose secrets).

Leo season begins on July 22, and the Sun illuminates the sector of your chart that rules your career and reputation. However, you're going to be rethinking the direction you're heading and finishing up old projects rather than starting new ones, thanks to Mercury retrograde in Leo which starts on July 26. If you can, avoid signing contracts during this time, since the terms may change later on. Miscommunications abound during Mercury retrograde, and it’s wise to double check your e-mails before hitting send. Try to delay traveling or making important purchases—Mercury rules commerce in addition to communication, and now’s the time to slow down instead of zipping around and spending cash (as much as glam fire sign Leo loves to shop and talk about money!).

The lunar eclipse in Aquarius arrives on July 27, which will shift your focus from your career and public life and find you squarely focused on home and family. Emotionally, you’re processing a lot of issues concerning your past—eclipses are a very powerful time for letting go. Aquarius is a sign that’s chill and logical (unlike you, my little scorpion), and everyone will be feeling the emotionally charged energy of this eclipse. Endings are taking place and grudges that should have been relinquished long ago are finally making their way out, thanks to the Sun opposing Mars. Venus connects with Pluto (one of your ruling planets), on July 27, too, encouraging honest communication. You like to go deep, Scorpio, and you’re going to dive into some things that are otherwise very difficult to access during this time. There’s no more pretending that things are "chill" when they simply aren't. Good luck this month, and see you in August!